Connector guard

#The present disclosure is directed to a connector guard and, more particularly, is directed to a connector guard assembly for protecting a connection.

#Machines, such as excavators, material handling machines, mining machines, and other machines associated with working on or moving earth, rocks, debris, and/or other materials, may be equipped with various types of connections, such as electrical connections. Due to the environment in which such machines may operate, these types of connections may be exposed to abrasion, impact, and contamination. In addition, such machines often require servicing during which they may be exposed to high pressure jets of fluid. For example, high pressure water jets may be used to clean portions of the machines. During machine operation, the connections, for example electrical connections, may be damaged if not adequately protected. In addition, such connections may be damaged and/or contaminated by high pressure fluid jets employed, e.g., for cleaning, during machine servicing.

#In order for a secure connection to be ensured, it would be beneficial and desirable to adequately protect connections, e.g., electrical connections, from damage and/or contamination during operation and during servicing. Given the field environment in which such machines may operate, it also would be desirable and beneficial to have a connector guard that is robust in terms of protective qualities, yet capable of being installed and serviced in the field without substantial difficulty and with as few parts as necessary. In addition, since these machines often include large numbers of electrical and other types of connections that need protection, a connector guard that is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture is desirable.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration of an assembled exemplary connector guard;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one component of an exemplary connector guard;

#FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the component of FIG. 2;

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary connector guard 10 that is assembled to protect a connection, e.g., an electrical connection. Connector guard 10 includes a first member 12 and a second member 14 that, in an assembled condition and deployed around a connection, may be referred to as a connector guard assembly 16. In FIG. 1, connector guard 10 is illustrated deployed around a connection 18 (shown in dotted lines inside connector guard 10) that has been made between a first cable 20 and a second cable 22. The particular connector employed at connection 18 may be any of various connectors know in the art. First and second cables 20, 22 are for purposes of illustration only, and are merely representative of the various conductors, wires, cables, etc., that may be connected within connector guard 10. Connector guard assembly 16 may include various other components that will be described subsequently.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of first member 12 that is shown deployed in assembly 16 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, first member 12 includes a planar base element 30 that may be substantially rectangular in shape. At a first end 32 of planar base element 30, an end tab 34 may be coextensive with planar base element 30 and protrude from first end 32. End tab 34 also may be referred to as a T-shaped end tab. A second end 36 of planar base element 30 may include an end element 38. End element 38 may extend substantially perpendicularly from planar base element 30. First side element 40 and second side element 42 also may extend substantially perpendicularly from planar base element 30. Accordingly, the relationship among the several elements of first member 12 is that end element 38 and first and second side elements 40, 42 may be substantially perpendicular to planar base element 30, first and second side elements 40, 42 may be substantially parallel to each other, and end element 38 may be substantially perpendicular to first and second side elements 40, 42. The result may be a substantially rectangular partial enclosure that includes an open area opposite planar base element 30 and an open area opposite end element 38.

#Referring both to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, T-shaped end tab 34 may have a particular shape or profile that includes several connected portions. For example, T-shaped end tab 34 may include a first portion 44 contiguous to planar base element 30 and having a first width w. T-shaped end tab 34 also may include an end portion 46, substantially equal in width w to first portion 44. T-shaped end tab 34 also may include a middle portion 48 between first portion 44 and end portion 46. Middle portion 48 may be narrower than first portion 44 and end portion 46. While T-shaped end tab 34 is generally shaped like a “T” as it extends to its terminal edge 45, it is contemplated that end tab 34 may be shaped somewhat less like the letter “T” and still conform to the shape or profile described.