GB2204195A - Securing electrical connectors to connector inlets - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for securing a cable connector to a connector inlet 10 comprises two inter-locking parts (figs 3, 4) fitted as a fitting 18 around and slid along the cable 16 and to engage the connector 15, each part carrying a latch 20 for releasably engaging a frame 12 secured to the inlet. <IMAGE>

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS This invention relates to electrical connectors. It is particularly concerned with connectors of the kind known as appliance couplers used for connecting supply cables to appliances such as electric kettles, but is also applicable to in-line connectors, of which each part is connected to a length of cable. Particularly when fitted to an appliance such as an electric kettle, there is a risk that, with use, the connector will come loose, thus leading to bad electrical contact. A similar risk arises with in-line connectors where tension may be applied to the two lengths of cable, tending to separate the two parts of the connector.

In the case of connectors for use with appliances, the other end of the cable connected to the connector will frequently carry a plug for connection to the main supply. The presence of this plug prevents a one-piece member from being slid over the cable from the end.

US-A-3399374 and US-A-3933406 each disclose an electical connector comprising two mutually-engageable connector block parts, one for each length of cable to be connected; one part has opposed sprung arms which provide over-centre locking with the other, mating part.

In neither case are the parts adapted to be fitted around and slid along a cable, in order to secure a cable connector in a connector inlet, nor are the parts adapted to be used independently of the cable, for secure locking of existing cable connectors.

US-A-4169648 discloses an electrical connector having means for locking it to a socket, and two inter-fitting parts adapted to be fitted around the connector to form a back cover for the connector and to provide strain relief. Although the inter-fitting parts can be secured over (and removed from) the connector without disconnecting the cable from the connector, the resultant cover does not of itself provide a secure locking of the cable connectors.

According to the present invention, the risk of a connector inlet connection becoming loose or separated is greatly reduced, without special modification of existing connectors. A novel device for securing a cable connector to a connector inlet comprises two inter-locking parts adapted to be fitted around and slid along the cable and to engage the connector, and a frame adapted to fit over and be secured to the inlet, in which each inter-locking part and the frame have means for releasable engagement. The inlet is an appliance inlet (or the other part of an in-line connector).

Preferably, the releasable engagement means comprises an opposed pair of axially-extending sprung arms, while the inlet or frame includes opposed engagement portions for inter-locking with mating portions on the arms, e.g. detents on the frame.

Consequentl=-7, when the mating portions on the arms are brought into inter-locking engagement with correspondnng portions on the inlet or separate frame thereof, the various parts are effectively latched together, thereby greatly reducing the risk of the connector becoming loose or separated.

The two inter-locking parts are preferably identical, i.e. each having recesses and corresponding inter-fitting pro,ections, for example in the form of dove-tails, but this is not essential; one part may have all the projections and the other part all the recesses, and indeed the two parts may be of unequal sizes.

Whatever the relative sizes and shapes, the two parts can be assembled around the cable and slid along until they fit over the connector itself.

Each of the parts preferably carries a sprung arm which projects axially in advance so as to engage the frame which is part of, or fitted to the appliance inlet or to the other connector. In order to provide the necessary locking between the arms and the other part of the arrangement, each arm may have a cut-out towards its forward end, each of which engages a corresponding lug or boss on the other part. Owing to the springing of the arms, the cut-out portions engage the corresponding lugs or bosses with a snap action and thus latch the connector firmly in position. Instead of there being a cut-out on the arm engaging a lug or boss on the other part, the lug or boss can be on the arm with a cut-out on the other part. Each arm may be connected at its rear end to the body of the part by a small web which gives the arm a sprung, pivoting motion.Alternatively, the arms may be merely cantilevered, in which case the resilience cf the arms provides the springing action. If the arms are pivoted, each arm can have a portion extending on the opposite side of the pivot and depression of this portion then causes the cut-out on the arm to di s-engage the lug or boss on the other part so as to unlatch the connector.

If the arm is merely cantilevered, it must be prised outwardly to dis-engage the connection.

When the part has been slid along the cable and fitted over the connector, it is desirable that it should be positively located on the connector itself. For this purpose, an internal bar on the inside surface of each part may locate in a recess between corresponding projections on the connector such as ribs or bars. This arrangement can, of course, be reversed with ribs on the connector locating in recesses in the fitting.

An example of a device in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanting drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a connector latched to an inlet mounted on a panel; Figure 2 is a corresponding view, but showing the connector unlatched and removed from the inlet; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of one of the inter-locking parts which are seen together in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an elevation of the part of Figure 3, seen from the opposite side; Figure 5 is an elevation of the part of Figure 4, seen from the right; and Figure 6 is a plan view of the co-operating frame shown fitted to the panel in Figures 1 and 2.

Turning first to Figures 1 and 2, an appliance inlet shown generally at 10 is mounted on a panel 11. The outer frame 12 of the inlet is provided at the top and bottom with a wedge-shaped projection 14, only the upper such projection being visible in Figure 2. The connector itself, best seen in Figure 2 and shown as 15 has an integral cable 16 which is shown broken away. It is assumed, as will usually be the case, that the cable 16 carries a power plug at its further end which prevents a latching fitting 18 being slid over the end of the cable. This fitting is accordingly made in two parts (not visible in Figures 1 and 2, but illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5) and these two parts are assembled around the cable 16. Once assembled, the fitting 18 is slid along the cable to the left and fits over the connector 15 in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Each part of the fitting 18 carries a sprung arm 20, only the upper of which is visible in Figures 1 and 2.

This is pivoted to the bod of the fitting by a short web 1, the resilience of which provides the springing of the arm. The right-hand end of the arm, as seen in the drawings, is formed with ridges 22 to provide a finger grip while the let-hand end is formed with a square cut-out portion 24. When the connector 15 is fitted into the inlet 10, the two arms 20 ride up the wedge-shaped projections 14 until the latter slip into the cut-outs 24 and thus securely latch the connector in position, as shown in Figure 1. To reverse the operation, pressure is applied to the ridges 22 on the rear end of each lever 20, thus raising the cut-out 24 from the projection 14 and freeing the connector so that it can be removed from the socket without difficulty.

A similar principle can be applied for the latching together of two mating connectors, each fitted to a cables In this case, the projections 14 are formed on the second connector, but the latching action is the same and the two mating connectors are thus held together, thus producing an in-line connector.

Details of the mouldings forming the two halves of the fitting are illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing one moulded part which is formed with a dove-tail protection 30 for iter-locking with a corresponding dovetail cut-out on the other part of the fitting. The moulding shown in Figure 3 has a corresponding cut-out on its opposite side, i.e. the side not seen in the drawing. The bod tapers slightly, being formed at its narrower end with an opening 31 which fits over the rear end of the connector 15. The sprung arm 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be seen in more detail, including the web 21, the cut-out 24 and the ribbed portion 22.

Figure 4 is a corresponding elevation of the other half of the moulding with a similar pivoting arm 20, one side of the casing of the moulding being cut away to show a dove-tail recess 32 which mates with the dove-tail 30.

Figure 5 is an end view of the part of the moulding seen in Figure 4, showing the dovetail recess or cut-out 32 on the right-hand side and the dovetail web or projection 30 on the left-hand side. Only the lower part of the arm 20 is seen, where it projects below the bottom of the moulding, but the square cut-out 24 is seen more clearly.

Another feature seen only in Figure 3 is a locating rib 34 on the interior of the moulding which is intended to locate in a recess between adjacent ribs or bars 35 at the rear of the connector, as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

This serves to hold the assembled fitting in position on the connector in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Finally, Figure 6 shows details of the appliance inlet fitting seen in Figures 1 and 2. The frame 12 which surrounds the inlet itself is fitted on opposite sides with the wedge-shaped locating bosses or projections 14 previously described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. These engage with the cut-outs 24 on the pivoting arms 20 to latch the connector firmly in position until released b pressure on the rear ends of the pivoting arms 20. A mounting plate 36 allows the frame~to be secured to a panel or other appliance by means of screws fitted through holes 37.

Claims (5)

1. A device for securing a cable connector to a connector inlet, which comprises two inter-locking parts adapted to be fitted around and slid along the cable and to engage the connector, and a frame adapted to fit over and be secured to the inlet, in which each inter-locking part and the frame have means for mutually-releasable engagement.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which the frame carries detents and each of the two parts carries a sprung arm for engagement with a respective detent.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the inter-locking parts have respective corresponding dove-tailed projections and recesses.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the two parts are identical.

5. A device according to claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing s .