Assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded connecting port

An assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded connecting port, the connecting assembly comprising:

• a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends,
• the first end adapted to receive a cable,
• the second end adapted to engage an externally threaded connecting port to secure the connecting assembly to the externally threaded connecting port,
• the connecting assembly comprising a plurality of fingers projecting generally in a first axial direction,
• a first finger in the plurality of fingers having an axial length between axially spaced connected and free ends and a prong projecting generally oppositely to the first axial direction from a first axial location on the first finger, and
• a locking member that is movable between first and second positions,
• the locking member producing a bias force on the first finger that moves at least a part of the first finger radially inwardly relative to the central axis as the locking member is moved from the first position into the second position,
• wherein the prong projects in a line and is flexible relative to the first finger to change the orientation of the line relative to the first finger.

In combination:

• a) an externally threaded connecting port having threads with an external diameter,
• the threads further having axially oppositely facing surfaces;
• and
• b) an assembly for connecting a cable to the externally threaded connecting port, the connecting assembly comprising:
• a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends,
• the first end adapted to receive a cable,
• the second end engaging the externally threaded connecting port,
• the connecting assembly comprising a plurality of fingers projecting generally in a first axial direction,
• a first finger in the plurality of fingers having an axial length between axially spaced connected and free ends and a prong projecting generally oppositely to the first axial direction from a first axial location on the first finger, and
• a locking member that is movable axially relative to the first finger between first and second positions,
• the locking member having a surface that cooperates with a surface on the first finger to produce a bias force on the first finger radially inwardly relative to the central axis as the locking or is moved from the first position into the second position,
• wherein the locking member can be selectively placed and frictionally maintained in each of the first and second positions.

In combination:

• a) an externally threaded connecting port having threads with an external diameter,
• the threads further having axially oppositely facing surfaces;
• and
• b) an assembly for connecting a cable to the externally threaded connecting port, the connecting assembly comprising:
• a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends,
• the first end adapted to receive a cable,
• the second end defining a receptacle to receive the externally threaded connecting port and adapted to engage the externally threaded connecting port to secure the connecting assembly to the externally threaded connecting port,
• the connecting assembly comprising a plurality of fingers projecting generally in a first axial direction,
• a first finger in the plurality of fingers having an axial length between axially spaced connected and free ends and a prong projecting generally oppositely to the first axial direction from a first axial location on the first finger,
• the first finger normally biased to a release position,
• a locking member,
• the connecting assembly further comprising means cooperating between the locking member and at least the plurality of fingers for (a) allowing the locking member to be placed and frictionally maintained in the first and second positions, (b) biasing the first finger into a locked position wherein the prong extends into radially overlapping relationship with one of the axially oppositely facing thread surfaces, with the locking member in the second position, and (c) allowing the first finger to assume the release position wherein the prong resides outside of the external diameter of the threads with the locking member in the first position.

A method of connecting a cable to an externally threaded connecting port having threads, the threads having an external diameter and axially oppositely facing surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a connecting assembly comprising:
• a) a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends;
• b) a plurality of fingers projecting generally in a first axial direction so that the plurality of fingers cooperatively defines a receptacle, a first finger in the plurality of fingers having an axial length between axially spaced connected and free ends and a prong projecting generally oppositely to the first axial direction from a first axial location on the first fingers, and c) a locking member that is movable relative to the first finger between first and second positions;
• moving the locking member into the first position so that the locking member is frictionally maintained in the first position;
• with the locking member in the first position directing the externally threaded connecting port into the receptacle with the first finger in a position so that the prong on the first finger does not engage the threads on the externally threaded connecting port;
• with the externally threaded connecting port in the receptacle, moving the locking member from the first position towards the second position and thereby causing the locking member to produce a force in the first finger that biases the first finger so as to situate the prong in radially overlapping relationship with one of the axially oppositely facing thread surfaces so that the prong abuts to the one of the axially oppositely facing thread surfaces to prevent separation of the externally threaded connecting port and connecting assembly by relative axially opposite movement;
• and
• connecting a cable to the second end of the tubular fitting.