Patent Publication Number: US-9905963-B1

Title: Adjustable strain relief for electrical connectors

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a backshell assembly with an adjustable stain relief member that can be positioned in multiple orientations 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Backshell assemblies are generally known in the art. Such backshell assemblies normally provide a transition from a plurality of electrical conductors to an electrical connector. 
     Various types of backshell assemblies are known and configured to provide a relatively wide range of options, depending on the particular application. One such application is strain relief. In particular, backshell assemblies are known which provide a clamping force relative to the cable or wires to prevent axial forces from damaging the termination of the wires at the electrical connector. Such known backshell assemblies normally include a mechanical clamp or strain relief member rigidly secured to the backshell adapter assembly. Conventional fasteners are used to tighten portions of the stain relief member together to provide the clamping force required to prevent the cable or wires from moving in an axial direction. 
     Depending on the application, various configurations of the backshell assemblies with strain relief members are known in which the fixed angle of the axes of the strain relief members relative to the axis of the backshell adapter assembly varies. For example, 0 degrees, 45 degrees or 90 degrees configurations are all known. In each of these configurations, the backshell adapter assembly includes a stain relief member fixed at either 0 degrees, 45 degrees or 90 degrees relative to the axis of the backshell adapter assembly. Since the strain relief members are fixed relative to the backshell adapter assembly, the 0 degrees, 45 degrees or 90 degrees backshell assemblies with strain relief members must be manufactured as separate products. As such, separate tooling must be provided for each of the various configurations which increases the cost of backshell assemblies with a strain relief function. In addition, the end user must have an accurate count of each of the configurations required before ordering the backshell assemblies. Should a field change be required, additional backshell assemblies may be required to be ordered. 
     It would, therefore, be beneficial to optimize backshell assemblies with various configurations. In particular, it would be beneficial to provide a stain relief member which could be oriented at different angles relative to the axis of the backshell assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object is to provide a backshell assembly with a stain relief member that can be positioned in multiple orientations. 
     An embodiment is directed to a backshell assembly with a strain relief member. The backshell assembly includes an enclosure member for positioning over a connector. The enclosure member has a wire receiving portion which extends from a surface of the enclosure member. A strain relief mounting member extends from the enclosure. The strain relief member is movably mounted to the strain relief mounting member. The strain relief member is movable between 0 degrees and 90 degrees as measured between a center axis a wire mounting opening of the wire receiving portion to a center axis of a wire receiving opening of the strain relief member. 
     An embodiment is directed to a backshell assembly with a strain relief member. The backshell assembly includes an enclosure member for positioning over a connector. The enclosure member has a wire receiving portion which extends from a surface of the enclosure member. A strain relief mounting member extends from the enclosure. The strain relief member is movably mounted to the strain relief mounting member. The strain relief member is movable between a center axis a wire mounting opening of the wire receiving portion to a center axis of a wire receiving opening of the strain relief member. Mounting hardware cooperates with the strain relief mounting member and the strain relief member. The mounting hardware provides stops to position and maintain the strain relief member at 0 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the wire receiving portion of the enclosure. 
     An embodiment is directed to an adjustable strain relief assembly for use with a connector. The strain relief assembly includes a strain relief mounting member extending from the connector. The strain relief member is movably mounted to the strain relief mounting member, wherein the strain relief member is movable between 0 degrees and 90 degrees as measured between a center axis of a wire mounting opening of the connector to a center axis of a wire receiving opening of the strain relief member. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative movable strain relief member of the present invention, the strain relief is shown in a first position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the strain relief member of  FIG. 1  shown in a second position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the strain relief member of  FIG. 1  shown in a third position. 
         FIG. 4  is a front exploded perspective view of the strain relief member exploded from the backshell. 
         FIG. 5  is a back exploded perspective view of the strain relief member exploded from the backshell. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the movable strain relief of  FIG. 1  with wires positioned therein. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the movable strain relief of  FIG. 2  with wires positioned therein. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of the movable strain relief of  FIG. 3  with wires positioned therein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such preferred embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the backshell assembly  10  includes an enclosure  12  with a wire receiving portion  14  extending from a surface  16  of the enclosure  12 . While an illustrative embodiment of the enclosure  12  and wire receiving portion  14  is shown, the enclosure  12  and wire receiving portion  14  can be of various configurations to properly cover or interact with an electrical connector, such as, but not limited to a subminiature D connector. The enclosure  12  and wire receiving portion  14  may be made from any material having the appropriate electrical and strength characteristics needed for the application. 
     A strain-relief mounting member  20  extends from and is mounted to the enclosure  12 . In the embodiment shown, the strain-relief mounting member  20  extends from the surface  16  of the enclosure  12  proximate the wire receiving portion  14 . The strain-relief mounting member  20  extends from the surface  16  past the free end of the wire receiving portion  14 . The strain-relief mounting member  20  has a generally rectangular configuration, however, other configurations can be used. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , first opening  22  is provided in the strain-relief mounting member  20 . The opening  22  extends through the strain-relief mounting member  20  and is positioned on the strain-relief mounting member  20  at a portion which extends beyond the wire receiving portion  14 . A securing portion  24  ( FIG. 5 ) of the opening  22  has sidewalls  26  which have an octangular configuration. The securing portion  24  may be positioned only at one end of the opening  22  or may be provided at both ends of the opening  22 . The sidewalls  26  of the securing portion  24  are configured to provide positive securing surface, which will be more fully described. While octangular sidewalls  26  are shown, the sidewalls  26  may have other configurations which provide the positive securing surfaces. 
     Strain relief member  30  is rotatably or pivotally mounted to strain-relief mounting member  20 . The strain relief member  30  has a first portion or arm  32  and a second portion or arm  34 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the first arm  32  has a first end  36  and a second end  38 . The first end has a securing projection  40  which extends therefrom. The securing projection  40  is dimensioned to be received in the securing portion  24  of the opening  22  ( FIG. 5 ) of the strain-relief mounting member  20 . The securing projection  40  has outer walls  42  which are configured to engage the sidewalls  26  of the securing portion  24  to provide positive securing. While hexangular outer walls  42  are shown, the outer walls  42  may have other configurations which provide the positive securing surfaces. However, the outer walls  42  are configured to be complementary to the configuration of the sidewalls  26 . A first mounting hardware receiving opening  44  extends through the first end  36 , including through the securing projection  40 . 
     The second end  38  of the first arm  32  has a second mounting hardware receiving opening  46  which extends therethrough. The second end  38  has thickness t 2  which is greater than the thickness t 1  of the first end  36 . A projection  48  is provided proximate the securing projection  40 . The thickness of the projection  48 , the securing projection  40  and the second end  38  are all approximately t 2 . A recess or cavity  50  extends from proximate the projection  48  to proximate the second end  38 . A surface  52  ( FIG. 5 ) of the recess  50  may have coating or texture applied thereto or formed thereon to provide a better gripping surface, as will be discussed. 
     The second arm  34  has a first end  56  and a second end  58 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the first end has a securing projection  60  which extends therefrom. The securing projection  60  is dimensioned to be received in the opening  22  of the strain-relief mounting member  20 . In the embodiment shown, the outer walls  62  of the securing projection  60  are round to allow the securing projection  60  to rotate relative to the opening  22 . However, in other embodiments, the securing projection  60  may have outer walls which are configured to provide positive securing surface, similar to that of securing projection  40 . A first mounting hardware receiving opening  64  extends through the first end  56 , including through the securing projection  60 . 
     The second end  58  of the second arm  34  has a second mounting hardware receiving opening  66  which extends therethrough. The second end  58  has thickness t 2  which is greater than the thickness t 1  of the first end  56 . A projection  68  is provided proximate the securing projection  60 . The thickness of the projection  68 , the securing projection  60  and the second end  58  are all approximately t 2 . A recess or cavity  70  extends from proximate the projection  68  to proximate the second end  58 . A surface  72  ( FIG. 5 ) of the recess  70  may have coating or texture applied thereto or formed thereon to provide a better gripping surface, as will be discussed. 
     When assembled, the first arm  34  and second arm  36  are moved into engagement with the strain-relief mounting member  20 . As this occurs, the securing projection  40  is positioned in the securing portion  24  of the opening  22 , while the securing projection  60  is provided in the opening  22  on the side which does not have the securing portion  24 . In alternate embodiments, in which securing projection  60  also has securing outer walls, both projections  40  and  60  would interact with securing portions  24  of the opening  22 . 
     With the securing projections  40 ,  60  properly positioned in opening  22 , the second end  38  of first arm  34  and the second end  58  of second arm  36  are placed in engagement. In addition the projections  48 ,  68  are placed in engagement. In this position, the recesses  50 ,  70  form a wire or cable receiving opening  80 . Mounting hardware  82 ,  84  cooperates with the second mounting hardware receiving opening  46 ,  66  to maintain the strain relief member  30  in the assembled position. Mounting hardware  86 ,  88  cooperates with the first mounting hardware receiving opening  42 ,  62  to maintain the strain relief member  30  in the assembled position. In the embodiment shown, the mounting hardware is shown as nuts and bolts. However, other types of mounting hardware can be used. 
     In use, the opening  22  defines a pivot axis  90 . Once the desired configuration angle is selected, the strain relief arms  34  and  36  are secured in place by tightening the mounting hardware  86 ,  88 . 
     As shown, the sidewalls  26  of the securing portion  24  of opening  22  cooperate with the outer walls  42  of the securing projection  40  define stop positions which enable the strain relief member  30  to be locked at various defined configuration angles relative to the strain-relief mounting member  20  and relative to the wire receiving portion  14 . In the embodiment shown, the hexangular shape of the outer wall  42  and securing portion  24  defines at least three defined angular configurations. With the use of other configurations of the outer wall  42  and securing portion  24 , other numbers of defined angular configurations are contemplated. All such configurations are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention. 
     In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the outer walls  42  of the securing projection  40  are adapted to be aligned with the sidewall  26  of the securing portion  24  of opening  22 . When the mounting hardware  86 ,  88  is loosened, the outer walls  42  of the securing projection  40  are moved out of the opening  22  and to not engage the sidewalls  26  of the securing portion  24  of opening  22 , allowing the strain relief member to be pivotably moved relative to the strain-relief mounting member  20 . When the mounting hardware  86 ,  88  is tightened, the outer walls  42  of the securing projection  40  are moved into the opening  22  and engage the sidewalls  26  of the securing portion  24  of opening  22 , causing the strain relief member to be secured in position relative to the strain-relief mounting member  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 and 6 through 8 , various configurations of the strain relief member  30  can be obtained rather quickly and easily. For example,  FIGS. 1 and 6  illustrate a configuration in which the center axis  92  of the wire or cable receiving opening  80  of the strain relief member  30  is at 0 degree angle relative to the center axis  94  of the wire mounting opening of the wire receiving portion  14 , supporting the wires  98  is a straight or unbent configuration.  FIGS. 2 and 7  illustrate a configuration in which the center axis  92  of the wire or cable receiving opening  80  of the strain relief member  30  is at 45 degree angle relative to the center axis  94  of the wire mounting opening of the wire receiving portion  14 , supporting the wires  98  is a 45 degree bent configuration.  FIGS. 3 and 8  illustrate a configuration in which the center axis  92  of the wire or cable receiving opening  80  of the strain relief member  30  is at 90 degree angle relative to the center axis  94  of the wire mounting opening of the wire receiving portion  14 , supporting the wires  98  is a 90 degree bent configuration. In each of these configurations, a surface of the outer wall  42  of the securing projection  40  cooperates with and is in engagement with a surface of the sidewall  26  of the securing portion  24  of opening  22  to maintain and lock the strain relief member  30  in position. Consequently, when the mounting hardware  86 ,  88  is tightened, the outer wall  42  cooperates with the sidewall to prevent rotation of the strain relief member  30  relative to the backshell assembly  10 . 
     The movable or pivotable strain relief member  39  is adapted to rotate between various angles, for example 0 degrees to 90 degrees, defined between an the axis  92  of the backshell assembly and the axis  94  of the strain relief member  30 . While the strain relief member  30  of the embodiment shown has defined positions of 0 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees, other defined positions may be provided by altering the shape of the securing projection  40  and the securing portion  24  of the opening  22 . The backshell assembly in accordance with the present invention eliminates the needs to provide separate tooling for backshell adapter assemblies having different configurations. 
     While specific locking hardware or mechanisms are shown with specific defined positions, the principles of the present invention are applicable to embodiments with various types of locking mechanisms in addition to those shown and embodiments without defined positions. It is only important that the strain relief member be secured in place after the strain relief member has been configured to the desired angle. 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown, the strain relief member is configured to be used with a backshell assembly of a micro-D connector. However, the strain relief member can be used with other types of connectors. Additionally, the principles of the present invention are applicable to both shielded and non-shielded cable or wire applications. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments.