Powdered metal connector

Claim 2

A terminating member (34, 62) comprising a conductor receiving portion (36) having a first end and a second end, an opening (38, 64) provided in the conductor receiving portion and extending from the first end toward the second end, the opening (38, 64) having opening sidewalls, terminating member being characterized in that: a deformable insert (2) having a first surface (28), a second surface (26), and a side surface (24) extending therebetween, the insert positioned in the opening (38, 64) of the conductor receiving portion, the insert (2) having an aperture (30) provided therein, the aperture (30) positioned along the longitudinal axis of the insert (2), and is dimensioned to receive a conductor (16, 60) therein; whereby a force is applied to the first surface (28) of the insert (2), in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the insert (2), causing the deformable insert (2) to provide a uniformly distributed force on the sidewalls of the aperture (30) opening and on the conductor (16, 60) provided on the aperture.

Claim 3

A terminating member (34, 62) as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that the deformable insert (2) is dimensioned such that the diameter of the insert (2) is less than the diameter of the opening (38, 64).

Claim 4

A terminating member (62) as set forth in claim 1 or 2 further characterized in that the deformable insert (2) is formed of powdered metal material.

Claim 5

A terminating member (62) as set forth in claim 3 further characterized in that the conductor (60) is a wire which transmits electrical signals thereacross.

Claim 6

A terminating member (34) as set forth in claim 3 further characterized in that the conductor (16) is a fiber optic cable which transmits light signals thereacross.

Claim 7

A terminating member (34, 62) as set forth in claim 3 further characterized in that the conductor receiving section has ribs (40) which extend about the perimeter of the conductor receiving section, the ribs (40) cooperate with the powdered metal to maintain the deformable insert (2) in the opening (36, 64) of the conductor receiving section.

Claim 10

A method for terminating as set forth in claim 7 further characterized in that the transverse force applied to the conductor (16) is not sufficient to penetrate the conductor (60), such that a mechanical connection is effected between the deformable insert (2) and the conductor (60).

Claim 11

A method for terminating as set forth in claim 7 further characterized in that the transverse force applied to the conductor is sufficient to penetrate the conductor, such that a mechanical and electrical connection is effected between the deformable insert and the conductor.

Claim 12

A method for terminating as set forth in claim 7 further characterized in that the axial force applied to the end of the insert (2) is of sufficient force to cause the deformable insert (2) to deform in such a manner as to fill the voids of the deformable insert (2), thereby preventing corrosive material from contacting an end of the conductor (60) which is to be terminated.

Claim 13

A deformable insert (2) for use in retaining a conductor (16, 60) with a connector, the connector having an opening (38, 64) provided therein, the opening extending from a first end of the connector toward a second end of the conductor, the deformable insert (2) charterized in that: a cylindrical member having a side wall (24), a first end wall (28), and a second end wall (26); a conductor receiving opening (30) provided in the cylindrical member, the opening extending from the first end wall (28) toward the second end wall (30), the dimensions of the opening (30) are such to allow a respective conductor (16, 60) to be inserted therein; the insert (2) being made of material having the deformable characteristics required, such that as a force is applied to the first end wall (28) of the insert (2), the insert (2) will be compressed in the direction of the axis of the insert (2), and will expand in the direction which is normal to the axis of the insert, thereby allowing an axial force to be translated into a normal force on the conductor (16, 60), the normal force being distributed evenly over the length of the insert (2).

Claim 14

A deformable insert (2) for use in retaining a conductor (16, 60) with a connector, the connector having an opening (38, 64) provided therein, the opening extending from a first end of the connector toward a second end of the conductor, the deformable insert (2) charterized in that: a cylindrical member having a side wall (24), a first end wall (28), and a second end wall (26); a conductor receiving opening (30) provided in the cylindrical member, the opening extending from the first end wall (28) toward the second end wall (30), the dimensions of the opening (30) are such to allow a respective conductor (16, 60) to be inserted therein; the insert (2) being made of material having the deformable characteristics required, such that as a force is applied to the first end wall (28) of the insert (2), the insert (2) will be compressed in the direction of the axis of the insert (2), and will expand in the direction which is normal to the axis of the insert, thereby allowing an axial force to be translated into a normal force on the conductor (16, 60), the normal force being distributed evenly over the length of the insert (2).

Claim 15

A deformable insert (2) as set forth in claim 11 further characterized in that the deformable insert (2) is formed of powdered metal material.