Abstract:
A backshell includes a cable-receiving portion presenting a front end, a rear end, and a first longitudinal axis; a connector portion presenting a front end, a rear end, and a second longitudinal axis; and a swivel joint operably coupling the front end of the cable-receiving portion with the rear end of said connector portion and operable to permit selective relative movement between the cable-receiving portion and the connector portion such that they may assume different relative positions with the longitudinal axes thereof at correspondingly different angles.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The current patent application is a continuation-in-part application, claiming priority benefit with regard to all common subject matter to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/569,987, entitled “ADJUSTABLE BACKSHELL FOR WIRING HARNESS” and filed Aug. 8, 2012. The earlier-filed identified patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Backshell devices provide a secure connection between a wiring harness and an associated electrical connector. Backshells not only provide strain relief to prevent damage to the termination points of the wiring harness but may also be designed for coupling with and anchoring a braided sheath encasing the wires in the wiring harness to protect the wiring from the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI). 
         [0003]    The particular design of an electrical or electronic system may require that a wiring harness enter a backshell at a particular angle. For example, some systems require a wiring harness to enter a backshell from a straight orientation, a 45° orientation, or a 90° orientation. To accommodate these different requirements, various configurations of backshells are known, including 0°, 45°, and 90° backshells. Unfortunately, the required orientation of wiring harnesses to their backshells is often not known until the devices are installed, so installers must stock and carry all configurations of the backshells. 
         [0004]    Adjustable backshells have been developed in an attempt to resolve the above described problems, but known adjustable backshells are either difficult to use and adjust and/or overly complicated and expensive. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved adjustable backshell that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of backshell devices by providing an improved adjustable backshell that can be quickly and easily configured to secure a wiring harness in nearly any orientation. 
         [0007]    A backshell constructed in accordance with various embodiments of the invention broadly includes a tubular, open-ended, cable-receiving portion; a tubular, open-ended, connector portion; and a swivel joint interconnecting the cable-receiving portion and connector portion. The cable-receiving portion and connector portion are relatively shiftable my means of the swivel joint so that the cable-receiving portion and connector portion may assume an infinite number of relative positions between a substantially straight and axially aligned position and a 90° position. 
         [0008]    An embodiment of the swivel joint may comprise a first circumferentially extending bearing surface carried by a front end of the cable-receiving portion; a second circumferentially extending bearing surface carried by a rear end of the cable connector portion; and structure operable to maintain the first and second bearing surfaces in mating adjacency during relative swiveling movement of the cable-receiving and connector portions. 
         [0009]    An embodiment of the structure for maintaining the bearing surfaces together may comprise an annular connection flange carried by the connector portion, and a collar formed in the connector portion and surrounding the connection flange. Mating slots are formed in the annular connection flange and the collar to receive a snap-ring or similar fastener for holding the flange and collar together. 
         [0010]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0011]    Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a backshell constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the backshell positioned in its straight or aligned orientation. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the backshell positioned in its 90° orientation. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a vertical sectional view of the backshell positioned in its straight orientation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a vertical sectional view of the backshell positioned in its 90° orientation. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the cable receiving portion of the backshell. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the connector portion of the backshell with its locking not removed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a backshell in its straight orientation, constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the second embodiment of the backshell in its straight orientation. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view along the longitudinal axis of the second embodiment of the backshell in its straight orientation. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a vertical sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9  of the second embodiment of the backshell in its straight orientation. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10  of the second embodiment of the backshell in its straight orientation illustrating the interior of a swivel joint. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the backshell positioned in its right-angle orientation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the backshell seen from a first side of the backshell. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the backshell seen from a second side of the backshell. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    The following detailed description of the invention references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0029]    In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the current technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
         [0030]    A backshell  10  constructed in accordance with various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in the drawing figures and broadly includes a tubular, open ended, cable-receiving portion  12 ; a tubular, open ended, connector portion  14 ; and a swivel joint  16  interconnecting the cable-receiving portion  12  and the connector portion  14 . The cable-receiving portion  12  and connector portion  14  are relatively shiftable my means of the swivel joint  16  so that the cable-receiving portion  12  and connector portion  14  may assume an infinite number of relative positions between the substantially straight and axially aligned position of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4  and the 90° position of  FIGS. 3 and 5 . 
         [0031]    Embodiments of the backshell  10  may be used with copper wires, fiber optic cables, or any other conductors. As used herein, the term “wiring harness” includes any number and type of electrical, optical, or other conductors. 
         [0032]    The cable-receiving portion  12  of the backshell is best illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 6  and includes a tubular body  18  having a rear section  20  and a forward joint section  22 . The rear section  20  includes a sheath termination nipple  24  that is formed by a pair of spaced-apart radially enlarged flanges  26 ,  28  that define an annular fastener-receiving channel  30  therebetween. The outermost surfaces of the flanges  26 ,  28  and the channel  30  may be knurled or otherwise roughened to increase their friction. A sheath of a wiring harness (not shown) as well as the wiring harness=s outer jacket may be stretched over the flanges  26 ,  28  and then compressed and held in the channel  30  by a clamp, clip, spring, or other fastener. A slot  32  is formed in the channel  30  for grounding purposes. 
         [0033]    The forward section  22  of the cable-receiving portion  12  includes an obliquely oriented, annular bearing wall  34  provided with a continuous circular groove  36 . The forward section also includes a radially outwardly and forwardly extending peripheral collar  38  equipped with an internal slot  40 . The outermost surface of the collar  38  may be knurled or otherwise roughened to provide a gripping surface for holding and adjusting the backshell as described below. 
         [0034]    The connector portion  14  of the backshell  10  is best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  7  and includes a tubular body  42  presenting a forward section  44  and a rear joint section  46 . The forward section  44  includes a toothed peripheral edge  48  that serves to locate and hold a connector insert as described below and a pair of laterally spaced apart, radially outwardly extending, annular shoulders  50 ,  52 . A threaded coupling nut  54  is rotatably coupled to the forward section of the connector portion by spaced-apart inwardly extending collars  56 ,  58 . The collars  56 ,  58  are positioned on opposite sides of the shoulder  50  and together define an annular channel  60  in which the shoulder  50  is received. 
         [0035]    The forward section  44  also receives and supports a connector insert (not shown) that is configured to mate with a complemental connector on an electrical or electronic device when the coupling nut  54  is threaded over the complemental connector. The connector insert may be a receptacle-type or “female” insert comprising a plurality of receptacles disposed therein or may be a plug-type or “male” insert with a plurality of outwardly extending pins or plugs. The individual wires in the wiring harness enter the rear section  20  of the cable-receiving portion  12  of the backshell and terminate at the rear of the connector insert in a conventional manner. 
         [0036]    The rear joint section  46  of the connector portion  14  includes an annular, obliquely oriented connection flange  62  presenting a bearing wall  64  provided with a continuous groove  66 . In addition, the outboard surface of the flange  62  has a continuous peripheral slot  68 . 
         [0037]    As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the forward joint section  22  of the cable-receiving portion  12  and the rear joint section  46  of the connector portion  14  are joined by the swivel joint  16  to present the overall backplate  10 . An O-ring  70  is seated within groove  66 , and a metallic snap-ring  72  is inserted into slot  68 . The forward joint section  22  of the cable-receiving portion  12  is then pressed onto flange  62  of the connector portion  14  such that the collar  38  surrounds the flange  62 , and the snap-ring  72  seats into the slots  40  and  68 . In this orientation, the bearing walls  34  and  64  are in close, mating adjacency, with the O-ring  70  captively retained between the grooves  36  and  66 , and with the snap-ring  72  within slots  40  and  68  serving to maintain the rotary connection between cable-receiving portion  12  and connector portion  14 . 
         [0038]    In order to adjust the relative positions of the cable-receiving portion  12  and connector portion  14 , an installer may simply grasp the portions and exert a relative turning or twisting movement until they are in the desired angular relationship. Advantageously, no tools are required to adjust the angular orientation of the backshell. It will be appreciated that the cable-receiving portion  12  and connector portion  14  may assume any position between that shown in  FIG. 1  where the longitudinal axes of the portions are in essentially parallel, offset relation, to the 90° position of  FIG. 3 . Once positioned in a desired relative orientation, the cable-receiving portion  12  and connector portion  14  may be locked or otherwise held in place by a suitable locking mechanism. 
         [0039]    The components of the backshell may be formed by any suitable materials including synthetic resin materials, metals, and allows and may be of any size to accommodate any type and size of wiring harness. 
         [0040]    A backshell  100  constructed in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 8-15  and broadly comprises a cable-receiving portion  112 , a connector portion  114 , and a swivel joint  116 . The cable-receiving portion  112  and the connector portion  114  are substantially similar to the cable-receiving portion  12  and the connector portion  14  of the backshell  10  described above. The backshell  100  may further include a first tubular body  118 , a rear section  120 , a forward joint section  122 , a sheath termination nipple  124 , a pair of flanges  126 ,  128 , a fastener-receiving channel  130 , a first slot  132 , a first bearing wall  134 , a first groove  136 , a first collar  138 , a second slot  140 , a second tubular body  142 , a forward section  144 , a rear joint section  146 , a peripheral edge  148 , a pair of annular shoulders  150 ,  152 , a nut  154 , a pair of collars  156 ,  158 , a channel  160 , a connection flange  162 , a second bearing wall  164 , a second groove  166 , a third slot  168 , an O-ring  170 , and a snap ring  172 , all of which are substantially similar to the like-named components of the backshell  10  discussed above. 
         [0041]    The swivel joint  116  is similar to but not exactly the same as the swivel joint  16 . The swivel joint  116  may allow the cable-receiving portion  112  to rotate or swivel with respect to the connector portion  114  to achieve an infinite number of orientations of the backshell  100  between a “straight” orientation, seen in  FIGS. 8-10  wherein the longitudinal axes of the cable-receiving portion  112  and the connector portion  114  are in essentially parallel, offset relation, and a “right-angle” orientation, seen in  FIG. 13  wherein the longitudinal axes of the two portions  112 ,  114  are at approximately 90° relative to one another. The swivel joint  16  allows a similar action with the cable-receiving portion  12  and the connector portion  14  of the backshell  10 . However, in order to prevent over rotation, which may damage the wiring or cabling retained within the backshell  100 , the swivel joint  116  prevents rotation of the cable-receiving portion  112  beyond approximately 180°. Furthermore, the swivel joint  116  may include features which allow the backshell to assume a plurality of easily-selected preset orientations. In addition to some of the components listed above, the swivel joint  116  may further include a race post  174 , a race  176 , a detent post  178 , a post collar  180 , and a plurality of detents  182 . 
         [0042]    The race post  174 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 ,  12 , and  15 , may be generally cylindrical with a sidewall, a first end, and a second end. In an exemplary embodiment, the race post  174  may be positioned on the first bearing wall  134 , which is an inner surface of the first collar  138  of the forward joint section  122 , such that the second end is attached to the first collar  138  and the first end protrudes outward away from the first collar  138 . In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the race post  174  may be positioned on the second bearing wall  164 . 
         [0043]    The race  176 , as shown in exemplary embodiments in  FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  14 , may include a channel or recess formed in the surface of the second bearing wall  164  of the rear joint section  146 . In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the race  176  may be formed in the surface of the first bearing wall  134 . The race post  174  may be retained by and slidable within the race  176 . A depth of the race  176  may be equal to or greater than a height of the race post  174 . A width of the race  176  may be equal to or greater than a diameter of the race post  174 . The race  176  may have a generally arcuate shape. An exemplary race  176  may have semi-circular shape and may extend approximately halfway around, or approximately 180° along, the second bearing wall  164 , as best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 14 . The race  176  may include a first end  184  and an opposing second end  186 . The race  176  and the race post  174  may be positioned relative to one another such that, when the backshell is in the straight orientation, the race post  174  is aligned and in contact with the first end  184  of the race  176  and when the backshell is in the right angle orientation, the race post  174  is aligned and in contact with the second end  186  of the race  176 . 
         [0044]    The detent post  178 , as best seen in  FIGS. 12 ,  14 , and  15 , may be generally cylindrical with a sidewall, a first end, and an opposing second end positioned on a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the detent post  178  may have threads on an external surface of the sidewall. Furthermore, the first end may include a single slot, a pair of crossed slots, a hex opening, a torx opening, or the like. The second end may have a convex shape with a rounded or hemispherical surface, a pointed or conical surface, a frustoconical surface, a pyramidal surface, a frusto pyramidal surface, or the like. In some embodiments, the detent post  178  may be a set screw, wherein the first end is configured to receive a tool, such as a screwdriver. 
         [0045]    The post collar  180 , as shown in  FIGS. 8-10  and  12 - 14 , generally has a hollow cylindrical shape with a single sidewall and may be positioned on an outer surface of the first collar  138  of the forward joint section  122 . Furthermore, a central axis of the post collar  180  may be aligned with an opening in the first collar  138 . In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the post collar  180  may be positioned on an outer surface of the rear joint section  146  and may align with an opening therein. The post collar  180  may include threads on an inner surface of the sidewall. The post collar  180  generally receives the detent post  178  such that the first end of the detent post  178  is accessible above the post collar  180  or through the opening of the post collar  180  and the second end protrudes through the first collar  138 . Rotation of the detent post  178  within the post collar  180  adjusts the longitudinal position of the detent post  178  along the axis of the post collar  180 . 
         [0046]    The detents  182 , as shown in  FIGS. 10-12  and  14 , may include concave impressions formed in the surface of the second bearing wall  164  of the rear joint section  146 . In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the detents  182  may be formed in the first bearing wall  134 . The detents  182  may have a rounded or hemispherical shape, a pointed or conical shape, a pyramidal shape, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment of the backshell  100 , there may be nine detents  182  formed in the second bearing wall  164  with an angular spacing therebetween of approximately 22.5°. Thus, from the first detent  182 A to the last detent  182 B, the detents  182  may occupy an angular range of approximately 180°. Since both the detents  182  and the race  176  occupy an angular range of approximately 180° on the second bearing wall  164 , a portion of the detents  182  may be co-located with a portion of the race  176 . 
         [0047]    The swivel joint  116  may operate as follows. When the backshell is in the straight orientation, seen in  FIGS. 8-10 , the race post  174  may be aligned and in contact with the first end  184  of the race  176 . And, the first detent  182 A may receive and retain the second end of the detent post  178 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . Retention of the detent post  178  in one of the detents  182  provides a resistance to the easy rotation of the cable-receiving portion  112  with respect to the connector portion  114 . The resistance may be adjusted by rotating the detent post  178  in the post collar  180 . For example, the resistance may be increased by rotating the detent post  178  in a first direction, such as clockwise, while the resistance may be decreased by rotating the detent post  178  in a second, opposing direction, such as counter-clockwise. 
         [0048]    A user may adjust the orientation of the backshell  100  by rotating the cable-receiving portion  112  with respect to the connector portion  114 . Generally, when the backshell is in the straight orientation, the user may rotate the cable-receiving portion  112  in only a first direction, such as clockwise, because the race post  174  being in contact with the first end  184  of the race  176  prevents rotation of the cable-receiving portion  112  in the opposite (counter-clockwise) direction. While the user rotates the cable-receiving portion  112 , the race post  174  may slide within the race  176 . The user generally has to apply enough torque to the cable-receiving portion  112  to overcome the resistance provided by the detent post  178  being retained by the first detent  182 A. As the user continues to rotate the cable-receiving portion  112 , the detent post  178  may become aligned with other detents  182  and may be retained, at least momentarily, therein. If so desired, the user may stop rotation of the cable-receiving portion  112  when the detent post  178  is aligned with any of the intermediate detents  182 , or at any other angular position. Once the user rotates the cable-receiving portion  112  approximately 180°, the backshell  100  is in the right-angle orientation, seen in  FIG. 13 , and the detent post  178  aligns with and is retained by the last detent  182 B. In addition, the race post  174  contacts and aligns with the second end  186  of the race  176 , thereby prohibiting further rotation in the first direction. When it is desired to return the backshell  100  to the straight orientation, or another angular position, the user may rotate the cable-receiving portion  112  in a second direction, such as counter-clockwise. 
         [0049]    Preventing rotation of the cable-receiving portion  112  of the backshell  100  beyond approximately 180° may prevent damage to the wires or cables retained within the backshell  100 . The wires may twist, rotate, or bend when the cable-receiving portion  112  is rotated to place the backshell  100  in the right-angle orientation. Allowing the cable-receiving portion to rotate beyond 180° would continue to twist the wires—possibly leading to damage. Since the rotation is limited, when the user wants to return the backshell to the straight orientation, he has to rotate the cable-receiving portion  112  in the opposite direction, which untwists and unbends the wires. 
         [0050]    Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. 
         [0051]    Having thus described various embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: