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USH113H
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waterblock and strain relief for electrical connectors
Assignee: Western Geophysical Company of America
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Filing: 1986-01-27
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Granted: 1986-08-05
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Expires: 2006-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A water tight connector assembly having an internal tee-shaped brace where the flanges of the brace have a plurality of electrical contacts fixed therein. A plurality of wire conductors, having a portion of their insulating jackets removed, are laced through holes in the stem of the brace and soldered to the contacts fixed in the flanges. The elbows of the laced conductors are partially untwisted and are flow-soldered to form a waterblock therealong. The laced conductors, and portions of the brace and insulating jackets, are encased on an epoxy resin which in turn is surrounded by a molded polyurethane connector body having a predetermined configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 William McNeel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/58; H01R13/5833; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R2103/00; H01R24/00; H01R24/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A watertight connector assembly, including a first and a second connector, each having at least one end receiving a cable having at least two stranded conductors therein, and another end for engaging said other connector in a watertight arrangement, comprising: (a) strain relief means disposed within each of said connectors and having said stranded conductors laced therethrough. (b) at least two contacts disposed within said strain-relief means, each connected to one of said conductors, said contacts and strain-relief means arranged within said connector so that said contacts are disposed in said end of said connector for engaging said other connector; and (c) water block means within said connector for preventing moisture from entering therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A watertight connector assembly, including a first and a second connector, each having at least one end receiving a cable having at least two stranded conductors therein, and another end for engaging said other connector in a watertight arrangement, comprising: (a) strain relief means disposed within each of said connectors and having said stranded conductors laced therethrough. (b) at least two contacts disposed within said strain-relief means, each connected to one of said conductors, said contacts and strain-relief means arranged within said connector so that said contacts are disposed in said end of said connector for engaging said other connector; and (c) water block means within said connector for preventing moisture from entering therein.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for manufacturing a watertight connector assembly, comprising the steps of: (a) stripping the insulation from a predetermined length of one end of a multiconductor cable exposing a plurality of stranded-wire conductors; (b) flowing a predetermined amount of solder between each of a plurality of wire strands comprising said stranded conductors, forming a solder ball so as to create a waterblock therein; (c) lacing said plurality of stranded conductors through a tee-shaped, strain-relief brace and connecting the end of each of said conductors to one each of a plurality of electrical contacts mounted thereon; (d) sealing said brace, laced conductors, and a predetermined portion of said cable in a preselect epoxy resin so as to prevent moisture from penetrating therein; and (e) molding a polyurethane connector body around said epoxy resin and predetermined length of said cable such that said contacts are disposed within said connector body so as to be able to mate with a compatible connector body, said polyurethane used in said molding having a durometer hardness within the range of 70 to 90 determined by a Type-D durometer.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
182 words
A method for manufacturing a watertight connector assembly, comprising the steps of: (a) stripping the insulation from a predetermined length of one end of a multiconductor cable exposing a plurality of stranded-wire conductors; (b) flowing a predetermined amount of solder between each of a plurality of wire strands comprising said stranded conductors, forming a solder ball so as to create a waterblock therein; (c) lacing said plurality of stranded conductors through a tee-shaped, strain-relief brace and connecting the end of each of said conductors to one each of a plurality of electrical contacts mounted thereon; (d) sealing said brace, laced conductors, and a predetermined portion of said cable in a preselect epoxy resin so as to prevent moisture from penetrating therein; and (e) molding a polyurethane connector body around said epoxy resin and predetermined length of said cable such that said contacts are disposed within said connector body so as to be able to mate with a compatible connector body, said polyurethane used in said molding having a durometer hardness within the range of 70 to 90 determined by a Type-D durometer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
128 words
A watertight connector assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said strain-relief means, comprises: (a) a tee-shaped brace including a stem having a plurality of holes extending therethrough, and a first and second flanges, each having at least one hole extending therethrough. (b) one end of said contacts extending through said holes in said flanges and fixed therein; (c) said conductors laced through said holes in said stem and connected to said ends of contacts extending through said flanges so that a tensional stress between said conductors and said brace results in a tightening of the conductors laced through said brace without decoupling from the contacts; and (d) an epoxy resin enclosing said laced conductors and predetermined portion of said brace and said cable forming a seal therearound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
A watertight connector assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said waterblock means, comprises: (a) a solder ball flow-soldered at predetermined locations around a plurality of wire strands comprising each of said conductors so as to form solid wire portions. (b) an epoxy resin deposited around said conductors having said solder balls formed thereon and a predetermined portion of said brace and said cable; and (c) a polyurethane connector body, having a Type-D durometer hardness within the range of 70 to 90, molded around said epoxy resin and a predetermined length of said cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for manufacturing as recited in claim 2, wherein the step of flowing solder in said stranded conductors, further comprises: (a) partially untwisting said stranded conductors at predetermined locations into an elliptical fan; and (b) flowing solder between said wire strands in said elliptical fan forming a solder ball therearound.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-04 | 1990-02-03 | 1990-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-04 | 1994-02-03 | 1994-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-04 | 1998-02-03 | 1998-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |