Patent Publication Number: US-7909636-B2

Title: Adjustable connector for electrical cable

Description:
This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/925,395, filed on Apr. 20, 2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fittings for electrical cables. In particular, the present invention relates to adjustable connectors that are used to change the direction of electrical cables. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Armored electrical cables can be used in a wide variety of applications. They are particularly suited for applications that require the wiring to be isolated from the surrounding environment. The construction of the cables permits them to be used in environments which are referred to as hazardous locations, as well as in non-hazardous locations. Traditionally, wiring runs in hazardous locations use rigid metal conduit. However, when permitted by the applicable electrical codes, flexible armored cable may be used in place of rigid conduit. In general, rigid conduit is more difficult and more expensive to install than armored cable. Therefore, users prefer to use armored cable whenever the electrical codes permit. 
     Armored cable, typically, includes an electrically conductive flexible metal casing which protects the conductors running within from abrasion, impacts and the like. In addition, the metal casing permits the cable to be grounded throughout its length. An outer plastic or rubber sheath typically covers the metal casing thereby adding water proof protection to the cable, as well as protecting the metal sheathing from corrosive elements. Although armored cable is more flexible and easier to install than rigid conduit, its bend radius can make it difficult to form tight bends and, hence, installation in certain locations requires elbows or other fittings. 
     In the past, a 90-degree bend in an armored, electrical cable was accomplished using either an assembly of different approved fittings (e.g., a pull elbow connected to a straight fitting) or a short single 90 degree fitting. Similarly, fittings for other bend angles were used and, as a consequence, a user was required to stock fittings for a variety of different angles. This was found to be expensive and inconvenient. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a fitting for changing the direction of an armored, electrical cable, as well as other types of electrical cables, that can be quickly and easily installed. There is a further need for an adjustable connector for armored and other types of electrical cables that can make bends in an armored, electrical cable over a range of at least from 0-90 degrees and preferably from 0-135 degrees. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, an adjustable connector for armored and other types of electrical cables is provided. The adjustable connector includes a body, a hub and a coupling nut. The body has a longitudinal axis, opposing ends and an aperture extending therebetween. One end is flanged with a scalloped edge and a face that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis and the other end is a cable connecting end. The hub has a central axis, first and second ends and an opening extending therebetween. The first end has a mating surface that is angularly disposed to the central axis and the mating surface has a dovetail extending around about one half of the outer perimeter. The dovetail can be formed as one continuous dovetail or a plurality of spaced, individual dovetails. In a preferred embodiment, the dovetail is formed as two separate dovetails with a notch in between. The coupling nut has first and second ends and an opening extending therebetween with internal threads. The dovetail on the mating surface of the hub is adapted to receive the flanged end of the body and the coupling nut is threaded onto the hub to secure the flanged end in the dovetail. 
     In preferred embodiments, the face of the flange on one end of the body is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis at an angle of about 45 degrees and the mating surface on the first end of the hub is angularly disposed to the central axis at an angle of about 45 degrees. When the face of the flange is connected to the mating surface, the body and the hub can be rotated so that the connector forms various bend angles. The adjustable connector can be oriented so that the body is connected to the hub and the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the central axis or the longitudinal axis is disposed with respect to the central axis at an angle of about 45 degrees, about 90 degrees or about 135 degrees, or any angle in-between. 
     In another embodiment, the face of the flange on the end of the body is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis at an angle of from about 30 to 60 degrees and the mating surface on the first end of the hub is angularly disposed to the central axis at an angle of from about 30 to 60 degrees. Changing the angular disposition of the flange and the mating surface allows the connector to be oriented to provide a bend angle of from 60 degrees to 120 degrees. 
     The hub can have an exterior surface that is threaded in the region adjacent to the mating surface end for receiving the coupling nut. The coupling nut preferably contacts the flanged end at a point opposite the dovetail to lock the flange to the hub. The cable connecting end of the body and the second end of the hub opposite the mating surface can be threaded and adapted to receive a threaded cable fitting. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the flanged end has indicia of the angular disposition of the adjustable connector on its surface and the dovetail has a notch near the center. When the flanged end is secured in the dovetail and oriented to preferred angles (e.g., 45, 90, 135 or 180 degrees) the indicia is viewable through the notch. This allows the user to verify that the adjustable connector is properly oriented. 
     In a second embodiment of the adjustable connector, the adjustable connector includes a body, a hub and a coupling nut. The body has a longitudinal axis and includes a first cable connector end and a first mating end and an aperture extending therebetween. The first mating end has a flange with a scalloped edge and a face that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis. The hub has a central axis and includes a second cable connector end and a second mating end and an opening extending therebetween. The exterior surface of the hub adjacent to the second mating end is threaded and adapted to receive the coupling nut. 
     The second mating end of the hub has a flange that is angularly disposed to the central axis and a dovetail along the outer perimeter of the flange. Preferably, the dovetail extends around about one half of the outer perimeter. The dovetail is adapted to receive the flange of the first mating end and the coupling nut is threaded onto the hub to secure the flange of the first mating end in the dovetail. Preferably, the dovetail of the second mating end rotatably receives the flange of the first mating end. The dovetail can be located on the angularly disposed second mating end at a maximal distance from the second cable connector end and the coupling nut contacts the flange of the first mating end at a point opposite the dovetail. The dovetail can also include an exterior surface having one or more finger grips that facilitate the joining of the two mating ends. The finger grips are formed by one or more protrusions extending radially from the dovetail or by one or more raised members on the dovetail, preferably a plurality of substantially parallel ribs. 
     The flange of the first mating end can have indicia of the angular disposition of the adjustable connector and the dovetail of the second mating end can have a notch. The indicia are viewable through the notch when the flange of the first mating end is secured in the dovetail. 
     The coupling nut has a first end with a perimetrical edge. The scalloped edge of the flange of the first mating end has a plurality of recessed portions which are positioned so that the perimetrical edge contacts one or more of the recessed portions when the coupling nut is tightened. Preferably, the recessed portions are arranged in a plurality of pairs so that two points on the perimetrical edge of the coupling nut contact one of the pairs when the body is oriented with respect to the hub at an angle of 45, 90, 135 or 180 degrees. 
     In a third embodiment, the adjustable connector includes a body, a hub, a first coupler and two coupling nuts. The body and the hub are the same as described above for the second embodiment. The first coupler has a longitudinal axis and includes a first mating end having a flange with a scalloped edge that is angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis, a second mating end having a flange with a dovetail angularly disposed to the longitudinal axis and an axial passage extending therebetween. The first coupling nut is threaded onto the hub and the second coupling nut is threaded onto the first coupler. The dovetail of the hub is adapted to receive the flange of the first coupler and the first coupling nut is tightened to secure the flange of the first coupler in the dovetail of the hub. The dovetail of the first coupler is adapted to receive the flange of the first mating end and the second coupling nut is tightened to secure the flange of the first mating end in the dovetail of the first coupler. 
     The flange on the second mating end has an outer perimeter and the dovetail extends around about one half of the outer perimeter. Similarly, the flange on the first coupler has an outer perimeter and the dovetail extends around about one half of the outer perimeter. The dovetail of the hub rotatably receives the flange of the first coupler and the dovetail of the first coupler rotatably receives the flange of the body. The flange of the body can have first indicia of the angular disposition of the body in relation to the first coupler and the dovetail of the first coupler can have a notch. The first indicia are viewable through the notch when the flange of the body is secured in the dovetail of the first coupler at predetermined orientations, such as 45, 90, 135 and 180 degrees. Similarly, the flange of the first coupler can have second indicia of the angular disposition of the first coupler in relation to the hub and the dovetail of the hub can have a notch. The second indicia are viewable through the notch when the flange of the first coupler is secured in the dovetail of the hub at predetermined orientations, such as 45, 90, 135 and 180 degrees. 
     The body can be connected to the first coupler and the first coupler can be connected to the hub so that the longitudinal axis of the body is substantially parallel to the central axis of the hub or the longitudinal axis of the body is disposed with respect to the central axis of the hub at an angle of about 45 degrees, about 90 degrees, about 135 degrees or about 180 degrees, or various angles from 0 to 180 degrees. 
     The first coupler can have a stem section that includes the first mating end and a stem end and a base section that includes the second mating end and a sleeve end. The stem end is inserted through the second coupling nut and rotatably received by the sleeve end. The stem section freely rotates with respect to the base section until the second coupling nut is tightened. 
     The adjustable connector can also include a second coupler that is the same as the first coupler. The second coupler can be connected to the first coupler and the body or it can be connected to the first coupler and the hub. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The preferred embodiments of the adjustable cable fitting of the present invention, as well as other objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be apparent from the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A-B  are a top view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention in the unlocked position. 
         FIGS. 2A-B  are a top view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention in the locked position. 
         FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the hub component of the adjustable connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the body component of the adjustable connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hub component of the adjustable connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the body component of the adjustable connector of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hub and body components of the adjustable connector of the present invention with their axes in parallel relationship. 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hub and body components of the adjustable connector of the present invention with their axes disposed at a right angle. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hub and body components of the adjustable connector of the present invention with their axes in parallel relationship. 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hub and body components of the adjustable connector of the present invention with their axes disposed at a right angle. 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of an embodiment of the hub and body components of the adjustable connector of the present invention with their axes in parallel relationship. 
         FIG. 7B  is a side view of an embodiment of the hub and body components of the adjustable connector of the present invention with their axes disposed at a right angle. 
         FIGS. 8A-B  are a top view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention in the unlocked position. 
         FIG. 9A-B  are a top view and a side sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention with the body and hub disposed at a right angle. 
         FIGS. 10A-C  are a side view, an end view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention that includes body, hub and coupler components disposed coaxially. 
         FIGS. 11A-C  are a side view, an end view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention that includes body, hub and coupler components forming a 90-degree bend. 
         FIGS. 12A-C  are a side view, a sectional view and a bottom view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention that includes body, hub and coupler components forming a 45-degree bend. 
         FIGS. 13A-B  are a side view and a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable connector of the present invention that includes body, hub and two coupler components forming a 135-degree bend. 
         FIGS. 14A-B  are detail views of the coupler component shown in  FIGS. 10A-11B . 
         FIGS. 15A-B  are perspective views illustrating the relationship between a flanged end and a coupling of an embodiment of the connector of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 16A-B  are perspective views illustrating the relationship between a flanged end and a coupling of an embodiment of the connector of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 17A-B  are perspective views illustrating the relationship between a flanged end and a coupling of an embodiment of the connector of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 18A-C  are top, side and perspective views of an embodiment of the body section of the adjustable connector with indicia on the top surface of the flange. 
         FIGS. 19A-B  are side and perspective views of an embodiment of the hub section of the adjustable connector with finger grips on the dovetail. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an adjustable connector (also referred to herein as an “adjustable fitting” or “connector”) that is used with armored and other types of electrical cables to make bends in a cable run. In general, armored cables are metal clad and contain one or more individually insulated conductors. Preferably, the armored, electrical cable is a flexible, interlocked aluminum armored cable having an inner PVC jacket over the insulated conductors as well as outer PVC jacket over the armor. Such cables are referred to herein as “teck cables.” However, the invention is not limited to use with teck or other types of armored cables and can be used with any electrical cable. As used herein, the term “armored electrical cable” means a metal (e.g., steel, aluminum or brass) or non-metal (e.g., plastic) conduit or cable having a flexible, corrugated construction with or without interlocking helix, whether jacketed or unjacketed or lined or unlined (e.g., with a PVC jacket or liner). 
     The present invention relates to adjustable fittings or connectors that are used for bends in electrical cables. The connectors have two or more components that have apertures which extend substantially straight through the components. This allows the cables to be easily inserted directly into each of the straight components of the fitting without having to bend the cable to conform to the shape of the fitting, which is typically the case with elbow fittings. This eliminates the struggle of pre-bending the cable and forcing the wire bundle through a 90 degree elbow. 
     Traditional rigid 45 or 90-degree fittings need to be disassembled into separate components before a prepared cable is inserted and then re-assembled when the cable is in place. With regard to armored cables, “prepared cable” means an armored cable with the outer protective coating and/or the armored portion removed so that the cable is compatible with the connector. The connectors of the present invention can be disassembled into separate components and the cable inserted through the separate components or the connectors can remain assembled during cable insertion. Prior to running the cable, the adjustable connectors can be rotated into a variety of configurations to facilitate insertion of the cable by the user. In a preferred configuration, the axes of the two or more components that make up the connector are aligned and form an aperture that goes substantially straight through the connector without any bends. This “straight-through” configuration facilitates the insertion of the cable. After the cable is run and bends need to be made, the connector components are rotated (or swiveled) to form the desired angle and then locked into position with the coupling nut. The angle formed by the connector can be varied from 0 to 90 degrees before the connector is locked in final position. In some applications, the user may find it more convenient to adjust the connector to a specific angle before inserting the cable. In other applications, the user may choose not to tighten the coupling nut so that the cable and connector are not locked into position. 
     When a bend in an electrical cable is made, the bending of the conductors occurs only at a point inside the fitting. This is a significant improvement over the prior art elbows, wherein the entire cable run needed to be pre-bent and forced through the bending angle of the elbow. The straight-through configuration of the components of the adjustable fitting of the present invention provides openings in the body and hub that are aligned and concentric. The angularly disposed flanged end of the body and the angularly disposed flanged end of the hub each have elliptically shaped openings with a major axis (i.e., the maximum distance between the opposing sides of the opening) and a minor axis (i.e., the minimum distance between the opposing sides of the opening). When the body and hub are rotated to form different angles for the connector, the minimum opening in the connector is at least equal to the minor axis of the body or hub (whichever is smaller). 
     The adjustable connector includes a body and a hub rotatably coupled together so that each member can be rotated relative to the other between a first position, wherein the body and hub extend in longitudinal alignment to provide a straight connection, and a second position, wherein the longitudinal axes of the body and hub extend at a 90 degree angle with respect to the other axis to provide a 90 degree connection. The body and the hub can also be connected at any angle between the first and second positions by rotating the body and hub to a desired orientation and then tightening the coupling nut on the hub to fix the position of the body relative to the hub. 
     In a first embodiment, the adjustable connector has two sections, the body and the hub, and each is provided with a mating flange at their corresponding mating ends for connecting the two sections together. The faces of the mating flanges extend angularly with respect to the longitudinal axes of the body and hub, preferably at between 30 and 60 degrees and most preferably about 45 degrees. The face of each flange slidably and rotatably mates with the other one when the body is connected to the hub. One of the mating flanges (preferably on the hub) is provided with a dovetail extending along a portion of its perimetrical edge that receives the scalloped edge of the other mating flange (preferably on the body) in a dovetail relationship. Specifically, the outer surface of the edge of the scalloped mating flange slides into and is received by the dovetail on the complementary edge of the other mating flange. A coupling nut contacts the body&#39;s mating flange at a point opposite the dovetail and is tightened to secure the two mating flanges in position. Advantageously, the edges of the mating flange received by the dovetail have recessed portions (i.e., the edges are beveled) located along the edge of the mating flange in a complementary manner with the edge of the coupling nut. 
     The coupling nut is internally threaded and coaxially mounted around the hub proximate the flanged end. After the mating flanges are joined, the coupling nut is tightened to secure the body and hub in any desired relative angular position. In the tightened position, the coupling nut snugly fits against the scalloped outer surface at the perimetrical edge of the flange to lock the body and hub together in the desired position. (The engagement or interlocking of the edges of the coupling nut with the scalloped flange surface is discussed in more detail below.) Loosening the coupling nut permits the body and hub members to be swiveled to any angular orientation relative to one another. The slidable faces of the mating flanges allow a continuous 360-degree rotation until the coupling nut locks the body and hub in position at a selected angle. 
     The outer surface at the edge of the flange on the body can be advantageously provided with scallops (i.e., recessed portions or bevels) which engagingly receive the edge of the coupling nut. Preferably, the scallops are disposed in pairs so that two points along the perimetrical edge of the coupling nut engage the scallops. The locking nut in combination with the scallops firmly secures the mating flanges together and provides protection against vibration. 
     The adjustable connector is particularly advantageous since it provides an unbiased axial alignment of the components. Consequently, there is no offset when the cable passes through the two sections of the fitting until the sections are rotated to a desired orientation. This provides an initial straight-through connection that is advantageous, especially for cables having a large diameter. In addition, the adjustable connector can be easily disconnected, even with conductors in the fitting, since the straight-through connection facilitates disconnection of the body and the hub. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the dovetail can be provided with a handgrip to facilitate hand installation. The handgrip can be formed by one or more protrusions or ribs extending radially from the dovetail or it can be formed by one or more slots or depressions in the dovetail. The adjustable connector can be constructed from a metal or a plastic material, preferably by a molding process. In addition, the adjustable connector can include self draining capabilities through a drain hole in the hub that allows draining of the fitting when oriented at any angle. 
     The apertures in the body and hub can be provided with rounded interior surfaces to protect the cable from being cut or frayed by sharp edges. In addition, the fitting can be provided with a watertight O-ring for sealing the connection between the two mating flanges. The O-ring can be mounted in a substantially circular recess on the face of one of the mating flanges, preferably the hub. 
     For larger cables, the angular disposition of the mating flanges with respect to their longitudinal axes can be reduced to provide a more gradual bending of the cable. Preferably, the fittings for larger cables have flanges with the faces disposed at 22.5 degrees instead of 45 degrees to provide an increased bend radius. In this embodiment, two sets of 45-degree adjustable connectors are used to provide a 90-degree connection. Each connector has two mating flanges with the faces of the flanges disposed at 22.5 degrees from the axis to form the 45-degree connector. Installing the two connectors in series provides a 90 degree connection. 
     In another embodiment, a coupler is installed between the body and the hub of the first embodiment of the adjustable connector. One end of the coupler has a mating flange with a scalloped edged similar to the body and the other end of the coupler has a mating flange with a dovetail. The scalloped and dovetailed flanges are formed in the same manner as the flanges on the body and hub. The scalloped flange of the coupler mates with the dovetail flange of the hub and the dovetail flange of the coupler mates with the scalloped flange of the body. The coupler can also have two scalloped flanges that can be used to connect the coupler to hubs on each end. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, different combinations of scalloped flanges and dovetail flanges on the body, hub and coupler with their faces disposed at various angles from their axes can be used in order to provide a universal connection at any angle or a specifically shaped connection. When the coupling nut is engaged and secured in the scalloped flange, a three-member adjustable connector assembly (hub, coupling nut and body) locks all three axes of rotation XYZ of the adjustable connector and all three linear motions XYZ. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1A through 9B  show an embodiment of the connector  10  which includes a body  12  and a hub  30  secured together by a coupling nut  34 . The body  12  has a cable connection end  22  that has a plurality of threads  20  and a neck  28  that extends from a hex fitting  18  and terminates in a flanged end  26  with a substantially flat surface  14  ( FIG. 3B ) that is angularly disposed to the axis of the neck  28  and has a scalloped edge  16 . A cable (not shown) can be passed through the cable connection end  22  and through an aperture  24  in the flanged end  26  ( FIG. 3B ). The hub  30  connects to an electrical cable (not shown) on one end  42  using threads  40  on the exterior surface and has a flanged end  44  that is angularly disposed to the axis of the hub  30  and has an aperture  38  ( FIG. 3A ) through which the cable passes. The angular disposition of the flanged end  44  of the hub  30  corresponds to the angular disposition of the flanged end  26  of the body  12 . The flanged end  44  has a dovetail  32  that extends around about one half of the outer perimeter and has a number of finger/tool grips  46  on the periphery. The flanged end  44  of the hub  30  is joined with the flanged end  26  of the body  12  with the dovetail  32  enclosing a portion of the scalloped edge  16 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 4A ,  5 A and  6 A, the dovetail  32  is separated into two segments and has a space or gap  36  between the sections serving as a visual inspection port to insure the scalloped edge  16  is fully inserted within the dovetail  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-B  and  2 A-B,  FIGS. 1A-1B  show the connector  10  in the unlocked position. The scalloped edge  16  of the flanged end  26  is not engaged by the coupling nut  34  and is, therefore, free to swivel or rotate within the dovetail  32 . This swiveling or rotating allows the user to adjust the angular disposition of the body  12  in relation to the hub  30 . After the desired angle is achieved, the coupling nut  34  is tightened and engages the scalloped edge  16  of the flanged end  26 , which prevents the body  12  from further rotation or swiveling.  FIGS. 2A-B  show the connector  10  in the locked position with the coupling nut  34  engaging the scalloped edge  16  and preventing movement of the body  12 . Loosening the coupling nut  34  allows the user to rotate and readjust the orientation of the body  12 . 
     The coupling nut  34  is designed to overlap one side of the flanged end  26  and force the other side of the flanged end  26  into the dovetail  32 . The coupling nut  34  can be completely removed from the body  12 , but it only has to be rotated one or two turns to disengage the flanged end  26  from the dovetail  32  and separate the body  12  from the hub  30 . Loosening the coupling nut  34  frees the flanged end  26  so that it can be repositioned in the dovetail  32  to adjust the angle of the connector  10 . At the same time, the coupling nut  34  retains the flanged end  26  in the dovetail  32  so that the hub  30  does not completely separate from the body  12 .  FIGS. 1B and 2B  show a circular rib  48  on the hub  30 , near the coupling nut  34 . This rib  48  is for aesthetic purposes and does not form a stop for the nut  34 . However, when the connector  10  is oriented in certain positions, the circular rib  48  deflects water away from the nut  34 .  FIGS. 1B and 2B  are cross-sectional views of the hub  30  and show the inner diameter of the hub  30  decreasing in stages from the end  42  where the electrical cable (not shown) is connected to form three separate chambers  43 ,  45 ,  47 . When an armored cable is used with the connector  10 , the first chamber  43  receives the electrical cable, the second chamber  45  receives the portion of the electrical cable that has the outer protective coating removed and the third chamber  47  receives the electrical cable with the outer protective coating and armored layer removed. When an unarmored cable is used with the connector  10 , the first chamber  43  and second chamber  45  receives the portion of the electrical cable and the third chamber  47  receives the electrical cable with the outer protective coating removed. 
       FIGS. 3A and 4A  show a groove  50  at the flanged end  44  of the hub  30  that contacts the flat surface  14  of the flanged end  26  of the body  12  when the connector  10  is assembled. An O-ring (not shown) can be inserted in this groove  50  so that when the body  12  is connected to the hub  30 , the O-ring seals out dust and moisture. While the groove  50  is shown in the flanged end  44 , it can also be located in the flat surface  14  of body  12 , if desired.  FIG. 4B  shows the flat surface  14  of the flanged end  26  of the body  12  that is sealed by the O-ring. The threads  20  on the cable connection end  22  can be used to connect the body  12  to a cable or an enclosure. 
       FIGS. 5A and 6A  show the adjustable connector  10  with the body  12  and the hub  30  oriented so that, when they are joined, they form a “straight through” connector. This configuration is preferred when the cable (not shown) is initially installed in the connector  10 . After the cable is pulled through the connector  10 , the body  12  and hub  30  can be rotated as shown in  FIGS. 5B and 6B  to form a 90-degree angle. The coupling nut  34  is then threaded onto the hub  30  and tightened to secure the connector  10  in the desired orientation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7A , the threads  52  for the coupling nut  34  in this embodiment are not cut into the surface of a round tube, but instead the threads  52  are cut into the flats  54  in the hub  30 . Accordingly, the threads  52  effectively disappear at points that correspond to the mid-point of the flats  54 . The flattened threads  52  can also be seen in  FIGS. 3A ,  4 A and  5 A. The coupling nut  34  is placed on the hub  30  before the cable (not shown) is installed but the coupling nut  34  is not tightened until the adjustable connector  10  is oriented in the desired position.  FIG. 7B  shows the connector  10  oriented to provide a 90-degree angle. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  show the adjustable connector  10  in a straight through or 180 degree angle configuration. The apertures in the body  12  and the hub  30  are aligned so that a cable (not shown) enters the cable connector end  42  of the hub  30  (i.e., the end of the hub  30  with the threads  40 ) and passes straight through to the cable connector end  22  of the body  12 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show the adjustable connector  10  oriented so that the axes of the body  12  and the hub  30  form a 90 degree angle. A cable (not shown) entering the cable connector end  42  of the hub  30  bends 90 degrees as it passes through the aperture  24  in the body  12  and exits the cable connector end  22 .  FIG. 9B  shows how the shoulder  31  on the hub  30  and the shoulder  13  on the body  12  are rounded to minimize any damage to the cable. 
       FIGS. 10A-C  and  11 A-C show another embodiment of the present invention in which the connector  110  has three components, a body,  112 , a hub  130  and in between them a coupler  160 . The finger grips  146 ,  170  shown on the exterior surface of the dovetails  132 ,  162  in  FIGS. 10A-C  are raised members or ribs, which are different from the finger grips  46  shown in  FIGS. 1A-9B , but they can be the same. The connectors  110 ,  210 ,  310  shown in  FIGS. 10A-13B  are for larger diameter cables that do not bend easily and, hence, have a greater bend radius, which require connectors  110 ,  210 ,  310 , with larger bend radii. Referring to  FIGS. 10A-C  and  11 A-C, the body  112  has a hex fitting  118 , a neck  128  and a flanged end  126  with a scalloped edge  116 . The coupler  160  has a dovetail  162  on one end, a coupling nut  164  a neck  166  and a flanged end  168  with a scalloped edge  172 , which connects to the hub  130 . The hub  130  has a dovetail  132  with hand grips  146  and a lock nut  134  for engaging the flanged end  168  of the coupling  160 . 
       FIGS. 10A-C  show an adjustable connector  110  configured so that the aperture  111  through the connector  110  is substantially straight. When a cable (not shown) is inserted into the connector  110 , it easily passes through until the connector  110  reaches the desired location along the cable run. The connector  110  can then be oriented to provide the desired bend angle before the coupling nuts  134 ,  164  are tightened to lock the connector  110  in place.  FIGS. 11A-C  show how the components (i.e., the body  112 , coupler  160  and hub  130 ) of the connector  110  are reconfigured by rotating the coupler  160  and the hub  130  to form a 90-degree bend. After the connector  110  is configured for a 90-degree bend, or any other desired angle, the coupling nuts  134 ,  164  are tightened to secure the flanged ends  126 ,  168  at a fixed position. When the connector  110  in  FIG. 11B  is compared to the connector  10  in  FIG. 9B , it is readily apparent that the coupler  160  provides a larger bend radius for the cable (not shown) inside the connector  110 . 
       FIGS. 12A-C  show a connector  210  used for larger cables, which is a larger version of the connector in  FIGS. 1A-9B . The connector  210  has the same principal of operation, wherein the flanged end  226  of the body  212  rotates in the dovetail  232  of the hub  230  until a desired orientation is achieved. The connector  210  is then maintained at that angle by tightening the coupling nut  234 . The connector  210  includes a body  212  that has a hex fitting  218 , a neck  228  and a flanged end  226  with a scalloped edge  216 , and a hub  230  that has a dovetail  232  and coupling nut  234 . 
       FIGS. 13A-B  show another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the connector  310  has four components, a body  312  and a hub  330  and two couplers  360 ,  380  disposed between them. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10A-C  and  11 A-C except a second coupler  380  is included. The second coupler  380  provides greater flexibility so that the connector  310  can have additional configurations. Moreover, the second coupler  380  also provides a larger bend radius which is needed for large diameter cables. The body  312  has a hex fitting  318 , a neck  328  and a flanged end  326  and the hub  330  that has a dovetail  332  and coupling nut  334 . The first coupler  360  has a dovetail  362  on one end, a coupling nut  364  a neck  366  and a flanged end  368  with a scalloped edge  372 , which connects to the hub  330 . The second coupler  380  has a dovetail  382  on one end that connects to the flanged end  326  of the body  312 , a coupling nut  384 , a neck  386  and a flanged end  388  with a scalloped edge  392 , which connects to the dovetail  362  of the first coupler  360 . Although  FIGS. 13A-B  show a connector  310  with two couplers  360 ,  380 , the invention is not limited to two couplers  360 ,  380  and additional couplers can be added. 
       FIGS. 14-A-B  show a detail of the coupler  160  that is used in the connector  110  shown in  FIGS. 10A-C  and  11 A-C. The coupler  160  in  FIG. 14A-B  is substantially the same as the couplers  360 ,  380  shown in  FIGS. 13A-B . The coupler  160  has two sections, a stem  166  and a base  174 , wherein the first end of the stem  166  is slidably received by the first end of the base  174 . The second end of the stem  166  is a flanged end  168  with a scalloped edge  172 , which is disposed at an angle to the axis of the stem  166 . The second end of the base  174  has a dovetail  162 . After the coupling nut  164  ( FIGS. 11A-C ) is placed over the stem  166 , the stem  166  is inserted into the base  174  and can be set in a fixed orientation by tightening the coupling nut  164  onto the threaded end  176  of the base  174  so that the flanged end  168  of the stem  166  and the dovetail  162  of the base  174  are in a fixed relationship. However, in another embodiment, after the stem  166  is inserted into the base  174 , the stem  166  is not set in a fixed position and is left to freely rotate over 360-degrees so that the angularly disposed flanged end  168  can connect to another component of the connector  110  at a variety of angles. Once the coupler  160  is set to the desired orientation, the stem  166  is locked into position by tightening the coupling nut  164  so that it can no longer rotate. 
     Referring now to the scalloped edges or scallops  16  on the flanged end  26  of the body  12  ( FIG. 4B ) and the scallops  172  on the flanged end  168  of the coupler  160  ( FIG. 14B ), while these scallops  16 ,  172  may serve as finger grips to help rotate the body  12  or the coupler  160 , they also have a wholly separate purpose which can be better explained by referring to the line drawings shown in  FIGS. 15-17 . These scallops are located for select pre-set angles such as 22.5, 45, 90 and/or 180 (or zero) degrees. Not all angles need be accommodated on a single connector and a connector can be manufactured with the position of these scallops  16 ,  172  moved or changed so as to accommodate other pre-set degrees desired by the user. 
       FIGS. 15A-17B  illustrate the rotating/swivel operation of the connectors of the present invention.  FIGS. 15A-B  show a coupling nut represented by a cylinder  434  and a flanged end represented by a conical section  426 , wherein the flanged end/conical section  426  is unlocked from the coupling nut/cylinder  434 , but still held in place by the coupling nut/cylinder  434 . The edge  416  (the scalloped portion is not shown) of the flanged end/conical section  426  is represented by the larger end of the flanged end/conical section  426 . In the unlocked position shown in  FIGS. 15A-B , contact is made between the edge  416  of the flanged end/conical section  426  and the coupling nut/cylinder  434  at two points  490 ,  492  ( FIG. 15A ) and a small portion  494  of the edge  416  extends inside the coupling nut/cylinder  434  ( FIG. 15B ). The two points  490 ,  492  of contact between the edge  416  and the coupling nut  434  are separated by a sufficient distance to permit the coupling nut/cylinder  434  and the flanged end/conical section  426  to independently rotate. 
       FIGS. 16A-B  illustrates the operation of the scalloped edge  516  of the flanged end/conical section  526  and the coupling nut/cylinder  534 . As the coupling nut/cylinder  534  is tightened, it moves closer to, or encroaches more upon, the flanged end/conical section  526 .  FIGS. 16A-B  show only a single indentation for the scalloped edge  516 , but it is only representative and it is understood that the scalloped edge  516  consists of a plurality of indentations. Accordingly, as the coupling nut/cylinder  534  is rotated and tightened, it “rides up” the flanged end  526  (illustrated in  FIGS. 16A-B  as the larger end of the conical section) and begins to engage the indentations of the scalloped edge  516  at one or more points  590 ,  592 . The second point  592  is on the far side of the conical section and, therefore, not clearly visible in  FIGS. 16A-B . The coupling nut/cylinder  534  extends further over the flanged end/conical section  526  as it is tightened and, consequently, the separation between the two contact points  590 ,  592  decreases.  FIGS. 16A-B  show that the coupling nut/cylinder  534  contacts only at point  590  on one side of the scallop and that the opposite side is not yet engaged by the coupling nut/cylinder  534 . 
       FIGS. 17A-B  shows the coupling nut/cylinder  534  in the fully locked position with the angular relationship between the coupling nut/cylinder  534  and the flanged end/conical section  526  in a fixed position. The coupling nut  534 /cylinder continues to “ride up” the larger end of the conical section that represents the flanged end/conical section  526  further than shown in  FIGS. 16A-B  and contacts the indentation in the scalloped edge  516  at two points  590 ,  591  (i.e., the opposite sides of the same indentation). The second point  591  of contact abuts or “digs into” the edge of the coupling nut/cylinder  534  and provides significant frictional force that increases as the coupling nut/cylinder  534  is tightened. These frictional or biasing forces and the scallop edge  516  (i.e., indentations engaged by the coupling nut/cylinder  534 ) on both sides of the centerline of the flanged end  526  prevent the flanged end/conical section  526  from any further rotation with respect to the coupling nut/cylinder  534 . The flanged end/conical section  526  cannot rotate because a portion of the flanged end  526  extends underneath the coupling nut/cylinder  534 . Accordingly, the contact points  590 ,  591 ,  592 ,  593  on the sides of the indentations of the scalloped edge  516  lock the flanged end/conical section  526  in place and prevent it from any further movement. 
     The indentations on the scallop edge  516  can be configured for engagement by the coupling nut/cylinder  534  at pre-set angles. If the flanged end/conical section  526  is positioned at any angle other than the configured angle (e.g., 30 degrees instead of 45 degrees), the flanged end/conical section  526  does not completely engage or dig-into the coupling nut/cylinder  534  and the relationship between the flanged end/conical section  526  and the coupling nut/cylinder  534  is more like that shown in  FIGS. 16A-B  (or even  FIGS. 15A-B ). The flanged end/conical section  526  is engaged by the coupling nut/cylinder  534 , but it&#39;s not locked in place since the flanged end/conical section  526  is only held in place by friction and the indentations on the scallop edge  516  are not engaged. The position of the coupling nut/cylinder  534  in  FIGS. 15A-16B  does not physically restrain the flanged end/conical section  526  from further movement, as is the case when the coupling nut is fully tightened as shown in  FIGS. 17A-B . 
       FIGS. 18A-C  show an embodiment of the body  712  of the adjustable connector  710  with a cable connector end  722  and a flanged end  726  connected by a neck  728  with a hexed fitting  718 . The connector end  722  has threads  720  for connecting the body  712  to a cable or enclosure (not shown) and the flanged end  726  has a plurality of scallops  716  along the perimetrical edge and a substantially flat face  714 . In addition, the top surface of the flanged end  726  has indicia  725 ,  727  which provide visual verification for the user that the body  712  is oriented at designated angles with respect to the either a hub or a coupler (not shown). 
       FIGS. 19A-B  show an embodiment of the hub  630  having a cable connector end  642  with threads  640  on the exterior surface and a flanged end  644  with a dovetail  632  extending along a portion of the perimetrical edge. The dovetail  632  has a notch  636  near its middle which allows the user to view the edge of a flange (not shown) inserted into the dovetail  632 . The dovetail  632  also has a plurality of raised members (or ribs)  646  extending from its radial surface. These raised members  646  are used as finger grips and facilitate rotation of the mating flange (not shown) into the dovetail  632 . 
     Thus, while there have been described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that other embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to include all such further modifications and changes as come within the true scope of the claims set forth herein.