US4629276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multidirection connector housing
Assignee: Henry Dreyfuss Associates LLC
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Filing: 1985-09-10
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Granted: 1986-12-16
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Expires: 2005-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A multidirection connector housing for an electronic plug assembly comprises a body portion, a strain relief portion and a locking mechanism for locking the body portion and the strain relief portion together in at least seven orientations with respect to a connector plug. The plane formed at the intersection of the body portion and the strain relief portion is aligned at substantially 45° to the longitudinal axis of the body portion. The strain relief portion includes an internal cable passageway providing substantially 45° of turn. The profiles of the strain relief portion and body portion locking members are preferably square. Preferred embodiments provide ready interchange of cable orientations.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald M. Genaro
- 👤 Chris G. Johnson
- 👤 Alvin R. Tilley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/58; H01R13/5841; H01R13/56; H01R13/567
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A a multidirection connector, comprising: a body portion, a strain relief portion, said body portion having an opening for receiving said strain relief portion and locking means internal to said body portion for locking said strain relief portion in at least four orientations within said opening, said strain relief portion being rotatable through 360° within said body portion, wherein said strain relief portion includes a cable passageway and wherein said body portion includes means for retaining a connector plug, and wherein the plane formed at the intersection of said body portion and said strain relief portion is at substantially 45° to the longitudinal axis of said body portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A a multidirection connector, comprising: a body portion, a strain relief portion, said body portion having an opening for receiving said strain relief portion and locking means internal to said body portion for locking said strain relief portion in at least four orientations within said opening, said strain relief portion being rotatable through 360° within said body portion, wherein said strain relief portion includes a cable passageway and wherein said body portion includes means for retaining a connector plug, and wherein the plane formed at the intersection of said body portion and said strain relief portion is at substantially 45° to the longitudinal axis of said body portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 1 wherein said cable passageway provides substantially 45° of turn.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 2, wherein said locking means includes a substantially square male mating portion and a substantially square female mating portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 3, wherein said male mating portion includes a flange and said female mating portion includes a seat for receiving said flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 2, wherein said body portion may be oriented in at least two positions with respect to a connector plug.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 2, wherein said strain relief portion is substantially prism-shaped and wherein, in at least one orientation, said body portion and said strain relief portion form a rectangular unit with said strain relief portion defining one corner thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 2, wherein said body portion comprises two similar half portions divided horizontally in the plane of said connector plug.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 7, wherein fastening means secure said half portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 7, wherein said strain relief portion comprises two similar half portions secured by fastening means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
133 words
A multidirection connector, comprising: a strain relief portion including a cable passageway adapted for clamping a length of cable, said cable passageway turning substantially 45° degrees within said strain relief portion; a body portion having two openings therein, the first of said openings being provided in the front of said body portion and being adapted to receive a connector plug and the second of said openings being provided at a rear corner of said body portion and being adapted to recieve said strain relief portion in at least four orientations respective said body portion; and locking means for locking said strain relief portion within said body portion in each of said four orientations, said locking means comprising an internal portion of said body portion and an external portion of said strain relief portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
133 words
A multidirection connector, comprising: a strain relief portion including a cable passageway adapted for clamping a length of cable, said cable passageway turning substantially 45° degrees within said strain relief portion; a body portion having two openings therein, the first of said openings being provided in the front of said body portion and being adapted to receive a connector plug and the second of said openings being provided at a rear corner of said body portion and being adapted to recieve said strain relief portion in at least four orientations respective said body portion; and locking means for locking said strain relief portion within said body portion in each of said four orientations, said locking means comprising an internal portion of said body portion and an external portion of said strain relief portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 10, wherein said strain relief portion is rotatable through substantially 360° within said second opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 11, wherein said first opening is adapted for receiving a connector plug in at least two orientations respective said body portion, such that at least seven directions of cable exit are provided respective said connector plug.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 10, wherein said four orientations provide cable exit from said cable passageway sidewards, backwards, upwards and downwards with respect to said body portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
A multidirection connector, as recited in claim 13, wherein said first opening is adapted for receiving a connector plug in at least two orientations respective said body portion, such that at least seven directions of cable exit are provided respective said connector plug.
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) | 1989-12-15 | 1990-06-16 | 1990-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-15 | 1994-06-16 | 1994-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-15 | 1998-06-16 | 1998-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |