Cable connector for underground applications

Claim 2

In a connector assembly for electrically and mechanically connecting conductors, a body formed of an electrically conductive material, a body bore in said body, an insulating coating of said body, a conical section of said body bore having its greatest diameter adjacent the entrance to the body bore, an electrically conducting connector cone having an outer conical surface at least partially within said conical section in adjacency with the inner surface of said body bore and a conductor receiving bore for embracing the exposed conductor end, a crimping sleeve integral with and projecting rearwardly from said connector cone and providing a continuation of said conductor-receiving bore, said crimping sleeve adapted to have portions of its diameter reduced to embrace the exposed conductor end in tight contact, a threaded bore section of said body bore outwardly of said conical section, a fastening member having a fastening member bore through which said conductor can pass to be received with said connector cone, a threaded portion of said fastening member cooperating with said threaded bore section for attaching said fasteNing member thereto, and an abutting surface of said fastening member abutting said connector cone and urging said connector cone toward said body with said connector cone being brought into firm contact with said body by the wedging action of its outer surface and the surface of the bore of said conical section, a resilient washer member with first and second annular surfaces respectively abuttingly engaging said body at said insulating coating and said fastening member providing a seal between said fastening member and said body bore, an internal camming surface provided by a flared outer end of said fastening member bore of increased diameter, a resilient grommet member and a sealing nut cooperating with said fastening member, said sealing nut having an inwardly facing annular shoulder abutting said resilient grommet member and urging it between said camming surface and said conductor providing a seal between said fastening member and said conductor.

Claim 3

A connector assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which the connector is provided with a radially extending flange which is abutted by the abutting surface of the fastening member.

Claim 4

A connector assembly in accordance with claim 1 in which the insulation terminates in a first portion extending toward the body bore and an annular section spaced from said body bore and said washer member sealingly embraces and lies between said annular section and said fastening member and sealingly abuts said first portion.

Claim 5

A connector assembly for electrically and mechanically connecting conductors including in combination a body formed of an electrically conductive material, end portions extending from said body, an end bore in each of said end portions, an insulating coating of said body, a conical section of said end bore having its greatest diameter outwardly of said body, an electrically conducting connector cone having an outer conical surface at least partially within said conical section in adjacency with the inner surface of said end bore, a conductor-receiving bore for embracing the exposed conductor end, a crimping sleeve projecting rearwardly from said connector cone and providing a continuation of said conductor receiving bore, said crimping sleeve adapted to have portions of its diameter reduced to embrace the exposed conductor end in tight contact, a threaded bore section of each end bore, a fastening member having a fastening member bore through which said respective conductor can pass to be received within said connector cone, a threaded portion of said fastening member cooperating with said threaded bore section for attaching said fastening member thereto, an abutting surface of said fastening member abutting said connector cone and urging said connector cone toward said body with said connector cone being brought into firm contact with said body by the wedging action of its outer surface and the surface of the bore of said conical section, a resilient washer member with first and second annular surfaces respectively abuttingly engaging said end at said insulating coating and said fastening member providing a seal between said respective fastening member and said respective bore, an internal camming surface provided by a flared outer end of said fastening member bore of increased diameter, a resilient grommet member and a sealing nut cooperating with said fastening member, said sealing nut having an inwardly facing annular shoulder abutting said resilient grommet member and urging it between said camming surface and said respective conductor providing a seal between said respective fastening member and said respective conductor.

Claim 6

A connector assembly for electrically and mechanically connecting conductors including in combination a body formed of an electrically conductive material, end portions extending from said body, an end bore in each of said end portions, an insulating coating of said body, a conical section of said end bore having its greatest diameter outwardly of said body, an electrically conducting connector cone having an outer conical surface at least partially within said conical section in adjacency with the inner surface of said end bore, a conductor-receiving bore for embracing the exposed conductor end, a crimping sleeve projecting rearwardly from said connector cone and providing a continuation of said conductor receiving bore, said crimping sleeve adapted to have portions of its diameter reduced to embrace the exposed conductor end in tight contact, a threaded bore section of each end bore, a fastening member having a fastening member bore through which said respective conductor can pass to be received within said connector cone, a threaded portion of said fastening member cooperating with said threaded bore section for attaching said fastening member thereto, an abutting surface of said fastening member abutting said connector cone and urging said connector cone toward said body with said connector cone being brought into firm contact with said body by the wedging action of its outer surface and the surface of the bore of said conical section, a resilient washer member with first and second annular surfaces respectively abuttingly engaging said end at said insulating coating and said fastening member providing a seal between said respective fastening member and said respective bore, an internal camming surface provided by a flared outer end of said fastening member bore of increased diameter, a resilient grommet member and a sealing nut cooperating with said fastening member, said sealing nut having an inwardly facing annular shoulder abutting said resilient grommet member and urging it between said camming surface and said respective conductor providing a seal between said respective fastening member and said respective conductor.