US2841635A - Waterproof and pressureproof cable plugs and connections - Google Patents

Description

July 1, 1958 w. E. wlTzELL ETAL 2,841,635

WATERPROOF AND PRESSUREPROOF CABLE PLUGS AND CONNECTIONS Filed June 14, 1955 17 Flg. 1 X' Warren E.Wi1zell Sydney'l. Knofi INVENToRs WATERPROOF AND PRESSUREPROOFCABLE PLUGS AND CNNECTIONS rWarren E. Witzell, Woods Hole, and Sydney T. Knott,

` Barnstable, Mass., assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the-Navy Application :time 14, 195s, serial No. y515,566

2 claims. (c1. 174-77) This invention relates generally to electric 'cable con- U4 nectors and more particularly to newand improved cable to avoid a poor electrical connection. It is also desirable to exclude such moisture or dirt'when two cables are 4connected together.

This was previously accomplished by such means as stuting glands, threaded connections, or by taping the various components in an attempt to produce a watertight seal. Such prior means were often time-consuming or required special tools and were as a rule unsatisfactory, especially when the plugs were to tit standard receptacles on electronic equipment and had to be small and compact.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved means for forming a waterproof connection between a cable and plug.

Another object is to provide a new and improved technique and means for forming a watertight connection between two such cables.

Still another object is to provide a simple and positive means for making waterproof a cable and plug.

Still another object is to provide a simple and etlicient means for providing a waterproof connection between two such cables.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a View partly in section of the cable and plug assembly;

Fig. 2 is a view of the manner in which two cables may be connected;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing details of a locking ring; and

Fig. 4 is a view showing further details of the locking spring.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings for a more complete understanding 'of the invention and more particularly to Fig. l thereof, there is disclosed a waterproof cable and plug assembly in which the plug shell 2, preferably made of insulating material, provides a seat for the connector plug 17, which may be male or female. The plug shell 2 acts as a seal between the cable 1 and the hose 4, and acts as a seat for the sliding O ring seal 6. The cable 1 is held assembled to the shell 2 by means of the split cable clamp 3.

The cable and plug are assembled to the shell in the following manner: The cable is inserted into the left end of the shell until the end of cable extends beyond the other end. The conductors of the cable are soldered to 2,841,635 Patented vJuly 1, 1958 the connector 17. The split clamp 3 is then installed about the cable and securely tightened so that the cable cannot slip therethrough. The assembly is slid to the left until the clamp abuts the interior shoulder of the shell 2. Connector 17 is fastened in place within the shell 2 by any convenient means, such as cement or screws. The hose 4 is then slid over the shell 2 and is fastened in place by wire clamps 5 which are tightly wound about the hose to derclosesd atV one end and having an internal annular groove adjacent its open end. An O ring seal 6 is positioned in the groove. The cover 8 lits closely about the shell 2 with suliicient clearance to permit the cover S to slide over the shell. The O ring 6 is compressed into the groove as the cover 8 is installed over shell 2 until that groove is substantially aligned with an annular groove 7 in the periphery of shell 2 thereby permitting the O ring to expand into the groove 7. The O ring functions as a frictional lock in addition to providing a water tight seal l'between the cover Sand theshell 2. To further insure sealing of the open end of shell 2, a gum rubber pad 10 is positioned in the cover 8 to bear tightly against the terminus of the shell 2 when the O ring seal is in its locking position. In order to prevent loss of the cover 8 when removed from the shell 2, the cover S is attached to the cable by means of a chain 9 secured to a ring 2l) which ts about a reduced portion of the shell 2.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a means whereby two cable and conector assemblies, such as illustrated in Fig. l, may be connected by a sleeve to provide a waterproof and dustproof connection.

In Fig. 2 there are shown in abutting relationship two cable and connector assemblies similar to that shown in Fig. l except that the covers have been removed. It is understood that if these assemblies are to be connected one must have a male connector while the other a female connector. Circumscribing the two assemblies is a sleeve or cover 8 on either end of which is a notch 13 adapted to receive a latch as hereinafter described. Carried on the interior of the sleeve 8 are two O snap rings 6 which cooperate with the grooves 7 on the shells of the assemblies 18 and 19 to keep the units assembled and provide Water tight seals between the sleeve and the units. On either end of the sleeve 8 is positioned a knurled locking ring surrounding the sleeve and adapted to be slid along the sleeve. Positioned between the sleeve and the rings is a spring locking means 11 preferably made of two layers of Phosphor bronze soldered together, the ends of which are slightly bent upwards. Mounted on each end of the spring 11 is a latch 12 which cooperates with the notch 13 in each end of the sleeve for maintaining the units in assembled condition. The knurled locking rings are each provided with a hole which is breached to tit the spring 11, and the ends 16 of the spring are enlarged to limit sliding movement of the rings 14. In the assembled condition the locking ring 14 bears upon the spring 11 forcing the latch 12 into the notch 13 in the sleeve 8. A portion of the latch 12 projects a sufficient distance into the sleeve interior to prevent withdrawal of the adjacent unit 18 or 19. Thus the coupled units are prevented from being inadvertently disconnected.

In Fig. 2 the cable connector cover or sleeve 8 is shown in the locked position. To disassemble the device Ythe locking rings 14 are slid toward the center. This movement of the locking rings allows the ends of the spring 11 to deflect upwards due to their initial bias and thereby disengage the latch means 12 from the notches 13 in the cover or sleeve 8. The unit 18 or 19 may then be pulled from the cover or sleeve 8 to complete the disassembly of the device. If desired, covers such as 8 of Fig. 1 may also be provided with the units 18 and V19 for use when the units are disconnected.

Obviously, many modications and variations of the `present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

l. A waterproof cable connector assembly comprising a shell having a reduced terminal portion, a cable projecting through said reduced portion into the interior of saidl shell, means within said shell'secured to said cable preventing withdrawal of said cable, a waterproof covering,\.

Y exterior annular groove situated to register with said interior groove when said cover is installed over said shell, and said sealing ring being adapted to extend into both grooves when said grooves are aligned to form a water tight barrier.

2. A waterproof cable connector assembly comprising a cylindrical shell having an annular reduced terminal portion, a cable projecting through said reduced portion into the interior of said shell, a waterproof covering, means tightly clamping said covering about the exterior of said reduced portion and about said cable, a retaining ring secured about a portion of said cable in the interior of said shell and abutting a shoulder within said shell whereby to prevent said cable from being withdrawn, a connector secured in said shell adjacent its open end, the conductors of said cable being secured to said connector, a hollow cylindrical cover closed at one end, said cover being adapted to t closely about said shell, said cover having an interior annular groove, a compressible sealing ring positioned in said interior groove, said shell having an exterior annular groove situated to register with said interior groove when said cover is installed over said shell, said sealing ring extending into both grooves when said grooves are in alignment to form a water tight barrier, and resilient means positioned in said cover and adapted to seal said open end of said shell when said cover is installed.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,145,705 Wodtka Ian. 31, 1939 2,288,525 Hardage June 30, 1942 2,566,993 Parsons Sept. 4, 1951 2,583,804 AndrusV June 29, 1952 2,677,009 Mascuch Apr. 27, 1954

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