Abstract: A backshell adapter assembly includes a clamp body and one or more extending strain relief arms, pivotably connected to the clamp body. The strain relief arms are adapted to receive a pair of opposing saddle clamps or cable tie to provide radial clamping of a wire bundle relative to the backshell adapter assembly to prevent axial movement of the cable in response to axial forces thereupon. The extending strain relief arms are adapted to be rotated between various positions including −90° to +90°. Provisions may be provided for securing the extending arms at various detent positions relative to the axis of the clamp body. As such the need for separate tooling for different configurations is eliminated, thus lowering the cost of the device. In addition, the use of such backshell adapter assemblies is greatly simplified.

Abstract: A protective splash shield assembly for electrical wiring has a plurality of fasteners installed in slots. The fastener has an elbow shaped conduit guide connected thereto with a distal end connected to a corrugated tubular conduit that extends along a wall of the splash shield. The fastener has a conduit connected to it that extends transverse from the splash shield.

Abstract: The modular cross-connect panel for cable lines of cabled networks comprises a support assembly defining a vertical front portion and a horizontal rear portion, together with female connectors retained on the front portion and connected to the lines of cables fixed on the rear portion. In the panel said support assembly comprises two separate rigid supports referred to as a "front" support and as a "rear" support, together with two assembly columns fixed to the front support and releasably holding the rear support. The panel is applicable to a distribution frame for use in operating cable networks.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for mounting a cable within an electronics enclosure, such as a network interface unit, which includes a splice chamber. A recessed portion is formed in one surface of the chamber, and a tie bar is formed across the recessed portion to provide a gap. A tie wrap is threaded through the gap and tightened around the cable to secure it to the surface. A grommet can also be mounted at the opening to the chamber. The grommet is made of a compliant material which has a series of perforations defining a plurality of non-concentric circles, and a series of perforations defining radial lines. A number of circles can be removed approximating the diameter of the cable, and segments formed by the radial lines can be used as flaps to prevent dust or other undesirable material from entering the chamber.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a terminal position assurance (TPA) system. The assembly includes a connector housing having at least one terminal-receiving cavity. A terminal is received in the cavity and is adapted for terminating an electrical wire which extends from the terminal to the exterior of the housing. A TPA device is mountable on the housing and is engageable with the terminal. The TPA device has a strain relief portion engageable with the electrical wire. The TPA device also has a wire routing portion engageable with the electrical wire.

Abstract: A grommet assembly includes a main grommet body including first and second surfaces opposite one another. The first surface includes a sealing portion. A pivotable pressing member operatively associated with the main grommet body applies a pressing force to the second surface. The grommet assembly may include a rigid plate member including opposed tabbed hinge portions that receive a pivotable arm pivotable between a first position to apply a pressing force to the sealing portion and a second portion to release the pressing force. The grommet assembly may be attached to a vehicular wall panel by inserting the grommet into an opening of the wall panel, engaging a pressing member associated with the main grommet body with a bracket mounted on the wall panel, and pivoting the pressing member to apply a pressing force that seals connection between the main grommet body and the wall panel. The method may be carried out without accessing or modifying an interior portion of the wall panel.

Abstract: A grommet assembly has a main grommet body including first and second surfaces opposite one another. The first surface includes a sealing portion. An elastic pressing member operatively associated with the main grommet body applies a pressing force to the second surface. The elastic pressing member may attach to brackets provided on an exterior wall of a vehicle, e.g., an automobile. The grommet assembly may include a rigid plate member disposed between the elastic pressing member and main grommet body. The grommet assembly may include structure for substantially preventing relative rotation between the main grommet body and the elastic pressing member, structure for uniformly distributing the pressing force from the elastic pressing member to the main grommet body, and structure for supporting the elastic member in substantial alignment with the grommet body prior to assembly.

Abstract: The electrical connector of this invention is for terminating the wires of a cable into an electrical insert positioned within a connector backshell at an angle to the direction of the cable. A wireing space at the rear of the backshell is provided to terminate the wires within the insert. The connector is used to provide a connector interface for a cable running along one surface of a bulkhead and turning at an angle through the bulkhead to a receptacle or connector face extending from the other face of the bulkhead. The connector face receives an associated electrical interface device. The electrical connector of this invention provides the connector in a minimum amount of clearance space on both sides of the bulkhead. Grounding and shielding of a shielded portion of the cable to the connector is also provided within the minimum clearance space. A tie cord attaches the wires of the cable to a neck of the hollow shaft of the connector backshell to provide stress relief for the wires.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed for terminating the conductors of an electrical cable. A dielectric housing includes a plurality of terminal-receiving passages for receiving a plurality of terminals terminated to the conductors of the cable. A discrete dielectric cover is removably mounted on the housing over a termination end thereof. A discrete dielectric strain relief member is mounted on the housing near the termination end thereof and to which the electrical cable can be fixed. The cover is mounted to the housing independently of the strain relief member, whereby the cover can be removed from the housing without removing the strain relief member and the affixed cable. The strain relief member can be mounted on the housing at a plurality of different locations, whereby the cable can exit the connector from the housing in different locations and orientations.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for mounting a cable within an electronics enclosure, such as a network interface unit, which includes a splice chamber. A recessed portion is formed in one surface of the chamber, and a tie bar is formed across the recessed portion to provide a gap. A tie wrap is threaded through the gap and tightened around the cable to secure it to the surface. A grommet can also be mounted at the opening to the chamber. The grommet is made of a compliant material which has a series of perforations defining a plurality of non-concentric circles, and a series of perforations defining radial lines. A number of circles can be removed approximating the diameter of the cable, and segments formed by the radial lines can be used as flaps to prevent dust or other undesirable material from entering the chamber.

Abstract: A connector for a cable with a plurality of conductors and a common shielding comprises a housing of insulating material with contacts to be connected with the conductors, and a metal hood. The housing is at least partially accommodated in the hood. The shielding of the cable can be connected to the hood and the metal hood is provided with a wall with a passage for the cable. This wall of the hood comprises an upright collar joining the passage and having a conical outer wall. A ring with a correspondingly conical inner wall can be attached on this wall of the hood while clamping the shielding of the cable between the conical outer wall of the collar and the conical inner wall of the ring.

Abstract: An electrical connector 6 includes a wire restraint arm 20 extending from one side of a connector body 8. Wires 2 connected to terminals 4 in this connector 6 are positioned on an exposed concave or V-shaped surface of this wire restraint arm 20. The wire restraint arm 20 provides both strain relief and isolates the terminals 4 from external vibration or motion of the wires 2. A central wire restraint section 32 is located between an inner lip 28 and an outer lip 30 that are wider and taller than the central section 32 to form a gap 26 at least partially surrounding the central section. A conventional wire tie 50 is held in this gap with the wire tie encircling both the wire bundle and the central wire restraint section 32. Ribs 40, 42, and 44 located on the central section 32 and the lips 28, 30 grip the wire insulation, and wires on the exterior of the wire bundle engage either the ribs or the cable tie. Wire bundles of different sizes can be accommodated.

Abstract: A network hub having a recessed portion on the front panel thereof, and a L-shaped cable holder pivotably connected to the recessed portion, wherein the L-shaped cable holder can be turned between the operative position in which network cables can be hung on the L-shaped cable holder and fixed thereto by a binding strap, and the non-operative position in which the L-shaped cable holder is closed on the recessed portion.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly having electrical wires, an electrical connector body, and a strain relief hood. The connector body is connected to first ends of the wires by electrical contacts. The strain relief hood is connected to the connector body and the cable. The hood has a first section snap-lock connected to the connector body and a second section attached to the cable. The first section includes a cantilevered side wall formed, at least partially, by two slots between the cantilevered side wall and two adjacent side walls. A latch for a second electrical connector is mounted over the cantilevered side wall for substantially preventing the cantilevered side wall from being outwardly deflected while the latch is connected to the hood.

Abstract: The device (1') of the invention comprises a clamp (10') and a ring (11) adapted to be screwed to a connector (2) to form a stress relief removably attached to the rear of the connector. In accordance with the invention, the clamp (11') has two parts: a rear part (102") forming a receptacle and a front part (102') which is open, having a "C" shape. The material of the clamp (10') is a composite material having elastic properties. By compressing it, the branches of the "C" can be moved closer together and the clamp (10') inserted in or removed from the ring (11). The clamp (11') also includes pegs (105) providing insertion abutments, preventing withdrawal of the ring (11). The clamp (10') can be straight or angled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tethered protective cover which is detachably mounted to a multi-pin electrical connector. Specifically, the cover is mounted to a diagnostic connector located under the instrument panel of an automobile. The cover includes a shroud which is mountable to the connector. The shroud includes opposite side walls and an intermediate wall extending therebetween. The shroud has a size and shape such that clearances are created between each shroud side wall and the connector. The shroud is formed using a resilient material such that when the opposite side walls are squeezed inwardly, the clearances are reduced, causing the intermediate wall to gap outwardly from the connector. A latch button on the intermediate shroud wall interacts with a projection on the connector to secure the shroud to the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided, whose housing is securely connected to the shields of shielded cables while conductors of the cables are connected to contacts of the connector, in a low cost arrangement. A ring (52, FIG. 3) is installed under the braided shield of the cable to provide a bulged shield portion 54 which is pressed against a conductive cable-supporting surface (76, FIG. 4) of the housing. The ring is preferably of elastomeric material, and a simple tie (100, FIG. 6) can surround the cables and a housing retainer (66) to securely hold them together, the tie lying in slots (81-83) of the retainer.

Abstract: A finger is provided on the backshell extension of a heavy duty multi-pin connector to provide an attachment point for a strain relief band. The strain relief band prevents strain on a conductor bundle in response to flexure of a protective hose which is mounted on the backshell extension. The strain relief band may be similar in construction to the hose band which is used to secure the protective hose on the backshell extension.

Abstract: A modular strain relief device is plugged directly into an electrical connector location in the interior of a housing assembly, according to one embodiment of this invention. The body of the strain relief connector provides a surface around which a portion of the wire conductor is wrapped for additional strain relief. Arm-like projections keep the wire conductors in close proximity to the body of the strain relief connector. An integrally molded locking structure attached to one end of the body of the strain relief connector allows it to be locked into an unused plug-in connector location inside the housing assembly. A bundle of wire conductors is secured to the flexible body of the strain relief connector with a cable tie placed through an aperture in a molded projection located at one end of the body of the strain relief device.

Abstract: Enclosed herein is a connector which comprises a connector housing having a rear portion thereof. A plurality of terminal accommodating compartments are formed in the connector housing and each terminal accommodating compartment has an aperture. A plurality of terminals connected to wires, respectively, are inserted into the terminal accommodating compartment through the apertures. A cover member removably attached to the rear portion of the connector housing is provided. The cover member includes a spacer section for securing the terminals in the terminal accommodating compartments when the spacer section is inserted into the apertures and a wire bundling section for bundling the wires therein. The spacing section and wire bundling section are formed on the cover member integrally.

Abstract: A multipurpose boot for use with a jacketed round-to-flat multiconductor electrical cable comprises in one embodiment a sheet of adhesive coated non-conductive flexible plastic material appropriately cut and scored to define a center panel, a pair of fold-over flaps and a tab. In use, the boot is placed about the cable with the tab end disposed at the end of the cable and the end opposite the tab end secured to the cable jacket. When the end of the cable is inserted into a connector for mass termination the tab is inserted along with it. When the connector is subsequently crimped closed the boot effectively connects the connector to the cable jacket so as to physically protect the cable in the area where it is neither flat nor round and to provide strain relief. In another embodiment of the invention the boot is attached at one end to the cable jacket and at the other end to a strip of carrier tape located at the end of the cable for holding the conductors in side by side alignment at that location.

Abstract: A unitarily molded environmentally protective backshell is provided with a unitary ratcheted tie strap for strain relief connection of a cable to the backshell. The backshell comprises a base for receiving an electrical connector therein and a cover hingedly connected to the base for environmentally protecting the electrical connector therein. Resilient latches lockingly retain the cover to the base. The interengagement of the cover with the base prevents outward bowing of the base side walls. The ratcheted tie strap lockingly engages a deflectable ratchet trigger which also is unitary to the base. The trigger is angularly aligned to walls of a tie strap receiving aperture and is dimensioned to exert a biasing force against the tie strap thereby preventing loosening of the strain relief connection.

Abstract: A closing element for closing an electrical connector has a hood-shaped body with a first narrow end side opening and a second bordering upper side opening for selective leading out of a conductor bundle connectable with the connector, and two closing pieces foldably connectable with one edge and releasably securable to the other edge of the openings, each of the closing pieces being separable into a plurality of partial segments, so that upon the separation a passage is open for leading out of the conductor bundle; however the separated partial segments remain foldably connected with the other edge of the respective opening to form pull release or strain relief means for the conductor bundle.

Abstract: A multipurpose boot for use with a jacketed round-to-flat multiconductor electrical cable comprises in one embodiment a sheet of adhesive coated flexible plastic material appropriately cut and scored to define a center panel, a pair of fold-over flaps and a tab. In use, the boot is placed about the cable and secured to the jacket with the end of the conductors lying on the tab. When the end of the cable is inserted into the connector for mass termination the tab is inserted along with it. When the connector is crimped closed the boot effectively connects the connector to the cable jacket so as to physically protect the cable in the area where it is neither flat nor round and to provide strain relief. In an alternate embodiment, the multipurpose boot is attached to the connector, but is not secured to the jacket. Instead, the boot is shaped to include guides for directing the conductors of the cable in a preselected orientation with respect to the connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably securing mating electrical connectors is presented which employs a bracket having an apertured portion which is sized and shaped to circumscribe the mating portions of the connectors. In a first embodiment, the bracket has a pair of opposed arm portions extending therefrom with at least one slot centrally located on one of the arms and a pair of opposed open ended slots on the other arm. A self-locking strap is secured to the centrally located slot. In use, after the bracket has been placed on the first connector and the mating connector is joined thereto, the self-locking strap will be wound tightly around the mating connector through the two open-ended slots; and locked to itself to thereby retain the connectors in the engaged condition. The connectors may be disengaged merely by applying sufficient force to the strap so as to unlock it from itself.

Abstract: An electrical plug retainer for a cover plate includes a bracket pivotally mounted with respect to the cover plate mounted over an electrical socket housing. The retaining bracket includes a retaining bar, a pair of parallel legs extending from the ends of the retaining bar, and inwardly extending projections on the free ends of the legs adapted to engage a recess formed in the peripheral edge of the cover plate. Preferably, the retaining bracket conforms with the peripheral shape of the cover plate so that it can be pivoted to lie flush against the wall adjacent the peripheral edge of the cover plate. The retaining bracket can also be pivoted outwardly from the wall for engagement with the electrical cord attached to a plug inserted within the wall socket. In one form of the present invention, the retaining bar includes a cord engagement member. Another embodiment includes a safety device which prevents access to the outlet in a closed position.

Abstract: An L-type coaxial plug connector adapted to be connected to one end of a coaxial cable has a crimp sleeve on the outer sheath of the coaxial cable and adapted to be collapsed so as to fix the coaxial cable to the plug connector. The outer shell has a cylindrical portion holding a dielectric member in which the central terminal is fixed, a cylindrical outer conductor fitting portion adapted to be inserted into the boundary between the inner dielectric layer and the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, and an intermediate portion which extends axially from a portion of the upper circumferential edge of the cylindrical portion so as to connect the portion of the cylindrical portion to the corresponding portion of the lower circumferential edge of the outer conductor fitting portion, such that the axes of said cylindrical portion and the outer conductor fitting portion extend in parallel with each other.