Abstract:
A connector system for connecting a cable having a length to an item includes a base operatively connectible to the item, the base including a channel to seat at least a portion of the cable, the channel being in operative connection with the item upon connection of the base to the item, and a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the base. The cable is in operative connection with the rotatable member so that, as the rotating member rotates relative to the base, a bend in the cable is formed at different locations in the length of the cable such that the different locations define different lengths of the cable. The different lengths of the cable become positioned within the channel as the rotating member rotates relative to the base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/652,658, filed Oct. 16, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The following information is provided to assist the reader to understand the technologies disclosed below and the environment in which such technologies will typically be used. The terms used herein are not intended to be limited to any particular narrow interpretation unless clearly stated otherwise in this document. References set forth herein may facilitate understanding of the technologies or the background thereof The disclosure of all references cited herein are incorporated by reference. 
         [0003]    A supplied-air respirator system such as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) permits a person to breath in hazardous environments such as fires and confined spaces where breathing would be difficult or impossible without mechanical aid. A supplied-air respirator can, for example, include a full facepiece, a harness and carrier assembly, an air cylinder full of high pressure compressed air for breathing and at least one, and more typically two, air-pressure regulators. The first or first-stage regulator is typically mounted near the air cylinder and functions to reduce the relatively high pressure of the compressed air from the air cylinder to above atmospheric pressure. The air cylinder typically contains air or gas under high pressure (for example, 2200 psi to 4500 psi). The first stage regulator can, for example, reduce the pressure to about 80-100 psi. The second or second-stage regulator is typically mounted on the facepiece and functions to adjust the flow of air to meet the respiratory needs of the user. Respiration-controlled regulator assemblies are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,821,767 and 5,016,627 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/016,0245. 
         [0004]    The facepiece or face mask, which is sealed to the face of the user, typically includes a lens through which the user can view the surrounding environment. The facepiece also includes a port or mount for fluid connection with the second-stage regulator through which inspired air passes into the face mask and an exhalation port through which expired air passes out of the mask. The user&#39;s respiration controls a valve system (for example, including an inhalation valve and an exhalation valve) to control delivery of pressurized air via the second-stage regulator. Often, it is desirable to maintain a slight positive pressure within the facepiece relative to ambient pressure. Facepieces for supplied-air respirators in which a positive pressure is maintained within the facepiece are often referred to as pressure demand facepieces, while other facepieces for supplied-air respirators are often referred to as demand facepieces. 
         [0005]    SCBAs typically utilize a hose to supply air from the first stage regulator to the facepiece through the second stage regulator. In some SCBAs, an electrical cable is used to provide electrical power to the facepiece. In a number of SCBA systems, the cable is routed to the facepiece along with the air hose. Movement of the SCBA on the user results in twisting, pulling, and significant straining of the cable. Such straining of the cable can result in damage to the cable, increasing the potential for malfunction or failure of the electronics on the facepiece. Moreover, the cable can be exposed to the external environment and presents a risk of snagging or catching on obstacles, which can damage the cable or create a condition for the user and the SCBA to become entangled. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one aspect, a respirator system includes a regulator for use in connection with a facepiece of the respirator system. The regulator includes an interface. The respirator system further includes a hose assembly including a hose for carrying breathing gas to the regulator and a cable for carrying at least one electrical wire to the regulator. The respirator system also includes a connector system. The connector system includes a base operatively connectible to the interface of the regulator. The base includes a channel to seat at least a portion of the cable. The channel is in operative connection with an interior of the regulator upon connection of the base to the interface. The connector system also includes a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the base. The cable is in operative connection with the rotatable member so that a bend in the cable travels along the length of the cable and a varying length of the cable is positioned within the channel depending upon the rotational position of the rotating member relative to the base. 
         [0007]    The regulator may, for example, include a shaft extending from the interface. The shaft may, for example, include a passage therein via which breathing gas can enter the regulator. In such an embodiment, the base may, for example, include a passage through which the shaft passes, and the rotatable member may, for example, include a passage through which the shaft passes so that the rotatable member is rotatable about an axis of the shaft to rotate relative to the base. The rotating member may, for example, include a port adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the hose and adapted to be placed in fluid connection with at least one port formed in the shaft to place the hose in fluid connection with the passage in the shaft. 
         [0008]    In a number of embodiments, the connector system further includes a cover attachable to the rotating member to encompass the cable. The cable may, for example, be fixed to the rotatable member and travels around at least a portion of a member such as a generally cylindrical member of the rotatable member. The passage of the rotatable member through which the shaft passes may be formed in the generally cylindrical member. The cover is adapted to constrain movement of the cable. The cable may, for example, be held in an arced conformation around the at least a portion of the rotating member by the cover. In a number of embodiments, the rotating member includes a flange extending outwardly over at least a portion thereof to constrain movement of the cable. The flange may, for example, be positioned between the cable and the channel. In a number of embodiments, he flange does not contact the bend in the cable. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a connector system for connecting a cable to an item includes a base operatively connectible to the item. The base includes a channel to seat at least a portion of the cable. The channel is in operative connection with the item upon connection of the base to the item. The connector system further includes a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the base. The cable is in operative connection with the rotatable member so that a bend in the cable travels along the length of the cable and a varying length of the cable is positioned within the channel depending upon the rotational position of the rotating member relative to the base. 
         [0010]    The connector system may further include a cover attachable to the rotating member to encompass the cable. The cable may, for example, be fixed to the rotatable member and travel around at least a portion of an arced member of the rotatable member. The cover is operable to constrain movement of the cable. The cable may, for example, be held in an arced conformation around the at least a portion of the rotating member by the cover. In a number of embodiments, the rotating member comprises a flange extending outwardly over at least a portion thereof to constrain movement of the cable, the flange being positioned between the cable and the channel. In a number of embodiments, the flange does not contact the bend in the cable. 
         [0011]    In a further aspect, a method of managing a cable in a respirator system, wherein the respirator system includes a regulator including an interface, a facepiece and a hose assembly including a hose for carrying breathing gas to the regulator and the cable, and wherein the cable is adapted to carry at least one electrical wire to the regulator, includes connecting a connector system to the interface of the regulator. The connector system includes a base operatively connectible to the interface of the regulator. The base includes a channel to seat at least a portion of the cable. The channel is in operative connection with an interior of the regulator upon connection of the base to the interface. The connector system further includes a rotatable member which is rotatable relative to the base. The method further includes placing the cable in operative connection with the rotatable member so that a bend in the cable travels along the length of the cable and a varying length of the cable is positioned within the channel depending upon the rotational position of the rotating member relative to the base. 
         [0012]    The devices, systems and methods hereof, along with the attributes and attendant advantages thereof, will best be appreciated and understood in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a representative respirator system in the form of a self-contained breathing apparatus or SCBA including representative embodiment of a connector system hereof. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective exploded view of the connector system in position to be connected to the second stage regulator. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the connector system in connection with the second stage regulator with the cover of the connector system removed and the rotating member of the connector system in a first position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the connector system in connection with the second stage regulator with the cover of the connector system removed and the rotatable member of the connector system in a second position (rotated counterclockwise from the first position of  FIG. 3 ). 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the connector system in connection with the second stage regulator with the cover of the connector system removed and the rotatable member of the connector system in a third position (rotated counterclockwise from the second position of  FIG. 4 ). 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an enlarged, perspective view of the rotatable member of the connector system in the first position of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an enlarged, perspective view of the rotatable member of the connector system in the second position of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6C  illustrates an enlarged, perspective view of the rotatable member of the connector system in the third position of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross sectional view of the connector system in connection with the second stage regulator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a cable” includes a plurality of such cables and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth, and reference to “the cable” is a reference to one or more such cables and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. 
         [0023]    The described features, structures, or characteristics of various embodiments hereof may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a representative embodiment of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) system  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, system  10  includes a facepiece  100 , which includes a mount or interface  110  to connect a second stage pressure regulator assembly  200  so that pressurized air can be supplied from a breathing tank  300  containing pressurized breathing gas (for example, air). Breathing tank  300  is supported on a back plate  350  that is worn by the user of system  10  (via attached harness straps which are not shown in  FIG. 1 ) and includes a valve  370  to provide air to a first stage regulator  375  via, for example, a hose  372 , which is represented schematically as a dashed line in  FIG. 1 . The general construction and operation of a facepiece in a respirator system such as SCBA system  10  is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,104. First stage regulator  375  of breathing tank  300  is in fluid connection with second stage regulator  200  via a hose assembly or system  400 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2 through 7  illustrate a representative embodiment of a connector assembly or system  500  for operative connection of hose assembly  400  to second stage pressure regulator assembly  200 . Hose assembly  400  includes a hose to transport pressurized air or other breathing/oxygen-containing gas to second stage regulator  200 . As described above, hose assembly  400  also includes wiring or cabling to carry electrical power to second stage regulator  200  and thereby to the facepiece  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of electrically insulated conductors or wires  420  are spiraled around hose  410 . Near the end of hose  410 , wires  420  pass through a length of cable  440 . As used herein, the term “cable” refers to a single conductor as well as a plurality of conductors grouped together (for example, within an electrically insulating, flexible conduit). 
         [0026]    Connection system  500  is an enclosed modular system which provides freedom for cable  440  and hose  410  to swivel in a manner to provide strain relief to cable  440  (and conductors/wires  420  therein) while simultaneously providing protection from the environment, including protection from snagging or catching on obstacles. Connector system  500  includes a rotatable or swivelable platform or member  510 . Hose  410  is attached to a port  512  of rotatable member  510  via which pressurized breathing gas is delivered to ports  222  of an extending shaft or conduit  220  of second stage regulator  200 . In that regard, rotatable member  510  includes a passage  514  through which shaft  220  passes to place ports  222  in fluid connection with port  512 . Member  510  is rotatable or swivelable over a range of angles to various rotational positions around axis A of shaft  220 . Shaft  220  thus provide a path for breathing gas supply into second stage regulator  200  while functioning as an axle around which rotatable member  510  can rotate. 
         [0027]    Connection system  500  further includes a plug member or base  530  which connects to a seating or interface  230  in second stage regulator  200 . Base  530  includes an extending section  532  through which cable  440  and/or wires  420  extend to the interior of second stage regulator  200 . A gasket or other sealing member  532   a  can, for example, be provided in connection with extending section  532  to provide a seal. Base  530  includes a passage  534  through which shaft  220  passes to enter passage  514  of rotatable member  510 . Base  530  further includes a channel or seating  536  in connection with extending section  532  into which a portion of cable  440  can be seated. 
         [0028]    In the illustrated embodiment, rotatable member  510  includes a first guide  516  in the form of a loop through which cable  440  passes. Rotatable member  510  further includes a second guide or a support  518  in the form of a radially outward extending flange over which cable  440  passes so that cable  440  passes around at least a portion of a section  520 , which is, for example, generally cylindrical in shape, of rotatable member  510  through which passage  514  is formed. After passing an edge  518   a  of second guide  518 , cable  440  extends in the direction of axis A (see  FIG. 2 ) to enter extending section  532  of base  530 . The length of cable  440  is such that a bend or wave  442  is formed in cable  440 . As rotatable member  510  rotates or swivels around axis A of shaft  220 , a portion of cable  440  in the vicinity of bend  442  is seated or positioned within channel  536  to control motion of cable  440  and provide strain relief. 
         [0029]    In that regard, as rotatable member  510  rotates about axis A, the conformation of cable  440  causes bend  442  to travel along the length of cable  440  so a varying length of cable  440  is seated within channel  536  depending upon the position of rotatable member  510  around axis A.  FIGS. 3 through 5  illustrate various positions of rotatable member  510  (and hose assembly  400  extending therefrom) around axis A and the effect of the rotation of rotatable member  510  on the position of cable  440  and bend  442 . In comparing  FIGS. 3 through 5  and  FIGS. 6A through 6C , it is seen that as rotatable member  510  is rotated in a clockwise direction (with reference to the orientation of  FIGS. 3 through 5 ), the position of bend  442  (relative to base  530  and second stage regulator  200 ) travels in a clockwise direction and along the length of cable  440  in the manner of a travelling wave such that more of the length of cable  440  is seated within channel  536 . As rotatable member  510  is rotated in the opposite (counterclockwise) direction, bend  442  travels in a counterclockwise direction (relative to base  530  and second stage regulator  200 ) and along the length of cable  440  in the manner of a travelling wave such that less of the length of cable  440  is seated within channel  536 . Because bend  442  travels along the length of cable  440  the strain associated with bending is distributed over a portion of the length of cable  440  rather than being concentrated at single position thereof, significantly decreasing the potential for failure. In the illustrated embodiment, edge  518   a  of second guide  518  does not contact and/or apply force to bend  442  at any point in the rotation of rotatable member  510 . 
         [0030]    Connector system  500  further includes a cover  550 . One function of cover  550  is to assist in maintaining cable  440  in an arced or partially coiled form as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 7  around generally cylindrical section  520 . In that regard, cable  440  can, for example, be restrained in position by a crimping, compressive or holding action exerted by first guide  516 . An inner wall of cover  550  operates to further constrain cable  440  in position along second guide  518  and around generally cylindrical section  520 . Another function of cover  550  is to encompass cable  440  and provide protection against environmental hazards, including snagging or catching on obstacles. 
         [0031]    In the illustrated embodiment, cover  550  includes a passage  552  through which shaft  220  passes to cooperate with an end member or knob  560  and a retaining connector in the form of a nut  570 . End member  560  includes a passage  562  through which shaft  220  passes to form a retaining connection with retaining connector  570 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , retaining connector  570  can, for example, include threading  574  along an interior of a passage  572  thereof which cooperates with threading  228  on shaft  220 . 
         [0032]    Connector system  500  thus contains cable  440  internally therein to provide protection against catching, snagging, and other types of environmental damage to cable  440 . The rotatable mechanism or system of connector system  500 , further provides additional strain relief to cable  440 . Advantages of connector system  500  over existing systems in which a cable is passed into, are for example, a second stage regulator include greater ease of assembly, improved strain relief, elimination of snagging or catching hazards, hiding the cable from sight, decreased potential for damage to the cable, reduced repair cost, and greater customer satisfaction. 
         [0033]    Although the connectors systems hereof have been described in connection with a representative embodiment of connection to a second stage regulator of a respirator system, the connector systems hereof can be used to rotatably or swivelably connect a cable or cables to many different types of items. 
         [0034]    The foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth embodiments at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the scope hereof, which is indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes and variations that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.