US4281887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector
Assignee: Amphenol Corp
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Filing: 1979-02-28
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Granted: 1981-08-04
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Expires: 1999-02-28
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly having a strain relief grommet (30) spaced apart from a moisture sealing grommet (20) to prevent radial forces applied to a wire (40) entering the moisture sealing grommet from deflecting a passage (22) in the moisture sealing grommet and allowing moisture to enter the passage (22).
Inventors
- 👤 Vincent A. Luca, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:16
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/58; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49169
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
In combination with an electrical connector of the type having a housing, a plurality of electrical contacts, means for mounting said contact within a said housing, and a moisture sealing grommet comprised of a resilient material having a plurality of longitudinal bores adapted to receives wires terminating at respective contacts, said grommet located adjacent said contact mounting means, the improvement comprising: a second grommet spaced apart from the moisture sealing grommet and the contact mounting means and having a plurality of grooves for receiving some of said wires arranged about the outer periphery and a central passage having a diameter large enough for passing other of said wires extending from a first surface to a second surface, one of said surfaces extending radially inwardly to said central passage, said wires passing through said central passage and said grooves for connection to different ones of said electrical contacts; and means for mounting said second grommet adjacent said moisture sealing grommet, said second grommet preventing radial forces applied to the wires from being transmitted to the moisture sealing grommet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
In combination with an electrical connector of the type having a housing, a plurality of electrical contacts, means for mounting said contact within a said housing, and a moisture sealing grommet comprised of a resilient material having a plurality of longitudinal bores adapted to receives wires terminating at respective contacts, said grommet located adjacent said contact mounting means, the improvement comprising: a second grommet spaced apart from the moisture sealing grommet and the contact mounting means and having a plurality of grooves for receiving some of said wires arranged about the outer periphery and a central passage having a diameter large enough for passing other of said wires extending from a first surface to a second surface, one of said surfaces extending radially inwardly to said central passage, said wires passing through said central passage and said grooves for connection to different ones of said electrical contacts; and means for mounting said second grommet adjacent said moisture sealing grommet, said second grommet preventing radial forces applied to the wires from being transmitted to the moisture sealing grommet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said grooves in said second grommet are sufficiently recessed to accommodate the plurality of wires adapted to be connected to respective contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said second grommet includes a wire receiving slot extending from said central passage to the periphery of said grommet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said second grommet is comprised of a resilient material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said means for mounting said second grommet includes: a coupling nut; means for mounting said coupling to one end of said connector housing; and means for mounting said second grommet to said coupling nut whereby when said coupling nut is mounted to said connector housing, said second grommet is adjacent said moisture sealing grommet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as recited in claim 5 wherein said means for mounting said second grommet to said coupling nut further includes: an annular ring mounted around the periphery of said second grommet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein the annular ring is comprised of a resilient material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination recited in claim 3 wherein said means for mounting said second grommet includes: a coupling nut; means for mounting said coupling to one end of said connector housing; and means for mounting said second grommet to said coupling nut whereby when said coupling nut is mounted to said connector housing, said second grommet is adjacent said moisture sealing grommet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as recited in claim 8 wherein said means for mounting said second grommet in said coupling nut further includes: an annular ring mounted around the periphery of said second grommet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as recited in claim 9 wherein the annular ring is comprised of a resilient material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
167 words
In combination with an electrical connector of the type having a housing, a plurality of electrical contacts, means for mounting said contacts with said housing, and a moisture sealing grommet comprised of a resilient material having a plurality of logitudinal bores adapted to receive wires terminating at respective contacts, said grommet located adjacent said contact mounting means, the improvement comprising: a second grommet having a central passage extending from a first surface to a second surface and a wire receiving slot extending from said central passage to the periphery of said grommet, one of said surfaces extending radially inwardly to said central passage, a plurality of said wires passing through said central passage for connection to different ones of said electrical contacts; and means for mounting said second grommet spaced apart from said moisture sealing grommet with said inwardly extending portion of said second grommet facing said first grommet, said second grommet preventing radial forces applied to the wires from being transmitted to the moisture sealing grommet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
167 words
In combination with an electrical connector of the type having a housing, a plurality of electrical contacts, means for mounting said contacts with said housing, and a moisture sealing grommet comprised of a resilient material having a plurality of logitudinal bores adapted to receive wires terminating at respective contacts, said grommet located adjacent said contact mounting means, the improvement comprising: a second grommet having a central passage extending from a first surface to a second surface and a wire receiving slot extending from said central passage to the periphery of said grommet, one of said surfaces extending radially inwardly to said central passage, a plurality of said wires passing through said central passage for connection to different ones of said electrical contacts; and means for mounting said second grommet spaced apart from said moisture sealing grommet with said inwardly extending portion of said second grommet facing said first grommet, said second grommet preventing radial forces applied to the wires from being transmitted to the moisture sealing grommet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination recited in claim 11 wherein said grommet is comprised of a resilient material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as recited in claim 11 wherein said means for mounting said second grommet said coupling nut further includes: an annular ring mounted around and spaced from the periphery of said second grommet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as recited in claim 13 wherein the annular ring is comprised of a resilient material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination recited in claim 13 wherein said second grommet includes a wire receiving slot extending from said central passage to the periphery of said grommet.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of preventing moisture from entering an electrical connector of the type having a shell, a contact retainer, a moisture sealing grommet adjacent the retainer, said grommet and retainer being assembled within the shell and a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in the retainer and electrically terminated to the end of a wire, the wires extending outwardly from and aftwardly of the moisture sealing grommet, the method comprising the steps of: providing a strain relief grommet, the strain relief grommet of the type including first and second surfaces, an outer periphery, a plurality of wire receiving grooves for receiving some of said wires arranged about the outer periphery and a central passage for receiving other of said wires extending between the end surfaces, one of said end surfaces extending radially inwardly to said central passage, said wires passing through said central passage and across said grooves for connection to different ones of said electrical contacts; providing means for mounting the strain relief grommet aftwardly of the moisture sealing grommet wherein said one end surface faces the wires extending outwardly from the moisture sealing grommet; positioning the strain relief grommet adjacent to and in spaced apart relation to the moisture sealing grommet; directing the wires from the contacts and the contact retainer through the central passage and/or along the grooves of the strain relief grommet; and assembling the strain relief grommet with the mounting means, said strain relief grommet preventing radial forces applied to the wires from being transmitted to the moisture sealing grommet.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of preventing moisture from entering an electrical connector of the type having a shell, a contact retainer, a moisture sealing grommet adjacent the retainer, said grommet and retainer being assembled within the shell and a plurality of electrical contacts disposed in the retainer and electrically terminated to the end of a wire, the wires extending outwardly from and aftwardly of the moisture sealing grommet, the method comprising the steps of: providing a strain relief grommet, the strain relief grommet of the type including first and second surfaces, an outer periphery, a plurality of wire receiving grooves for receiving some of said wires arranged about the outer periphery and a central passage for receiving other of said wires extending between the end surfaces, one of said end surfaces extending radially inwardly to said central passage, said wires passing through said central passage and across said grooves for connection to different ones of said electrical contacts; providing means for mounting the strain relief grommet aftwardly of the moisture sealing grommet wherein said one end surface faces the wires extending outwardly from the moisture sealing grommet; positioning the strain relief grommet adjacent to and in spaced apart relation to the moisture sealing grommet; directing the wires from the contacts and the contact retainer through the central passage and/or along the grooves of the strain relief grommet; and assembling the strain relief grommet with the mounting means, said strain relief grommet preventing radial forces applied to the wires from being transmitted to the moisture sealing grommet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-03 | 1985-02-02 | 1985-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-03 | 1989-02-02 | 1989-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-03 | 1993-02-02 | 1993-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |