GB2133638A - Electrical connector hoods - Google Patents

Abstract

The hood is formed by two halves 10 and 12 which mate to secure a connector (not shown) between them. The halves 10, 12 are secured together by means of slideways 22, 24 and cooperating cover members 26. A novel cable clamping arrangement is formed by ribs in a cable entrance portion of the hood. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical connector hoods This invention relates to hoods for electrical connectors, particularly multi-way connectors for use with electronic apparatus such as computer peripherals.

One commonly used connector for such applications is defined in EIA Standard RS232C. Conductors are terminated in crimped-on metal pins which are then located in bores of an insulating block secured in a metal housing. This unit is then secured in a hood of insulating material. Hoods presently in use have been found to have certain defects in use. One is that the present cable clamping arrangements can allow an undue strain to be imposed on individual conductors within the hood, leading to breakage or poor connections; this is particularly acute when a considerable length of cable is allowed to hang from the connector.

Another arises where, as is commonly the case, the hood is of two halves held together by screws; if the screws are insufficiently tightened or become loose, the terminal block can slip from the hood.

An object of the invention is to avoid or mitigate these disadvantages.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a connector hood comprising a pair of hood halves which can be mated to secure a connector therebetween, and securing means for locking the hood halves together; the securing means comprising formations on the exterior of the hood halves which when mated define a grooved slideway, and a cover member slidably engageable with the slideway to close the hood halves together.

Preferably, a slideway is formed on each of opposed sides of the hood, and the sliding engagement is axially of the connector.

From another aspect, the invention provides a connector hood including cable clamping means comprising a receptacle through which, in use, the cable passes, a block which fits in the receptacle for sliding movement transversely of the cable, and means for forcing the block against the cable.

Preferably the faces of the block and receptacle which engage the cable are ribbed and, in a particu larly preferred form of the invention, the ribs on one are axial and on the other are circumferential.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of exampie only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector hood embodying the invention, partly disassembled; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of one half of the hood of Figure 1.

The hood shown is intended for use with an EIA Standard RS232C 25-way connector (not shown). The hood comprises two halves 10, 12 which fasten together so that the connector is gripped between them and is axially located by a lip 14, groove 16 and rib 18 on each half. The connector is transversely located by side wall portions 20.

The two halves 10, 12 are secured together as follows. The exterior side walls are formed to define at each side of the hood a T-shaped slideway 22 with axial undercut grooves 24. A complementary C-shaped cover member 26 is slidingly engaged from the rear with ribs 28 engaging the grooves 24, and is secured in this position by a screw 30 engaging in bore 32. The cover members 26 compress and lock the halves 10,12 together, and also serve to ensure accurate alignment of the halves. The screws 30 merely hold the cover members 26 in position, and do not have to carry the load securing the two halves of the hood together.

On each side ofthe hood are provided spaced bores 34,36, the forward bores 34 being formed by complementary formations on the hood halves 10,12 and the rear bores 36 being formed on the cover members 26. These bores are provided to mount captive screws (not shown) for securing the connector to a mating connector or an appliance.

The hood is also provided with novel cable clamping means. Each hood half 10,12 has a cable entry aperture, generally indicated at 38, passing through a receptacle 40. In one hood half 10, the receptacle 40 is formed with axial ribs 42 for engaging the cable (not shown). These cooperate with circumferential ribs 44 on a block 46 which is received within the receptacles 38 and is brought into engagement with the cable by screws 48.

The hood is preferably injection moulded from a thermoplastic material, such as nylon UL 94 VO.

Modifications of the above embodiment are, of course, possible within the scope of the invention.

The cable entry may be angled rather than in-line. The bores 34,36 may be omitted and the assembly secured by means of the mounting holes in the standard connector. The invention may also be applied to connectors other than the RS232C type.

CLAIMS (Filed on 15.11.83) 1. A connector hood comprising a pair of hood halves which can be mated to secure a connector therebetween, and securing means for locking the hood halves together; the securing means comprising formations on the exterior of the hood halves which when mated define a grooved slideway, and a cover member slidably engageable with the slideway to close the hood halves together.

2. The connector hood of claim 1, in which a slideway is formed on each of opposed sides of the hood, and the sliding engagement is axially of the connector.

3. A connector hood including cable clamping means comprising a receptacle through which, in use, the cable passes, a block which fits in the receptacle for sliding movement transversely of the cable, and means for forcing the block against the cable.

4. The connector hood of claim 3, in which the faces of the block and receptacle which engage the cable are ribbed.

5. The connector hood of claim 4, in which the ribs on one of the block and the receptacle are axial and the ribs on the other are circumferential.

6. A connector hood substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electrical connector hoods This invention relates to hoods for electrical connectors, particularly multi-way connectors for use with electronic apparatus such as computer peripherals. One commonly used connector for such applications is defined in EIA Standard RS232C. Conductors are terminated in crimped-on metal pins which are then located in bores of an insulating block secured in a metal housing. This unit is then secured in a hood of insulating material. Hoods presently in use have been found to have certain defects in use. One is that the present cable clamping arrangements can allow an undue strain to be imposed on individual conductors within the hood, leading to breakage or poor connections; this is particularly acute when a considerable length of cable is allowed to hang from the connector. Another arises where, as is commonly the case, the hood is of two halves held together by screws; if the screws are insufficiently tightened or become loose, the terminal block can slip from the hood. An object of the invention is to avoid or mitigate these disadvantages. In one aspect, the present invention provides a connector hood comprising a pair of hood halves which can be mated to secure a connector therebetween, and securing means for locking the hood halves together; the securing means comprising formations on the exterior of the hood halves which when mated define a grooved slideway, and a cover member slidably engageable with the slideway to close the hood halves together. Preferably, a slideway is formed on each of opposed sides of the hood, and the sliding engagement is axially of the connector. From another aspect, the invention provides a connector hood including cable clamping means comprising a receptacle through which, in use, the cable passes, a block which fits in the receptacle for sliding movement transversely of the cable, and means for forcing the block against the cable. Preferably the faces of the block and receptacle which engage the cable are ribbed and, in a particu larly preferred form of the invention, the ribs on one are axial and on the other are circumferential. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of exampie only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector hood embodying the invention, partly disassembled; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of one half of the hood of Figure 1. The hood shown is intended for use with an EIA Standard RS232C 25-way connector (not shown). The hood comprises two halves 10, 12 which fasten together so that the connector is gripped between them and is axially located by a lip 14, groove 16 and rib 18 on each half. The connector is transversely located by side wall portions 20. The two halves 10, 12 are secured together as follows. The exterior side walls are formed to define at each side of the hood a T-shaped slideway 22 with axial undercut grooves 24. A complementary C-shaped cover member 26 is slidingly engaged from the rear with ribs 28 engaging the grooves 24, and is secured in this position by a screw 30 engaging in bore 32. The cover members 26 compress and lock the halves 10,12 together, and also serve to ensure accurate alignment of the halves. The screws 30 merely hold the cover members 26 in position, and do not have to carry the load securing the two halves of the hood together. On each side ofthe hood are provided spaced bores 34,36, the forward bores 34 being formed by complementary formations on the hood halves 10,12 and the rear bores 36 being formed on the cover members 26. These bores are provided to mount captive screws (not shown) for securing the connector to a mating connector or an appliance. The hood is also provided with novel cable clamping means. Each hood half 10,12 has a cable entry aperture, generally indicated at 38, passing through a receptacle 40. In one hood half 10, the receptacle 40 is formed with axial ribs 42 for engaging the cable (not shown). These cooperate with circumferential ribs 44 on a block 46 which is received within the receptacles 38 and is brought into engagement with the cable by screws 48. The hood is preferably injection moulded from a thermoplastic material, such as nylon UL 94 VO. Modifications of the above embodiment are, of course, possible within the scope of the invention. The cable entry may be angled rather than in-line. The bores 34,36 may be omitted and the assembly secured by means of the mounting holes in the standard connector. The invention may also be applied to connectors other than the RS232C type. CLAIMS (Filed on 15.11.83)

1. A connector hood comprising a pair of hood halves which can be mated to secure a connector therebetween, and securing means for locking the hood halves together; the securing means comprising formations on the exterior of the hood halves which when mated define a grooved slideway, and a cover member slidably engageable with the slideway to close the hood halves together.

2. The connector hood of claim 1, in which a slideway is formed on each of opposed sides of the hood, and the sliding engagement is axially of the connector.

3. A connector hood including cable clamping means comprising a receptacle through which, in use, the cable passes, a block which fits in the receptacle for sliding movement transversely of the cable, and means for forcing the block against the cable.

4. The connector hood of claim 3, in which the faces of the block and receptacle which engage the cable are ribbed.

5. The connector hood of claim 4, in which the ribs on one of the block and the receptacle are axial and the ribs on the other are circumferential.

6. A connector hood substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.