EP0965156A1

EP0965156A1 - 90o SEALING NUT

Info

Publication number: EP0965156A1
Application number: EP98908526A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas M. Mullen, Jr.
Original assignee: Heyco Products Inc
Current assignee: Heyco Products Inc
Priority date: 1997-02-13
Filing date: 1998-02-12
Publication date: 1999-12-22
Also published as: EP0965156A4; JP2001513170A; WO1998036481A1; CA2278343A1; CA2278343C; CN1251693A

Abstract

A liquid-tight fitting (10), which is mountable on a housing (26) of an electrical or mechanical device and which includes a grasping portion (16) adjacent an end thereof projecting outwardly from the housing (26), is disclosed. More particularly, the fitting (10) may include a sealing nut (14) with a base (30) having a passageway (36) extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis of the base and being sized and shaped to removably receive the grasping portion (16) of the fitting (10). The sealing nut (14) also includes a cover (32) pivotally connected to the base (30) such that the cover (32) is movable between an open position, in which the cover exposes the passageway (36) of the base (30) to an extent sufficient to allow a cable (33) to be fed through the sealing nut (14) in a substantially straight line running generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base (30), and a closed position, in which the cover (32) overlies the passageway (36) in the base (30) such that the cover (32) loosely guides the cable to form a bend therein. A retaining mechanism (52, 54, 56, 58) is provided for retaining the cover (32) in its closed position. A plurality of fingers (18) embracing a gland (20) are provided on the grasping portion (16) of the fitting (10) so as to grasp an adjacent portion of the cable (33) in a liquid-tight and strain-relieving manner.

Description

90° SEALING NUT

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid-tight fitting, and, more

particularly, to a liquid-tight fitting equipped with a 90° sealing nut, locking

means and a cup-shaped flange.

Background Art

In the past, various devices have been developed for feeding a

wire, cable, tube or the like to an electrical and/or mechanical device at an

angle such as 90° (see, for instance, European Patent No. 0 283 575 B1 ,

European Patent No. 0 151 273 B1 and the HSK strain relief snap elbow

marketed by Hummel GmbH). Some of these devices are equipped with

bases and covers pivotally connected to the bases for orienting associated

cables at an angle, as well as clamping mechanisms for providing sealing

and/or strain relief. However, it is believed that if the covers of such devices

are accidentally opened during use, the sealing and/or strain relief functions

provided by the clamping mechanisms are compromised. Accordingly, there

is a need for a device which is adapted to maintain the integrity of the sealing

and/or strain relief functions provided thereby, even if its cover is accidentally

or otherwise opened during use. Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and

shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing a new and

improved sealing nut adapted for use in connection with a liquid-tight

connector which is mountable on a housing of an electrical or mechanical

device and which includes a grasping portion adjacent an end thereof

projecting outwardly from the housing. More particularly, the sealing nut

includes a base having a passageway extending therethrough along a

longitudinal axis of the base and being sized and shaped so as to removably

receive the grasping portion of the connector. The sealing nut also includes

a cover pivotally connected to the base such that the cover is movable

between an open position, in which the cover exposes the passageway of the

base to an extent sufficient to allow a cable to be fed through the sealing nut

in a substantially straight line running generally parallel to the longitudinal axis

of the base, and a closed position, in which the cover overlies the

passageway in the base such that the cover loosely guides the cable to form

a bend therein. A retaining mechanism is provided for retaining the cover in

its closed position. A cooperating mechanism is also provided for cooperating

with the grasping portion of the connector so as to grasp an adjacent portion

of the cable in a liquid-tight and strain-relieving manner. The cooperating mechanism is located within the base, whereby the liquid-tight and strain-

relieving functions performed thereby are not compromised during use even

if the cover is inadvertently moved from its closed position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention,

reference is made to the following detailed description of various exemplary

embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid-tight fitting which is

equipped with a 90° sealing nut constructed in accordance with a first

embodiment of the present invention, the sealing nut being shown in its open

position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 , except that the sealing nut is

in its closed position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the sealing nut illustrated in

FIG. 1 ;

FIG.4 is a partially cutaway, front elevational view of the sealing

nut illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the sealing nut illustrated in FIGS.

1 , 3 and 4; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 6-6 and

looking in the direction of the arrows, of the sealing nut illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the sealing nut illustrated in

FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 8-8 and

looking in the direction of the arrows, of the sealing nut illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A-9C are schematic views of the liquid-tight fitting

illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing it in use;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a liquid-tight fitting which is

equipped with a 90° sealing nut constructed in accordance with a second

embodiment of the present invention, the sealing nut being shown in its open

position;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, except that the sealing nut

is in its closed position;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the sealing nut illustrated

in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a partial cutaway, front elevational view of the sealing

nut illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the sealing nut illustrated

in FIG. 11 ; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line 15-15

and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the sealing nut illustrated in FIG.

14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a liquid-tight fitting which is

equipped with a 90°sealing nut constructed in accordance with a third

embodiment of the present invention, the sealing nut being shown in it open

position;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, except that the sealing nut

is in its closed position;

FIG. 18 is an exploded, side view of a liquid-tight fitting in

accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the grasping portion of the liquid-tight

fitting of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged, partially cross-sectional view of the

grasping fingers of the liquid-tight fitting of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the grasping conduit portion

of the liquid-tight fitting of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the sealing nut of the fitting of FIG. 18;

FIG 23 is detailed, partially cross-sectional view of the sealing

nut of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing nut of FIG. 22,

taken along line XXIV-XXIV and looking in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 25 is a front, partially diagrammatic view of the fluid-tight

fitting of FIG. 18 in an untightened condition and with an electrical cable

positioned in the cable passageway thereof;

FIG. 26 is a partially cross-sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 25

taken along section lines XXVI-XXVI and looking in the direction of the

arrows;

FIG. 27 is a front, partially diagrammatic view of the fluid-tight

fitting of FIG. 25 in a tightened condition;

FIG. 28 is a partially cross-sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 27

taken along section lines XXVII-XXVII and looking in the direction of the

arrows; and

FIG. 29 is a diagrammatic view of one of the grasping fingers of

the fluid tight fitting of FIGS. 25-28 undergoing movement from a first position

in the untightened state to a second position in the untightened state.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

FIG. 1 shows a liquid-tight fitting 10 having a liquid-tight body

(i.e., connector) 12 and a 90° sealing nut 14, which is constructed in

accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention and which is

adapted for use in connection with the body 12. The construction and

operation of the body 12 are identical to those of the body of the liquid-tight

connector disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,405,172, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. For instance, referring to FIG. 9A, the

body 12 has an upper portion (i.e., a grasping portion) 16 provided with strain

relief fingers 18, a gland 20, which is cradled by the strain relief fingers 18,

and threads 22 for coupling the body 12 to the sealing nut 14. The body 12

also has a threaded lower portion 24 for mounting the body 12 on a housing

26 of an electrical and/or mechanical device in a liquid-tight fashion. More

particularly, a lock nut 28 is threaded onto the lower portion 24 so as to mount

the body 12 on the housing 26. In order to achieve the desired liquid-tight seal

between the body 12 and the housing 26, a raised circular ridge 29a is

provided on an hexagonal flange 29b of the body 12, the ridge 29a being

adapted to come into sealing engagement with the housing 26 when the lock

nut 28 is completely threaded onto the lower portion 24 of the body 12.

Alternatively, the lower portion 24 can be tapered such that it can be threaded

directly into a similarly tapered threaded hole (not shown) formed in the

housing 26 of the device, whereby a liquid-tight engagement is formed directly

between the lower portion 24 and the hole.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, the sealing nut 14, which is

preferably made from injection grade nylon by an injection molding process,

has a base 30, a cover 32 and a living hinge 34, which pivotally connects the

cover 32 to the base 30 so as to allow the cover 32 to pivot about a pivot axis

A (see FIGS. 1 and 4) and which is integrally formed with the base 30 and the

cover 32. The base 30 is adapted to be coupled to the upper portion 16 of the body 12 in a threaded manner and to cooperate with the strain relief

fingers 18 and the gland 20 of the body 12 in grasping a cable 33 extending

through the liquid-tight fitting 10 in a manner similar to the one described in

the '172 Patent (see FIGS. 9B and 9C). In this regard, the base 30 has a

longitudinal passageway 36, which extends through the base 30 along a

longitudinal axis B thereof (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for feeding the cable 33

therethrough and which is sized and shaped so as to removably receive the

upper portion 16 of the body 12, a conical internal surface 38 (see FIG. 4),

which is adapted to compress the fingers 18 and the gland 20, and threads

40 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) for coupling the base 30 to the body 12. In addition,

the base 30 has an open trough 42 positioned adjacent an upper end of the

base 30 and having a smooth arcuate rear surface 44 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) for

purposes to be discussed hereinafter. Moreover, the base 30 is equipped

with a pair of cavities 46, 48 formed in an exterior wall 50 of the body 12 on

opposite sides thereof. The cavities 46, 48 include transverse planar walls

46a, 48a, respectively, which are substantially normal to the pivot axis A, and

parallel planar walls 46b, 48b, respectively, which are substantially parallel to

the pivot axis A (see FIGS. 1 , 3 and 4). Locking tabs 52, 54 are formed and

located in the cavities 46, 48, respectively, and extend laterally from the walls

46a, 48a, respectively, of the cavities 46, 48, respectively, of the base 30 in

opposite directions. The locking tabs 52, 54 are oriented transversely with

respect to the longitudinal axis B of the base 30 for purposes to be discussed hereinafter. That is, the locking tabs 52, 54 include planar locking surfaces

52a, 54a (see FIG. 4), respectively, lying in a plane which is substantially

normal to the longitudinal axis B of the base 30. The base 30 also has a

hexagonal shape for facilitating the threading of the sealing nut 14 to the body

12 by using a conventional tool such as a wrench (not shown).

Still referring to FIGS. 1-7, the cover 32 is pivotable about the

pivot axis A, which extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis B

of the base 30, between an open position, in which the cover 32 exposes the

passageway 36 of the base 30 to an extent sufficient to allow the cable 33 to

be fed through the sealing nut 14 in a substantially straight line running

generally parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the base 30 (see FIGS. 1 , 3-6,

9A and 9B), and a closed position, in which the cover 32 overlies the

passageway 36 in the base 30 such that the cover 32 loosely guides the

cable 33 to form a bend therein (see FIGS. 2, 7, 8 and 9C). The cover 32

also includes a locking finger 56 depending from one side of the cover 32 and

a locking finger 58 depending from an opposite side of the cover 32. Slots 60,

62 are formed in the locking fingers 56, 58, respectively, for coupling the

cover 32 to the base 30 in a snap-fit fashion. More particularly, the slots 60,

62 are sized and shaped so as to receive the locking tabs 52, 54,

respectively, of the base 30 in a snap-fit fashion when the cover 32 is pivoted

towards and pressed against the base 30 (i.e., when the cover 32 is in its

closed position). In this regard, the slots 60, 62 include planar locking surfaces 60a, 62a (see FIGS. 1 and 3), respectively, which engage the

locking surfaces 52a, 54a, respectively, when the locking tabs 52, 54 engage

the locking fingers 56, 58, respectively, thereby maintaining (i.e., retaining) the

cover 32 in its closed position (see FIG. 7). In addition, the slots 60, 62

extend completely through interior portions of the locking fingers, 56, 58,

respectively, such that the locking fingers 56, 58 surround the locking tabs 52,

54 when the cover 32 is in its closed position (see FIG. 7). Further, when the

cover 32 is in its closed position, the slots 60, 62 are so oriented that the

locking surfaces 60a, 62a lie in a plane which is substantially normal to the

longitudinal axis B of the base 30. The locking fingers 56, 58 also have

widths W.,, W₂ (see FIGS. 3 and 4), respectively, extending in directions which

are substantially parallel to the walls 46a, 48a, respectively, of the cavities 46,

48, respectively, when the locking tabs 52, 54 and the locking fingers 56, 58

are engaged (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Moreover, an open trough 64 extends from

one end of the cover 32 to an opposite end of the cover 32. The trough 64

is sized and shaped so as to cooperate with the trough 42 of the base 30 to

form a lateral passageway 68 communicating with the longitudinal

passageway 36 of the base 30 (see FIGS. 2, 7 and 8) and having a

longitudinal axis C (see FIG. 8) oriented at a 90° angle relative to the

longitudinal axis B of the base 30 when the cover 32 is coupled to the base

30. With reference to FIGS. 9A-9C, to use the liquid-tight fitting 10,

the body 12 is mounted on the housing 26 of the electrical and/or mechanical

device by threading the lock nut 28 to the lower portion 24 of the body 12 or

by directly threading the lower portion 24 into a threaded opening formed in

the housing 26. With the cover 32 oriented in its open position, the sealing

nut 14 is loosely coupled to the upper portion 16 of the body 12 in a threaded

manner. The cable 33 is then fed to the device through the longitudinal

passageway 36 of the base 30 and the body 12 in a straight line (see FIG.

9A). Alternatively, the body 12, the sealing nut 14 and the cable 33 can be

preassembled in the manner described above and then mounted on the

housing 26 of the device. Next, the sealing nut 14 is fully threaded to the

upper portion 16 of the body 12 such that the base 30 of the sealing nut 14

cooperates with the strain relief fingers 18 and the gland 20 of the body 12 to

grasp the cable 33 in a liquid-tight manner (see FIG. 9B), while also providing

strain relief. After the liquid-tight fitting 10 is rotated to a position which directs

the cable 33 towards its desired destination outside the housing 26, the cover

32 is snap-fitted to the base 30. More particularly, the locking tabs 52, 54 of

the base 30 are snap-fitted into the slots 60, 62, respectively, of the locking

fingers 56, 58, respectively (see FIGS. 7 and 9C), thereby orienting the cover

32 in its closed position. In the foregoing manner, the cable 33 is captured

between the troughs 42, 64 of the base 30 and cover 32, respectively, and is

thus positioned in the lateral passageway 68. As a result, the cable 33 is caused to form a 90° bend adjacent a junction 70 (see FIGS. 8 and 9C)

formed between the passageway 36 of the base 30 and the lateral

passageway 68 and is thereby fed to the electrical and/or mechanical device

at a 90° angle.

It should be appreciated that the present invention provides

numerous advantages over the prior art. For instance, because the cover 32

pivots away from the base 30 to expose the longitudinal passageway 36, it

allows the cable 33 to be fed to the housing 26 through the liquid-tight fitting

10 in a straight line. In this manner, the sealing nut 14 makes the feeding of

the cable 33 to the housing 26 both simple and efficient. Moreover, because

the cable 33 is grasped by the body 12 at the base 30 in a sealing and strain-

relieving manner, even if the cover 32 is accidentally or otherwise opened

during the use of the sealing nut 14, the sealing and strain-relieving functions

performed by the body 12 and the sealing nut 14 are not compromised. In

addition, due to its curved smooth shape, the arcuate surface 44, which is

formed adjacent the junction 70, facilitates the bending of the cable 33

thereabout when the cover 32 is moved from its open position to its closed

position and functions to minimize damage to the cable 33 (e.g., in the form

of cuts caused by sharp edges and the like) during the bending of the cable

33 and/or the usage of the liquid-tight fitting 10. The locking mechanism of the present invention also provides

further advantages over the prior art. For instance, because the locking tabs

52, 54 are oriented transversely relative to the longitudinal axis B of the base

30, the locking tabs 52, 54 and the locking fingers 56, 58 come to engage

each other in a vertical direction. That is, the locking surfaces 60a, 62a of the

locking fingers 56, 58, respectively, lie in a plane which is normal to the

longitudinal axis B of the base 30, when the locking fingers 56, 58 engage the

locking tabs 52, 54, respectively. As a result, any reaction force in the locking

fingers 56, 58 in response to external forces acting upon the sealing nut 14

tends to be in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis B (as

indicated by vertically directed arrows D in FIG. 7). In such circumstances,

the locking fingers 56, 58 and the locking tabs 52, 54 provide enhanced

resistance to their disengagement and hence enhanced resistance to

accidental disengagement of the cover 32 from the base 30. Further,

because the locking fingers 56, 58 completely surround the locking tabs 52,

54, respectively, the locking fingers 56, 58 are inhibited from sliding laterally

relative to the locking tabs 52, 54, respectively, when external force is applied

to the cover 32, thereby further enhancing resistance to disengagement.

Moreover, because the locking fingers 56. 58 completely surround the locking

tabs 52, 54, the interlocking engagement between the locking fingers 56, 58

and the locking tabs 52, 54, respectively, is maintained, even if the hinge 34

is cracked or otherwise broken during the use of the sealing nut 14. In this manner, the cover 32 is adapted to remain coupled to the base 30 and to

thereby maintain the 90° angular orientation of the cable 33 even without the

benefit of the structural support normally provided by the hinge 34.

The cover 32 also provides additional advantages over the prior

art. For instance, the trough 64 provides the cover 32 with a spring-like

characteristic. As a result, the cover 32 flexes as the locking fingers 56, 58

interlock with the locking tabs 52, 54, respectively, and assumes its normal

shape after the locking fingers 56, 58 have fully engaged with the locking tabs

52, 54, respectively. In this manner, the cover 32 facilitates the snap-fit

engagement between the locking fingers 56, 58 and the locking tabs 52, 54,

respectively. Moreover, the trough 64 facilitates the removal of an associated

core from the sealing nut 14 after the molding of same and therefore

facilitates the molding process.

It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous

modifications and variations. For instance, the orientation of the lateral

passageway 68 relative to the longitudinal passageway 36 of the body 12 can

be modified to assume other angles (e.g., 100°). In addition, the base 30 can

have a shape other than a hexagonal shape. Moreover, the living hinge 34

can be replaced with any other conventional hinge mechanism. The locking

fingers 56, 58 and the locking tabs 52, 54 can also be replaced with any

conventional locking mechanism. Further, the sealing nut 14 can be made

from other suitable materials and/or by other conventional processes. FIGS. 10-15 and FIG. 16 and 17 depict second and third

embodiments, respectively, of the present invention. Elements illustrated in

FIGS. 10-15 and FIG. 16 and 17 which correspond, either identically or

substantially, to the elements described above with respect to the

embodiment of FIGS. 1-9C have been designated by corresponding reference

numerals increased by one hundred and two hundred, respectively. Unless

otherwise stated, the embodiments of FIGS. 10-17 are constructed,

assembled and used in the same basic manner as the embodiment of FIGS.

1-9C.

FIGS. 10-15 illustrate a liquid-tight fitting 110 which is equipped

with a 90° sealing nut 114 constructed in accordance with a second

embodiment of the present invention. The construction, operation and usage

of the sealing nut 114 are identical to those of the sealing nut 14 of the

embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9C, except as follows. The sealing nut 114

has a base 130 provided with a pair of cavities 146, 148 which are formed in

an exterior wall 150 of the base 130 on opposing sides thereof. Locking tabs

152, 154 are formed in the cavities 146, 148, respectively, and extend

laterally from the base 130 in opposite directions. Like the locking tabs 52,

54 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9C, the locking tabs 152, 154 are oriented

transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis B of the base 130. The

sealing nut 114 also has a cover 132 equipped with a pair of locking fingers

156, 158 depending from the cover 132 on opposite sides thereof. The locking fingers 156, 158 are sized and shaped so as to interlock with the

locking tabs 152, 154, respectively, of the base 130 and to thereby couple the

cover 132 to the base 130 in a snap-fit fashion (see FIGS. 11 , 14 and 15).

Each of the cavities, 146, 148 also includes side planar walls 146b, 146c for

capturing a corresponding one of the locking fingers 156, 158 therebetween

(see FIGS. 10, 12 and 15). In this manner, the locking fingers 156, 158 are

inhibited from moving laterally relative to the locking tabs 152, 154,

respectively, thereby providing enhanced resistance to accidental

disengagement of the cover 132 from the base 130. Moreover, because the

locking tabs 152, 154 are oriented transversely relative to the longitudinal axis

B of the base 130, the locking tabs 152, 154 and the locking fingers 156, 158

come to engage each other in a vertical direction. In such circumstances, the

locking tabs 152, 154 and the locking fingers 156, 158 further enhance

resistance to accidental disengagement of the cover 132 from the base 130.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a liquid-tight fitting 210 which is

equipped with a 90° sealing nut 214 constructed in accordance with a third

embodiment of the present invention. The construction, operation and usage

of the sealing nut 214 are identical to those of the sealing nut 14 of the

embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9C, except as follows. The sealing nut 214

has a base 230 and a cover 232 pivotable about a pivot axis A. More

particularly, the base 230 is provided with a pair of cavities 246, 248 which are

formed in an exterior wall 250 of the base 230 on opposite sides thereof. The cavities 246, 248 include transverse planar walls 246a, 248a, respectively,

which are substantially normal to the pivot axis A, and parallel planar walls

246b, 248b, respectively, which are substantially parallel to the pivot axis A.

Locking tabs 252, 254 are formed and located in the cavities 246, 248,

respectively, and extend forwardly from the base 230 (i.e., they project from

the walls 246b, 248b, respectively, of the cavities 246, 248, respectively).

The cover 232 is equipped with a pair of locking fingers 256, 258 depending

from the cover 232. The locking fingers 256, 258 are sized and shaped so as

to interlock with the locking tabs 252, 254, respectively, of the base 230 and

to thereby couple the cover 232 to the base 230 in a snap-fit fashion. The

locking fingers 256, 258 have widths W_{1 τ} W₂, respectively, extending in a

direction which is substantially parallel to the walls 246b, 248b, respectively,

of the cavities 246, 248, respectively, when the locking fingers 256, 258

engage the locking tabs 252, 254, respectively.

FIG. 18 shows a fluid-tight fitting 310 in accordance with an

alternative embodiment of the present invention. As before, the body 312 has

a plurality of flexible fingers 318 arranged in an annular pattern and extending

in an axial direction from one end thereof. A gland 320 of deformable sealing

material is embraced by the fingers 318 (see FIG. 26) and assists in forming

a fluid tight seal against an electrical cable or other elongated object held in

the fluid tight fitting 310. A sealing nut 314 is threadedly received on threads

322 of the body 312 and upon tightening, a conically shaped inner surface thereof 338 (shown in phantom) abuts against and urges the fingers 318

inwardly to grasp the inserted object to be held. As can be appreciated, the

fitting 310 is similar in overall structure and function to the fitting shown and

described in U.S. Patent No. 5,405,172 to the inventor herein and assigned

to the assignee herein, such patent being incorporated by reference herein

for its teachings concerning the configuration and manufacture of a fluid-tight

fitting. Notwithstanding, the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS.

18-29 exhibits a number of novel features which shall be described below.

It should further be appreciated that the sealing nut 314 depicted in FIGS. 18-

29 could be replaced by a sealing nut for maintaining a 90 degree cable exit

angle like the sealing nut 14 shown in FIGS. 1-17 and described above.

FIGS. 18, 21 , 26 and 28 illustrate a novel cup-shaped sealing

flange 331 that has a hollow cup-shape prior to affixation of the fitting to a

mounting plate or housing. The flange 331 flattens out when the fitting is

threaded into or drawn against a mounting surface (See FIG. 28), the material

of the fitting being sufficiently elastic to allow the flattening of the cup-shaped

flange 331. Air or moisture trapped between the cup-shaped flange 331 and

the mounting surface is expelled when the flange is flattened. Because the

cup-shaped flange 331 is resilient and tends to return to its original cupped

shape, the flange 331 can accommodate irregularities (e.g., unevenness or

warpage) in the mounting surface, thereby insuring proper sealing. Upon

flattening, the flange 331 spreads out providing a large sealing surface. The cup-shaped flange 331 therefore provides an effective seal without the use

of washers or other sealing hardware.

FIG. 19 shows the generally triangular or wedge-shaped upper

ends 370 at the end of each finger 318. The upper triangular ends 370 of the

fingers 318 are spaced apart and extend radially inward with an inner side

372 of the triangle being approximately tangent to the outer circumference of

the cable channel 336 through the body 312. An outer side 374 of the

triangle is preferably curved to approximate the curvature of the conical inner

surface 338 of the sealing nut 314 thereby facilitating rotation of the nut 314

relative to the fingers 318. An intermediate side 376 completes each triangle

and frictionally interacts with the inner side 372 of an adjacent upper end 370

when the fitting 310 is tightened, as more fully described below.

FIG. 20 shows a finger 318 in cross-section at a position below

the triangular upper end 370. The fingers 318 can be seen to have a thin

cross-section relative to the triangular upper ends 370 and have a generally

flattened parallelogram shape, with the parallelogram having a pair of acute,

opposing, included angles giving rise to lateral extensions 378, 380 which

overlap the extensions 378, 380 of adjacent fingers 318. This overlapping

provides peripheral support for the gland while allowing the fingers to remain

flexible and to converge when the sealing nut 314 is tightened. FIG. 21 illustrates the recess 382 provided in the body 312 of

the fitting 310 to accommodate the gland 320. The recess 382 is defined at

one end by an inner, tapered, annular seat 384 formed proximate the base or

origin of the fingers 318. The taper slopes deeper into the body 312 as the

seat 384 extends radially outward. From the outer peripheral edge of the

tapered seat 384, the recess extends in an axial direction toward the

triangular-shaped finger ends 370. As can be appreciated from FIG. 21 , the

underside of the ends 370 are each beveled so as to form in unison an upper,

tapered seat 386 having the same general orientation as the inner seat 384

but with a greater angle of taper. Referring to FIG. 26, one can appreciate

that the gland 320 has a shape that is complementary to that of the recess

382 in which the gland is snugly embraced, even when the fitting is in the

untightened condition.

FIGS. 22-24 show a sealing nut 314 in accordance with an

embodiment of the present invention and including novel ratchet locks 388

projecting from an inner wall surface and extending radially inwards towards

the center of the nut. The enlarged view of the ratchet lock 388 of FIG. 23

reveals that the lock has a directional sense like a pawl and, as illustrated,

points counter- clockwise. The counterclockwise orientation shown would be

appropriate for a fitting 310 on which the sealing nut 314 tightens in a

clockwise direction, i.e., right-handed threads. A reverse orientation of the

locks 388 could be utilized for left-handed threads that tighten in a counterclockwise direction. In operation, the locks 388 ramp over the edges

of the fingers 318 as the sealing nut 314 is tightened. This is possible due to

the flexibility of the locks 388 and the fingers 318 which elastically deform as

the locks 388 pass over the fingers 318. To prevent inadvertent loosening of

the fitting, the locks 388 hook onto and/or abut against the edges of the

fingers 318 rather than ramp over them when turned in the direction in which

they point.

FIG. 24 shows that the locks 388 are placed on the sealing nut

314 in a novel position. More specifically, the locks 388 extend from an inner

peripheral surface 390 of the sealing nut between the threads and the conical

inner surface 338. The benefit realized by this positioning of the locks 388 is

to avoid the undue mechanical distortion associated with placing the locks

388 directly on the conical inner surface 338, as would be suggested by the

normal practice in the industry. If the locks 388 are disposed on the inner

surface 338, they are exposed to the frictional and displacement forces

required to bend and position the fingers 318 as the fitting 310 is tightened.

The forces experienced in the area of the conical surface 338 tend to be large

enough to distort the locks 388 beyond their elastic limit rendering them

ineffective. Accordingly, positioning the locks 388 in an area that avoids the

mechanical interface between the sealing nut 314 and the fingers 318 while

still acting upon the fingers at a lower point along their length preserves the

shape and functionality of the locks 388 even after tightening. The locks 388 of the present invention can be utilized in combination with known locking

apparatus, such as reliefs or dimples positioned on the conical surface 338

of the sealing nut 314.

FIGS. 25, 26 and 27, 28 are front and cross-sectional views of

the fitting in an untightened and a tightened condition, respectively. FIG. 29

shows the movements of the triangular ends 370 during the transition from an

untightened condition to a tightened condition. As can be appreciated by

comparing FIGS. 25 and 27, the triangular ends 370 of the fingers 318 start

with the inner sides 372 thereof approximately tangent to the inner peripheral

lumen of the gland 320 and the outer curved sides 374 of the triangular ends

370 are generally in line with the circle defining the intersection between the

conical inner surface 338 and the surface 390. The triangular ends 370 are

spaced one from another. When the sealing nut 314 is tightened, as shown

in FIG. 27, the inner sides 372 end up in approximate tangency to a much

smaller circle. This is consistent with the movement of the triangular ends

370 as illustrated in FIG. 29, viz., that the triangular ends 370 rotate inwardly

towards the center of the fitting 310 as the sealing nut 314 is tightened. The

inward rotation of the triangular ends 370 causes the ends to extend a greater

distance toward the central axis of the fitting 310 such that they extend over

the gland 320 and bite directly into the cable 392 to be held within the fitting

310. Typically the fitting 310 is composed of a tough and dense plastic. In

contrast, the gland 320 is typically formed from a more compliant material such as rubber. The present invention thus utilizes the relatively sharp

"points" on the triangular ends of the more rigid fingers 318 to grasp the cable

392 rather than causing the fingers to press the softer, smoother, deformable

gland 320 into contact with the cable. As a result, the rigid, thick, triangular

ends 370 of the fingers 318 "bite" into the relatively soft outer insulation of the

cable 392 leading to an effective grip on the cable. One might also note that

the triangular ends 370 are thick relative to the remainder of the fingers 318.

This distribution of material permits the fingers 318 to bend as shown in FIG.

28 while strengthening the ends 370 which are forced by the sealing nut 314

into close contact with the cable 392. FIG. 29 illustrates that the fingers 318

bend inwardly as the sealing nut 314 is tightened. This inward bending is also

depicted in FIG. 28, which further shows the simultaneous downward bending

of the triangular ends 370. The consequence of this simultaneous bending

is to push the gland 320 down and against the tapered lower seat 384 as well

as pressing it against the cable. When the gland 320 is urged as depicted in

FIG. 28, it effects a seal against the cable 392 and against the seat 384. In

this manner, the gland 320 is both retained securely within the fitting 310 and

is urged in the proper directions to provide the necessary dual sealing

function required.

It may also be appreciated by examining FIG. 27 that the

triangular ends 370 are elongated due to the fact that the triangles have two

severely acute angles and a correspondingly open third angle. As a result, the length of the inner 372 and intermediate 376 sides is large. As shown in

FIG. 27, the triangular ends 370 are urged together such that the inner 372

and intermediate 376 sides of adjacent triangular ends 370 are in contact.

Since the area of contact is large, the triangular ends 370 bear against one

another over a large area and tend to lock together due to friction. Because

the triangular ends 370 are rigidly and their motion firmly limited by contact

with adjacent ends 370 and by the sealing nut 314, it is very difficult to expand

the central aperture of a tightened fitting 310, e.g., by forces exerted on the

cable 392. The relatively large size of the triangular ends 370 assures that

the points thereof will extend a significant distance beyond the gland 320 and

can be induced to bite deeply into the cable 392. Because the radial length

of the triangular ends 370 defines, in part, the potential radial displacement

determining the effective size of the cable channel through the fitting 310, the

larger the triangular ends 370, the greater the range of sizes of cables that

can be accommodated by the fitting.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are

merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many

variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the

invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included

within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A sealing nut adapted for use in connection with a liquid-

tight connector which is mountable on a housing of an electrical or mechanical

device and which includes a grasping portion adjacent an end thereof

projecting outwardly from the housing, said sealing nut characterized by a

base having a passageway extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis

of said base, said passageway being sized and shaped so as to removably

receive the grasping portion of the connector; a cover pivotally connected to

said base such that said cover is movable between an open position, in which

said cover exposes said passageway of said base to an extent sufficient to

allow a cable to be fed through the sealing nut in a substantially straight line

running generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said base, and a closed

position, in which said cover overlies said passageway in said base such that

said cover loosely guides the cable to form a bend therein; retaining means

for retaining said cover in its said closed position; and cooperating means for

cooperating with the grasping portion of the connector so as to grasp an

adjacent portion of the cable in a liquid-tight and strain-relieving manner, said

cooperating means being located within said base, whereby the liquid-tight

and strain-relieving functions performed thereby are not compromised during

use even if said cover is inadvertently moved from its said closed position.

2. The sealing nut of Claim 1 , characterized in that said

retaining means includes at least one locking member formed on said base

and at least another locking member formed on said cover, said at least

another locking member engaging said at least one locking member when

said cover is in its said closed position.

3. The sealing nut of Claim 2, characterized in that said at

least one locking member includes at least one planar locking surface and

said at least another locking member includes at least another planar locking

surface, said at least one locking surface being in direct engagement with

said another locking surface when said at least another locking member

engages said at least one locking member, thereby retaining said cover in its

said closed position.

4. The sealing nut of Claim 3, characterized in that said at

least one locking surface lies in a plane which is substantially normal to said

longitudinal axis of said base.

5. The sealing nut of Claim 4, characterized in that said at

least another locking surface lies in said plane when said at least another

locking member engages said at least one locking member, thereby

enhancing resistance to the disengagement of said at least another locking

member from said at least one locking member.

6. The sealing nut of Claim 5, characterized in that said at

least one locking member includes a first locking member and a second

locking member formed on said base and said at least another locking

member includes a third locking member and a fourth locking member formed

on said cover, said third locking member and said fourth locking member

engaging said first locking member and said second locking member,

respectively, when said cover is in its said closed position.

7. The sealing nut of Claim 6, characterized in that said first

locking member and said second locking member include a first planar locking

surface and a second planar locking surface, respectively, and said third

locking member and said fourth locking member include a third planar locking

surface and a fourth planar locking surface, respectively, said first locking

surface and said second locking surface being in direct engagement with said

third locking surface and said fourth locking surface, respectively, when said

third locking member and said fourth locking member engage said first locking

member and said second locking member, respectively, thereby retaining said

cover in its said closed position.

8. The sealing nut of Claim 7, characterized in that said first

locking surface of said first locking member and said second locking surface

of said second locking member lie in said plane and said third locking surface

of said third locking member and said fourth locking surface of said fourth

locking member lie in said plane when said third locking member and said fourth locking member engage said first locking member and said second

locking member, respectively, thereby enhancing resistance to the

disengagement of said third locking member and said fourth locking member

from said first locking member and said second locking member, respectively.

9. The sealing nut of Claim 8, characterized in that said

cover is pivotable about a pivot axis which extends substantially transverse

to said longitudinal axis of said base.

10. The sealing nut of Claim 9, characterized in that said

base is pivotally connected to said cover by a living hinge.

11. The sealing nut of Claim 10, characterized in that said

base has a first cavity in one side thereof and a second cavity in an opposite

side thereof, said first locking member and said second locking member being

located in said first cavity and said second cavity, respectively, and said third

locking member depends from one side of said cover while said fourth locking

member depends from an opposite side of said cover.

12. The sealing nut of Claim 11 , characterized in that said

first and second locking members engage said third and fourth locking

members, respectively, in a snap-fit fashion.

13. The sealing nut of Claim 12, characterized in that each

of said first and second cavities has a first planar wall which is substantially

normal to said pivot axis and a second planar wall which is substantially

parallel to said pivot axis.

14. The sealing nut of Claim 13, characterized in that said

third locking member extends widthwise in a direction which is substantially

parallel to said first wall of said first cavity when said first and third locking

members are engaged and said fourth locking member extends widthwise in

a direction which is substantially parallel to said first wall of said second cavity

when said second and fourth locking members are engaged.

15. The sealing nut of Claim 14, characterized in that said

first locking member includes a first tab which extends from said first wall of

said first cavity and said second locking member includes a second tab which

extends from said first wall of said second cavity.

16. The sealing nut of Claim 15, characterized in that said

third locking member includes a first slot sized and shaped so as to receive

said first tab when said cover is in its said closed position and said fourth

locking member includes a second slot sized and shaped so as to receive

said second tab when said cover is in its said closed position.

17. The sealing nut of Claim 16, characterized in that said

first slot extends completely through an interior portion of said third locking

member such that said third locking member surrounds said first tab when said cover is in its said closed position, whereby said first and third locking

members will remain engaged even if said living hinge breaks and said

second slot extends completely through an interior portion of said fourth

locking member such that said fourth locking member surrounds said second

tab when said cover is in its said closed position, whereby said second and

fourth locking members will remain engaged even if said living hinge breaks.

18. The sealing nut of Claim 15, characterized in that said

third locking member includes a first finger sized and shaped to interlock with

said first tab and said fourth locking member includes a second finger sized

and shaped to interlock with said second tab.

19. The sealing nut of Claim 13, characterized in that said

third locking member extends widthwise in a direction which is substantially

parallel to said second wall of said first cavity when said first and third locking

members are engaged and said fourth locking member extends widthwise in

a direction which is substantially parallel to said second wall of said second

cavity when said second and fourth locking members are engaged.

20. The sealing nut of Claim 19, characterized in that said

first locking member includes a first tab which extends from said second wall

of said first cavity and said second locking member includes a second tab

which extends from said second wall of said second cavity.

21. The sealing nut of Claim 20, characterized in that said

third locking member includes a first finger sized and shaped to interlock with

said first tab and said fourth locking member includes a second finger sized

and shaped to interlock with said second tab.

22. The sealing nut of Claim 1 , characterized in that said

base includes a first open trough at an end thereof adjacent said cover and

said cover includes a second open trough therein, said first and second

troughs cooperating to form another passageway communicating with said

passageway of said base when said cover is in its said closed position.

23. The sealing nut of Claim 22, characterized in that said

another passageway has a longitudinal axis oriented at an angle relative to

said longitudinal axis of said base and said first and second troughs capture

a portion of the cable therebetween when said cover is in its said closed

position for positioning same in said another passageway, whereby the cable

is caused to form a bend adjacent a junction between said passageway and

said another passageway.

24. The sealing nut of Claim 23, characterized in that said

first trough includes an arcuate surface formed in an end thereof adjacent

said junction to thereby facilitate the bending of the cable when said cover is

moved from its said open position to its said closed position.

25. The sealing nut of Claim 24, characterized in that said

angle is about 90 degrees.

26. The sealing nut of Claim 1 , further characterized by a

hinge pivotally connecting said cover to said base.

27. The sealing nut of Claim 26, characterized in that said

hinge includes a living hinge formed integrally with an end of said cover and

an adjacent end of said base.

28. A combination, characterized by a liquid-tight connector

mountable on a housing of an electrical or mechanical device and including

a grasping portion adjacent an end thereof projecting outwardly from the

housing; and a sealing nut including a base, which has a passageway

extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis of said base and being sized

and shaped so as to removably receive said grasping portion of said

connector, a cover pivotally connected to said base such that said cover is

movable between an open position, in which said cover exposes said

passageway of said base to an extent sufficient to allow a cable to be fed

through said sealing nut in a substantially straight line running generally

parallel to said longitudinal axis of said base, and a closed position, in which

said cover overlies said passageway in said base such that said cover loosely

guides the cable to form a bend therein, retaining means for retaining said

cover in its said closed position, and cooperating means for cooperating with

said grasping portion of said connector so as to grasp an adjacent portion of

the cable in a liquid-tight and strain-relieving manner, said cooperating means

being located within said base, whereby the liquid-tight and strain-relieving functions performed thereby are not compromised during use even if said

cover is inadvertently moved from its said closed position.

29. The combination of Claim 28, characterized in that said

retaining means includes at least one locking member formed on said base

and at least another locking member formed on said cover, said at least

another locking member engaging said at least one locking member when

said cover is in its said closed position.

30. The combination of Claim 29, characterized in that said

at least one locking member includes at least one planar locking surface and

said at least another locking member includes at least another planar locking

surface, said at least one locking surface being in direct engagement with

said another locking surface when said at least another locking member

engages said at least one locking member, thereby retaining said cover in its

said closed position.

31. The combination of Claim 30, characterized in that said

at least one locking surface lies in a plane which is substantially normal to

said longitudinal axis of said base.

32. The combination of Claim 31 , characterized in that said

at least another locking surface lies in said plane when said at least another

locking member engages said at least one locking member, thereby

enhancing resistance to the disengagement of said at least another locking

member from said at least one locking member.

33. The combination of Claim 32, characterized in that said

at least one locking member includes a first locking member and a second

locking member formed on said base and said at least another locking

member includes a third locking member and a fourth locking member formed

on said cover, said third locking member and said fourth locking member

engaging said first locking member and said second locking member,

respectively, when said cover is in its said closed position.

34. The combination of Claim 33, characterized in that said

first locking member and said second locking member include a first planar

locking surface and a second planar locking surface, respectively, and said

third locking member and said fourth locking member include a third planar

locking surface and a fourth planar locking surface, respectively, said first

locking surface and said second locking surface being in direct engagement

with said third locking surface and said fourth locking surface, respectively,

when said third locking member and said fourth locking member engage said

first locking member and said second locking member, respectively, thereby

retaining said cover in its said closed position.

35. The combination of Claim 34, characterized in that said

first locking surface of said first locking member and said second locking

surface of said second locking member lie in said plane and said third locking

surface of said third locking member and said fourth locking surface of said

fourth locking member lie in said plane when said third locking member and said fourth locking member engage said first locking member and said second

locking member, respectively, thereby enhancing resistance to the

disengagement of said third locking member and said fourth locking member

from said first locking member and said second locking member, respectively.

36. The combination of Claim 35, characterized in that said

cover is pivotable about a pivot axis which extends substantially transverse

to said longitudinal axis of said base.

37. The combination of Claim 36, characterized in that said

base is pivotally connected to said cover by a living hinge.

38. The combination of Claim 37, characterized in that said

base has a first cavity in one side thereof and a second cavity in an opposite

side thereof, said first locking member and said second locking member being

locking member depends from one side of said cover while said fourth locking

member depends from an opposite side of said cover.

39. The combination of Claim 38, characterized in that said

first and second locking members engage said third and fourth locking

members, respectively, in a snap-fit fashion.

40. The combination of Claim 39, characterized in that each

normal to said pivot axis and a second planar wall which is substantially

parallel to said pivot axis.

41. The combination of Claim 40, characterized in that said

third locking member extends widthwise in a direction which is substantially

members are engaged and said fourth locking member extends widthwise in

when said second and fourth locking members are engaged.

42. The combination of Claim 41 , characterized in that said

first locking member includes a first tab which extends from said first wall of

said first cavity and said second locking member includes a second tab which

extends from said first wall of said second cavity.

43. The combination of Claim 42, characterized in that said

third locking member includes a first slot sized and shaped so as to receive

said first tab when said cover is in its said closed position and said fourth

locking member includes a second slot sized and shaped so as to receive

said second tab when said cover is in its said closed position.

44. The combination of Claim 43, characterized in that said

first slot extends completely through an interior portion of said third locking

member such that said third locking member surrounds said first tab when

said cover is in its said closed position, whereby said first and third locking

members will remain engaged even if said living hinge breaks, and said

second slot extends completely through an interior portion of said fourth

locking member such that said fourth locking member surrounds said second tab when said cover is in its said closed position, whereby said second and

fourth locking members will remain engaged even if said living hinge breaks.

45. The combination of Claim 42, characterized in that said

third locking member includes a first finger sized and shaped to interlock with

said first tab and said fourth locking member includes a second finger sized

and shaped to interlock with said second tab.

46. The combination of Claim 40, characterized in that said

third locking member extends widthwise in a direction which is substantially

members are engaged and said fourth locking member extends widthwise in

a direction which is substantially parallel to said second wall of said second

cavity when said second and fourth locking members are engaged.

47. The combination of Claim 46, characterized in that said

first locking member includes a first tab which extends from said second wall

of said first cavity and said second locking member includes a second tab

which extends from said second wall of said second cavity.

48. The combination of Claim 47, characterized in that said

third locking member includes a first finger sized and shaped to interlock with

said first tab and said fourth locking member includes a second finger sized

and shaped to interlock with said second tab.

49. The combination of Claim 28, characterized in that said

base includes a first open trough at an end thereof adjacent said cover and

said cover includes a second open trough therein, said first and second

troughs cooperating to form another passageway communicating with said

passageway of said base when said cover is in its said closed position.

50. The combination of Claim 49, characterized in that said

another passageway has a longitudinal axis oriented at an angle relative to

said longitudinal axis of said base and said first and second troughs capture

a portion of the cable therebetween when said cover is in its said closed

position for positioning same in said another passageway, whereby the cable

is caused to form a bend adjacent a junction between said passageway and

said another passageway.

51. The combination of Claim 50, characterized in that said

first trough includes an arcuate surface formed in an end thereof adjacent

said junction to thereby facilitate the bending of the cable when said cover is

moved from its said open position to its said closed position.

52. The combination of Claim 51 , characterized in that said

angle is about 90 degrees.

53. The combination of Claim 28, further characterized by a

hinge pivotally connecting said cover to said base.

54. The combination of Claim 53, characterized in that said

hinge includes a living hinge formed integrally with an end of said cover and

an adjacent end of said base.

55. A connector for sealingly retaining an elongated object

passing therethrough, characterized by a generally cylindrical conduit body

having a central bore and threaded at first and second ends thereof, said first

end of said body having a plurality of fingers extending in an axial direction

therefrom, each of said fingers spaced from adjacent said fingers and

terminating at the free end thereof in a wedge-shaped gripper extending

normal to the axial direction; a flexible, generally cylindrical gland disposed

within the central bore of said body within a mating recess formed therein,

said recess including a lower annular seat formed about the periphery of said

central bore proximate the origin of said fingers, said lower annular seat

tapering toward said second end as said seat extends radially outward, said

recess further defined by an upper annular seat formed on an inside surface

of each of said wedge-shaped grippers, said upper annular seat tapering

toward said second end as said upper annular seat extends radially outward;

and a sealing nut threadedly receivable upon said first end of said body, said

sealing nut having an aperture through which said elongated object extends,

an inner conical surface of said sealing nut leading from threads provided

therein to said aperture in said sealing nut, said conical surface contacting

said fingers proximate said wedge-shaped grippers and urging said wedge- shaped grippers radially inwards and downwards toward said second end as

said sealing nut is tightened onto said first end, said gland being pressed

inwards against said elongated object by said wedge-shaped ends and

downward against said lower annual seat as said sealing nut is tightened.

56. The connector of Claim 55, characterized in that said

elongated object is an electrical cable and further characterized by means for

bending and holding a bend in said cable at a predetermined angle relative

to the axis of said body.

57. The connector of Claim 56, characterized in that said

predetermined angle is approximately 90 degrees.

58. The connector of Claim 55, further characterized by

means for locking said sealing nut at a selected orientation after said sealing

nut has been threaded onto said first end, said means for locking extending

from an interior surface of said sealing nut intermediate said threads of said

sealing nut and said inner conical surface, said means for locking interacting

with said fingers to prevent turning of said sealing nut in a loosening direction.

59. The connector of Claim 58, characterized in that said

locking means includes pawls extending from said interior surface of said

sealing nut pointing radially inwardly and in the loosening direction, said pawls

ramping over said fingers when said sealing nut is tightened and engaging

said fingers when said sealing nut is turned in the loosening direction, said

pawls engaging said fingers along the axial extension of said fingers.

60. The connector of Claim 55, further characterized by an

exterior, peripheral cup-shaped seal positioned proximate said second end

of said body, said seal being engageable against a surface of a mounting for

said connector to prevent fluids from penetrating between said mounting and

said connector.

61. The connector of Claim 60, characterized in that said seal

is flexible and bends from an unloaded, cup-shape to a flattened flange shape

conforming to the surface of said mounting when said second end of said

connector is installed into said mounting.

62. The connector of Claim 61 , characterized in that said seal

retains elastic memory after being displaced to a flattened configuration.

63. The connector of Claim 62, characterized in that said

elastic memory permits conformance to irregularities in said mounting.

64. The connector of Claim 62, characterized in that said

elastic memory renders said cup-shaped seal reusable.

65. A sealing nut for a connector for sealingly retaining an

elongated object passing therethrough, said connector having a generally

cylindrical conduit body with a central bore and threaded at first and second

ends thereof, said first end of said body having a plurality of fingers extending

in an axial direction therefrom, each of said fingers spaced from adjacent said

fingers, said sealing nut characterized by a nut-like threaded portion; an

unthreaded portion extending from one end of and contiguous with said threaded portion, said threaded portion threadedly receivable upon said first

end of said body, said unthreaded portion having an aperture at one end

distal to said threaded portion through which said elongated object is

extensible and an inner conical surface disposed about said aperture for

contacting said fingers and urging said fingers radially inwardly as said

sealing nut is tightened onto said first end; and means for locking said sealing

nut at a selected orientation after said sealing nut has been threaded onto

said first end, said means for locking extending from an interior surface of said

sealing nut intermediate said threaded portion of said sealing nut and said

inner conical surface, said means for locking interacting with said fingers to

prevent turning of said sealing nut in a loosening direction.

66. The connector of Claim 65, characterized in that said

locking means includes pawls extending from said interior surface of said

ramping over said fingers when said sealing nut is tightened and engaging

said fingers when said sealing nut is turned in the loosening direction, said

pawls engaging said fingers along the axial extension of said fingers.

67. A connector for sealingly retaining an elongated object

passing therethrough and having a generally cylindrical conduit body with a

central bore and threaded at first and second ends, said first end adapted to

clamp said elongated object within said connector and said second end

adapted to retain said connector in rigid juxtaposition relative to a mounting surface, said connector characterized by an exterior, peripheral sealing flange

formed monolithically with said body proximate said second end, said flange

extending radially outward from said connector and simultaneously curving

towards said second end, said flange having dimensions and composition

permitting it to elastically flex when said connector is installed on said

mounting surface to assume a flattened configuration with a greater radial

extent than when said flange is in a curved configuration.

68. The connector of Claim 67, characterized in that said

sealing flange conforms to the surface of said mounting when said second

end of said connector is installed into said mounting.

69. The connector of Claim 67, characterized in that said

sealing flange retains elastic memory after being displaced to a flattened

configuration such that said sealing flange is reusable.

70. The connector of Claim 69, characterized in that said

elastic memory permits conformance to irregularities in said mounting.