Duplex electrical connector with frustro-conical retaining ring and crimped inlet end

This disclosure is directed to electrical connectors, and more specifically to various types of electrical connectors, including an connector assembly having an integrally formed connector body having opposed end openings provided with an outer surface that slopes downwardly toward the outlet opening. The inlet opening having lips that are crimped retaining cable retainer inserts. A sloping or frustro-conical, snap fit, outer, retaining ring with locking tangs is provided for snap locking the outlet end portion of the connector body to an associated electric box or panel. The frustro-conical retaining ring has grounding tangs engaging the inner periphery of a knock out hole of an electric box or panel for effecting a positive electrical ground therebetween.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a further advancement in the field of electrical connector assemblies having a snap fit retaining ring circumscribing an outlet end of a connector body for effecting a snap fit connection to an electrical box. More specifically, this invention is directed to further improvements in electrical connector assemblies providing more secure connections and fewer parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical connectors are commonly used for attaching electrical conductors, cables, wires, electrical metal tubing (EMT) or the like to an electric box, e.g. a junction box, outlet box, switch box, fuse box, or other similar type of electric box or panel. Such known electrical connectors are either of a type that are secured to an electric box by a threaded lock nut or by means of a conventional circular snap fit retaining ring of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,860,758; 6,444,907; 5,189,258; 5,266,050; 5,171,164; 2,744,769 and 1,483,218 for example. Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 6,768,057 which is directed to a right angle type connector formed of a pair of sheet metal stampings fitted together and secured to an electrical box with a snap fit arrangement.

Also known are connectors formed as connector caps which are adapted to be fitted over the end of a conductor, cable or wires, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,387. Various other known efforts to facilitate the connection of an electrical conductor to an electric box are evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,043,432; 6,080,933; 6,114,630; 6,133,529; 6,194,661; 6,335,488; 6,352,439; 6,355,884; 6,444,907; 6,555,750; 6,604,400; 6,670,553; 6,737,584; 6,682,355; 6,780,029 and 6,849,803.

Notwithstanding the extensive background relating to electrical connectors, continuing efforts are being made to improve, simplify and/or reduce the cost and/or complexity of the known connectors in an effort to advance the electrical connector art. This disclosure is directed to such efforts.

In particular, difficulties have arisen in holding cable retainers within a connector body. Often the cable retainers are held in by friction or a threaded fastener. Friction may not provide a sufficient resistance to being separated in all application, and a threaded fastener adds cost and complexity with the assembly of the electrical connector. Therefore, there is a need for a simple, easily manufactured electrical connector that securely retains cable retainers within the connector body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a secure electrical connector, preferably a duplex electrical connector, which securely holds cable or wire conductors that have been pushed into the connector body of the electrical connector. Lips formed on the inlet end of the connector body are crimped or in turned to securely hold a sleeve or cylindrical cable retainer within the connector body assuring that the sleeve or cylindrical cable retainer is not unintentionally separated from the connector body.

In the electrical connector, the outlet end portion of the connector body is provided with an outer surface that converges or tapers inwardly toward the outlet opening thereof. Formed on the surface of the opposed end portions are one or more retaining lugs, which may be circumferentially spaced about the end opening and a frustro-conically shaped, snap-fit retainer is fitted onto and secured to the outlet end portion of the connector body. The frustro-conical outer retainer is formed from a blank of sheet material, e.g. spring steel or the like, having a cruciform shape that includes a face portion or simply a central opening wherein the radiating arms of the cruciform blank are disposed about the face portion or central opening to define a frustro-conical shaped cup or ring. The frustro-conical shaped cup or ring so formed is provided with blanked out or die cut tangs to define outwardly bent locking tangs and grounding tangs. The trailing edge and grounding tangs of the frustro-conical ring or cup provides for electrical grounding in the assembled position of the electrical connector to an electric box or panel.

The frustro-conical outer retainer so formed from the frustro-conical ring or cup also has a slot adapted to receive a retaining lug when the frustro-conical cup or ring is fitted onto the outlet end portion of the connector body whereby the free or trailing edge of the frustro-conical ring or cup define a grounding edge or tang that engages the inner periphery of the knockout hole of an associated electric box or panel for effecting positive electrical continuity or grounding therebetween.

To form the frustro-conical ring or cup, the cruciform arms are arranged to be folded relative to the central opening or face forming portion that circumscribes the central opening, to define a unitary frustro-conically shaped cup-like member or ring to compliment or be fitted onto the outlet end portion of the connector body. The frustro-conical outer retainer thus formed is fitted over or onto the outlet end portion of the connector body so that the retaining slot formed in the frustro-conical outer retainer is adapted to receive the complementary retaining lug formed on the surface of the outlet end portion of the connector body for retaining or securing the frustro-conical outer retainer on the outlet end portion.

With the construction described, the outlet end portion of the electrical connector assembly can be readily inserted through the knockout hole of an electric box wherein the locking tangs will initially be flexed inwardly pass through the knockout hole of an electric box, and then spring outwardly to lock the electrical connector assembly to the electric box or electric support panel with the trailing or grounding edge or tang of the frustro-conical outer retainer being inherently biased so as to be urged against the internal periphery of the knockout hole due to the frustro-conical configuration and inherent resiliency of the grounding edge or tang to effect a positive electric ground as a result thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector having a structure that securely holds a cable or wire conductor.

It is an advantage of the present invention that fasteners are not required to hold the cable or wire conductors in place.

It is a feature of the present invention that a crimp or in turned lip is used to securely hold cable retainers within the connector body.

It is another feature of the present invention that a frustro-conical outer retainer is used having a leading edge, a trailing edge and an intermediate portion therebetween and having an integrally formed outwardly sprung locking tang that can be readily connected to a knockout hole of an electric box, panel or enclosure with a snap-fit wherein the trailing edge of the frustro-conical outer retainer functions to enhance the electrical ground between the electrical box and the connector body.

Another object of this invention is to provide for an electrical connector assembly that includes an electrical connector body having an outlet end opening having a frustro-conical outer surface for receiving thereon a complementary frustro-conical outer retainer that is readily fitted to and retained about the outlet end opening of the outlet end portion of the connector body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly that is relatively simple to fabricate, positive in operation, and economical to produce and sell.

These and other objects, advantages, and features will become readily apparent in view of the following more detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, there is shown inFIG. 1an electrical connector assembly10. The connector assembly10includes a connector body11, which is usually formed as a metal casting, e.g. zinc or other suitable metallic alloy. The connector body11is formed with an inlet end portion11A and an outlet end portion11B and having a bore12extending therethrough. Intermediate the connector body11or between the inlet end portion11A and outlet end portion11B there is provided a radially outwardly extending flange13which functions as a stop to limit the amount that the connector body11may be inserted through the knockout hole14of an electric box or panel15, as noted inFIG. 8.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 8, the outer surface S of the outlet end portion11B slopes, tapers or converges toward the outlet opening16whereby the outer surface S of the outlet end portion11B has a generally frustro-conical configuration. Formed on the surface S of the outlet end portion11B is an outwardly projecting retainer lug17. In the illustrated embodiment, two such lugs17are shown disposed 180° apart about the outer circumference of the outlet end portion11B.

The connector assembly10also includes a snap fit retaining ring18. In accordance with this invention, the retaining ring18is integrally formed from a blank19of spring steel material. As best seen inFIG. 2, the blank19is initially formed or stamped to define a generally cruciform shape. The cruciform shape is provided with a face portion20having central opening or hole20A and having four generally radially extending arms defining two pairs of oppositely disposed arms AA and BB.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the opposed pair of arms AA are each provided with a retaining slot21. The opposed pair of arms BB, as best seen inFIGS. 2 and 9, are blanked or formed to define a locking tang22and to either side thereof the trailing edge of the retaining ring defines an electrical grounding tang23,23. As shown, the locking tang22is slightly shorter than the adjacent grounding tangs23,23. The arrangement is such that the free end of the locking tangs22are sprung outwardly and formed so as to engage the inside surface of the electric box15in the assembled portion, as best seen inFIG. 9, to secure the connector assembly10to the electric box15and prohibit any unintentional withdrawal of the connector assembly10from the electrical box15, whereas the free ends or trailing edges of the frustro-conical ring define the grounding tangs23that are biased in engagement with the internal periphery of the knockout hole14. Also, the free edge or end24A of arms A,A in the assembled position will also function as electrical grounding tangs, as noted inFIG. 8.

In forming the retaining ring18from blank19, the respective arms A,A and B,B are subjected to a series of progressive bending dies which will gradually bend the respective arms about a foldline f, which defines the face or front portion20, whereby arms A,A and B,B form a cup having circumscribing frustro-conical or outwardly flaring sides to define a frustro conical ring18which complements the conical surface S of the leading or outlet end portion11B, as seen inFIG. 1. In doing so, the locking tangs22are cantileverly and outwardly bent or displaced relative to the surface of the frustro-conical ring at a slightly greater outwardly angle or slope than the adjacent grounding edge or tangs23and the slope of arms A,A. With the retaining ring18so formed, it can be readily fitted onto the outlet end portion11B whereby the inherent resiliency of the arms A,A will cause the retainer slots22to snap fit onto the retaining lug17when slots21are placed in alignment with lugs17. The arrangement is such that the retainer ring18will be firmly and positively secured to the outlet end portion11B as seen inFIG. 8. Yet, due to the inherent resiliency of the material of the retaining ring18, it can be easily detached from the outlet end portion11B when removal is desired, without destroying the ring18by lifting arms A,A free of the retaining lugs17.

It will be understood that, if desired, the opening20A may be enlarged to the diameter of the foldline f, in which case the arms A,A and B,B may be gradually bent about the periphery of the enlarged opening, thereby eliminating the face portion20.

With the retainer ring18properly secured to the outlet end11B of the connector body11, the connector assembly10can be readily secured to an electric box or panel15by simply aligning the assembly10with a knockout hole14, as best seen inFIG. 7, and inserting the leading or outlet end portion into the knockout hole14until the flange13engages the outer side of the electric box or panel15. In doing so, the tangs22,23and the free ends24of arms A,A, respectively, will depress inwardly to permit insertion of the assembly10. When the assembly is fully seated in the knockout hole14, the locking tangs22will normally spring outwardly to secure the assembly10to the electric box15, as noted inFIG. 9. The inherent resiliency of the grounding tangs23,23and the free end or edge24A of arms A,A are normally biased in engagement with the internal periphery of the knockout hole14to ensure a positive electrical ground with the electric box15. The engagement of the free end24A of arms A,A and grounding tangs23,23against the inner periphery of the knockout hole14, as noted inFIG. 8, further ensures the firm securing of the retaining slot21with the retaining lugs17, so as to prohibit any disengagement of the outer retaining ring18from the connector body11.

It will be understood that the wire conductor25may be secured to the connector assembly10either before or after the assembly10has been secured to the electric box15. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor wire25is simply inserted into the inlet end portion11A and secured in position by a suitable securing means. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1, the securing means is illustrated as a set screw26. However, it will be understood that other forms of securing means, including some of the securing wire conductor retaining means disclosed herein, may be used in lieu of a screw.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the disclosed connector assembly is quite novel and simple in construction. The snap fit retaining ring18can be simply formed from a cruciform shaped blank19of spring metal whereby the opposed radially extending arms A,A and B,B can be readily formed into a cup having a generally frustro-conically shaped sidewalls complementing the slope of the outlet end portion11A, and whereby the outer retainer ring18can be readily secured to the connector body simply by the inter-engagement of slots21with its complementary lugs17.

In the assembled position, the outer retainer ring18is positively secured to the connector body in a manner to prohibit any unintentional separation. Also the tangs22and23, which are formed integral with ring18, are shaped and formed so that the locking tangs22secure the assembly10to an electric box15while the grounding tangs23ensure a positive electrical ground of the assembly10with the associated electric box15.

FIGS. 11 to 19illustrate various views of a modified form of the invention which are described in application Ser. No. 11/100,250 filed Apr. 6, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,064,272, for Snap In Electrical Connector Assembly With Unidirectional Wire Conductor Ring, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIGS. 20 to 32are directed to a further modification of the disclosed invention. As best seen inFIGS. 20 and 21, the connector assembly60includes a housing or connector body61having an outlet end61A and an inlet end64connected to the outlet end61A by a transition section68,68A, preferably formed as casting of any suitable metal or alloy material, e.g. zinc, aluminum and the like. While the inlet end64of the connector body61is illustrated as a duplex inlet end, it will be understood that the inlet end may be formed to accommodate more than two separate wire conductors, cables or the like.

A more detailed description of the embodiments disclosed inFIGS. 20 to 32is set forth in application Ser. No. 11/100,250 filed Apr. 6, 2005 for Snap In Electrical Connector Assembly With Unidirectional Wire Conductor Retaining Ring, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,064,272, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

With the connector body ofFIG. 20illustrated, it will be noted that the connector assembly60can be readily secured to an electric box or panel simply by inserting the leading or outlet end61A through a knockout hole of a panel or electrical box so as to be readily secured thereto with a snap fit as hereinbefore described. With the arrangement described, the respective wire conductors or cables80can be readily attached to the trailing or inlet end of the connector assembly60with a simple snap fit, as described in the said application Ser. No. 11/100,250 filed Apr. 6, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,064,272, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIGS. 33 to 36illustrate a further embodiment of the invention. The connector assembly300, as illustrated inFIGS. 33 and 36, includes a connector body301formed as a unitary casting of any suitable metal or alloy, e.g. zinc and the like. The embodiment ofFIG. 33differs from that ofFIG. 20in that connector body301is formed as a unitary casting rather than as separable parts as illustrated inFIG. 20. A more detailed description of the embodiment of the connector assembly ofFIGS. 33 to 36is set forth in application Ser. No. 11/403,099 filed Apr. 12, 2006, for Snap Fit Electrical Connector Assembly With Frustro-Conical Retainer Ring And Internal Unidirectional Snap Fit Wire Conductor Retainer, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,151,223, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIGS. 37,38and39illustrate further modified embodiments of the invention which are disclosed in application Ser. No. 11/501,131 filed Aug. 8, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,905, for Electrical Connector With Outer Retainer Ring And Unidirectional Conductor Retainer, which is also incorporated by reference herein, and need not be repeated herein.

FIGS. 40 to 45are directed to other modified embodiments of the invention.FIGS. 40 to 45are directed to a strap-type electrical connector500for securing either nonmetallic cables or armor or metal clad cables thereto, as will be described herein.

As best seen inFIGS. 40-44, the illustrated strap type connector500includes a connector body501having an outlet end502terminating in an outlet opening503. Opposite the outlet opening503, the connector body501is provided with an inlet opening504. Circumscribing the connector body between the outlet opening503and the inlet opening504is a radially outwardly extending flange505which serves as a stop to limit the distance the outlet end portion of the connector body501may be inserted through a knockout hole or opening506of an electric box or panel507. The outer surface “S” of the outlet end502slopes or converges inwardly toward the outlet opening503.

Circumferentially spaced about the outlet end502of the connector body501are one or more radially outwardly projecting retaining lugs508. In the illustrated embodiment, two such retaining lugs508are provided 180° apart.

Secured to the outlet end502of the connector body and circumscribing the outlet end502is a frustro-conical snap fit retainer or retainer ring509, similar to the frustro-conical retainer ring hereinbefore described with respect toFIGS. 1 to 5herein. As best seen inFIG. 40, the frustro-conical, snap-fit, retainer509includes a front opening510circumscribed by rearwardly and outwardly sloping or bent locking tangs511. Grounding tangs513are provided with retaining slots514arranged to receive the retaining lugs508when fitted onto the outlet end502of the connector body501, as hereinbefore described.

Connected to the connector body501adjacent the inlet opening and forming an integral part of the connector body501is a cable support saddle515which extends about a circumferential portion of the inlet opening504, e.g. between approximately 120° to 180° about the inlet opening504. As shown, the cable support saddle515is a curvilinear extension of the inlet opening504terminating in laterally outwardly extending ears or lobes515A and515B. As best seen inFIG. 40, ear or lobe515A has a hinge slot516formed therein and ear or lobe515B is provided with an internally threaded hole517.

Hingedly connected to ear or lobe515A is a clamping strap518. As best seen inFIG. 40, the clamping strap518is provided with a readily detachable hinge structure519which is angularly formed relative to the plane of the strap518so as to be received in the hinge slot517when connected to the saddle515. According to this invention, the hinge structure519terminates laterally outwardly extending foot portion520.

In accordance with this invention, the foot portion520of the hinge structure519is provided with a width “W” which is slightly greater than the width “w” of the hinge slot516. The arrangement is such that the clamping strap518must be skewed or angled relative to the hinge slot516for inserting the foot portion520through the hinge slot516for connecting the clamping strap518to the ear or lobe515A. When so connected, the clamping strap518is free to pivot relative to the saddle515between a cable clamping and unclamping position without causing the clamping strap518to become detached from the saddle515. To effect detachment of the clamping strap518from the ear or lobe515A, one must intentionally skew or angle the clamping strap518relative to the hinge slot516to effect the removal of the clamping strap518from the saddle.

The other end of the clamping strap518is provided with a strap hole521for receiving a fastener, e.g. a screw522for securing the clamping strap518to the ear or lobe515B so that the cable is firmly clamped and secured between the saddle515and the clamping strap518.

To insure a positive gripping of the cable between the saddle515and the clamping strap518, an intermediate portion of the clamping strap is provided with a depression523that will “bite” or exert a positive frictional force on the cable, when secured in the clamping position (FIG. 86) so as to prohibit the cable of being pulled free or become accidentally detached from the connector body.

As shown, the connector body501and connected saddle515is preferably formed as a metal casting, e.g. zinc or other suitable metallic alloy. The strap electric connector as illustrated inFIGS. 40 to 44is preferably used for securing either a non-metallic cable or romex type conductor to an electric box or panel.

By slightly modifying the shape of the clamping strap, the described strap type electric connector may be readily adapted for connecting an armored, or metal clad cable, to an electric box or panel.

FIG. 45illustrates a modified strap type electrical connector assembly600for use in securing an armor or metal clad cable. As shown inFIG. 45, the strap type electrical connector assembly600is provided with clamping strap618having an intermediate curvilinear portion618A shaped to compliment the roundness of a metal clad cable, e.g. a BX cable. One end of the armored cable strap is provided with a hinge structure619,620similar to the hinge structure519,520hereinbefore described, whereby the armored cable strap can be hingedly connected to the hinge slot616of the associated saddle615. The other end of the armored cable strap618is provided with a hole or opening621for receiving a fastening screw similar to that described with respect toFIG. 84. In all other respects, the function and structure of the strap connector600is similar to that described with respect toFIGS. 84 to 88, and need not be repeated.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that the armored cable strap618can be readily interchanged for the non-metallic cable strap518depending upon the type of cable to be secured by the described connector body.

It will be apparent that the principle components described herein, viz. the external frustro-conical retainer rings, the connector bodies and the differently described wire conductor retainers, are rendered readily interchangeable with respect to any of the complementary corresponding components of the various embodiments described herein.

It is to be further noted that the frustro-conical retainer ring, as described herein with respect to the various embodiments disclosed, achieves the further advantage of ensuring positive electrical grounding of the described connector assemblies to an electrical box or panel despite the varying allowable diameter tolerances a knockout hole may have, as permitted by the allowable codes or electrical standards, due to the inherent resiliency and shape that a frustro-conical configuration allows, as described herein.

Referring toFIGS. 46 to 51, there is disclosed a further improvement of the invention describe herein.FIG. 46illustrates an exploded view of a duplex type connector assembly650that includes a connector body651having a single outlet end portion651A and a duplex inlet end portion651B. As shown, the inlet end portion651B includes a pair of parallel passageways or bores652,653that are in communication with the outlet end portion651A. Between the inlet end portion651B and the outlet end portion651A is a transition section651C, which diverges toward the outlet end opening354. The respective passageways or bore are separated by a partition wall655having opposed vertical surfaces655A,655B, as viewed inFIGS. 46-48.

As hereinbefore described, the outlet end portion651A which defines an outlet opening654is provided with a tapered outer surface S which converges toward the outlet opening654. Circumferentially spaced about the outlet opening and extending radially outward relative to the surface S of the outlet end portion651A are opposed retaining lugs656. A radially outwardly extending stop flange657circumscribes the outlet end portion651A adjacent to the transition section651C, which functions as a stop to limit the amount the connector body may be inserted into a knockout hole of an electric box or panel, as herein previously described. In this form of the invention, the connector body651is constructed so that it can be readily formed as a unitary casting from a suitable moldable metal alloy, e.g. zinc, aluminum and the like. Such integrally constructed connector body obviates the prior practice of constructing a connector body of multiple parts which required assembly.

Circumscribing the outer surface S of the outlet end portion651A is a frustro-conical outer retainer658similar to that described with respect toFIGS. 1 to 10, and which need not be repeated.

Disposed within each of the respective passageways or bore652,653is a wire or cable unidirectional retainer means. In the illustrated embodiment, the unidirectional retainer means is in the form of a sleeve or cylinder659,660formed preferably from a blank of spring steel as hereinbefore described with respect toFIGS. 13 to 18. As described, the respective wire or cable retainers659,660have a generally circular configuration except for a flattened or linear wall surface659A,660A, which is arranged to engage the adjacent vertical wall surface655A,655B of the partition wall655in the inlet end portion651B when inserted into their associated passageways or bores652,653. The arrangement is such that the orientation of the respective wire or cable retainers656,660relative to their respective passageways or bores are predetermined. As previously described, the respective wire or cable retainers are proportioned and sized so as to be press fitted or frictionally fitted within their corresponding bore or passageway653,653in a manner to withstand any unintentional separation of the cable retainer from its corresponding bore. In all other respects, the construction and function of the internal wire or cable retainer is similar to that hereinbefore described with respect toFIGS. 13 and 18.

As noted inFIGS. 46 and 50, the connector assembly650includes a bushing661, constructed preferably of a plastic non-conducting material arranged to be inserted in the outlet opening654of the connector body651. The bushing661includes a cylindrical body portion661A sized and shaped so as to complement the internal surface of the outlet opening654with a friction or press fit. The leading end of the bushing661is provided with a radially outwardly extending flange661B which functions as a stop to limit the insertability of the bushing661within the outlet end opening654.

In the assembled position of the respective component parts, it will be noted that the bushing661is inserted and secured within the outlet end opening654before the frustro-conical external retainer650is secured about the outlet end portion651B of the connector body. Thus, the engagement of the frustro-conical retainer650with the retainer lugs656insures that the bushing661is prevented from being separated from the outlet opening as it is firmly sandwiched between the outlet opening654of the connector body651and the frustro-conical retainer650secured to the outlet end portion651B. However, the bushing661may also be placed in the outlet end opening654after the frustro-conical retainer650has been inserted onto the outlet end opening654.

As the cable retainers659,660are provided with forwardly inclined retaining tangs662, the respective cable or wire conductors663can be readily secured thereto simply by inserting the cable or wire conductor into the respective inlet passageways whereby the retaining tangs permit only unidirectional insertion while resisting an opposing force applied to the cable or wire conductor so as to prohibit any unintentional separation of the cable or wire conductor from the connector body651.

The simplicity of a duplex connection having a unitary connector body construction provided with an outer frustro-conical retainer for securing the same with a snap fit locking arrangement to an electric box or panel, and the ease by which a wire conductor can be secured to a connector body utilizing the described internal cable retainers enhances the ease of manufacture and assembly of such connectors to result in substantial savings of labor and costs for producing the same, while enhancing the ease of use of such connectors in the field which further aids to minimize the time, effort and labor required to install the same.

FIGS. 52 and 53illustrate another embodiment of the invention disclosed herein. This embodiment provides a more secure connection with fewer parts. This embodiment is directed to a duplex type connector750having a connector body751with an inlet end portion751B and an outlet end portion751A. A transition section751C transitions between the duplex inlet end portion751B and the single outlet end portion751A. The single outlet end portion751A has an outlet end opening754in which is placed a plastic bushing761. The plastic bushing761has a cylindrical body portion761A and a flange761B. Within the body portion761A is lanced a tab761C. The tab761C is raised slightly out of the surface of the body portion761A and provides a friction fit with the outlet end opening745. Placed over the single outlet end portion751A on the sloping or conical surface S is a frustro-conical outlet retainer758. The frustro-conical outlet retainer758is held on by two retaining lugs756extending through retaining slots721. The frustro-conical outlet retainer758has a central opening720A. The frustro-conical outlet retainer758also has cut therein locking tangs722and grounding tangs723. The locking tangs722spring normally radially outward so as to snap-fit onto an electrical box cylindrical opening, not shown. The grounding tangs723help to maintain electrical grounding continuity between the connector and the electrical box. At the duplex inlet end portion751B of the connector body751are a pair of parallel passageways or bores752and753in which are placed sleeves or cylindrical cable retainers759and760. The sleeves or cylindrical cable retainers759and760may be initially friction fit within their respective passageways or bores752and753. Partition land755has curved sides that mate with the sleeves or cylindrical cable retainers759and760. When the cylindrical cable retainers759and760are placed within the bores752and753flattened or linear wall surfaces759A and760A of the respective cylindrical cable retainers759and760are placed adjacent each other. The adjacent flattened or linear wall surfaces759A and760A prevent the cylindrical cable retainers759and760from rotating and permit them to be positioned at a predetermined angular orientation. The opposing forwardly inclined retaining tangs762are positioned to retain a cable or wire conductor, not shown, to be pushed into each of the cylindrical cable retainers759and760and securely held in place by the inclined retaining tangs762. Lips769and770are crimped or turned over once the cylindrical cable retainers759and760are placed within the bores752and753securely holding them in place and preventing their unintentional removal. The lips769and770extend greater than one hundred and eight degrees around the perimeter of the bores752and753and extend along the curved surface of the partition land755to the top planar surface. The lips769and770end adjacent the top planar surface of the partition land755at respective lower lip end771and upper lip end772. Accordingly, the cable retainers759and760are held in place along their entire curved perimeter or circumference.

While the cylindrical cable retainers759and760may be adequately held within the passageways or bores752and753by friction, the crimped or in turned lips769and770assure that the cylindrical cable retainers759and760are not inadvertently pulled from the connector body751. The in turned lips769and770may be formed by any pressing or metal forming operation after the cylindrical cable retainers759and760are inserted into their respective passageway752or753. The in turned lips769and770need only turn in a portion sufficiently to hold the cylindrical cable retainers759and760within the passageway752or753, and may preferably turn in the thickness of the wall of the cylindrical cable retainers759and760. Additionally, this embodiment reduced the number of assembled parts or additional fasteners needed, helping to reduce cost and labor. Therefore, this embodiment of the invention is an improvement.

While the present invention has been described with respect to several embodiments, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.