GB2110973A

GB2110973A - Cable connector tool

Info

Publication number: GB2110973A
Application number: GB08130215A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher John Nicoll
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-10-07
Filing date: 1981-10-07
Publication date: 1983-06-29
Also published as: GB2110973B

Abstract

An outer part-cylindrical member (32) has lugs (34) for engaging in recesses (20a) of a clamping nut (20) of the cable connector and an inner member (36) is rotatably housed in a sleeve bearing 38 fixed to the outer member, the inner member having a handle (36c) positioned beyond an adjacent extremity of the outer part to enable the outer part to be angularly rotated a full 360 DEG around the inner member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cable connector tool This invention relates to an improved tool for tightening up the clamping nut on a multi-pin cable connector. Such a connector comprises a central body of electrically insulating material in which is embedded a plurality of electrical conductors. Surrounding the central body is a metal sleeve provided with screwthreads on its external surface which accommodates a rear screwthreaded support ring and a front screwthreaded clamping nut. The front end of the metal sleeve acts as a socket for a male multi-pin cable connector and its inner surface is provided with axially extending ribs which locate with complementary ribs on the outside surface of the male connector.

To assemble the socket connector in an apertured panel or casing, the connector (minus the clamping nut) is inserted into the aperture until the rear support ring engages the rear face of the panel, then the clamping nut is screwed onto the protuding part of the metal sleeve unti it is adjacent the front face of the panel; one more more washers may be positioned on the metal sleeve before the clamping nut is screwed thereon.

There is on the market a two part tool consisting of an inner cylindrical male part which is inserted axially into the open end of the metal sleeve to engage with the ribs thereon, and an outer hollow semi-cylindrical part having a plurality of lugs which engage corresponding recesses in the clamping nut.

To tighten the clamping nut, the operator holds the inner part steady with one hand to prevent the metal sleeve and central body from rotating, while with the other hand he angularly rotates the outer tool part in a series of steps to gradually tighten the clamping uut.

There are a number of disadvantages with this two part tool. Firstly the outer part can only be rotated in steps of less than 1800 due to a radially extending handle on the inner part preventing further rotational movement of the outer part; therefore after each step the outer part must be re-positioned on the clamping nut before the next angular rotation can take place. Secondly, the outer part is prone to slip off the clamping nut causing possible damage to the panel surface.

It is an aim of the invention to provide an improved tool, the tool comprising an outer part cylindrical member having lugs for engaging in the recesses of the clamping nut; and an elongate inner member having a male connector part engageable with the metal sleeve, a handle part, and a shaft integrally connecting the handle and male connector parts, the inner member being rotatably housed in a sleeve bearing fixed to the outer member, the handle being positioned beyond an adjacent extremity of the outer part to enable the outer part to be angularly rotated a full 360" around the inner member.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tool according to the invention for tightening up the clamping nut on a multi-pin cable connector, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the multi-pin cable connector.

Referring to the drawings, the multi-pin cable connector 10 comprises a central body 12 of electrically insulating material in which is embedded a plurality of electrical conductors ending in pins 14.

Surrounding the central body is a metal sleeve 16 provided with screwthreads 16a on its external surface which accommodates a rear screwthreaded support ring 18 and a front screwthreaded clamping nut 20. The front end of the metal sleeve acts as a socket for a male multi-pin cable connector (not shown) and its inner surface is provided with axially extending ribs 22 which locate with complementary ribs on the outside surface of the male connector.

To assemble the socket connector 10 in a circular aperture of a panel or casing (not shown) the connector (minus the clamping nut) is inserted into the aperture until the rear support ring 18 engages the rear face of the panel; the clamping nut 20 is then screwed onto the protruding part of the metal sleeve until it is adjacent the front face of the panel, one or more washers may have been positioned on the metal sleeve prior to the screwing thereon of the clamping nut.

The tool 30 for tightening the clamping nut comprises an outer part cylindrical member 32 having lugs 34 (in this case three) for engaging in any three of four equally angularly spaced recesses 20a in the clamping nut 20, and an elongate inner member 36 coaxially positioned within the outer member 32. The inner member is in one piece and includes a male connector part 36a having ribs 36b for engaging with complementary shaped ribs 22 of the socket connector; the inner member also includes a handle 36c and a shaft 36d extending between and connecting together the part 36a and the handle 36c. The inner member is rotatably housed in a sleeve bearing 38 fixed, as by welding, to the inner surface of the outer member.The end of the outer member remote from lugs 34 is provided with at least one radially extending handle 40 and the handle 36c is located at the end of the shaft which extends beyond the adjacent end of the outer member thereby enabling the outer member to be angularly rotated a full 360" around the inner member.

To tighten a clamping nut, the operator presents tool 30 to the socket connector 10 (with the outer member 32 axially retracted relative to the inner member 36), and the male connector 36a of the inner part is axially inserted into the socket of the connector 10. The outer member is then axially advanced to bring lugs 34 into engagement with recesses 20a of the clamping nut. The outer member can now be rotated relative to the inner member as many turns as is necessary to satisfactorily tighten the clamping nut.

Advantages of the above described tool are (1) the outer member cannot become separated from the inner member thereby preventing possible damage to the panel surface, and (2) the clamping nut can be tightened up in a single operation without re positioning of the outer member on the clamping nut, thereby ensuring a quicker and more efficient tightening procedure.

Claims

1. Atool for tightening or loosening the clamping nut on a multi-pin cable connector, the tool comprising an outer part cylindrical member having lugs for engaging in recesses of the clamping nut, and an elongate inner member having a male connector part engageable with the metal sleeve, a handle.part, and a shaft integrally connecting the handle and male connector parts, the inner member being mounted on the outer member for rotation relative thereto, the handle being positioned beyond an adjacent extremity of the outer part to enable the outer part to be angularly rotated a full 360" around the inner member.

2. The tool of Claim 1, wherein the inner member shaft is housed in a sleeve bearing fixed to the outer member.

3. Atool for tightening or loosening the clamping nut on a multi-pin cable connector, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.