Wiring harness connector strain relief

A wiring harness, comprising:

• an electrical connector having a pair of mounting flanges disposed on opposite sides thereof,
• a bundle of wires respectively connected to contacts of the connector;
• a strain relief apparatus comprising a plate having an elongated member extending rearward from the plate and two-U shaped structures disposed on opposite sides thereof, each U-shaped structure having a front flange and a rear flange, the apparatus being disposed on the connector such that the plate overlies the connector, the front and rear flanges of each U-shaped structure are respectively disposed in front of and behind a corresponding one of the connector mounting flanges, and the elongated member overlies a portion of the harness extending rearward from the connector in a generally parallel relationship;
• means for holding a front surface of the rear flange of each U-shaped structure to a rear surface of the corresponding connector mounting flange;
• and,
• means for cinching a portion of the bundle of wires extending rearward from the connector to a distal end portion of the elongated member of the apparatus.

A method for providing strain relief between an electrical connector having mounting flanges with a fastening aperture on opposite sides thereof and a wiring harness having one or more wires or cables joined to contacts of the connector, the method comprising:

• providing a strain relief apparatus, comprising
• a T-shaped plate having an axial member, a transverse member, and a pair of inwardly facing, U-shaped structures disposed in opposition to each other at opposite ends of the transverse member and extending at a right angle to the plate from a front edge thereof,
• each of the U-shaped structures including a pair of parallel front and rear flanges spaced apart so as to straddle a corresponding mounting flange of the connector,
• each of the front and rear flanges including a U-shaped slot that is aligned with a corresponding fastening aperture when a corresponding connector flange is disposed between the flanges, and
• the slot of the front flange of each of the U-shaped structures being larger than the slot of the rear flange thereof;
• disposing the apparatus on the connector such that:
• the transverse member of the apparatus overlies the connector,
• the U-shaped structures respectively straddle a corresponding mounting flange of the connector, and
• a distal end portion of the axial member of the plate overlies a portion of the harness extending rearward from the connector in a generally parallel relationship;
• inserting a fastener through each of the connector flange apertures and corresponding apparatus rear flange slots;
• captivating the fasteners in the respective connector flange apertures and corresponding apparatus rear flange slots such that a front surface of the rear flange is held against a rear surface of the corresponding connector flange;
• and,
• cinching the portion of the harness extending rearward from the connector to the distal end portion of the axial member of the apparatus.