Snap in cable connector

Claim 1

A snap in locking helical armored or metal clad cable connector configured for use with a spring steel adaptor to join to an electrical junction box to fix the location of the locking cable connector with respect to the junction box, the locking cable connector having mating pieces that snap together to connect the locking cable connector for helically armored or metal clad cable to an aperture in an electrical junction box comprising: a first piece including a die cast member with an opening and a smooth inboard cylindrical section having a diameter to include and accommodate a first spring steel adaptor; a generally cylindrical second spring steel locking ring to receive said cable and lock said cable into the trailing end of said die cast member, said locking ring having a first set of tangs allowing insertion of said locking ring into said openings in said die cast member but restricting withdrawal motion from said die cast member and having a second set of cable gripping tangs oppositely directed to receive said cable and restrict its movement in a reverse direction; and said first piece having an enlarged section separating said first spring steel adaptor located on said inboard cylindrical section from said second spring steel locking ring located on said trailing end.

Claim 7

A method for fixing the location of a locking cable connector, configured for use with a spring steel adaptor, with respect to an electrical junction box, the locking cable connector having a first piece and a second piece that snap together to connect the locking cable connector for armored or metal clad electrical conductors to an aperture in the electrical junction box, said method comprising: providing said first piece with a die cast member including an enlarged section separating the leading end from the trailing end and having a smooth outer central section located at the leading end having a diameter that may accommodate a spring steel adaptor and greater outer diameters to hold said spring steel adaptor in place on said leading end at said central section; providing said second piece with a generally cylindrical spring steel locking ring having a first set of tangs for resisting withdrawal and having a second set of tangs oppositely directed to receive the armored cable; inserting said locking ring into a cylindrical opening in the trailing end of said die cast member; restricting withdrawal motion of said locking ring from said die cast member; receiving an armored or metal clad cable in said locking ring; and preventing removal of said armored or metal cable in a reverse direction in said locking ring.

Claim 8

A method for fixing the location of a locking cable connector, configured for use with a spring steel adaptor, with respect to an electrical junction box, the locking cable connector having a first piece and a second piece that snap together to connect the locking cable connector for armored or metal clad electrical conductors to an aperture in the electrical junction box, said method comprising: providing said first piece with a die cast member including an enlarged section separating the leading end from the trailing end and having a smooth outer central section located at the leading end having a diameter that may accommodate a spring steel adaptor and greater outer diameters to hold said spring steel adaptor in place on said leading end at said central section; providing said second piece with a generally cylindrical spring steel locking ring having a first set of tangs for resisting withdrawal and having a second set of tangs oppositely directed to receive the armored cable; inserting said locking ring into a cylindrical opening in the trailing end of said die cast member; restricting withdrawal motion of said locking ring from said die cast member; receiving an armored or metal clad cable in said locking ring; and preventing removal of said armored or metal cable in a reverse direction in said locking ring.