Cable retainer and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12322945-B2
Application number	US-202217741981-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 11, 2022
Priority date	May 11, 2022
Publication date	Jun 3, 2025
Grant date	Jun 3, 2025

Abstract

A cable retainer for connecting a flat cable to an external object may include a base and/or a locking member. The base may include a platform, a securing protrusion, and/or a fastener. The securing protrusion may extend from the platform in a first direction and the fastener may extend from the platform in a second direction opposite the first direction. The fastener may be configured for connection with said external object. The locking member may include an interior surface defining a hole and an internal connection formation extending from at least a portion of the interior surface. In an assembled configuration, the locking member may be connected to the base, and the cable retainer may be configured to secure a portion of said flat cable between the platform of the base and the locking member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cable retainer for connecting a flat cable to an external object, the cable retainer comprising:
a base including:
a platform,
a securing protrusion extending from a center portion of the platform in a first direction, and
a fastener extending from the platform in a second direction, the fastener configured for connection with said external object; and
a locking member including a hole disposed substantially in a center portion of the locking member and an internal connection formation, the locking member formed separately from the base and configured to connect with the securing protrusion of the base via a lip of the internal connection formation;
wherein in an assembled configuration, (i) a part of the securing protrusion of the base is disposed within the hole of the locking member and in contact with the internal connection formation of the locking member such that the locking member is connected to the base, and (ii) the cable retainer is configured to secure a portion of said flat cable between the platform of the base and the locking member.

2. The cable retainer of claim 1 , wherein the securing protrusion includes:
a first side;
a second side spaced apart from the first side;
a third side disposed between the first and second sides;
a fourth side spaced apart from the third side;
a plurality of first projections that extend from the first side and the second side;
a plurality of second projections that extend from the third side; and
a plurality of third projections that extend from the fourth side.

3. The cable retainer of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first projections includes a substantially rectangular shape and tapered ends; and
at least one of the second projections and the third projections includes a partial conical shape.

4. The cable retainer of claim 2 , wherein the securing protrusion includes (i) a first track disposed between the plurality of first projections and the plurality of second projections and (ii) a second track disposed between the plurality of first projections and the plurality of third projections.

5. The cable retainer of claim 2 , wherein:
in the assembled configuration, at least one of each of the plurality of first projections, the plurality of second projections, and the plurality of third projections engages the lip.

6. The cable retainer of claim 1 , wherein:
the base includes a second securing protrusion;
the locking member includes a second hole; and
in the assembled configuration, the second securing protrusion is disposed at least partially in the second hole.

7. The cable retainer of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a conical flange disposed between the platform and the fastener.

8. A method of connecting the cable retainer of claim 1 , comprising:
forming an opening in the flat cable, the opening having an opening length that corresponds to a length of the securing protrusion;
inserting the securing protrusion of the base into the opening such that the flat cable is disposed on the platform;
connecting the locking member to the base; and
connecting the fastener to the external object such the flat cable is connected to the external object via the cable retainer.

9. The method of claim 8 , including, prior to connecting the locking member to the base, inserting the securing protrusion into a second flat cable;
wherein the fastener is connected to the external object such that the flat cable and the second flat cable are connected to the external object via the cable retainer.

10. A cable retainer for connecting a flat cable to an external object, the cable retainer comprising:
a base including:
a platform,
a securing protrusion extending from a center portion of the platform in a first direction, and
a fastener extending from the platform in a second direction, the fastener configured for connection with said external object;
a locking member including a hole disposed substantially in a center portion of the locking member and an internal connection formation, the locking member formed separately from the base and configured to connect with the securing protrusion of the base; and
the fastener further comprising:
a first end disposed proximate the platform and a second end spaced apart from the first end;
a cone portion including a plurality of voids disposed proximate the second end;
a plurality of first engagement projections disposed between the cone portion and a flange, the flange further disposed between the platform and the fastener, and the first engagement projections extending in a third direction; and
a plurality of second engagement projections that extend in a fourth direction;

wherein in an assembled configuration, (i) a part of the securing protrusion of the base is disposed within the hole of the locking member and in contact with the internal connection formation of the locking member such that the locking member is connected to the base, and (ii) the cable retainer is configured to secure a portion of said flat cable between the platform of the base and the locking member.

11. The cable retainer of claim 10 , wherein:
the first engagement projections are separated from the second engagement projections by a void of the plurality of voids that extends from the first end to the second end of the fastener;
the fastener includes an attachment segment that is disposed within the void; and
the attachment segment extends from the first end and terminates before reaching the second end.

12. A cable retainer for connecting a flat cable to an external object, the cable retainer comprising:
a base including:
a platform,
a securing protrusion extending from the platform in a first direction, and
a fastener extending from the platform in a second direction, the fastener configured for connection with said external object;
a locking member including a hole and an internal connection formation, the locking member formed separately from the base and configured to connect with the securing protrusion of the base;
the platform of the base includes a first segment, a second segment that extends orthogonally from the first segment, and a reinforcement rib;
the second segment includes a ramp portion and an end portion;
the end portion is disposed at an end of the second segment;
the fastener extends from the end portion;
the securing protrusion extends from the first segment; and
the reinforcement rib extends at least partially along the second segment;
wherein in an assembled configuration, (i) a part of the securing protrusion of the base is disposed within the hole of the locking member and in contact with the internal connection formation of the locking member such that the locking member is connected to the base, and (ii) the cable retainer is configured to secure a portion of said flat cable between the platform of the base and the locking member.

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Racho Edgar Michael
• Dolumbal Alexzyev
• Bond William
• Montgomery John
• Ruayana Jun Roz
• Baga-An Erwin
• Cabañero Albert M

Classifications

• F16L3/00

  Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets (anchors for holding pipes on or under the ground F16L1/06; noise absorbers in the form of specially adapted hangers or supports F16L55/035; arrangements specially adapted for supporting insulated bodies F16L59/12) · CPC title

• B60R16/0215

  Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor · CPC title

• F16B21/082

  the stud, pin or spigot having two resilient parts on its opposite ends in order to connect two elements · CPC title

• H02G3/32 Primary

  using mounting clamps · CPC title

• H02G3/02 Primary

  Details · CPC title