Electrical fitting with internal cable retainer
An electrical fitting with an improved arrangement on the trailing end for the quick connection of electrical cables. The fitting includes a connector body with a cavity in the trailing end and a cable retainer secured therein. The tubular cable retainer is constructed of spring steel and includes a flat portion and an arcuate portion. A single cable-retaining tang extends inwardly from the flat portion and includes notched edges at its juncture with the tubular body, thereby enhancing the resiliency of the tang. A wide cable-gripping surface on the cable-retaining tang enables secure gripping of an electrical cable as it is inserted within the trailing end of the fitting. End legs on the cable-retaining tang are at an angle with respect to the edge of the cable retainer thereby orienting the end legs with the grooves on an armored or similar electrical cable.
1. An electrical fitting comprising:
a connector body including a leading end and a trailing end;
a fastening arrangement on said leading end for securing said leading end of said connector body to a panel;
a cavity in said trailing end of said connector body, said connector body including a surrounding wall;
a tubular cable retainer secured within said cavity, said cable retainer including edges;
a securing arrangement for locking said cable retainer within said cavity of said trailing end of said connector body;
said cable retainer including a flat portion thereon;
a single cable-retaining tang projecting inward from said flat portion of said cable retainer;
said cable-retaining tang includes edges and a juncture at said flat portion of said cable-retainer; and
said edges of said cable-retaining tang include notches in said edges of said cable-retaining tang at said juncture with said flat portion of said cable-retainer.
2. The electrical fitting of claim 1 including
two end legs on said cable-retaining tang;
a U-shaped notch separating said end legs; and
said end legs are bent inward of said cable retainer.
3. The electrical fitting of claim 2 wherein said end legs include a bend line at an angle with respect to said edges of said cable retainer.
4. The electrical fitting of claim 3 wherein said angle of said bend line with respect to said edges of said cable retainer is between 10 and 20 degrees.
5. The electrical fitting of claim 1 wherein said securing arrangement for said cable retainer includes
an opening in said surrounding wall in said trailing end of said connector body;
a locking tang projecting outward from said cable retainer, said locking tang in alignment with said opening in said wall of said connector body;
said locking tang having an end thereon, said end of said locking tang extending toward said trailing end of said connector body; and
an outward bias of said cable retainer against said wall of said cavity, whereby said locking tang projects through said opening of said connector body and locks said cable retainer within said cavity of said connector body.
6. The electrical fitting of claim 1 wherein
said cable-retaining tang includes a left leg, a right leg, and a central axis;
said left leg is bent inward toward said central axis by an angle between 100 and 120 degrees; and
said right leg is bent inward toward said central axis by an angle between 140 and 160 degrees.
7. The electrical fitting of claim 6 wherein said left leg is twice the length of said right leg.
8. The electrical fitting of claim 1 wherein said connector body includes
a central flange between said trailing end and said leading end; and
an end flange on said leading end of said connector body.
9. The electrical fitting of claim 1 including
a partial closure on said leading end of said connector body;
an opening in said partial closure;
edges on said partial closure surrounding said opening; and
an insert in said opening, said insert substantially covering said edges of said partial closure.
10. The electrical fitting of claim 9 wherein
said connector body is constructed of metal; and
said insert is constructed of plastic.
11. The electrical fitting of claim 1 wherein said fastening arrangement includes a cylindrical panel-engaging ring on said leading end of said connector body.
12. The electrical fitting of claim 1 wherein said fastening arrangement includes
threads on said leading end of said connector body; and
a nut for engaging said threads on said leading portion.