Connector apparatus for connecting high-tension cable

Claim 1

A connector apparatus for connecting a high tension cable having an elongated conductor through which a current flows under a high voltage, an insulating coat disposed around said conductor so as to enclose said conductor, and an electric contact connected to an end portion of said conductor, said connector apparatus comprising: (a) a tubular isolating wall made of an insulating resin material and having a predetermined inner diameter and a tapered rim formed in the inner surface thereof, said tubular isolating wall having an exterior surface formed with a male thread; (b) a cylindrically shaped packing made of a resilient insulating resin material having an aperture of a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of said high tension cable which is inserted through said aperture, said packing having an outer wall formed with a plurality of ring-like ridges each having a diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of said tubular isolating wall, said packing having a tapered portion formed at one end thereof, said tapered portion being brought into contact with said rim of said tubular isolating wall upon insertion of said packing within said tubular isolating wall, a length of said packing, as measured from the tapered portion to the other end portion being slightly longer than a length of said tubular isolating wall as measured from said tapered rim to the end portion of said tubular isolating wall; (c) a coil-like contact formed of a metal wire, said coil-like contact including: (1) a cylindrical portion having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of said tubular isolating wall and having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said electrical contact connected to the end portion of said conductor, said electric contact of said high tension cable being inserted in said cylindrical portion so that said cylindrical portion is electrically connected to the conductor of said high tension cable, (2) a resilient coiled spring portion being contigious to said cylindrical portion, (3) a terminal portion contigious to said coiled spring portion and constituting an electric terminal for the high tension current; (d) supporting means holding said coil-like contact for supporting said coil-like contact against said tubular isolating wall; and (e) a cap of an insulating resin, said cap having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of said tubular isolating wall and having an aperture through which said high tension cable extends, and an inner wall formed with a female thread, said cap being fitted onto said tubular isolating wall and being threadably engageable with said tubular isolating wall, an inner end face of said cap urged against an end face of the other end portion of said packing such that, upon rotation of said cap, said packing is reduced in axial length to become substantially equal to said length of said tubular isolating wall.