CLAMP SYSTEM

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Spanish Patent Application No. P201531199, filed on August 13, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Electrical connectors are useful for providing a connection point for

telecommunications systems. For example, RJ-type connectors can be provided as wall sockets wherein electronic data cables are terminated and mating electrical plugs can be inserted into the sockets. Frequently, this termination process occurs in the field and at the actual location where the cables to be attached to the connectors are being installed. In such instances, it is often necessary to provide a grounding connection between the cable and its attached connector. SUMMARY

[0003] A connector assembly is disclosed. In one aspect, the connector assembly includes a connector part having a jack cavity and a cable manager part. The cable manager part can be configured to be installed within the connector part to form the connector assembly. The cable manager part may include a housing assembly having a central aperture through which a cable having an exposed conductive element, such as a metal shield or sheath, can extend. The connector assembly may also include a grounding clamp assembly held by the housing assembly, the grounding clamp assembly including a first clamp member and an oppositely arranged second clamp member. In one aspect, the first and second clamp members define a clamp opening concentrically aligned with the central aperture. A first biasing spring can be provided that is arranged to exert a force on one or both of the clamp members to urge at least one of the ground clamp members against the cable conductive element. A second biasing spring may also be provided.

[0004] In one aspect, the housing assembly can be placed in a compressed position in which the clamp portions of the respective first and second grounding clamps are moved against a spring biasing force such that the central aperture is unblocked or less blocked by the clamp portions to allow a cable to be inserted through an opening defined by the clamp portions. The housing assembly can also be placed in a grounded position in which the clamp portions of the respective first and second grounding clamps are released and biased to engage against a conductive element of the cable via the spring(s). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cable connected to a telecommunications connector having a connector part and a cable manager part having features that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cable and cable manager part shown in Figure 1 shown as being separated from the connector part.

[0008] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cable and cable manager part shown in Figure 2.

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 1, separated from the cable and connector part.

[0010] Figure 5 is a front view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 4.

[0011] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 4. [0012] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cable connected to a second embodiment of a telecommunications connector having a connector part and a cable manager part having features that are examples of aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cable and cable manager part shown in Figure 7 shown as being separated from the connector part.

[0014] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cable and cable manager part shown in Figure 8.

[0015] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 7, separated from the cable and connector part. [0016] Figure 11 is a front view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 10. [0017] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cable manager part shown in Figure 10.

[0018] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the cable shown in Figures 1 and 7, removed from the telecommunications connector.

[0019] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a connector part usable with the cable manager part and cable shown in Figures 1 and 7.

[0020] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the connector part shown in Figure 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

[0022] A telecommunications connector 10 for grounded connection with a cable 4 having a conductive element 5 and a plurality of wires 6 is shown. One example of a suitable cable 4 is shown at Figure 13. As used herein, term "conductive element" is defined as including any type of conductive element, shield, or sheath disposed over the cable jacket, including metal braids, meshes, foils, drain wires, and combinations thereof. In one example, the cable 4 includes a plurality of insulated copper wires 6, for example, four sets of twisted wire pairs, while the connectors 10 are modular or RJ-type connectors. As shown, the telecommunications connector 10 has a connector part 12 which includes a jack cavity 14 for receiving a corresponding plug (not shown). As most easily seen at Figure 14, the connector part 12 can include a plurality of electrical contact members 16 for which electrical connection to the wires 6 will be made through a termination and connection process. The connector part 12 is further provided with cutting edges 18 which are designed to cut the wires 6 of the cable 4 during the termination process. As shown, the connector part 12 has conductive sidewalls 12a, 12b which are formed from a conductive material, such as a metal material. In one aspect, the sidewalls 12a, 12b each define a respective recess portion 12c, 12d. The recess portions 12c, 12d receive and connect to the housing assembly 70 first and second sides (e.g. 72b, 72c) respectively, such that conductive contact is established between the housing assembly 70 and the sidewalls 12a, 12b of the connector 10. Accordingly, the connector 10 is grounded to the cable conductive element 5 via the housing assembly 70 and the sidewalls 12a, 12b. One example of a suitable termination process and connector part is shown and described in Spain patent application P201530417, entitled Connector Assembly with Grounding Spring and filed on 27 March 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0023] The connector part 12 and the cable manager part 20 used in the various embodiments may be configured in a complementary manner, so that the connector part 12 is able to engage with the cable manager part 20 only in one orientation. The cable manager part 20 can be further provided with a main body for facilitating connection between the conductors in the wires 6 and the contact members 16.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1-6 a first embodiment of a connector assembly 10 is shown, which includes the housing assembly 70. As presented, housing assembly 70 is provided with a first housing part 72 and a second housing part 74 which together define a central aperture 76. Once installed, the cable 4 and associated wires 6 extend through the aperture 76. Referring to Figure 1, the cable 4 has been stripped to expose the conductive element 5 and eight insulated copper wires 6. Figures 1-3 show the cable 4 inserted into the housing assembly 70 such that the conductive element 5 extends through aperture 76 and such that grounding contact between the conductive element 5 and the housing assembly 70 can be accomplished via a grounding clamp assembly 80 held by the housing assembly 70, as explained further below.

[0025] As most easily seen at Figures 3 and 5, the first housing part 72 defines an opening dimension Dl that is about equal to or slightly greater than a dimension D3 of the cable 4. This configuration allows the cable 4 to enter into the central aperture 76 through the first housing part 72. The second housing part 74 also has an opening dimension Dl at a front face 74a that is about equal in size to dimension Dl. However, the second housing part 74 has a reduced opening dimension D2 at a rear face 74b such that the end of the cable 4 abuts against a ledge portion 76d of the second housing part 74. This feature ensures that the cable 4 can be installed fully into the housing assembly 70 with the conductive element 5 being aligned appropriately with the grounding claim assembly 80 of the cable manager part 20.

[0026] In one aspect, the first housing part 72 has a front face 72a from which a first side member 72b and an oppositely positioned second side member 72c extend. As noted previously, the first and second side members 72b, 72c are received by the connector part recess portions 12c, 12d in the sidewalls 12a, 12b. The first housing part also includes a third side member 72d and an oppositely positioned fourth side member 72e that extend from the front face 72a. Taken together, the side members 72b - 72d form an interior space into which the second housing part 74 can be received, wherein sidewalls 74c of the second housing part 74 engage with and are retained by the side members 72b - 72d with the front face 74a of the second housing part 74 adjacent the front face 72a of the first housing part 72. The first housing part 72 also defines a first opening 72f which extends through a portion of the front face 72a and the third side member 72d. Similarly, the first housing part 72 defines a second opening 72g which extends through a portion of the front face 72a and the fourth side member 72e.

[0027] With reference to Figure 6, it can be most easily seen that the housing assembly 70 further includes a grounding clamp assembly 80 which is primarily housed within the first housing part 72 and secured in position by the front face 72a of the first housing part 72 and the front face 74a of the second housing part 74. As shown, the grounding clamp assembly 80 includes a first clamp member 82 and an identical and oppositely arranged second clamp member 84. It is noted that the first and second clamp members 82, 84 can also be differently shaped and can be non-identical. As shown, the first clamp member 82 includes a clamp portion 82a, a handle portion 82b, and a support portion 82c extending between the clamp portion 82a and the handle portion 82b. Similarly, the second clamp member 84 includes a clamp portion 84a, a handle portion 84b, and a support portion 84c extending between the clamp portion 84a and the handle portion 84b. In one aspect, the clamp portions 82a, 84a are provided with a curved or arced shape to better engage with the outer perimeter of the cable 4 and conductive element 5. [0028] The first clamp member 82 is arranged within the first housing part 72 such that the clamp portion 82a extends into or across the central opening 76 and the handle portion 82b extends through the first opening 72f of the first housing part 72. A first spring 60 is provided within the first housing part 72 and extends from a first end 60a, which is located against a shoulder 82d, of the first clamp member 82, to a second end 60b, which is located against the third side member 72d of the first housing part 72. The spring 60 provides a spring biasing force in a direction SI which results in a clamping force against the cable 4, when inserted through the central opening 76. [0029] Similar to the first clamp member 82, the second clamp member 84 is arranged within the first housing part 72 such that the clamp portion 84a extends into or across the central opening 76 and the handle portion 84b extends through the second opening 72g of the first housing part 72. A second spring 62 is provided within the first housing part 72 and extends from a first end 62a, which is located against a shoulder 84d of the second clamp member 84, to a second end 62b, which is located against the fourth side member 72e of the first housing part 72. The spring 62 provides a spring biasing force in a direction S2 which results in a clamping force against the cable 4, when inserted through the central opening 76. [0030] Once fully assembled, the clamp assembly 80 within the housing assembly 70 is configured such that the first clamp portion 82a and the second clamp portion 84a define an opening 88 with a dimension D4 which can be increased by squeezing the handle portions 82b, 84b of the first and second clamp members 82, 84 in a respective direction Fl, F2. In order to move the clamp members 82, 84 in this direction, sufficient force must be applied to overcome the spring biasing forces in direction SI, S2, respectively. Once the clamp members 82, 84 have been sufficiently displaced such that the opening dimension D4 is at least as large as the cable dimension D3, the cable 4 can be inserted through the central opening 76. When an operator releases the clamp members 82, 84, the springs 60, 62 urge the respective clamp members 82, 84 against the cable 4 and into grounding contact with the conductive element 5, as shown at Figures 1-3. As configured, the clamp members 82, 84 are configured such that the handle portions 82b, 84b extend beyond the side members 72d, 72e of the first housing part in a fully extended position (i.e. no cable installed, no force applied by a user) and in which the handle portions 82b, 84b are either flush or recessed with respect to the side members 72d, 72e when in a clamped position around the cable 4. Other configurations are possible.

[0031] In one aspect, the clamp assembly 80 can be configured such that the first and second clamp members 82, 84 and/or portions 82a, 84a are aligned along the same plane and engage with each other when no force is provided on the handle portions 82b, 84b. Such a configuration allows the clamp members 82, 84 themselves to act as a stop against each other wherein each clamp member 82, 84 prevents the other from sliding out of the first housing part through the respective opening 72f, 72g. Other configurations are possible as well. For example, a stop member could be provided on each clamp member 82, 84 that engages with a corresponding stop member on the first and/or second housing part 72, 74. Also, the clamp members 82, 84 can be aligned along different planes such that they can move completely past each other.

[0032] As shown, the biasing springs 60, 62 are helical springs formed from a conductive material, such as a metal (e.g. steel, copper, etc.). However, the grounding springs 60, 62 can take the form of other types of springs so long as the springs provide a biasing force to engage the clamp members 82, 84 against the cable conductive element 5 when the cable is inserted through the central aperture 76 of the housing assembly 70, as described above. In the example shown, the first housing part 72 is formed from a conductive material, such as a metal material, such that conductive contact exists between the clamp member 82, 84, the springs 60, 62, the first and second housing parts 72,74, and the connector part 12. In this way, the housing assembly 70 is able to provide a grounding pathway between the cable conductive element 5 and the connector part 12.

[0033] Referring to Figures 7-12, a second embodiment of a connector assembly 110 is presented. As many of the concepts and features are similar to the previous embodiment shown in Figures 1-6, the description for the first embodiment is applicable to and incorporated by reference herein for the second embodiment. Where like or similar features or elements are shown, the same reference numbers will be used where possible (e.g. reference number 170 instead of reference number 70 for the housing assembly). The following description for the second embodiment will be limited primarily to the differences between the second embodiment and previously described first embodiment.

[0034] The second embodiment of the connector assembly 110 is similar to the first embodiment in that the same connector part 12 is utilized. The second embodiment of the connector assembly 110 is also similar in that a two-part housing assembly 170 is provided including a first housing part 172 and a second housing part 174. The second housing part 174 is generally the same as the second housing part 74. However, the second housing part 174 differs in that the first and second side members 72b, 72c that engage with the connector part 12 from the first embodiment are instead located on the second housing part 174 in the second embodiment and are identified as 174c and 174d.

[0035] The primary difference between the second and first embodiments is the configuration of the first housing part 172 and the grounding clamp assembly 180. As shown, the first housing part 172 is configured with a front wall 172a and a rear wall 172b, each of which has an opening dimension Dl which defines the central aperture 176. The first housing part 172 also includes a sidewall 172d and an opposite sidewall 172e which extend across the front and rear walls 172a, 172b and beyond the rear wall 172b to provide an engagement surface for the second housing part 174 sidewalls 174c. The housing part additionally defines a first opening 172f and an opposite second opening 172g which extend between the front and rear walls 172a, 172b and between the sidewalls 172d, 172e.

[0036] As most easily shown at Figure 12, the clamp assembly 180 includes a first clamp member 182 and an identical and oppositely arranged second clamp member 184. It is noted that the first and second clamp members 182, 184 can also be differently shaped and need not be identical. As shown, the first clamp member 182 includes a clamp portion 182a, a handle portion 182b, and a pair of spring support shoulders 182c. Similarly, the second clamp member 184 includes a clamp portion 184a, a handle portion 84b, and a pair of spring support shoulders 184c. In one aspect, the clamp portions 182a, 184a are provided with a circular opening having a dimension D5, which enables the clamp portions 182a, 184a to better engage with the outer perimeter of the cable 4 and

conductive element 5. As shown, the dimension D5 is approximately equal to the dimension Dlof the central opening 176.

[0037] The first clamp member 182 is arranged within the first housing part 172 and between the walls 172a, 172b such that the clamp portion 182a extends into the central opening 176 and the handle portion 182b extends through the first opening 172f of the first housing part 172. The second clamp portion 184a is arranged adjacent to the first clamp portion 182a between the walls 172a, 172b such that the clamp portion 184a also extends into the central opening 176 and the handle portion 184b extends through the second opening 172g of the first housing part 172. To facilitate such a construction, the clamp portions 182a, 184a can be provided with a thickness that is about half of the thickness of the handle portions 182b, 184b from which they extend.

[0038] A first spring 160 is provided within the first housing part 172 and extends from a first end 160a which is located against the shoulder 182c of the first clamp member 182 to a second end 160b which is located against the shoulder 184c of the second clamp member 184. A second spring 162 is also provided on the opposite side of the clamp portions 182a, 184a and mounted between shoulders 182c, 184c at a respective first end 162a and second end 162b. Each of the shoulders 182c, 184c can be provided with a protrusion 182d, 184d that engages with the end of the springs 160, 162. The protrusions 182d, 184d can function to guide the springs 160, 162 appropriately and/or to hold the clamp assembly 180 together. The first housing part 172 may also be provided with one or more stop members to prevent the clamp members 182, 184 from undesirably falling out of the openings 172f, 172g.

[0039] As configured, the springs 160, 162 urge the first and second clamp portions 182a, 184a away from each other such that the resulting overlapping opening 188 defined by the clamp portions 182a, 184a, which has a dimension D4, is minimized. When a user squeezes the clamp member portions 182a, 184a past each other via handle portions 182b, 184b, the dimension D4 is increased. In order to move the clamp members 182, 184 in this direction, sufficient force must be applied to overcome the spring biasing forces generated by springs 160, 162. Once the clamp members 182, 184 have been sufficiently displaced such that the opening dimension D4 is at least as large as the cable dimension D3, the cable 4 can be inserted through the central opening 176. When an operator releases the clamp members 182, 184, the springs 160, 162 urge the respective clamp members 182, 184 against the cable 4 and into grounding contact with the conductive element 5, as shown at Figures 7-9. As configured, the clamp members 182, 184 are configured such that the handle portions 182b, 184b are flush with the side openings 172f, 172g of the first housing part 172 in a fully extended position (i.e. no cable installed, no force applied by a user) and in which the handle portions 182b, 184b are recessed with respect to the side openings 172f, 172g when in a clamped position around the cable 4. Other configurations are possible.

[0040] As with the first embodiment, the biasing springs 160, 162 are helical springs formed from a conductive material, such as a metal (e.g. steel, copper, etc.). However, the grounding springs 160, 162 can take the form of other types of springs so long as the springs provide a biasing force to engage the clamp members 182, 184 against the cable conductive element 5 when the cable is inserted through the central aperture 176 of the housing assembly 170, as described above. In the example shown, the first housing part 172 is formed from a conductive material, such as a metal material, such that conductive contact exists between the clamp members 182, 184, the springs 160, 162, the first housing part 172, the second housing part 174, and the connector part 12. In this way, the housing assembly 170 is able to provide a grounding pathway between the cable conductive element 5 and the connector part 12.

[0041] As both connector assemblies 10, 110 include two oppositely opposed clamp members 82/84, 182/184, the required distance or space for compressing the clamp assembly 80, 180 into the compressed position is reduced by half, in comparison to clamps having a single acting clamp member. Because of this, the housing assemblies 70, 170 can be produced at a smaller width or height. Additionally, a wide range of cable diameters can be accepted by the clamp assemblies 80, 180, for example cables ranging between 5 millimeters to 9 millimeters can be accepted by the same clamp assembly 80, 180.

[0042] The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

PARTS LIST

[0043] 2 terminated connector and cable

[0044] 4 cable

[0045] 5 conductive element - metal braid, mesh, foil (or drain wire-if any) over the cable

[0046] 6 wires or filaments

[0047] 10 connector assembly

[0048] 12 connector part

[0049] 12a first side

[0050] 12b second side

[0051] 14 jack cavity

[0052] 16 electrical conductors

[0053] 18 cutting edges

[0054] 20 cable manager part

[0055] 60 first spring

[0056] 60a first end

[0057] 60b second end

[0058] 62 second spring

[0059] 62a first end

[0060] 62b second end

[0061] 70 housing assembly

[0062] 72 first housing part

[0063] 72a front face

[0064] 72b first side member

[0065] 72c second side member

[0066] 72d third side member

[0067] 72e fourth side member

[0068] 72f first opening

[0069] 72g second opening

[0070] 74 second housing part

[0071] 74a front face

[0072] 74b rear face

[0073] 74c side walls

[0074] 76 central aperture

[0075] 80 grounding clamp assembly

[0076] 82 first clamp member

[0077] 82a clamp portion

[0078] 82b handle portion

[0079] 82c support portion

[0080] 82d spring support portion

[0081] 84 second clamp member

[0082] 84a clamp portion

[0083] 84b handle portion

[0084] 84c support portion

[0085] 84d spring support portion

[0086] 88 opening between clamp portions

[0087] 110 connector assembly

[0088] 120 cable manager part

[0089] 160 first spring [0090] 160a first end

[0091] 160b second end

[0092] 162 second spring

[0093] 162a first end

[0094] 162b second end

[0095] 170 housing assembly

[0096] 172 first housing part

[0097] 172a front wall

[0098] 172b rear wall

[0099] 172d side member

[0100] 172e side member

[0101] 172f first side opening

[0102] 172g second side opening

[0103] 174 second housing part

[0104] 174a front face

[0105] 174b rear face

[0106] 174c side member

[0107] 174d side member

[0108] 176 central aperture

[0109] 180 grounding clamp assembly

[0110] 182 first clamp member

[0111] 182a clamp portion

[0112] 182b handle portion

[0113] 182c spring support shoulder

[0114] 182d spring support portion

[0115] 184 second clamp member

[0116] 184a clamp portion

[0117] 184b handle portion

[0118] 184c support portion

[0119] 184d spring support shoulder

[0120] 188 opening between clamp portions

[0121] Dl central aperture dimension at first housing part

[0122] D2 central aperture dimension at second housing part rear face

[0123] D3 cable dimension

[0124] D4 opening dimension between clamp portions

[0125] D5 opening dimension of second embodiment clamp portions

[0126] Fl manual opening force direction

[0127] SI spring force direction