US5567174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water tight grease filled connector with strain relief
Assignee: Ericson Manufacturing Co
•
Filing: 1994-06-02
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Granted: 1996-10-22
•
Expires: 2014-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A water tight connector has a strain relief using a circumferential clip about a cable and held in position within a hollow tubular section of a connector housing. The clip is prevented from being removed from the connector housing by a resilient grommet, thus holding the cable from being pulled out from the connector housing; and the grommet provides both fluid sealing functions and secondary cable holding functions. The connector may be filled with a grease. The grease may have anti-bacterial characteristics. The connector may be filled with an hygroscopic material, such as an encapsulant.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Ericson, Jr.
- 👤 Eric F. Wilson
- 👤 Michael L. Gordzelik
- 👤 Martin C. Ignasiak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5216; H01R13/5205; H01R13/58; H01R13/59; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/933; Y10S439/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
Apparatus for holding an elongate member relative to a device, comprising a retainer for at least partially circumscribing at least a portion of said elongate member, said elongate member comprising an electrical cable having at least one electrical conductor, said retainer including means for engaging said elongate member to prevent relative axial movement of said retainer and said elongate member, receiving means positionally associated with said device for receiving at least a part of said retainer and at least a part of said elongate member, said receiving means including means for preventing such loosening of said retainer relative to said elongate member that would permit substantial relative axial movement of said retainer and elongate member, a holder for blocking withdrawal of said retainer from said receiving means in at least one direction, an electrical connector comprising a connector housing and means for making electrical connections, said means for making electrical connections being connected to at least one electrical conductor of said cable and being connectable to further means for making electrical connections, at least one signal conductor located at least partly in said housing for making connections, and a port for providing access to the interior of said housing to permit the delivery of fluidic material into said housing, said fluidic material having water resistant and anti-bacterial qualities.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
Apparatus for holding an elongate member relative to a device, comprising a retainer for at least partially circumscribing at least a portion of said elongate member, said elongate member comprising an electrical cable having at least one electrical conductor, said retainer including means for engaging said elongate member to prevent relative axial movement of said retainer and said elongate member, receiving means positionally associated with said device for receiving at least a part of said retainer and at least a part of said elongate member, said receiving means including means for preventing such loosening of said retainer relative to said elongate member that would permit substantial relative axial movement of said retainer and elongate member, a holder for blocking withdrawal of said retainer from said receiving means in at least one direction, an electrical connector comprising a connector housing and means for making electrical connections, said means for making electrical connections being connected to at least one electrical conductor of said cable and being connectable to further means for making electrical connections, at least one signal conductor located at least partly in said housing for making connections, and a port for providing access to the interior of said housing to permit the delivery of fluidic material into said housing, said fluidic material having water resistant and anti-bacterial qualities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said retainer comprising plural segments and a support, said segments being positioned on said support in spaced relation to each other to engage said elongate member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 2, said segments being of a size, shape and relative position to deform said elongate member when said support is compressed about at least a portion of said elongate member, and said segments being relatively smooth to avoid breaking said elongate member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said support is resilient, said segments comprise members spaced away from each other such that they do not engage each other upon compressing of said support about said elongate member by interaction with said means for preventing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said receiving means comprising a hollow tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5, said hollow tubular member having an external thread, and said holder comprising a nut secured to said thread.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said means for preventing comprising a tapered wall to cooperate with said retainer to compress said retainer into engagement with said elongate member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
The apparatus of claim 7, said retainer comprising plural segments and a support, said segments being positioned on said support in spaced relation to each other to engage said elongate member; said segments being of a size, shape and relative position to deform said elongate member when said support is compressed about at least a portion of said elongate member, and said segments being relatively smooth to avoid breaking said elongate member; wherein said support is resilient, said segments comprise flange-like members spaced away from each other such that they do not engage each other upon compressing of said support about said elongate member by interaction with said means for preventing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said means for preventing comprising a wall, and said retainer comprising a clip-like member having a central opening for receiving said elongate member, a generally hollow partial cylinder support having a path allowing compression of said support to reduce the effective diameter thereof as the support is compressed about said elongate member, and said support having a tapered exterior surface for collaboration with said receiving means, whereby said support is compressed upon insertion into said receiving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 9, said retainer comprising plural segments and a support, said segments being positioned on said support in spaced relation to each other to engage said elongate member; and said segments being of a size, shape and relative position to deform said elongate member when said support is compressed about at least a portion of said elongate member, and said segments being relatively smooth to avoid breaking said elongate member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1, said holder comprising a resilient grommet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 11, said grommet having a truncated annular leading surface for engagement with said receiving means to provide a fluid tight seal therewith, and said grommet having a hollow passage through the interior thereof for passage of said elongate member therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 11, said grommet comprising a resilient material, at least part of said grommet being positionable in said receiving means, and further comprising a relatively rigid ferrule engaged with a surface of said grommet for preventing extruding of said grommet beyond said ferrule as said grommet is pressed into said receiving means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 13, said holder further comprising a fastener for pressing against said ferrule to urge said grommet into said receiving means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said elongate member comprises a cable passing through said grommet and wherein smooth bending of said cable is provided where the cable exits the grommet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 15, said grommet further comprising an elongate boot for circumscribing at least part of said cable to control the bending of said cable, said holder further comprising a fastener holding said grommet to said receiving means, and at least part of said boot and cable extend beyond said fastener.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an encapsulant material in said connector housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 17, said encapsulant material comprising an hygroscopic dielectric gel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
143 words
An electrical assembly, comprising a housing, an opening into said housing, a cable positioned relative to said housing and at least partly located in said opening means, and retention means for retaining said cable relative to said housing, said retention means including clip means for circumscribing at least a portion of said cable and deforming said circumscribed portion of said cable to grasp said cable, grommet means for frictionally engaging said cable to prevent relative movement of said cable and grommet means, and holding means for holding said grommet means in at least part of said opening while said grommet means frictionally holds said cable, said grommet means being located between said clip means and at least part of said holding means, and a port for providing access to the interior of said housing to permit the delivery of grease into said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
143 words
An electrical assembly, comprising a housing, an opening into said housing, a cable positioned relative to said housing and at least partly located in said opening means, and retention means for retaining said cable relative to said housing, said retention means including clip means for circumscribing at least a portion of said cable and deforming said circumscribed portion of said cable to grasp said cable, grommet means for frictionally engaging said cable to prevent relative movement of said cable and grommet means, and holding means for holding said grommet means in at least part of said opening while said grommet means frictionally holds said cable, said grommet means being located between said clip means and at least part of said holding means, and a port for providing access to the interior of said housing to permit the delivery of grease into said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
A connector, comprising a housing, signal conducting means at least partly in said housing for making connections, grease means in said housing for resisting growth of bacteria, said grease means having water resistant and anti-bacterial qualities, and port means for providing access to the interior of said housing to permit delivery of said grease means into said housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
A connector, comprising a housing, signal conducting means at least partly in said housing for making connections, grease means in said housing for resisting growth of bacteria, said grease means having water resistant and anti-bacterial qualities, and port means for providing access to the interior of said housing to permit delivery of said grease means into said housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector of claim 20, wherein said grease means at least substantially fills portions of said housing not otherwise occupied.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The connector of claim 21, said grease means further having characteristics of preventing electrical arcing in the housing upon separation of electrical contacts therein and of lubricating connections between such contacts.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The connector of claim 26, said grease means comprising a silicone compound.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The connector of claim 23, said silicone compound comprising dimethyl silicone.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector, comprising a housing, signal conducting means at least partly in said housing for making connections, and port means for providing access to the interior of said housing to permit the delivery of fluidic material into said housing, said fluidic material having water repelling and anti-bacterial qualities.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector, comprising a housing, signal conducting means at least partly in said housing for making connections, and port means for providing access to the interior of said housing to permit the delivery of fluidic material into said housing, said fluidic material having water repelling and anti-bacterial qualities.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of reducing growth of bacteria in a connector including a housing, a signal conducting means at least partly in said housing, and a port for providing access to the interior of the housing, comprising placing an anti-bacterial material in said housing via said port, said placing comprising placing at least some of said material in proximity to at least part of said signal conducting means.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of reducing growth of bacteria in a connector including a housing, a signal conducting means at least partly in said housing, and a port for providing access to the interior of the housing, comprising placing an anti-bacterial material in said housing via said port, said placing comprising placing at least some of said material in proximity to at least part of said signal conducting means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 26, said placing comprising placing a silicone compound in said housing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27, said placing a silicone compound comprising placing a dimethyl silicone compound.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 26, said placing comprising substantially filling space in said housing not otherwise occupied.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 26, said placing comprising placing an hygroscopic material in said housing.
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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) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-04-22 | 2000-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-04-22 | 2004-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-22 | 2008-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |