CA1184264A - Highway cable connector - Google Patents
Highway cable connectorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1184264A CA1184264A CA000451810A CA451810A CA1184264A CA 1184264 A CA1184264 A CA 1184264A CA 000451810 A CA000451810 A CA 000451810A CA 451810 A CA451810 A CA 451810A CA 1184264 A CA1184264 A CA 1184264A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- members
- cable
- connector
- wires
- highway
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Connections By Means Of Piercing Elements, Nuts, Or Screws (AREA)
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
A connector which can make electrical connection to the wires in a highway cable without cutting the cable is formed with two hinged members which can be closed together to make the connection. On closing, conducting needles penetrate the insulation of the cable to contact the wire core. For a co-axial cable, the needle for the central core is insulated except at the tip.
A connector which can make electrical connection to the wires in a highway cable without cutting the cable is formed with two hinged members which can be closed together to make the connection. On closing, conducting needles penetrate the insulation of the cable to contact the wire core. For a co-axial cable, the needle for the central core is insulated except at the tip.
Description
~P~ i4 This is a divisional application of application No. 414,768, filed 3rd November 1982.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a highway cable connector for making electrical connection to a conductor in a length of insulated highway cable at a point intermediate to the ends of the length of cable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIO~
According to the invention there is provided a highway cable connector Eor making electrical connection to a conductor in a length of insulated highway cable at a point intermediate to the ends of the length of cable, comprising a pair of inter-connected members which are moveable relative to one another between open and closed positions, electrically conductive cutting or penetrating means mounted on at least one of said mem~ers, said memhers being formed to receive the highway cable with ~he members in the open position, to present the cable to said cutting or penetrating means and to press the cable against said cutting or penetrating means when the members are moved to the closed position whereby on closing the members said means cuts or penetrates through the insulation of the cable to make contact with the conductor, and a terminal enabling electrical connection to be made to said cutting or penetrating means, where.in said cu-tting or penetrating means comprises at least two V-shaped members mounted on one of said members and arranged to receive respective insulated wires of a multiwire highway cable, the other of said members having an abutment means arranged to bear on the wires and press the wires into -the V-shaped mel~ers on closing the members of the connector, whereby the insulation of the wires is displaced by the V-shaped members to make electrical contact between the 1.0 ~-shaped mernbers and the wire conductors, and whe.rein resiliently deformable seals are mounted on each of the relatively moveable members of the connector so as to co-operate with one another and, on closing the members, ma~e a moisture tight seal between the memhers and around the wires of the highway cab].e to prevent ingress of moisture to the connections between V-shaped members and wire conductors, the relatively moveable members being formed to locate the seals mo~mted thereon and to apply additional squeezing pressure on the seals, on closing the connector, ir~mediately adjacen-t the wires of the highway cable.
With this connector, sealed connections can be made intermediate the ends of a length of highway cabl.e without breaking the cable. This is especially useful when connecting telephone apparatus to a communication .. .. ~.. ~ ~.. .. . .
cable as wi11 become apparent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
. . . _ . _ Figure 1 is a perspective view of a highway cable connector embodying the present invention, and Figures 2 and 3 are detailed cross-sectional views of part of -the connector of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The drawings show a connector for connec-ting to the wires of a -twisted pair highway cable.
The connector has hinged members 30 and 31, the member 30 being formed with two transverse grooves 32 and 33 substantially parallel to -the axis of the hinge 34 between the members 30 and 31. The grooves 32 and 33 are sized to receive the individual wires of a twisted pair cable. It will be appreciated that the twisted pair is untwisted for a short length to enable the wires pair to be located in -the respective grooves 32 and 33 and extend out ei-ther side of the member 30 through slots 35 in raised side flanges 36 formed upstanding from the member 30.
Metallic V-shpaed members 37 and 38 are positioned one aligned with each of grooves 32 and 33 -to receive a respective wire of the highway cable. The V shaped members 37 and 38 are spaced apart along the grooves 32 and 33 as ill~strated ln the drawinq. The mem er 30 is formed in the region of -the yrooves 32 and 33 and the V-shaped men~ers 37 and 38 wi-th locating blocks 39 to 43. The member 31 oE the connector is formed on the underside as shown in the drawing with t~o pairs of pressure blocks 44 and ~5 positioned to correspond with respective V-shaped members 37 and 38 so that on pivoting the member 31 to close the connector, the pairs of blocks 44 and 45 enyage respective wires of the cable on both sides oE the V-shaped members to force the wires down illtO the V's of the members. The V-shaped members 37 and 38 are formed with opposed inwardly directed edges which displace the insulation cover of the wires as the wires are pressed down towards the bases of the V's. The base of the V of each member is sized to be just smaller than the diameter of the conductor in each wire of the highway cable~ so that when each wire is fully pressed do~n into the respective V-shaped member, the insulating cover is comple-tely displaced and connection is made by the V-shaped member to the conductor of the wire. In practice, -the opposed inwardly directed edges of the V's of the members 37 and 38 need not be sharp in the sense of being razor edged. Indeed excessively sharp members would tend to cu-t xight through the me-tal conductors of the wires.
....
Thus, the inwardly directed edges of the V's may have a substantially flat profile, almost parallel or sligh-tly anyled .relatlve to the wire engages by the V-shaped member. The profile of the edye may be similar to that of the edge of one blade of a pair of scissors.
In order to form a seal completely around the region where the insulation of the wires of the highway cable is being cut into by the V-shaped members 37 and 38, a shallow rectangular cross-section groove 46 is formed completely encompassing the V-shaped members 37 and 38. The groove is formed as a square in the inllustrated example. A square shaped seal member 47 is secured in the groove 46~ The seal 47 is conveniently of a spongy material and is arxanged to have a natural, undistorted thickness such that the seal 47 extends just above the level of the groove 46.
The seal 47 co-operates with a corresponding square seal member 48 located on the member 31. Thus, when the member 31 is rotated to close the connector, the seals 47 and 48 engage each other and are compressed to make moisture proof seals completely aro~md the connection region and in particular around the wires of the highway cable located in the grooves 32 and 33.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the sealing arrangement ln more detall. As can be seen, the material of the members 30 and 31 immediately under the spongy seal members 47 and 43 is profiled to enhance the sealing effect and to accomodate material of the seals 47 and 48 displaced by the presence of the wires 49 and 50.
Thus, enlarged portions 51 and 52 are formed to accomodate seal material displaced by the wires 49 and 50 and raised portions 53 and 54 are formed immediately adjacent the enlarged portions 51 to ensure extra compression of the seal material around the wires.
In the connector shown in the drawinys provision is made in a housing region 55 which is closed by the member 31, to accomodate, for example, patches of insulating material for use in repairing -the damaged insulation of the highway cable when the connector is disconnected and removed. The housing area 55 may also accomodate spare fuses for use in the connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a highway cable connector for making electrical connection to a conductor in a length of insulated highway cable at a point intermediate to the ends of the length of cable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIO~
According to the invention there is provided a highway cable connector Eor making electrical connection to a conductor in a length of insulated highway cable at a point intermediate to the ends of the length of cable, comprising a pair of inter-connected members which are moveable relative to one another between open and closed positions, electrically conductive cutting or penetrating means mounted on at least one of said mem~ers, said memhers being formed to receive the highway cable with ~he members in the open position, to present the cable to said cutting or penetrating means and to press the cable against said cutting or penetrating means when the members are moved to the closed position whereby on closing the members said means cuts or penetrates through the insulation of the cable to make contact with the conductor, and a terminal enabling electrical connection to be made to said cutting or penetrating means, where.in said cu-tting or penetrating means comprises at least two V-shaped members mounted on one of said members and arranged to receive respective insulated wires of a multiwire highway cable, the other of said members having an abutment means arranged to bear on the wires and press the wires into -the V-shaped mel~ers on closing the members of the connector, whereby the insulation of the wires is displaced by the V-shaped members to make electrical contact between the 1.0 ~-shaped mernbers and the wire conductors, and whe.rein resiliently deformable seals are mounted on each of the relatively moveable members of the connector so as to co-operate with one another and, on closing the members, ma~e a moisture tight seal between the memhers and around the wires of the highway cab].e to prevent ingress of moisture to the connections between V-shaped members and wire conductors, the relatively moveable members being formed to locate the seals mo~mted thereon and to apply additional squeezing pressure on the seals, on closing the connector, ir~mediately adjacen-t the wires of the highway cable.
With this connector, sealed connections can be made intermediate the ends of a length of highway cabl.e without breaking the cable. This is especially useful when connecting telephone apparatus to a communication .. .. ~.. ~ ~.. .. . .
cable as wi11 become apparent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
. . . _ . _ Figure 1 is a perspective view of a highway cable connector embodying the present invention, and Figures 2 and 3 are detailed cross-sectional views of part of -the connector of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The drawings show a connector for connec-ting to the wires of a -twisted pair highway cable.
The connector has hinged members 30 and 31, the member 30 being formed with two transverse grooves 32 and 33 substantially parallel to -the axis of the hinge 34 between the members 30 and 31. The grooves 32 and 33 are sized to receive the individual wires of a twisted pair cable. It will be appreciated that the twisted pair is untwisted for a short length to enable the wires pair to be located in -the respective grooves 32 and 33 and extend out ei-ther side of the member 30 through slots 35 in raised side flanges 36 formed upstanding from the member 30.
Metallic V-shpaed members 37 and 38 are positioned one aligned with each of grooves 32 and 33 -to receive a respective wire of the highway cable. The V shaped members 37 and 38 are spaced apart along the grooves 32 and 33 as ill~strated ln the drawinq. The mem er 30 is formed in the region of -the yrooves 32 and 33 and the V-shaped men~ers 37 and 38 wi-th locating blocks 39 to 43. The member 31 oE the connector is formed on the underside as shown in the drawing with t~o pairs of pressure blocks 44 and ~5 positioned to correspond with respective V-shaped members 37 and 38 so that on pivoting the member 31 to close the connector, the pairs of blocks 44 and 45 enyage respective wires of the cable on both sides oE the V-shaped members to force the wires down illtO the V's of the members. The V-shaped members 37 and 38 are formed with opposed inwardly directed edges which displace the insulation cover of the wires as the wires are pressed down towards the bases of the V's. The base of the V of each member is sized to be just smaller than the diameter of the conductor in each wire of the highway cable~ so that when each wire is fully pressed do~n into the respective V-shaped member, the insulating cover is comple-tely displaced and connection is made by the V-shaped member to the conductor of the wire. In practice, -the opposed inwardly directed edges of the V's of the members 37 and 38 need not be sharp in the sense of being razor edged. Indeed excessively sharp members would tend to cu-t xight through the me-tal conductors of the wires.
....
Thus, the inwardly directed edges of the V's may have a substantially flat profile, almost parallel or sligh-tly anyled .relatlve to the wire engages by the V-shaped member. The profile of the edye may be similar to that of the edge of one blade of a pair of scissors.
In order to form a seal completely around the region where the insulation of the wires of the highway cable is being cut into by the V-shaped members 37 and 38, a shallow rectangular cross-section groove 46 is formed completely encompassing the V-shaped members 37 and 38. The groove is formed as a square in the inllustrated example. A square shaped seal member 47 is secured in the groove 46~ The seal 47 is conveniently of a spongy material and is arxanged to have a natural, undistorted thickness such that the seal 47 extends just above the level of the groove 46.
The seal 47 co-operates with a corresponding square seal member 48 located on the member 31. Thus, when the member 31 is rotated to close the connector, the seals 47 and 48 engage each other and are compressed to make moisture proof seals completely aro~md the connection region and in particular around the wires of the highway cable located in the grooves 32 and 33.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the sealing arrangement ln more detall. As can be seen, the material of the members 30 and 31 immediately under the spongy seal members 47 and 43 is profiled to enhance the sealing effect and to accomodate material of the seals 47 and 48 displaced by the presence of the wires 49 and 50.
Thus, enlarged portions 51 and 52 are formed to accomodate seal material displaced by the wires 49 and 50 and raised portions 53 and 54 are formed immediately adjacent the enlarged portions 51 to ensure extra compression of the seal material around the wires.
In the connector shown in the drawinys provision is made in a housing region 55 which is closed by the member 31, to accomodate, for example, patches of insulating material for use in repairing -the damaged insulation of the highway cable when the connector is disconnected and removed. The housing area 55 may also accomodate spare fuses for use in the connector.
Claims (4)
1. A highway cable connector for making electrical connection to a conductor in a length of insulated highway cable at a point intermediate to the ends of the length of cable, comprising a pair of inter-connected members which are moveable relative to one another between open and closed positions, electrically conductive cutting or penetrating means mounted on at least one of said members, said members being formed to receive the highway cable with the members in the open position, to present the cable to said cutting or penetrating means and to press the cable against said cutting or penetrating means when the members are moved to the closed position whereby on closing the members said means cuts or penetrates through the insulation of the cable to make contact with the conductor, and a terminal enabling electrical connection to be made to said cutting or penetrating means, wherein said cutting or penetrating means comprises at least two V-shaped members mounted on one of said members and arranged to receive respective insulated wires of a multiwire highway cable, the other of said members having an abutment means arranged to bear on the wires and press the wires into the V-shaped members on closing the members of the connector, whereby the insulation of the wires is displaced by the V-shaped members to make electrical contact between the V-shaped members and the wire conductors, and wherein resiliently deformable seals are mounted on each of the relatively moveable members of the connector so as to co-operate with one another and, on closing the members, make a moisture tight seal between the members and around the wires of the highway cable to prevent ingress of moisture to the connections between V-shaped members and wire conductors, the relatively moveable members being formed to locate the seals mounted thereon and to apply additional squeezing pressure on the seals, on closing the connector, immediately adjacent the wires of the highway cable.
2. A connector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said seals are located in grooves in each of the relatively moveable members of the connector, each seal having an undistorted thickness such that the seal extends out of the groove.
3. A connector as claimed in Claim 2, wherein each of said grooves is formed with enlarged portions to accomodate seal material displaced by the wires of a cable with which the connector is used.
4. A connector as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein said additional squeezing pressure is provided by raised portions on each of the relatively moveable members.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8133302 | 1981-11-04 | ||
| GB8133302 | 1981-11-04 | ||
| CA000414768A CA1175517A (en) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-11-03 | Highway cable connector |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000414768A Division CA1175517A (en) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-11-03 | Highway cable connector |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1184264A true CA1184264A (en) | 1985-03-19 |
Family
ID=25669852
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000451810A Expired CA1184264A (en) | 1981-11-04 | 1984-04-11 | Highway cable connector |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1184264A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-04-11 CA CA000451810A patent/CA1184264A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |