Back to results
US 4,874,331 AGranted
Strain relief and connector - cable assembly bearing the same
AssigneeWhittaker Corporation
InventorRalph Iverson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeWhittaker Corporation
InventorRalph Iverson
Estimating the term…
The strain relief device is used in combination with a metal electronic cable-connector assembly for high temperature applications and high mechanical shock application. The strain relief shrouds and protects the weld or braze between the cable and connector and also extends over a length of the cable to brace it from bending stress ad strain. The strain relief is generally hollow and tubular, an expanded end thereof being slip fitted over and/or welded to or threaded into an end of the connector and caused to extend over the cable-connector weld or braze, with a narrow end of the strain relief forming a lip surrounding the cable distal of the weld or braze to brace it. Thus, the cable and described connector end fit into the central longitudinal passageway in the strain relief and are enclosed by it. The strain relief can be in a form such that its central portion extends through a bulkhead and can be locked thereto. The strain relief lip can also be lined with one or more elastomeric pads or rings to increase resistance to mechanical shock. The strain relief is fabricated of metal or plastic or the like, depending on the application desired. Normally, the cable and connector, preferably a male-female connector, are of metal.
An improved electronic cable and connector assembly having a strain relief device, said assembly comprising, in combination:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.
Means for relieving strain on wire connection, e.g. cord grip , for avoiding loosening of connections between wires and terminals within a…:…
Electrically-conductive connections
Term ended 9 May 2008 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to electronic cable-connector assemblies and more particularly to such an assembly bearing a novel strain relief.
2. Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation, partly in section, of a first preferred embodiment of a pair of the improved strain reliefs of the present invention in place on opposite ends of a male-female connector-electronic cable assembly;
FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation, partly in section, of a second preferred embodiment of a pair of the improved strain reliefs of the present invention in place on opposite ends of a male-female connector-electronic cable assembly and releasably locked to a bulkhead;
FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation, partly in section, of a third preferred embodiment of a pair of the improved strain reliefs of the present invention in place on opposite ends of a male-female connector-electronic cable assembly;
FIG. 1
Now referring more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a first preferred embodiment of the improved strain relief and assembly of the present invention is schematically depicted therein. Thus, assembly 10 is shown which comprises a connector 12 having a male component 14 and a female component 16 releasably connected to each other. Component 14 is metal and is brazed or welded at end point 18 to metallic sheathed electronic cable 20, while component 16 is metal and is brazed or welded at end point 22 to a second metallic electronic cable 24.
Point 18 is shielded from thermal and mechanical stress by a metallic strain relief 26, which comprises a generally tubular hollow device having a central longitudinal passageway 28 extending therethrough. Relief 26 has an expanded end 30 which slip fits over and is preferably welded to the outer surface of portion 32 of component 14. Strain relief 26 encloses point 18 in passageway 28 and extends out over cable 20, ending in a reduced diameter extended lip 34 which peripherally supports cable 20 at a point distal to point 18 from bending or other mechanical stress and thermal stress. Thus, cable 20 is protected by stress relief 26, as is point 18.