Background

Connector assemblies can include a plurality of connectors and one or more cables can be attached to each connector. Some connector assemblies can include a housing surrounding the connectors, and an interior of the housing can be sealed against fluid and dust intrusion.

Summary

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable bushing for providing sealing for a cable disposed in an opening of a housing is disclosed. The cable bushing can include a flexible hollow cylinder comprising a cylindrical wall and opposite first and second open ends, and a plurality of first elongate slits. Each first elongate slit can extend through an entire thickness of the cylindrical wall and can extend longitudinally along a length of the cylindrical wall between an open end of the first elongate slit at the first open end of the hollow cylinder and an opposite closed end of the first elongate slit. The cable bushing can also include a plurality of second elongate slits, each second elongate slit can extend through the entire thickness of the cylindrical wall and can extend longitudinally along the length of the cylindrical wall between an open end of the second elongate slit at the second open end of the hollow cylinder and an opposite closed end of the second elongate slit. When the cable is disposed in the cable bushing and the cable bushing is disposed in the opening of the housing, the housing can sealingly engage the cable bushing, thereby inhibiting transfer of fluid through the opening.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable bushing for providing sealing for a cable disposed in an opening of a housing is disclosed. The cable bushing can include a flexible sleeve comprising a sleeve wall defining an elongate opening therein extending along a length of the sleeve between opposing first and second open ends of the elongate opening. The cable bushing can also include alternating first and second slits extending through an entire thickness of the sleeve wall and extending only partially along the length of the sleeve wall and arranged spaced apart on an outer surface of the sleeve. The first and second slits can include open ends at the respective first and second open ends of the elongate opening of the sleeve to form a plurality of elastically deformable sleeve wall end portions at each longitudinal end of the flexible sleeve.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable bushing for providing sealing for a cable disposed in an opening of a housing is disclosed. The cable bushing can include a flexible hollow sleeve including a sleeve wall defining an inner opening therein extending between opposite first and second open ends of the hollow sleeve. At each open end, a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots can be formed in the sleeve wall to divide the sleeve wall into a plurality of axially extending flexible strips. Each strip can have a free end such that in an axial plan view, the inner opening has a cross-sectional area A1 when the strips at each open end are substantially aligned with each other, and a cross-sectional area A2 when the strips at each open end are moved apart from each other in a transverse direction. The relationship between A2 and A1 can be A2/A1 > 1.2.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a connector assembly is disclosed. The connector assembly can include a cable having a cross-sectional area A4 and terminated at a connector, the connector can have a maximum cross-sectional area A3, and A3 can be greater than A4. The connector assembly can also include a housing including a cable opening and a flexible hollow sleeve having the cable extending therethrough. The flexible hollow sleeve can be disposed in the cable opening and can seal the cable therein. The flexible hollow sleeve can include a plurality of flexible strips formed at each of opposing open ends of the hollow sleeve. The flexible strips can be configured to be moved apart from each other in a transverse direction so as to permit the connector to pass through the flexible hollow sleeve. In some embodiments, no slit that extends through the entire thickness of a wall of the hollow sleeve extends along an entire length of the flexible hollow sleeve.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable bushing for providing sealing for a cable disposed in an opening of a housing is disclosed. The cable bushing can include a flexible hollow rubber having a type-A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 of between about 8 to 70 degrees, and can further include a sleeve wall comprising a plurality of slits at each open end of the hollow rubber. Each slit can extend through an entire thickness of the sleeve wall and partially along a longitudinal length of the hollow rubber so that the slits at one of the open ends of the hollow rubber partially overlap the slits at the other one of the open ends of the hollow rubber along the longitudinal length of the hollow rubber.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a method of sealing a cable in a cable opening of a housing is disclosed. The method can include providing a housing defining therein a smaller cable opening connected to a larger connector opening, and providing a connector assembly comprising a cable terminated at a connector. The method can further include providing a cable bushing defining a first inner opening therein and comprising a plurality of flexible strips at each of opposing open ends of the cable bushing, an outer surface of the cable bushing defining a continuous closed path around a circumference thereof. The method can also include moving the flexible strips at each of the opposing ends away from each other to expand the first inner opening of the cable bushing to a greater second inner opening, and passing the connector of the connector assembly through the second inner opening of the cable bushing until the cable of the connector assembly is disposed in the cable bushing. The method can also include disposing the connector of the connector assembly in the larger connector opening of the housing and the cable bushing with the cable of the connector assembly extending therethrough in the smaller cable opening.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. l is a sectional view of a connector assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cable and a connector according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cable bushing according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cable bushing according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an expanded cable bushing according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cable bushing, as viewed along an X-axis, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an expanded cable bushing according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present description. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Electrical cables, and connections therebetween, are crucial for nearly all modem industries. Cables can connect to one another via connectors, and the cable ends can be joined to the connectors. Multiple connectors can be joined, permanently or releasably, together in a range of environments. In some examples, the connection between connectors can be wholly or partially surrounded by other members of a connector assembly. Specifically, a housing can at least partially surround connected connectors to reduce or eliminate connector’s exposure to water, dust, heat or other potential contaminants. However, a sealing technology is generally necessary between the housing and the cables, which enter the housing and are joined to the connectors. Previous attempts at sealing technologies include the use of seal tape or a bushing including a longitudinal slit traveling along an entire longitudinal bushing length and passing through an entire thickness of a bushing wall. Such attempts are lacking in seal performance and manufacturing efficiency. The present description provides a sealing technology for cables and a housing that eases manufacturing burdens and prevents or reduces fluid and dust ingress into a housing, while maintaining an effective and flexible seal.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a connector assembly 300 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cable 10 and a connector 80 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cable bushing 200 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The connector assembly 300 can include a housing 20 at least partially surrounding a connector 80. A cable 10 can be joined to the connector 80 and can enter the housing 20 via a housing opening 21. The cable bushing 200 can include a flexible hollow cylinder 30 radially disposed between the cable 10 and the housing opening 21. In other words, the flexible hollow cylinder 30 can surround the cable 10, and the housing opening 21 can surround the flexible hollow cylinder 30. The flexible hollow cylinder 30 can seal the housing opening 21 when the cable 10 is disposed within the housing opening 21

In some embodiments, as best shown in FIG. 3, the flexible hollow cylinder 30 can include a cylindrical wall 31 and opposite first and second open ends 32, 33. A thickness of the cylindrical wall 31 can be termed t. In some embodiments, t can be an average thickness, a maximum thickness or a minimum thickness of the cylindrical wall 31. In some embodiments, the cylindrical wall 31 has a substantially constant thickness t. In some embodiments, the thickness t can be measured along the Y-axis or along the Z-axis, as indicated in FIG. 3, or along any axis perpendicular to the X-axis as shown in FIG 3.

One or more first elongate slits 40 can be defined in the flexible hollow cylinder 30. One of, at least one of or each of the first elongate slits 40 can extend through the entire thickness t of the cylindrical wall 31. Further, one of, at least one of or each of the first elongate slits 40 can extend longitudinally, or along the X-axis, along a length of the cylindrical wall 31 between a first elongate slit open end 41 and an opposite first elongate slit closed end 42. In some embodiments, the first elongate slit open end 41 can be located at the cylindrical wall first open end 32, while the first elongate slit closed end 42 can be located between the cylindrical wall first open end 32 and the cylindrical wall second open end 33.

One or more second elongate slits 50 can be defined in the flexible hollow cylinder 30. One of, at least one of or each of the second elongate slits 50 can extend through the entire thickness t of the cylindrical wall 31. Further, one of, at least one of or each of the second elongate slits 50 can extend longitudinally, or along the X-axis, along a length of the cylindrical wall 31 between a second elongate slit open end 51 and an opposite second elongate slit closed end 52. In some embodiments, the second elongate slit open end 51 can be located at the cylindrical wall second open end 33, while the second elongate slit closed end 52 can be located between the cylindrical wall first open end 32 and the cylindrical wall second open end 33.

In some embodiments, when the cable 10 is disposed in the cable bushing 200 and the cable bushing 200 is disposed in the housing opening 21, the housing 20 can sealingly engage the cable bushing 200 and can inhibit, reduce or prevent the transfer of fluid and/or dust through the housing opening 21. In various embodiments, when the cable 10 is disposed in the cable bushing 200 and the cable bushing 200 is disposed in the housing opening 21, the housing 20 can sealingly engage the cable bushing 200 and can completely, partially or substantially completely prevent the transfer of fluid and/or dust through the housing opening 21.

In some embodiments, the first and second elongate slits 40, 50 are arranged alternatively and spaced apart on a circumferential surface 34 of the flexible hollow cylinder 30. In some embodiments, at least some of the first elongate slits 40 are parallel to, or substantially parallel to, at least some of the second elongate slits 50. In some embodiments, at least some of the first elongate slits 40 and/or at least some of the second elongate slits 50 are parallel to, or substantially parallel to, a central axis 36 of the flexible hollow cylinder 30, as can best be seen in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the cable bushing 200 has an integral construction, the cable bushing 200 is made of a single material, the entire cable bushing 200 is fabricated in one process or shot, and/or the entire cable bushing 200 comprises a single component.

In various embodiments, the cable bushing 200 includes one or more of a silicone rubber, an ethylene propylene rubber, a styrene-butadiene rubber, an epichlorohydrin rubber, a nitrile rubber, a fluorine rubber, an acrylic rubber and a chloroprene rubber.

In various embodiments, the flexible hollow cylinder 30 has a type- A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 of equal to or less than about 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 or 90 degrees. In various embodiments, the flexible hollow cylinder 30 has a type-A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 of greater than about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 degrees. In some embodiments, no slit, or no first elongated slit or second elongated slit 40, 50, that extends through the entire thickness t of the cylindrical wall 31 extends along an entire length of the cylindrical wall 31, as measured along the X- axis as shown in FIG. 3.

As can be exemplarily seen in FIGS. 4-7, the first and second elongate slits 40, 50 can form a plurality of flexible strips 60, 70 at each of the first and second open ends 32,

33 of the flexible hollow cylinder 30. The flexible strips 60,70 can be parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the central axis 36. In some embodiments, when the flexible strips 60, 70 at each of the first and second open ends 32, 33 are substantially parallel to a central axis 36, the flexible hollow cylinder 30 defines a first opening 35 extending therethrough having a cross-sectional area Al. In some embodiments, when the flexible strips 60, 70 at each of the first and second open ends 32, 33 are moved away from each other in a transverse direction, or in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis, the flexible hollow cylinder 30 defines a second opening 37 extending therethrough having a cross- sectional area A2. In various embodiments, A2/A1 > 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3.0.

In some embodiments, the first and second elongate slits 40, 50 can form a plurality of flexible strips 60, 70 at each of the first and second open ends 32, 33 of the flexible hollow cylinder 30. When the flexible strips 60, 70 at each of the first and second open ends 32, 33 are substantially parallel to the central axis 36, the flexible hollow cylinder 30 can permit passage therethrough of the connector 80 having a maximum cross- sectional area Al. In various embodiments, when the flexible strips 60, 70 at each of the first and second open ends 32, 33 are moved away from each other in a transverse direction, or in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis, the flexible hollow cylinder 30 permits passage therethrough of the connector having a maximum cross-sectional area A3. In various embodiments, A3/A1 > 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6,

1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3.0.

In some aspects of the disclosure, a cable bushing 200 for providing a seal for a cable 10 disposed in a housing opening 21 of a housing 20 is disclosed, and can be exemplarily seen in FIGS. 1-3. The cable bushing 200 can include a flexible sleeve 30 defining a sleeve wall 31. The sleeve wall 31 can define an elongate opening 35 therein and the elongate opening 35 can extend along a length of the flexible sleeve 30 between a first open end 32 of the elongate opening 35 and an opposed second open end 33 of the elongate opening 35.

In various embodiments, one or more first slits 40 and one or more second slits 50 can extend through an entire thickness t of the sleeve wall 31. The first slits 40 and second slits 50 can be disposed in an alternating arrangement around the sleeve wall 31. In some embodiments, the first slits 40 and second slits 50 extend only partially along the length of the sleeve wall 31 and can be spaced apart on an outer surface 34 of the flexible sleeve 30. The first and second slits 40, 50 can define open ends 41, 51, respectively, at the respective first and second open ends 32, 33. The open ends 41, 51 can form a plurality of elastically deformable sleeve wall end portions 61, 71 disposed at each longitudinal end of the flexible sleeve 30.

In some embodiments, one or more of the first slits 40 are parallel to, or substantially parallel to, one or more of the second slits 50. In some embodiments, each of the first slits 40 are parallel to, or substantially parallel to, each of the second slits 50. In some embodiments, one or more of the first slits 40 are parallel to, or substantially parallel to, a central axis 36 of the flexible sleeve 30. In some embodiments, one or more of the second slits 50 are parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the central axis 36 of the flexible sleeve 30.

In some embodiments, the cable bushing 200 has an integral construction, the cable bushing 200 is made of a single material, the entire cable bushing 200 is fabricated in one process or shot, and/or the entire cable bushing 200 comprises a single component.

In various embodiments, the cable bushing 200 includes one or more of a silicone rubber, an ethylene propylene rubber, a styrene-butadiene rubber, an epichlorohydrin rubber, a nitrile rubber, a fluorine rubber, an acrylic rubber and a chloroprene rubber. In various embodiments, the sleeve wall 31 has a type-A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 of equal to or less than about 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 or 90 degrees. In various embodiments, the sleeve wall 31 has a type-A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 of greater than about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 degrees. In some embodiments, no slit, or no first elongated slit or second slit 40, 50, that extends through the entire thickness t of the sleeve wall 31 extends along an entire length of the flexible sleeve 30, as measured along the X-axis as shown in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, when the elastically deformable sleeve wall end portions 61, 71 at each of the first and second open ends 32, 33 are parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the central axis 36, the flexible sleeve 30 permits passage therethrough of a connector 80 having a maximum cross-sectional area Al. When the elastically deformable sleeve wall end portions 61, 71 at each of the first and second open ends 32,

33 are pulled away from each other in a transverse direction, or in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis or the central axis 36, the flexible sleeve 30 permits passage therethrough of a connector 80 having a maximum cross-sectional area A3. In various embodiments, A3/A1 > 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3.0. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable bushing 200 is disclosed. The cable bushing 200 can provide for sealing a cable 10 disposed in a housing opening 21 of a housing 20. The cable bushing 200 can include a flexible hollow sleeve 30 defining a sleeve wall 31. The sleeve wall 31 can define an inner opening 35 therein, and the inner opening 35 can extend from opposed first and second open ends 32, 33 of the flexible hollow sleeve 30.

A plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 40, 50 can be formed at each open end 32, 33 in the sleeve wall 31. The slots 40, 50 can divide the sleeve wall 31 into a plurality of axially-extending (or, along the X-axis or along a central axis 36) flexible strips 60, 70. Each strip 60, 70 can define a free end 61, 71. In some embodiments, the free end 61 can be disposed at one end of the flexible hollow sleeve 30 and the free end 71 can be formed at an opposed end of the flexible hollow sleeve 30 as measured along the X-axis.

In an axial plan view, or looking along the central axis 36 and/or the X-axis, the inner opening 35 can have a cross sectional area A1 when the strips 60, 70 at each open end 32, 33 are aligned, or substantially aligned with each other. In some embodiments, in an axial plan view, or looking along the central axis 36 and/or the X-axis, the inner opening 35 can have a cross sectional area A1 when the flexible hollow sleeve 30 is in a relaxed or neutral position.

In some embodiments, in an axial plan view, or looking along the central axis 36 and/or the X-axis, the inner opening 35 can have a cross sectional area A2 when the strips 60, 70 at each open end 32, 33 are moved apart from each other in a transverse direction, or a direction perpendicular to, or substantially perpendicular to, the X-axis and/or the central axis 36. In various embodiments, A2/A1 > 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3.0.

In some embodiments, the slots 40 at the first open end 32 at least partially overlap the slots 50 at the second open end 33 along a length (X-axis) of the flexible hollow sleeve 30, or when looking along the X-axis or central axis 36. In some embodiments, at least some of the first slits 40 are parallel to, or substantially parallel to, at least some of the second slits 50. In some embodiments, at least some of the first slits 40 and/or at least some of the second slits 50 are parallel to, or substantially parallel to, a central axis 36 of the flexible hollow sleeve 30. In some embodiments, the cable bushing 200 has an integral construction, the cable bushing 200 is made of a single material, the entire cable bushing 200 is fabricated in one process or shot, and/or the entire cable bushing 200 comprises a single component.

In various embodiments, the cable bushing 200 includes one or more of a silicone rubber, an ethylene propylene rubber, a styrene-butadiene rubber, an epichlorohydrin rubber, a nitrile rubber, a fluorine rubber, an acrylic rubber and a chloroprene rubber.

In various embodiments, the flexible hollow sleeve 30 and/or the sleeve wall 31, has a type-A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 of equal to or less than about 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 or 90 degrees. In various embodiments, the flexible hollow sleeve 30 and/or the sleeve wall 31, has a type-A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 of greater than about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 degrees. In some embodiments, no slit, or no first slit and/or second slit 40, 50, that extends through the entire thickness t of the cylindrical wall 31 extends along an entire length of the cylindrical wall 31, as measured along the X-axis.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, a connector assembly 300 is disclosed. The connector assembly 300 can provide for sealing a cable 10 disposed in a housing opening 21 of a housing 20. The cable 10 can have a cross-sectional area A4 and can terminate at a connector 80. The connector can have a, or a maximum, cross-sectional area A3. In some embodiments, A3 can be greater than A4.

The connector assembly 300 can also include a flexible hollow sleeve 200 and the cable 10 can extend through the flexible hollow sleeve 200. The flexible hollow sleeve 200 can be disposed in the cable opening 21 and can seal the cable 10 therein. In some embodiments, the flexible hollow sleeve 200 can surround the cable 10, and the housing opening 21 can surround the flexible hollow sleeve 200.

In some embodiments, the flexible hollow sleeve 200 can include or define a plurality of flexible strips 60, 70. The flexible strips 60, 70 can be formed at opposing open ends of the flexible hollow sleeve 200. In some embodiments, the flexible strips 60, 70 are configured to be, or adapted to be, moved apart from each other in a transverse direction, or a direction perpendicular to, or substantially perpendicular to, the X-axis and/or the central axis 36, so as to permit the connector 80 to pass through the flexible hollow sleeve 200. Further, in some embodiments, no slit 40, 50 that extends through an entire thickness t of a wall of the flexible hollow sleeve 200 extends along an entire length of the flexible hollow sleeve 200. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a cable bushing 200 is disclosed. The cable bushing 200 can provide for sealing a cable 10 disposed in a housing opening 21 of a housing 20. The cable bushing 200 can include a flexible hollow rubber 30.

In various embodiments, the flexible hollow rubber 30 can have a type-A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 between about 8 to about 70 degrees. In various embodiments, the flexible hollow rubber 30 can have a type-A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 of equal to or less than about 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85 or 90 degrees. In various embodiments, the flexible hollow rubber 30 has a type-A durometer hardness according to JIS K 6253 of greater than or equal to about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 degrees.

The flexible hollow rubber 30 can define a sleeve wall 31. The sleeve wall 31 can define an inner opening 35 therein, and the inner opening 35 can extend from opposed first and second open ends 32, 33 of the flexible hollow rubber 30. The flexible hollow rubber 30 can also define a plurality of slits 40, 50 at each open end 32, 33. Each slit 40, 50 can extend through an entire thickness t of the sleeve wall 31 and partially along a longitudinal length of the flexible hollow rubber 30. In some embodiments, the slits 40 at the first open end 32 of the flexible hollow rubber 30 partially overlap the slits 50 at second open end 33 of the flexible hollow rubber 30 along the longitudinal length of the flexible hollow rubber 30 and/or when looking down the X-axis or central axis 36.

In some aspects, a method of sealing a cable 10 in a cable opening 21 of a housing 20 is disclosed. The method can include providing the housing 20 defining therein a smaller cable opening 21 connected to a larger connector opening 22. The smaller cable opening 21 can have a smaller maximum inner diameter, a smaller total cross-sectional area and/or a smaller average inner diameter. The method can also include providing a connector assembly 400 including a cable 10 terminating at a connector 80.

A cable bushing 200 can also be provided. The cable bushing 200 can define a first inner opening 35 therein and can include one or more flexible strips 60, 70 at each of opposing ends of the cable bushing 200. In some embodiments, an outer surface 210 of the cable bushing 200, as can be exemplarily seen in FIG. 4, can define a continuous closed path 220 around a circumference of the cable bushing 200. In some embodiments, the method can include moving the flexible strips 60, 70 at each of the opposing ends of the cable bushing 200 away from each other to expand the first inner opening 35 of the cable bushing 200 to a second inner opening 37 of the cable bushing 200.

The method can also include passing the connector 80 of the connector assembly 400 through the second inner opening 37 of the cable bushing 200 until the cable 10 of the connector assembly 400 is disposed within, or in, the cable bushing 200. Additionally, the method can further include disposing the connector 80 of the connector assembly 400 in the larger connector opening 22 of the housing 20 and the cable bushing 200 with the cable 10 of the connector assembly 400 extending through, or therethrough in, the smaller cable opening 21.

In some aspects of the method, the first inner opening 35 can have a cross-sectional area A1 and the second inner opening 37 can have a cross sectional area A2. In various embodiments, A2/A1 > 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3.0. Further, in some aspects, the first inner opening 35 is not sufficiently large to permit the passage of the connector 80 therethrough.

Terms such as “about” will be understood in the context in which they are used and described in the present description by one of ordinary skill in the art. If the use of “about” as applied to quantities expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, “about” will be understood to mean within 5 percent of the specified value. A quantity given as about a specified value can be precisely the specified value. For example, if it is not otherwise clear to one of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which it is used and described in the present description, a quantity having a value of about 1, means that the quantity has a value between 0.95 and 1.05, and that the value could be 1.

Descriptions for elements in figures should be understood to apply equally to corresponding elements in other figures, unless indicated otherwise. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.