US5100347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing a cable assembly seal and strain relief
Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
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Filing: 1989-05-03
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Granted: 1992-03-31
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Expires: 2009-05-03
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a cable assembly seal and strain relief and, in particular, where the apparatus comprises a pre-mold for use with an overmold to provide the seal and strain relief for electrical conductors terminated within an electrical housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Malasky, III
- 👤 David A. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5205; H01R13/58; H01R13/5845; H01R43/00; H01R43/20; H01R43/24; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/933; Y10S439/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A cable assembly for interconnecting electrical circuits comprising: a connector housing having a first end and a plurality of passages extending into the first end; a plurality of conductors, each of the conductors extending into a different one of the passages through the first housing end, at least a first one of the conductors having a portion with a cross sectional shape, size or type of construction, different than the other conductors; a premold encapsulating the conductors including the portion near but spaced from the first end of the housing; and an overmold connecting the premold to the housing, whereby the premold and the overmold function as a seal and strain relief for anchoring and preventing bending and twisting of the conductors with respect to the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A cable assembly for interconnecting electrical circuits comprising: a connector housing having a first end and a plurality of passages extending into the first end; a plurality of conductors, each of the conductors extending into a different one of the passages through the first housing end, at least a first one of the conductors having a portion with a cross sectional shape, size or type of construction, different than the other conductors; a premold encapsulating the conductors including the portion near but spaced from the first end of the housing; and an overmold connecting the premold to the housing, whereby the premold and the overmold function as a seal and strain relief for anchoring and preventing bending and twisting of the conductors with respect to the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cable assembly for interconnecting electrical circuits comprising: a connector housing having a first end and a plurality of passages extending into the first end; a plurality of conductors having various cross sectional shapes, sizes or types of construction, each of the conductors extending into a different one of the passages through the first housing end, wherein there are more of the passages than the conductors; a premold encapsulating the conductors near the housing; and an overmold connecting the premold to the housing, whereby the premold and the overmold function as a seal and strain relief for anchoring and preventing bending and twisting of the conductors with respect to the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
A cable assembly for interconnecting electrical circuits comprising: a connector housing having a first end and a plurality of passages extending into the first end; a plurality of conductors having various cross sectional shapes, sizes or types of construction, each of the conductors extending into a different one of the passages through the first housing end, wherein there are more of the passages than the conductors; a premold encapsulating the conductors near the housing; and an overmold connecting the premold to the housing, whereby the premold and the overmold function as a seal and strain relief for anchoring and preventing bending and twisting of the conductors with respect to the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the premold comprises a block having four generally rectangular planar sides and two ends, the conductors extending through the premold ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the overmold encapsulates a portion of the premold and the conductors between the housing and the premold such that a first premold end extends out of the overmold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes four generally rectangular planar sides, the first end and a second end, the ends generally rectangular and planar, the passages arranged in two generally parallel rows and extending from the first housing end to the second housing end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cable assembly of claim 5, wherein the overmold comprises a block having four generally rectangular planar sides, a first end and a second end, the first overmold end being connected to the first housing end, the premold partially extending out of the second overmold end.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for making a strain relief for a cable assembly comprising a connector housing, the housing having a first end and a plurality of passages, and a plurality of conductors having various cross sectional shapes, sizes or types of construction, each of the conductors extending into a different one of the passages through the first housing end, comprising the steps of: forming a premold in a first mold at a first temperature and a first pressure encapsulating the conductors near but spaced from the housing; and forming by injection molding an overmold in a second mold at a second temperature and a second pressure connecting the premold to the housing wherein the second temperature and the second pressure are greater than the first temperature and first pressure, whereby the premold and the overmold function as a seal and strain relief for anchoring and preventing bending and twisting of the conductors with respect to the housing.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for making a strain relief for a cable assembly comprising a connector housing, the housing having a first end and a plurality of passages, and a plurality of conductors having various cross sectional shapes, sizes or types of construction, each of the conductors extending into a different one of the passages through the first housing end, comprising the steps of: forming a premold in a first mold at a first temperature and a first pressure encapsulating the conductors near but spaced from the housing; and forming by injection molding an overmold in a second mold at a second temperature and a second pressure connecting the premold to the housing wherein the second temperature and the second pressure are greater than the first temperature and first pressure, whereby the premold and the overmold function as a seal and strain relief for anchoring and preventing bending and twisting of the conductors with respect to the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the second forming step further comprises encapsulating a portion of the premold and the conductors between the housing and the premold such that a first premold end extends out of the overmold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the first temperature is elevated from room temperature and the first pressure is ambient pressure.
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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) | 1995-03-31 | 1995-09-30 | 1996-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-31 | 1999-09-30 | 2000-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-09-30 | 2004-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |