Abstract A terminal connector for a multiple conductor electrical cable is provided which may readily be applied to the cable by the user rather than being integrally molded to the cable by a connector manufacturer. Union of leads to contacts is made, such contacts being within a contact holder, and the contact holder is then bodily incorporated into an insulating sleeve of resilient material. Despite the resiliency of the material of the sleeve, once the contact holder and sleeve are integrated, separation is prevented by providing a rib in one which extends into a groove in the other, and disposing a close fitting rigid jacket about the sleeve so that flexibility of the resilient sleeve is diminished. Retention of cable within sleeve by means of a partial ring, and of a female contact which spring loads an entering male contact, are both also contemplated.
In a terminal connector for an electrical cable having contact means for mating with contact means in a second terminal connector and an insulating sleeve within which said contact means are disposed, cable retaining means comprising partial ring means having a dimension larger than the internal diameter of an internal shoulder within said sleeve, said means having an external circumferential groove and at least one aperture communicating between said groove and the interior of said partial ring, and means for securing said partial ring means to said cable and comprising a wire at least in part within said groove and passing about said cable, whereby partial ring means of the same dimension may be fastened by said wire to cables of different size by passing said wire through said aperture when a cable of smaller size is used, and continuing said wire within said groove but not passing through said aperture when a cable of larger size is used, whereby when said partial ring means is secured to said cable and is disposed within said sleeve, said cable may not be withdrawn from said sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a terminal connector for an electrical cable having contact means for mating with contact means in a second terminal connector and an insulating sleeve within which said contact means are disposed, cable retaining means comprising partial ring means having a dimension larger than the internal diameter of an internal shoulder within said sleeve, said means having an external circumferential groove and at least one aperture communicating between said groove and the interior of said partial ring, and means for securing said partial ring means to said cable and comprising a wire at least in part within said groove and passing about said cable, whereby partial ring means of the same dimension may be fastened by said wire to cables of different size by passing said wire through said aperture when a cable of smaller size is used, and continuing said wire within said groove but not passing through said aperture when a cable of larger size is used, whereby when said partial ring means is secured to said cable and is disposed within said sleeve, said cable may not be withdrawn from said sleeve.