HINGED SLTDE AND SNAP CABLE END FITTING CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to end fittings for cables and conduits, in particular devices for locking such end fittings into panels or brackets that are cost- effective to manufacture and assemble.

RELATED ART

[0003J Cable conduits are convenient mechanisms for transmitting force. A typical cable and conduit system consists of a cable, usually a metal wire, which is slidingly engaged inside of a conduit. The conduit protects the cable and allows the cable to slide unimpeded therein. Usually at one end of the cable is a force transducer such as a knob, motor, or a pedal, and at the other end a hook or other slug is firmly attached to the cable and engaged with a device that is controlled, such as the transmission or braking system.

[0004] Cable conduits are often used for directing control cables through vehicles, permitting the cable to transmit motion at a distance even as the cable and conduit make numerous turns and twists. At certain points along the route, the cable and conduit must be anchored, for example to a bulkhead or other type of panel or bracket. Numerous designs have been developed for end fittings that help to anchor the conduit in place while still allowing the cable to slide freely therein.

[0005] Many of these designs are of a type often referred Io as "slide and snap" end fittings. Slide and snap end fittings generally have a pair of flanges that are perpendicular to the conduit, but which are parallel to one another and spaced apart a certain distance. The fitting is slid into what is typically a U-shaped slot in the bulkhead, panel, or bracket into the space between the flanges. When the fitting has slid as far as possible into the U-shaped slot, a locking mechanism is snapped into place to keep the fitting from sliding out of the slot.

[0006] Various locking mechanisms have been developed for slide and snap fittings, although many of these suffer from drawbacks such as being expensive to manufacture; difficult and costly to install, thereby increasing labor costs; or unreliable and prone to failure. Some prior art devices require an additional spring to force the locking mechanism into place. Other prior art devices also can require a secondary clip to ensure the locking feature is engaged, which requires an extra step in the installation process.

[0007] What is needed is a slide and snap end fitting with a locking mechanism that is inexpensive to manufacture and install and which is robust and reliable in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The hinged slide and snap end fitting provides a locking feature to retain a control cable conduit end fitting in a mounting bracket. This design eliminates the need for a secondary locking clip which is utilized on many current

living hinge or spring-loaded designs. During installation the motion of sliding the end fitting into its slot is continued to lock down the clip.

[0009] In one aspect the invention is a slide and snap end fitting for a cable conduit comprising an end fitting body having a handle pivotably attached thereto, the end fitting body having a long axis that is parallel to the long axis of the cable conduit, the end fitting body having means for lockingly engaging the handle. The end fitting further comprises a pair of flanges attached to an end of the end fitting body, the flanges being parallel and spaced apart from one another so as to slide into a slot on a bracket, wherein the handle pivots in a plane that is perpendicular to the flanges, the handle having means for lockingly engaging with the end fitting body, the handle having a tooth projecting from an end such that the tooth engages with a hole in the bracket when the handle is lockingly engaged with the end fitting body.

[001 OJ In another aspect the invention is a method of locking an end fitting for a cable conduit onto a bracket, the method comprising providing an end fitting body having a long axis, parallel to the cable conduit, the end fitting body having an elongated first detent projecting laterally therefrom and disposed parallel to the long axis; providing a pair of spaced apart parallel flanges at an end of the end fitting body, wherein the spaced apart parallel flanges are oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the end fitting body; providing a U-shaped slot in the bracket and a hole situated adjacent the U-shaped slot in the bracket; pivotably attaching a handle onto the body such that the handle pivots in a plane that is perpendicular to the flanges, the handle having a second detent projecting from a side portion of the handle towards the end fitting body, the handle also having a tooth projecting from an end; sliding the end

fitting body into the U-shaped slot in the bracket such that the bracket is between the spaced apart parallel flanges; and rotating the handle so that the tooth moves into the hole on the bracket and so that the first detent on the end fitting body engages with the second detent on the handle. fOOI 1 ] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a hinged slide and snap end fitting, in a shipping position;

[0014] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a U-shaped slot in a bulkhead, panel, or bracket, into which a hinged slide and snap end fitting is slid;

[0015] Figure 3 shows one embodiment of a hinged slide and snap end fitting, in an installed position;

[0016[ Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a hinged slide and snap end fitting, in the installed position attached to a bulkhead, panel, or bracket;

|0017J Figure 5 shows an end-on view of another embodiment of a hinged slide and snap end fitting;

[0018] Figure 6 shows an end-on view of another embodiment of a hinged slide and snap end fitting;

[0019] Figure 7 shows an end-on view of another embodiment of a hinged slide and snap end fitting.

[0020] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a hinged slide and snap end fitting in the shipping position.

[0021] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a hinged slide and snap end fitting in the installed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The following description of the preferred embodimcnt(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0023] A hinged slide and snap end filling 20 comprises a body portion 22; a pair of flanges 24, 26; and a handle 28 pivotably attached to body portion 22 (Figure 1). End fitting 20 slides into a mating slot on a generally flat structure such as a bulkhead, panel, or bracket 42 such as that shown in Figure 2.

[0024] Body portion 22 attaches to a conduit 30 and is generally elongated with a long axis that is parallel to the long axis of conduit 30. Body portion has a

central hole through which a cable 46 is run, such that there is a continuous path for cable 46 from conduit 30, through body portion 22, and past bulkhead, panel, or bracket 42 to which end fitting 20 is attached. The methods for attaching a conduit to an end fitting such that the cable has a continuous path through the fitting are well known in the art.

[0025] Flanges 24, 26 are preferably integrally formed with body portion 22, situated at one end of body portion 22 opposite the point where conduit 30 is attached (Figure 1 ). Flanges 24, 26 are parallel to one another and spaced apart and are perpendicular to the long axis of body portion 22. The spacing between flanges 24, 26 is designed to match the thickness of bulkhead, panel, or bracket 42 so as to produce a firm attachment. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 the flange closer to body portion 22 is continuous with body portion 22.

[0026] Handle 28 is pivotably attached to body portion 22. Following is a description of one embodiment of handle 28, although many variations are possible and within the scope of the patent. Handle 28 has at one end a tooth 32 which is designed to engage with a hole 44 or slot in bulkhead, panel, or bracket 42 with which end fitting 20 is engaged, as shown in Figure 4.

[0027] To keep handle 28 in place when end fitting 20 has been installed, handle 28 and body portion 22 have means for lockingly engaging with one another. Several possible means for handle 28 to lockingly engage with body portion 22 are shown in Figures 4-7.

[0028] One possible means for lockingly engaging that could be used on handle 28 is to have a detent 34 projecting from the side of handle 28 facing body

portion 22 (Figures 5, 6). Detent 34 is preferably beveled on one edge and flat on the other, such that detent 34 can easily engage with the means for lockingly engaging that are present on body portion 22, but will not easily disengage therefrom. In one embodiment detent 34 is situated on a flap 36 attached to handle, whereby flap 36 serves to locate detent 34 near the complementary means for locking engagement on body portion 22 (Figure 3). In one embodiment detent 34 is elongated and is oriented, when handle 28 is in the locked position, parallel to the long axis of body portion 22, although detent 34 may be at other angles as well.

[0029] The locking engagement means on handle 28 alternatively consists of a slot 38 in handle 28, into which fits a projection emanating from body portion 22 (Figure 7). As with detent 34, slot 38 may be elongated and oriented parallel to the long axis of body portion 22, when handle 28 is in the locked position. The advantage of making either detent 34 or slot 38 elongated is to provide a greater area of contact between the complementary locking engagement means of handle 28 and body portion 22. Finally, the locking engagement means on handle 28 may consist of a relatively straight outside edge which engages with a detent that projects from body portion 22 (Figure 4).

[0030] There are several alternative locking engagement means on body portion 22 for engaging with the locking means on handle 28. These locking engagement means can be either a recessed slot (Figure 6) or a protruding detent (Figures 4, 7), as described above for handle 28, the slot or detent being designed to matingly engage with the complementary means on handle 28. In an additional embodiment, a detent 40 on body portion 22 interacts with an outside edge of handle

28, the edge of handle 28 being relatively straight in the region of interaction so as to matingly engage with detent 40 (Figure 4).

[0031] Upon installation of end fitting 20, handle 28 is rotated to a position more closely aligned with body portion 22 (Figure 3). This rotation of handle 28 causes tooth 32 to move into the space between flanges 24, 26 such that tooth 32 engages with a hole 44 or slot in bulkhead, panel, or bracket 42 with which end fitting 20 is engaged. When handle 28 is in the fully installed position the means for lockingly engaging handle 28 with body portion 22, as described above, matingly engage with one another and thus keep handle 28 in position. This in turn keeps tooth 32 in hole 44 or slot in bulkhead, panel, or bracket 42. Finally, the continued engagement of tooth 32 with hole 44 or slot prevents end fitting 20 from sliding out of place.

[0032J In one embodiment handle 28 is relatively flat and is situated on one side of body portion 22 (Figures 3-7). In another embodiment handle 28 is attached to both sides of body portion 22 (Figures 8-9). In one embodiment handle 28 has locking engagement means on both sides of handle 28 and complementary locking engagement means on both sides of body portion 22. In one embodiment this double- sided handle 28 has a tooth 32 on only one side (Figures 8-9), although designs in which there are teeth on both sides of handle 28 are encompassed within the scope of the invention as well.

[0033] As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter

contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.