OBSTRUCTION FEATURE FOR ENSURING PROPER CONNECTIVITY IN A CABLE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An elbow connector receives a cable assembly having a lug with a lug aperture. The elbow connector includes a receiving cavity for the lug and a fastener assembly. The fastener assembly has a latch, a spring, and a fastener. The fastener moves toward the lug. The latch has a bumper for engaging the lug and an obstruction element for engaging the fastener. The latch pivots between (i) a blocking position in which the obstruction element inhibits a certain movement of the fastener, and (ii) a non-blocking position in which the obstruction element is free of the fastener allowing the fastener to be fastened to the lug via the lug aperture. The latch is biased toward the blocking position by the spring and transitions to the non-blocking position in response to the lug moving the bumper to a position at which the lug aperture is aligned with the fastener.

Claims

1. An elbow connector for receiving a cable assembly having a lug with a lug aperture, comprising: a receiving cavity for the lug of the cable assembly; and a fastener assembly having a latch, a fastener tube, and a fastener, the fastener configured for movement within the fastener tube, the latch having a bumper for engaging the lug and an obstruction element for engaging the fastener, the latch being pivotably moveable between (i) a blocking position in which the obstruction element contacts the fastener to prohibit engagement of the fastener with the lug, and (ii) a non-blocking position in which the fastener is aligned with the lug aperture such that the fastener can be fastened to the lug; and wherein the latch pivotably moves to the non-blocking position in response to the lug moving the bumper of the latch.

2. The elbow connector of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a female fastener that receives a stud that moves through the lug aperture and is threadably received by internal threads of the female fastener.

3. The elbow connector of claim 2, wherein the fastener assembly includes a spring to bias the latch toward the blocking position.

4. The elbow connector of claim 3, wherein the latch pivots around a pivoting structure at an end of the latch opposing the bumper.

5. The elbow connector of claim 4, wherein the bumper extends across and engages an uppermost surface of the lug.

6. The elbow connector of claim 5, wherein the bumper is located outside the fastener tube.

7. The elbow connector of claim 3, wherein the spring is located within the fastener tube.

8. The elbow connector of claim 7, wherein the spring is a spring clip with one portion against the fastener tube and one portion against the latch.

9. The elbow connector of claim 1, wherein the obstruction element inhibits rotational movement of the fastener when in the blocking position.

10. The elbow connector of claim 1, wherein the obstruction element inhibits linear movement of the fastener relative to the lug when in the blocking position.

11. An elbow connector for receiving a cable assembly having a lug with a lug aperture, comprising: a receiving cavity for the lug of the cable assembly; and a fastener assembly having a latch, a fastener tube, and a fastener, the fastener configured for movement within the fastener tube, the latch having a bumper for engaging the lug and an obstruction element for engaging the fastener, the latch being pivotably moveable between (i) a blocking position in which the obstruction element resists a certain movement of the fastener within the fastener tube, and (ii) a non-blocking position in which the fastener is moveable within the fastener tube to allow the fastener to be fastened to the lug; and wherein the latch transitions to the non-blocking position in response to the lug moving the bumper of the latch to a position at which the lug aperture is aligned with the fastener.

12. The elbow connector of claim 11, wherein the fastener is a female fastener that receives a stud that moves through the lug aperture and is threadably received by internal threads of the female fastener.

13. The elbow connector of claim 12, wherein the certain movement is rotational movement.

14. The elbow connector of claim 12, wherein the certain movement is linear movement toward the lug.

15. The elbow connector of claim 11, wherein the fastener assembly includes a spring to bias the latch toward the blocking position.

16. The elbow connector of claim 15, wherein the spring is a spring clip with one portion against the fastener tube and one portion against the latch.

17. The elbow connector of claim 10, wherein the bumper extends across and engages an uppermost surface of the lug.

18. An elbow connector for receiving a cable assembly having a lug with a lug aperture, comprising: a receiving cavity for the lug of the cable assembly; and a fastener assembly having a latch, a spring, and a fastener, the fastener configured for movement toward the lug, the latch having a bumper for engaging the lug and an obstruction element for engaging the fastener, the latch being pivotably moveable between (i) a blocking position in which the obstruction element inhibits a certain movement of the fastener, and (ii) a non-blocking position in which the obstruction element is free of the fastener allowing the fastener to be fastened to the lug via the lug aperture; and wherein the latch is biased toward the blocking position by the spring and transitions to the non-blocking position in response to the lug moving the bumper to a position at which the lug aperture is aligned with the fastener.

19. The elbow connector of claim 18, wherein the fastener is a female fastener that receives a stud that moves through the lug aperture and is threadably received by internal threads of the female fastener.

20. The elbow connector of claim 18, wherein the certain movement of the fastener inhibited by the obstruction element is rotational movement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a typical elbow connector with a basic fastener assembly.

[0025] FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an improved fastener assembly for an elbow connector when the lug aperture is not properly aligned with the male fastener.

[0026] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of FIG. 2A when the lug aperture is properly aligned with the male fastener.

[0027] FIG. 3A illustrates a first perspective view of the fastener in the first embodiment of the fastener assembly of the improved elbow connector of FIGS. 2A-2B.

[0028] FIG. 3B illustrates a second perspective view of the fastener in the first embodiment of the fastener assembly of the improved elbow connector of FIGS. 2A-2B.

[0029] FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an improved fastener assembly for an elbow connector when the lug aperture is not properly aligned with the male fastener.

[0030] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of FIG. 4A when the lug aperture is properly aligned with the male fastener.

[0031] FIG. 5A illustrates a first perspective view of the lug out of alignment with the male fastener in the second embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B.

[0032] FIG. 5B illustrates a second perspective view of the lug out of alignment with the male fastener in the second embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B.

[0033] FIG. 5C illustrates an end view of the lug out of alignment with the male fastener in the second embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B.

[0034] FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a female fastener assembly for an elbow connector when the lug aperture is not properly aligned with the female fastener.

[0035] FIG. 6B illustrates a cross sectional view of the female fastener assembly of FIG. 6A when the lug aperture is properly aligned with the female fastener.

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates the stud being inserted through the lug aperture and into the female fastener assembly of FIGS. 6A-6B.

[0037] FIG. 8A illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a female fastener assembly for an elbow connector when the lug aperture is not properly aligned with the female fastener.

[0038] FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the female fastener assembly of FIG. 8A when the lug aperture is properly aligned with the female fastener.

[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates the stud being inserted through the lug aperture and into the female fastener assembly of FIGS. 8A-8B.

[0040] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments will be shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The drawings will herein be described in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. For purposes of the present detailed description, the singular includes the plural and vice versa (unless specifically disclaimed); the words and and or shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive; the word all means any and all; the word any means any and all; and the word including means including without limitation.

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical elbow connector 10. The elbow connector 10 includes a bore 12 into which a cable assembly (not shown) can be inserted. The cable assembly typically includes an electrical cable and a lug at the lead end of the cable. The lug has an aperture therein. The portion of the lug having the aperture is preferably inserted into a cavity 20 of the elbow connector 10 until the lug's aperture is aligned with a fastener 14 and a receiving cavity 16. The fastener 14 and the receiving cavity 16 are often integral with the elbow 10 connector (e.g., molded into elbow connector 10). Alternatively, the fastener 14 and the receiving cavity 16 can be parts of a device that is inserted into elbow connector 10.

[0043] The elbow connector 10 is designed for electrical connection to one or more devices 30, such as a transformer, high voltage switch, etc. When the cable assembly is inserted into the bore 12 of the elbow connector 10, the lug at the leading end of the cable assembly forms the electrical connection with the fastener 14 when the fastener 14 is received in the lug's aperture. The manipulation of the fastener 14 is performed manually by the operator, who has access to the head of the fastener 14 via an opening in the elbow connector 10. When the fastener 14 and the receiving cavity 16 are used together to clamp on both sides of the lug, proper connection is achieved. Though FIG. 1 illustrates one configuration of an elbow connector 10, the present invention is applicable to various configurations for elbow connectors.

[0044] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an improved fastener assembly 114 for an elbow connector that can be used in place of the fastener 14 in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A illustrates the improved fastener assembly 114 when the lug 115 is positioned such that an aperture 116 of the lug 115 is not in alignment with a fastener 117 of the fastener assembly 114. FIG. 2B illustrates the fastener assembly 114 when the lug 115 is positioned such that the aperture 116 of the lug 115 is aligned with the fastener 117.

[0045] The fastener 117 is located within a fastener tube 118 of the fastener assembly 114. The fastener tube 118 includes a connecting rod 120 that resides within an axially extending channel of the fastener tube 118. The connecting rod 120 includes a bumper 122 at its distal end that interacts with lug 115. The bumper 122 is located near an obstructing projection 124 of the connecting rod 120 that interacts with the fastener 117. The bumper 122 extends into the cavity 20 of the elbow connector 10 of FIG. 1. The connecting rod 120 acts like a cantilever and exhibits spring-like action that biases its free end near the bumper 122 toward its lowermost position shown in FIG. 2A. The material and the configuration of the connecting rod 120 accomplishes this spring-like action. Alternatively, a spring may be used to urge the connecting rod 120 to its lowermost position that is shown in FIG. 2A.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2A, the obstructing projection 124 prevents the fastener 117 from being inserted through the aperture 116 when the lug 115 is not fully inserted into the bore 12 of the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1). The obstructing projection 124 prevents the linear movement of the fastener 117 and, optionally the rotational movement as well. Specifically, the fastener 117 may include a groove or pocket 130 into which the obstructing projection 124 is inserted. As the user attempts to rotate the fastener 117 (without any linear motion due to the obstruction projection 124) when the lug's aperture 116 is out of alignment, the obstructing projection 124 eventually hits the groove 130, which then resists further rotation. FIG. 3A and 3B illustrate the fastener 117 in more detail with the groove 130 at its lowermost end.

[0047] When the lug 115 is moved to its connecting position in which the aperture 116 is aligned with the fastener 117, the lug 115 moves the bumper 122 to a point where the obstructing projection 124 disengages from the fastener 117, as shown in FIG. 2B. The user's further attempts to rotate the fastener 117 can now be successfully accomplished, while ensuring proper alignment between the fastener 117 and the aperture 116 of the lug 115. The fastener 117 passes entirely through the lug 115 and is threadably attached to the female threads within the receiving cavity 16 of the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1) for clamping the lug 115. Consequently, by virtue of the properly passing the fastener 117 through the aperture 116 of the lug 115, the cable assembly (which includes the lug 115) is now electrically coupled to the device 30 associated with the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1).

[0048] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an improved fastener assembly 214 for an elbow connector that can be used in place of the fastener 14 in FIG. 1. FIG. 4A illustrates the fastener assembly 214 when the lug 215 is positioned in a way that its aperture 216 is not in alignment with a fastener 217 of the fastener assembly 214. FIG. 4B illustrates the fastener assembly 214 when the aperture 216 of the lug 215 is aligned with the fastener 217.

[0049] The fastener 217 is located within a fastener tube 218 of the fastener assembly 214. The fastener tube 218 includes a connecting rod 220 that is positioned within an axially extending channel within the fastener tube 218. The connecting rod 220 includes a bumper 222 at its distal end that interacts with lug 215. In particular, the bumper 222 includes an inclined surface that engages the terminal end of the lug 215 adjacent to the aperture 216 of the lug 215. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the upward movement of the lug 215 against the inclined surface of the bumper 222 causes the connecting rod 220 to move to the right against the force of a spring 223, which is under compression and urging the connecting rod 220 to the left.

[0050] An obstructing element 224 (such as a ball bearing or roller bearing) of the fastener assembly 214 is located below and is captured by the connecting rod 220. The obstructing element 224 can fit within a circumferential groove in the head of the fastener 217. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the obstructing element 224 is within the circumferential groove in the head of the fastener 217, the obstructing element 224 restricts the fastener 217 from linearly advancing toward the aperture 216 of the lug 215 because the head of the fastener 217 is too large to move past the obstructing element 224. FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate the relative positions of the lug 215 and the fastener tube 218 when they are out of alignment, such that the fastener 217 cannot advance into the aperture 216 due to the obstructing element 224.

[0051] Returning back to FIG. 4B, when the lug 215 is moved to its connecting position in which the aperture 216 is aligned with the fastener 217, the lug 215 moves the bumper 222 and the connecting rod 220 to the far right to a position at which the obstructing element 224 can now fit within a relief pocket 226 of the connecting rod 220. Thus, the obstructing element 224 now has space to move out of the circumferential groove of the head of the fastener 217, thereby permitting the fastener 217 to move linearly through the aperture 216 of the lug 215. Once the fastener 217 passes entirely through the lug 215, it can be threadably attached to the female threads within the receiving cavity 16 of the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1) to clamp the lug 215. Consequently, by virtue of the proper connection of the fastener 217 to the lug 215, the cable assembly (which includes the lug 215) is electrically coupled to the device 30 associated with the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1).

[0052] The improved fastener assemblies 114, 214 ensure that the user can reliably install the fastener 117, 217 entirely through the aperture of the lug despite the fact that user cannot visualize this engagement. In other words, relative to prior systems, the improved fastener assemblies 114, 214 remove false tactile indications of the completed installation of the fastener into lug aperture when, in fact, the fastener is merely lodged against a surface of the lug when the lug's aperture is not properly aligned with the fastener. Though the improved fastener assemblies 114, 214 have been described for use with threaded fasteners 117, 217, they can also be used with fasteners that lack threads, such that engagement of the fastener to the lug (or to a female connector on the other side of the lug) is accomplished via non-threaded engagement.

[0053] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another embodiment with a female fastener assembly 314 for an elbow connector. FIG. 6A illustrates a lug 315 with a lug aperture 316 that is out of alignment with the female fastener assembly 314, while FIG. 6B illustrates the female fastener assembly 314 in alignment with the lug aperture 316.

[0054] The female fastener assembly 314 includes a fastener 317 and a fastener tube 318 in which the fastener 317 resides. Unlike the prior embodiments, the fastener 317 is a female fastener with internal threads 319 within a bore at the end of the female fastener 317 facing the lug 315. The fastener tube 318 includes a connecting rod 320 that is positioned within a recessed region of fastener tube 318. An exterior tube 321 fits around the fastener tube 318 to retain the connecting rod 320 in the recessed region of the fastener tube 318.

[0055] The connecting rod 320 includes a bumper 322 at its distal end that interacts with the lug 315. As a point of reference, the bumper 322 extends into the cavity 20 of the elbow connector 10, as shown in FIG. 1. The bumper 322 is adjacent to an obstructing projection 324 on the connecting rod 320 that interacts with the fastener 317. In one embodiment, the obstructing projection 324 is a part of the connecting rod 320 and, preferably, includes a bent portion of the connecting rod 320. The connecting rod 320 acts like a cantilever and exhibits spring-like action that biases its free end near the bumper 322 toward its lowermost position, which is in the general region shown in FIG. 6A. The material and the configuration of the connecting rod 120 accomplishes this spring-like action. In one embodiment, the connecting rod 320 is a metallic spring clip that mates with the fastener tube 318. Alternatively, a spring may be used to urge the connecting rod 320 to its lowermost position.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6A, the obstructing projection 324 prevents the fastener 317 from being rotated when the lug 315 is not fully inserted into the bore 12 of the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1). The obstructing projection 324 prevents the rotational movement of the fastener 317 and, in some embodiments, may also prevent the linear movement as well to keep the fastener 317 away from the lug 315. Specifically, like the fastener 117 in FIGS. 3A-3B, the fastener 317 includes a groove or pocket into which the obstructing projection 324 can be inserted. When the aperture 316 of the lug 315 is out of alignment and the user attempts to rotate the fastener 317, the obstructing projection 324 eventually hits the groove or pocket in the bottom of the fastener 317, which then resists further rotation.

[0057] When the lug 315 is moved to its connecting position in which the aperture 316 is aligned with the fastener 317, as shown in FIG. 6B, the lug 315 moves the bumper 322 to a point where the obstructing projection 324 disengages from the fastener 317, as shown in FIG. 6B. The user's further attempts to rotate the fastener 317 are now able to be successfully completed, while ensuring proper alignment between the fastener 317 and the aperture 316 of the lug 315. At this point, the connection around the lug 315 can be completed.

[0058] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the bumper 322 is moved to its upward position and the obstruction 324 has been disengaged from the fastener 317, which is positioned against the lug 315. The fastener 317 receives a stud 340 that passes through the opposing side of the lug aperture 316. The stud 340 is threadably received by the internal threads 319 of the fastener 317 and acts to clamp the lug 315. The stud 340 is typically fixed to the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1) via various methods, as such, the stud 340 remains stationary with the lug 315. The stud 340 can have a larger head that abuts the lug 315 opposite of the female fastener 317, or the stud 340 can have male threads on both sides (as shown in FIG. 7) to engage a second female fastener that helps to clamp the lug 315 with the fastener assembly 314. Consequently, by virtue of the properly passing the stud 340 through the aperture 316 of the lug 315 and mating it with the female fastener 317, the cable assembly (which includes the lug 315) is now electrically coupled to the device 30 associated with the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1).

[0059] The improved female fastener assembly 314 ensures that the user can reliably install the fastener 317 so that it is aligned with the aperture of the lug, despite the fact that user cannot visualize this engagement. In other words, relative to prior systems, the improved fastener assembly 314 removes false tactile indications of a completed installation when, in fact, the fastener and/or stud is merely lodged against a surface of the lug when the lug's aperture is not properly aligned with the fastener. Though the improved fastener assembly 314 have been described for use with threaded fasteners and studs, they can also be used with fasteners that lack threads, such that engagement of the fastener assembly to the lug (or to a female connector on the other side of the lug) is accomplished via non-threaded engagement.

[0060] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate another type of female fastener assembly 414 for an elbow connector. FIG. 8A illustrates a lug 415 with a lug aperture 416 that is out of alignment with the female fastener assembly 414, while FIG. 8B illustrates the female fastener assembly 414 in alignment with the lug aperture 416.

[0061] The female fastener assembly 414 includes a fastener 417 and a fastener tube 418 in which the fastener 417 resides. The fastener 417 is a female fastener with internal threads 419 within a bore at the end of the female fastener 417 facing the lug 415. The female fastener assembly 414 also includes a spring 420, a latch 425, and an exterior tube 421. The spring 420 interacts with the latch 425 and urges pivoting action of the latch 425. The exterior tube 421 fits around the fastener tube 418 to retain the spring 420 and the latch 425. Thus, unlike the prior embodiments of FIGS. 2-7, the embodiment of the female fastener assembly 414 of FIGS. 8-9 includes a pivoting latch 425 that is biased under the force of a spring 420.

[0062] The latch 425 is pivotably fixed at one end around a pivot structure 423 and the free end of the latch 425 includes a bumper 422 to interact with the lug 415. As a point of reference relative to the elbow connector 10 of FIG. 1, the latch 425 extends inwardly into the cavity 20 of the elbow connector 10 of FIG. 1. The latch 425 includes an obstructing projection 424 that interacts with the fastener 417. The spring 420 biases the bumper 422 of the latch 425 downwardly, which causes the bumper 422 and the obstructing portion 424 of the latch 425 to be in their lowermost positions, as shown in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG. 8A, the bumper 422 is also in contact with the lug 415.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8A, the obstructing portion 424 prevents the fastener 417 from being rotated when the lug 415 is not fully inserted into the bore 12 of the elbow connection 10 (FIG. 1). The obstructing projection 424 prevents the rotational movement of the fastener 417 and, in some embodiments, may also prevent the linear movement of the fastener 417 to keep the fastener 417 away from the lug 415. Specifically, like the fastener 117 in FIGS. 3A-3B, the fastener 417 includes a groove or pocket into which the obstructing portion 424 can be inserted. When the aperture 416 of the lug 415 is out of alignment and the user attempts to rotate the fastener 417, the obstructing projection 424 of the latch 425 eventually hits the groove or pocket in the bottom of the fastener 417, which then resists further rotation.

[0064] When the lug 415 is moved to its connecting position in which the aperture 416 is aligned with the fastener 417, as shown in FIG. 8B, the lug 415 moves the bumper 422 of the latch 425 upwardly, compressing the spring 420 to a point where the obstructing projection 424 disengages from the fastener 417. When the fastener 417 is aligned with the aperture 416 of the lug 415, the obstructing projection 424 of the latch 425 is in its upper position and a larger portion of the latch 425 is in contact with the lug 415 compared to the portion of the latch 425 in contact with the lug 415 shown in FIG. 8A. The user's further attempts to rotate the fastener 417 can now able be successfully completed, while ensuring proper alignment between the fastener 417 and the aperture 416 of the lug 415. At this point, the connection around the lug 415 can be completed.

[0065] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the latch 425 is moved to its upper position and the obstructing projection 424 has been disengaged from the fastener 417, which is positioned against the lug 415. The fastener 417 receives a stud 440 that passes through the opposing side of the lug aperture 416. The stud 440 is threadably received by the internal threads 419 of the fastener 417 and acts to the clamp the lug 415. The stud 440 is typically fixed to the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1) via various methods, as such, the stud 440 remains stationary with the lug 415. The stud 440 can have a larger head that abuts the 415 opposite of the fastener 417, or the stud 440 can have male threads on both side sides (as shown in FIG. 9) to engage a second female fastener that helps to clamp the lug 415 with the fastener assembly 414. Consequently, by virtue of properly passing the stud 440 through the aperture 416 of the lug 415 and mating it with the female fastener 417, the cable assembly (which includes the lug 415) is now electrically coupled to the device 30 associated with the elbow connector 10 (FIG. 1).

[0066] The fastener assembly 414 ensures that the user can reliably install the fastener 417 so that it is aligned with the aperture 416 of the lug 415, despite the fact that the user cannot visualize this engagement. In other words, relative to prior systems, the improved fastener assembly 414 removes false tactile indications of a completed installation when, in fact, the fastener and/or stud is merely lodged against a surface of the lug when the lug's aperture is not properly aligned with the fastener. Though the improved fastener assembly 414 has been described for use with threaded fasteners and studs, it can also be used with fasteners that lack threads, such that engagement of the fastener assembly to the lug (or to a female connector on the other side of the lug) is accomplished via non-threaded engagement.

[0067] These embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims. Moreover, the present concepts expressly include any and all combinations and subcombinations of the preceding elements and aspects.