Self-locking connector for a cable termination
AssigneeG & W Electric Company
InventorZheng Shaojun
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-locking assembly for a cable termination having a connector with a step. The self-locking assembly includes a ring having a circumference and a plurality of latches located around the circumference. Each latch is configured to move between a locked position, where the latch is engaged with the step, and an unlocked position, where the latch is disengaged from the step. A sliding ring is configured to move along a portion of the connector and includes a groove, and a support ring is located on the connector and is configured to restrict movement of the sliding ring in at least one direction.
Claims20
A self-locking assembly for a cable termination, comprising:
- a connector connected to a cable of the cable termination, the connector having an outer surface and a step, the connector including a support ring fixed to the outer surface of the connector, and a sliding ring disposed between the support ring and the step, wherein the sliding ring is configured to move along a portion of the outer surface of the connector;
- and
- an insert for receiving the connector, the insert including at least one latch biased toward the outer surface of the connector, wherein the latch is configured to move between a locked position with the latch engaged with the step, and an unlocked position with the latch disengaged from the step;
- wherein the support ring moves the sliding ring into contact with the latch in the locked position such that the sliding ring moves the latch into the unlocked position.
A self-locking assembly for a cable termination, comprising:
- a connector connected to a cable of the cable termination and an insert for receiving the connector, the connector including a step formed between a larger-diameter terminal end and a smaller-diameter length connected thereto, wherein the connector comprises:
- a support ring fixed to an outer surface of the smaller-diameter length;
- and
- a sliding ring disposed on the outer surface of the smaller-diameter length between the support ring and the step, wherein the sliding ring is configured to move along a portion of the outer surface of the smaller-diameter length and includes an engageable groove;
- and wherein the insert comprises at least one latch biased toward an outer surface of the larger-diameter terminal end of the connector, the latch including a hook for engaging both the step and the groove of the sliding ring;
- wherein the latch is configured to move between a locked position with the latch engaged with the step and an unlocked position with the latch disengaged from the step;
- wherein the support ring moves the sliding ring into contact with the latch in the locked position forcing the latch into the unlocked position;
- and
- wherein the groove of the sliding ring engages the hook of the latch to facilitate disengaging the latch from the locked position to the unlocked position.
A method of operating a self-locking assembly for a cable termination, wherein the cable termination comprises a connector connected to a cable of the cable termination and received within an insert, wherein the insert includes a latch operable to lock the connector from moving in a first direction, the method comprising:
- engaging the latch of the insert with a step of the connector to lock the connector from moving in a first direction;
- moving a sliding ring of the connector in a second direction opposite to the first direction to disengage the latch from the step;
- and
- moving the connector in the first direction to place the assembly in an unlocked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.