Cable mount and fixture having electrical switch assembly

A cable mount and fixture system is disclosed. The system includes a mounting fixture, a cable mount insertable into the mounting fixture, and a switch assembly connected to the mounting fixture. The switch assembly includes an actuating signal that verifies that the cable mount is correctly installed in the mounting fixture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a cable mount and fixture and, more particularly, a cable mount and fixture having an electrical switch assembly that provides electrical verification that a cable mount is correctly installed in the fixture.

Cable mounts which can be secured to a bundle of wires by application of a single cable tie, preferably by an automatic tool, and a fixture for supporting the cable mount during application of the cable tie are known. For example, Panduit U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,368,261 and 5,799,906 disclose a cable mount and accompanying fixture for supporting the cable mount during application of a cable tie. However, none of the prior art references, including the '261 and '906 patents, provide an electrical switch assembly that provides electrical verification that the cable mount is correctly installed in the fixture.

It would be desirable to provide a cable mount and fixture having an electrical switch assembly that informs a user when the cable mount is correctly installed in the fixture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cable mount and fixture system is disclosed. The system includes a mounting fixture, a cable mount insertable into the mounting fixture, and a switch assembly connected to the mounting fixture. The switch assembly includes an actuating signal that verifies that the cable mount is correctly installed in the mounting fixture.

Preferably, the switch assembly includes a contact pin extending into an opening defined within the mounting fixture, and the contact pin further includes an insulating washer. Upon inserting the cable mount into the mounting fixture, the cable mount engages the contact pin.

Preferably, the switch assembly includes a plastic housing and a metal right angle arm connected to the plastic housing. Moreover, the metal right angle arm is in contact with the contact pin. Alternatively, the switch assembly may include a plastic right angle arm and a metal plate inserted on the right angle arm to allow current to flow between two metal contacts.

Preferably, the cable mount has a plurality of retention tabs to improve friction between the cable mount and the wires. The additional friction provided by the retention tabs minimizes slippage of wires across the top of the cable mount.

Preferably, the mounting fixture, the contact pin, the right angle arm and the contacts are metal. Moreover, the housing and the insulating washer are plastic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The illustrated embodiments of the invention are directed to a cable mount and fixture having an electrical switch assembly that provides electrical verification that a cable mount is correctly installed in the fixture.

FIG. 1shows a cable mount and fixture having electrical switch assembly10. As shown inFIGS. 1-6, assembly10includes base11mountable to a harness board (not shown) utilizing fasteners or other securement devices. Mounting fixture12, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,906, mounts to base11. Assembly10also includes a switch assembly14secured to mounting fixture12utilizing a fastener or other securement device. Switch assembly14includes an actuating signal that informs a user when cable mount16, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,261, is correctly installed into mounting fixture12. The disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,799,906 and 5,368,261 are incorporated by reference.

As best seen inFIG. 4, switch assembly14has a housing17, a contact pin18, a right angle arm22having pivot point24and contacts26,28. Contact pin18slip fits into a side of mounting fixture12, and extends into an opening defined within mounting fixture12. Contact pin18includes insulating washer20, which provides electrical insulation between contact pin18and right angle arm22. Right angle arm22is connected to housing17at pivot point24, and right angle arm22is in contact with contact pin18. As shown inFIG. 4, the electrical circuit comprising right angle arm22and contacts26,28is open. Contacts26,28include sleeves27,29respectively, which support spring pins (not shown) positioned therein.

Preferably, mounting fixture12, contact pin18, right angle arm22and contacts26,28are metal. Similarly, housing17and insulating washer20are plastic. However, it is likewise contemplated that these components may be made of other materials. For example, right angle arm22may be plastic. In such a design, a metal plate would be inserted on plastic right angle arm22to allow current to flow between contacts26,28.

In operation, and as best seen inFIG. 6, when cable mount16is installed into mounting fixture12, the legs of cable mount16spread apart and the barbs of cable mount16push contact pin18toward metal right angle arm22, causing right angle arm22to rotate about pivot point24. The bottom face of right angle arm22is contoured such that right angle arm22exerts primarily downward force on metal contacts26,28. In fact, right angle arm22exerts little, if any, sideload on metal contacts26,28. When right angle arm22engages metal contacts26,28, the electrical circuit is closed. Wires extending from contacts26,28are connected to a central processing unit, such as a computer, which activates a light emitting diode (LED) or sends an audible signal to indicate that cable mount16is correctly installed in mounting fixture12.

FIGS. 7 and 8show an alternate embodiment of cable mount16. The cable mount disclosed inFIGS. 7 and 8is similar to the cable mount disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,261, except that the cable mount saddle support has two retention tabs30,32to improve friction between cable mount16and the wires. The additional friction provided by retention tabs30,32minimizes slippage of wires across the top of cable mount16.

The disclosed invention provides a cable mount and fixture having an electrical switch assembly that provides user feedback when the cable mount is properly installed in the fixture. It should be noted that the above-described and illustrated embodiments and preferred embodiments of the invention are not an exhaustive listing of the forms such an assembly in accordance with the invention might take; rather, they serve as exemplary and illustrative of embodiments of the invention as presently understood. Many other forms of the invention are believed to exist.