Electrical cable connector

Claim 2

An electrical connector for securely engaging and mounting an electrical cable to a receiving box or plate having a receiving hole formed therein, said electrical connector comprising: A. a housing having a. a generally hollow cylindrical shape defined by an outer wall, an inner wall, and two terminating ends, b. at least one flange mounted about the outer wall of the housing, radially extending outwardly therefrom, and comprising a diameter greater than the diameter of the receiving hole formed in the receiving box/plate, and c. a plurality of apertures formed in the housing in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, positioned between the flange and the adjacent terminating end; and B. an inner sleeve member comprising a. a substantially hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two terminating ends, dimensioned for mating, engagement within the inner wall of the housing to form a substantially integral construction therewith, b. a pair of arm members extending inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve member and positioned for mating engagement and securement with an electrical cable when inserted therein, and c. a plurality of locking tabs 1. formed about the outer surface of the sleeve member in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, 2. positioned directly adjacent one terminating end thereof, 3. angularly extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve member and 4. extending through the apertures formed in the housing and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the housing, providing locked engagement of the connector with the receiving box or plate; whereby an electrical connector is achieved which is quickly and easily assembled and securely mounted to any desired box or plate, providing secure, mating, locked engagement with an electrical cable mounted therewith.

Claim 3

The electrical connector defined in claim 1 , wherein at least three apertures are formed in the housing and at least three locking tabs are formed on the inner sleeve member positioned for cooperating alignment with the apertures of the housing for extending through the apertures.

Claim 4

The electrical connector defined in claim 2 , wherein said apertures are formed in the housing substantially equidistant from each other and said locking tabs are formed on the sleeve member substantially equidistant from each other.

Claim 5

The electrical connector defined in claim 1 , wherein each of said locking tabs is further defined as being A. flexibly movable relative to the outer surface of the sleeve member for enabling telescopic insertion of the sleeve member into the housing and telescopic insertion into the receiving hole of the receiving box or plate, and B. resiliently returnable to its original position, for providing locked engagement of the connector with the receiving box or plate.

Claim 6

An electrical connector for securely engaging and mounting an electrical cable to a receiving box or plate having a receiving hole formed therein, said electrical connector comprising: A. a housing having a. a generally hollow cylindrical shape defined by an outer wall, an inner wall, and two terminating ends, b. at least one flange mounted about the outer wall of the housing, radially extending outwardly therefrom, and comprising a diameter greater than the diameter of the receiving hole formed in the receiving box/plate, and c. a plurality of apertures formed in the housing in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, positioned between the flange and the adjacent terminating end; and B. an inner sleeve member comprising a. a substantially hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two terminating ends, dimensioned for mating, engagement within the inner wall of the housing to form a substantially integral construction therewith, b. a pair of arm members extending inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve member and positioned for mating engagement and securement with an electrical cable when inserted therein, and c. a plurality of locking tabs formed about the outer surface of the sleeve member in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, positioned directly adjacent one terminating end thereof, and angularly extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve member and comprising; 1. an elongated central portion affixed at a first end thereof to the inner sleeve member and extending therefrom to a second, terminating free end, 2. a pair of side wings, angularly extending from the side edges of the central portion, and 3. an enlarged tip formed at the second, terminating free end; whereby a locking tab construction is attained which enables said tip to continuously contact the inner diameter of the receiving hole while the wings provide locking engagement of the cable connector with the receiving box/plate.

Claim 7

An electrical connector for securely engaging and mounting an electrical cable to a receiving box or plate having a receiving hole formed therein, said electrical connector comprising: A. a housing having a. a generally hollow cylindrical shape defined by an outer wall, an inner wall, and two terminating ends, b. at least one flange mounted about the outer wall of the housing, radially extending outwardly therefrom, and comprising a diameter greater than the diameter of the receiving hole formed in the receiving box/plate, and c. a plurality of apertures formed in the housing in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, positioned between the flange and the adjacent terminating end; and B. an inner sleeve member comprising a. a substantially hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two terminating ends, dimensioned for mating, engagement within the inner wall of the housing to form a substantially integral construction therewith, b. a pair of arm members extending inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve member and positioned for mating engagement and securement with an electrical cable when inserted therein, and c. a plurality of locking tabs formed about the outer surface of the sleeve member in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, positioned directly adjacent one terminating end thereof, and angularly extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve member and comprising; 1. an elongated central portion affixed at a first end thereof to the inner sleeve member and extending therefrom to a second, terminating free end, 2. a pair of side wings, angularly extending from the side edges of the central portion, and 3. an enlarged tip formed at the second, terminating free end; whereby a locking tab construction is attained which enables said tip to continuously contact the inner diameter of the receiving hole while the wings provide locking engagement of the cable connector with the receiving box/plate.

Claim 8

The electrical connector defined in claim 5 , wherein said housing further comprises: d. a plurality of elongated, longitudinally extending channels, formed in the inner wall thereof, each of said channels being aligned with an aperture, and e. an end wall formed on the terminating end of the housing directly adjacent the apertures, said wall incorporating an enlarged portal formed therein.

Claim 9

The electrical connector defined in claim 6 , wherein said housing further comprises a ledge formed about the inner wall of the housing, radially extending inwardly and positioned between the apertures and the end wall, providing a positive abutment stop for the inner sleeve member when telescopically inserted into the housing.

Claim 10

The electrical connector defined in claim 1 , wherein the pair of arm members extending inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve member are each further defined as comprising a first, intermediate, sloping section extending from the sleeve member and a second, sloping, end section extending from the intermediate section at an angle relative thereto, positioned for mating engagement and securement with the electrical cable when inserted therein.

Claim 11

The electrical connector defined in claim 8 , wherein said electrical cable comprises a curved outer surface and the end section of each of said arm members is further defined as comprising a curved terminating edge constructed for mating, engaged relationship with the surface of the electrical cable.

Claim 12

The electrical connector defined in claim 9 , wherein the end section of each arm member is further defined as being bifurcated to create two separate and independent finger members formed therein.

Claim 13

The electrical connector defined in claim 10 , wherein each of said separate and independent finger members formed on the end section of each arm member comprises different angular relationships relative to the intermediate sloping section.

Claim 14

The electrical connector defined in claim 9 , wherein each arm member is further defined as comprising side edges formed in juxtaposed, spaced, parallel relationship with each other, and the intermediate sloping section of each arm member is defined as extending inwardly from the sleeve member along a first bend line defining a first angle relative to the inside surface of the inner sleeve member, and the terminating end section is further defined as sloping inwardly along a second bend line defining a second angle relative to the inside surface of the inner sleeve member.

Claim 15

The electrical connector defined in claim 12 , wherein said second bend line is further defined as being sloped relative to the side edges of each of the arm members.

Claim 16

The electrical connector defined in claim 13 , wherein said electrical cable is further defined as comprising a metal sheath cable or conduit having a sloping helical groove formed therein, and the slope of the second bend line is further defined as being formed substantially equivalent to the slope of the helical groove for assuring secure, mating, interengagement of the terminating end section with the surface of the cable.

Claim 17

The electrical connector defined in claim 12 , wherein said second bend line is further defined as being substantially perpendicular to the side edges of each of the arm members.

Claim 18

The electrical connector defined in claim 12 , wherein said first angle is further defined as ranging between about 15° and 38°.

Claim 19

The electrical connector defined in claim 12 , wherein said second angle is further defined as ranging between about 45° and 75°.

Claim 20

The electrical connector defined in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate section of each arm member of the inner sleeve member is further defined as comprising different axial lengths, whereby said arm members engage the electrical cable at different axial positions thereof.

Claim 21

The electrical connector defined in claim 1 , wherein the intermediate section of each arm member of the inner sleeve member is further defined as comprising substantially equivalent axial lengths, whereby said arm members engage the electrical cable at substantially equivalent, diametrically opposed positions.

Claim 22

The electrical cable defined in claim 1 , wherein said inner sleeve member comprises a substantially flat wall portion integrally formed therein and longitudinally extending substantially the entire length thereof, for use in positioning the inner sleeve member in the desired orientation in the housing.

Claim 23

The electrical cable defined in claim 1 , wherein each of said arm members are further defined as comprising a tab member formed at the juncture between the intermediate section and the sleeve member, with said tab member extending radially outwardly from the inner sleeve member.

Claim 24

The electrical cable defined in claim 21 , wherein said housing is further defined as comprising apertures formed therein positioned for cooperative association and engagement with the tab members of the inner sleeve, thereby preventing axial movement of the inner sleeve relative to the housing.

Claim 25

The electrical cable defined in claim 21 , wherein said tab member is formed as an integral part of the intermediate section and constructed for extending outwardly from the juncture of the intermediate section with the inner sleeve simultaneously with the movement of the intermediate section arcuately inwardly.

Claim 26

An electrical connector for securely engaging and mounting an electrical cable to a receiving box or plate having a receiving hole formed therein, said electrical connector comprising: A. a housing having a. a generally hollow cylindrical shape defined by an outer wall, an inner wall, and two terminating ends, b. at least one flange mounted about the outer wall of the housing, radially extending outwardly therefrom, and comprising a diameter greater than the diameter of the receiving hole formed in the receiving box/plate, c. a plurality of apertures formed in the housing in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, positioned between the flange and the adjacent terminating end; d. an end wall formed on the terminating end directly adjacent the aperture, said end wall incorporating an enlarged portal hole formed therein, and e. A ledge, formed about the inner wall of the housing, radially extending inwardly and positioned between the apertures and the end wall; and B. an inner sleeve member comprising a. a substantially hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two terminating ends, dimensioned for mating, engagement within the inner wall of the housing to form a substantially integral construction therewith, b. a pair of arm members extending inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve member and positioned for mating engagement and securement with an electrical cable when inserted therein, and c. a plurality of locking tabs 1. formed about the outer surface of the sleeve member in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, 2. positioned directly adjacent one terminating end thereof, 3. angularly extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve member, and 4. affixed at a first end to the inner sleeve member and extending therefrom to a second, terminating free end; whereby an electrical connector is achieved which is quickly and easily assembled and securely mounted to any desired box or plate, providing secure, mating, locked engagement with an electrical cable mounted therewith.

Claim 27

An electrical connector for securely engaging and mounting an electrical cable to a receiving box or plate having a receiving hole formed therein, said electrical connector comprising: A. a housing having a. a generally hollow cylindrical shape defined by an outer wall, an inner wall, and two terminating ends, b. at least one flange mounted about the outer wall of the housing, radially extending outwardly therefrom, and comprising a diameter greater than the diameter of the receiving hole formed in the receiving box/plate, c. a plurality of apertures formed in the housing in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, positioned between the flange and the adjacent terminating end; d. an end wall formed on the terminating end directly adjacent the aperture, said end wall incorporating an enlarged portal hole formed therein, and e. A ledge, formed about the inner wall of the housing, radially extending inwardly and positioned between the apertures and the end wall; and B. an inner sleeve member comprising a. a substantially hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two terminating ends, dimensioned for mating, engagement within the inner wall of the housing to form a substantially integral construction therewith, b. a pair of arm members extending inwardly from the inner surface of the sleeve member and positioned for mating engagement and securement with an electrical cable when inserted therein, and c. a plurality of locking tabs 1. formed about the outer surface of the sleeve member in peripherally surrounding, juxtaposed, spaced relationship to each other, 2. positioned directly adjacent one terminating end thereof, 3. angularly extending outwardly from the outer surface of the sleeve member, and 4. affixed at a first end to the inner sleeve member and extending therefrom to a second, terminating free end; whereby an electrical connector is achieved which is quickly and easily assembled and securely mounted to any desired box or plate, providing secure, mating, locked engagement with an electrical cable mounted therewith.

Claim 28

The electrical connector defined in claim 24 , wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of elongated channels formed in the inner wall thereof, each of said channels being aligned with an aperture for providing ease of entry and telescopic, longitudinal movement of each locking tab into the housing.

Claim 29

The electrical connector defined in claim 25 , wherein said ledge is positioned for providing an abutment stop for the inner sleeve member, thereby assuring the precise positioning of the sleeve member in said housing.

Claim 30

The electrical connector defined in claim 24 , wherein the terminating end section of each arm member is further defined as comprising a curved terminating edge constructed for mating, engaged relationship with the outer surface of the electrical cable.

Claim 31

The electrical connector defined in claim 27 , wherein the first angle is further defined as ranging between about 15° and 38°.

Claim 32

The electrical connector defined in claim 27 , wherein the first angle of the intermediate sloping section of each arm member comprises a different angle relative to the other arm member, thereby enabling cables of different diameters to be easily inserted and secured therein.

Claim 33

The electrical connector defined in claim 27 , wherein the second angle is further defined as ranging between about 45° and 75°, with the second angle of each arm member being different from the other.

Claim 34

The electrical connector defined in claim 30 , wherein the terminating juncture directly adjacent the side edge of each arm member and the arcuately curved terminating edge of each section is further defined as being smoothly rounded.