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US4913385A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Self-locking strain relief bushing for variable panel thicknesses and method

Assignee: Fittings Acquisition Merger Co
•
Filing: 1989-05-10
•
Granted: 1990-04-03
•
Expires: 2009-05-10
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Abstract

Abstract A one piece molded plastic strain relief bushing includes a well and key. The portions of the bushing may be engaged, latched in the well. The latching within the well serves the double function of holding the bushing with a cable engaged and compactly providing such holding with a maximum of strength and a minimum of bulk. The bushing enables saving of cost in the insertion of the cable into the bushing and saving cost, inserting the bushing with the cable into an aperture.

Inventors

  • 👤 Joseph P. Law
  • 👤 Thomas M. Mullen, Jr.

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 16:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B17/00; H01B17/56; H01B17/58; H02; H02G; H02G11/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49838

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 74
Claim 1
Independent Claim 112 words
A one piece molded plastic strain relief bushing comprising a body, said body adapted to receive a cable therethrough, said body including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and second portion joined by hinge means, one said portion including a key; a head; and gripping means, the other said portion including a head; a well; and gripping means, latch means in said well adapted to engage said first and second portions, said key adapted to hold a cable in said well when said latch means are engaged, and said portions' gripping means are adapted to engage the walls of an aperture between said gripping means and said head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 112 words
A one piece molded plastic strain relief bushing comprising a body, said body adapted to receive a cable therethrough, said body including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and second portion joined by hinge means, one said portion including a key; a head; and gripping means, the other said portion including a head; a well; and gripping means, latch means in said well adapted to engage said first and second portions, said key adapted to hold a cable in said well when said latch means are engaged, and said portions' gripping means are adapted to engage the walls of an aperture between said gripping means and said head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said key is engagable with said latch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said key includes a detent, said detent is adapted to engage said latch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 10 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein detent includes camming means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said key is substantially athwart the width of said first portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said cable engaged in said well is crimped into a substantial U shape or S shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes a plurality of hinges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes a hinge at the front of said bushing and a hinge at the rear of said bushing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said latch means is adapted to resiliently flex to engage said key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 13 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said first portion gripping means are fingers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said fingers angulate outward extending forward substantially from the rear of said first portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 13 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said fingers are adapted to resiliently flex.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 14 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein said second portion's gripping means is a finger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 15 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein said second portions' finger is adapted to resiliently flex.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 24 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said first portion and second portion's fingers include said at least one shoulder for at least one finger.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 14 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said second portion's gripping means is a finger.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 13 words
The invention of claim 16 wherein said finger is adapted to resiliently flex.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 13 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein said finger includes at least one shoulder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 19 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said bushing defines a substantially rectangular configuration when said latch means is engaged.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said first and second portions include interactive rigidizing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 20 words
The invention of claim 20 wherein said rigidizing means include said at least one interactive set of columns and openings.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 20 words
The invention of claim 20 wherein said rigidizing means include said at least one interactive set of pins and openings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 20 words
The invention of claim 22 wherein said rigidizing means include said at least one interactive set of columns and openings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 19 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said first portion gripping means is substantially adjacent either end of said key.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said second portion's gripping means is beneath said well.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 19 words
The invention of claim 25 wherein said first portion gripping means is substantially adjacent either end of said key.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 19 words
The invention of claim 26 wherein said bushing defines a substantially rectangular configuration when said latch means is engaged.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 18 words
The invention of claim 27 wherein said first and second portions' gripping means substantially define a triangular configuration.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 32 words
The invention of claim 28 wherein said bushing is adapted to engaged the walls of an aperture between said first and second portions' gripping means and said first and second portions' heads.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 14 words
The invention of claim 1 including a plurality of said second portion gripping means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 15 words
The invention of claim 1 including interactive support means between said first and second portions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said key includes support means interactive with said second portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 20 words
The invention of claim 32 wherein said support means includes a detent on said key interactive with said second portion.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 17 words
The invention of claim 33 wherein said support means includes a protrusion on said said second portion.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 13 words
The invention of claim 34 wherein said detent and protrusion are rotatably interactable.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 34 words
The invention of claim 1 including a cover on the head of one portion, said cover adapted to turn a cable before entering the body of said one piece molded plastic strain relief bushing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 9 words
The invention of claim 1 including a narrow key.
Claim 39
Independent Claim 169 words
The method of assembling a strain relief bushing with a cable engaged in an aperture, comprising the steps of providing a one piece molded plastic strain relief bushing, providing said strain relief bushing including a body, adapting said body to receive a cable therethrough, providing a first portion and a second portion, providing hinge means for said first portion and second portions, providing a key; a head; and gripping means for one said portion, providing a head; a well; and gripping means for the other said portion, providing latch means in said well, adapting said latch means to engage said first and second portions, adapting said key to hold cable in said well when said latch means are engaged, adapting said portions' gripping means to engage the walls of an aperture between said gripping means and said head, placing a cable through said body, juxtaposing said first and said second portions, and engaging said first and second portions by latching, whereby said cable is held locked in said well.
Claim 40
Independent Claim 169 words
The method of assembling a strain relief bushing with a cable engaged in an aperture, comprising the steps of providing a one piece molded plastic strain relief bushing, providing said strain relief bushing including a body, adapting said body to receive a cable therethrough, providing a first portion and a second portion, providing hinge means for said first portion and second portions, providing a key; a head; and gripping means for one said portion, providing a head; a well; and gripping means for the other said portion, providing latch means in said well, adapting said latch means to engage said first and second portions, adapting said key to hold cable in said well when said latch means are engaged, adapting said portions' gripping means to engage the walls of an aperture between said gripping means and said head, placing a cable through said body, juxtaposing said first and said second portions, and engaging said first and second portions by latching, whereby said cable is held locked in said well.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said key engagable with said latch means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said key including a detent, and adapting said detent to engage said latch.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 40 including the step of providing said detent with camming means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said key substantially athwart the width of said first portion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of crimping said cable engaged in said well in a substantial U shape or S shape.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said hinge means with a plurality of hinges.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said hinge means with a hinge at the front of said bushing and a hinge at the rear of said bushing.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of adapting said latch to resiliently flex to engage said key.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said first portion gripping means with fingers.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 47 including the step of adapting said fingers angulated outward extending forward substantially from the rear of said first portion.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 48 including the step of adapting said fingers to resiliently flex.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said second portion's gripping means with a finger.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 50 including the step of adapting said finger to resiliently flex.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 51 including the step of providing said first portion and second portion's fingers with at least one shoulder for at least one finger.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said second portion's gripping means with a finger.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 53 including the step of adapting said finger to resiliently flex.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 54 including the step of providing said finger with at least one shoulder.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said bushing with said bushing defining a substantially rectangular configuration when said latch is engaged.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said first and second portions with interactive rigidizing means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 57 including the step of providing said rigidizing means with at least one interactive set of columns and openings.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 57 including the step of providing said rigidizing means with at least one interactive set of pins and openings.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 57 including the step of providing said rigidizing means with at least one interactive set of columns and openings.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said first portion gripping means with said gripping means substantially adjacent either end of said key.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing said second portion's gripping means with said second portion's gripping means beneath said well.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 62 including the step of providing said first portion's gripping means with said first portion's gripping means substantially adjacent either end of said key.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 63 including the step of providing said bushing with said bushing defining a substantially rectangular configuration when said latch is engaged.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 64 including the step of providing said first and second portions' gripping means with said first and second portions' gripping means substantially defining a triangular configuration.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of claim 65 including the step of adapting said bushing to engaged the walls of an aperture between said first and second portions' gripping means and said first and second portions' heads.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of engaging said bushing in a aperture.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 38 including the step of providing a plurality of said second portion gripping means.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 38 including the steps of providing said key with support means and interacting said key with said second portion.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 69 including the steps of providing said support means with a detent on said key and interacting said key with said second portion.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 70 including the steps of providing said support means with a protrusion on said second portion.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 71 including the step of rotatably interacting said detent and protrusion.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-04-02 1993-10-02 1994-04-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-04-02 1997-10-02 1998-04-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-04-02 2001-10-02 2002-04-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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