초록 ▼

A cable connector is provided for connecting a cable to an electrical box. The cable connector has a body with an axial passage for receiving the cable where the body has a first end and a second end. The first end of the body is connected to the electrical box by a coupling member. Two spaced apart

A cable connector is provided for connecting a cable to an electrical box. The cable connector has a body with an axial passage for receiving the cable where the body has a first end and a second end. The first end of the body is connected to the electrical box by a coupling member. Two spaced apart spring arms extend from the second end of the body and are angled inwardly to engage the cable and couple the cable to the connector. In one embodiment, the spring arms extend from a top portion of the body inwardly toward the axial center of the body. The first end of the connector includes a coupling tab for coupling to the electrical box and attaching the connector to the electrical box. In one embodiment, the coupling tab is formed with the front end of the body. In a second embodiment, the coupling tab is formed with the forward end of the coupling spring.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An electrical connector for coupling to an electrical box, comprising: a body having an axial dimension with a first end, a second end, a bottom portion and opposite side portions, said side portions having a top edge defining an open top portion of said body, said first end

What is claimed is: 1. An electrical connector for coupling to an electrical box, comprising: a body having an axial dimension with a first end, a second end, a bottom portion and opposite side portions, said side portions having a top edge defining an open top portion of said body, said first end having a coupling member for coupling with an inner surface of an opening in the electrical box, said side portions having an outwardly extending tab axially spaced from said coupling member for engaging an outer surface of said opening; a spring catch at said first end cooperating with said coupling member for coupling said body to the electrical box, said spring catch being integrally formed with said body and extending axially outward from said first end; and a cable retaining spring integrally formed with said body as a one-piece unit and extending from said second end and toward said bottom portion of said body for gripping and retaining a cable in said body. 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said cable retaining spring comprises a spring arm coupled to a side portion of said body and said spring arm extending toward said bottom portion at an incline. 3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said cable retaining spring comprises a first spring arm having a first end extending toward said first end of said body and a second end coupled to a first side portion at said second end of said body and a second spring arm having a first end extending toward said first end of said body and a second end coupled to a second side portion of said body. 4. The cable connector of claim 1, wherein said cable retaining spring is coupled to one of said side portions at said second end of said body, said cable retaining spring having a spring arm extending toward said first end and at an incline toward said bottom portion, said spring arm having a distal end for engaging the cable. 5. The cable connector of claim 1, wherein said cable retaining spring comprises a first spring arm coupled to one of said side portions at said second end of said body and having a first end extending toward said first end of said bottom portion; and a second spring arm coupled to the other of said side portions at said second end of said body and having a first end extending toward said first end of said bottom portion. 6. The cable connector of claim 1, wherein said spring catch comprises a first spring tab coupled to one of said side portions and overlying the open top; and a second spring tab coupled to the other of said side portions and extending substantially adjacent and parallel to said first spring tab; each of said first and second spring tabs having a distal end with a catch for coupling with the opening in the electrical box. 7. The cable connector of claim 6, wherein said coupling member comprises a first coupling tab for hooking to an inside edge of the opening in the electrical box and at least one second coupling tab on a side portion for contacting an outer surface of the opening in the electrical box. 8. An electrical connector for coupling to an electrical box, comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, a bottom portion and opposite side portions defining an open top portion, said first end having a coupling member for coupling with an opening in the electrical box; a spring catch at said first end cooperating with said coupling member for coupling said body to the electrical box, said spring catch being integrally formed with said body; and a cable retaining spring having a first end extending toward said first end of said body and a second end, said cable retaining spring being integrally formed with said body as a one-piece unit and extending from said second end of said body and toward said bottom portion of said body for gripping and retaining a cable in said body; said second end of said cable retaining spring including a spring portion having a first end coupled to said bottom portion of said body and a leg biasing said cable retaining spring upward from said bottom portion. 9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein said spring portion has two legs forming an aperture therebetween with a dimension to enable a cable to pass through. 10. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein said cable retaining spring has a pair of spring arms extending from said second end of said retaining spring toward said bottom portion for gripping and retaining the cable and wherein said spring catch extends from said second end of said cable retaining spring. 11. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein said cable retaining spring is spring biased away from said bottom portion, and includes a first side flange extending from a first side edge and having a first coupling member and a second side flange extending from a second side edge of said cable retaining spring and having a second coupling member, and said side portions having a coupling member for mating with a coupling member of a respective side flange of said cable retaining spring. 12. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein said bottom portion has two spaced apart raised ridges for supporting the cable. 13. The electrical connector of claim 8, further comprising two spaced apart tabs extending upwardly from said bottom portion for engaging the cable. 14. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein said body includes at least one slot at said first end defining said coupling member for coupling with an opening in the electrical box. 15. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein said body includes a first slot extending between said bottom portion and one of said side portions, and a second slot extending between said bottom portion and the other of said side portions, said first and second slots defining said coupling member for coupling with an opening in the electrical box. 16. The electrical connector of claim 8, further comprising a front portion at said first end of said body, said front portion having an aperture for receiving electrical wires and where said aperture has a flared, curved edge. 17. The electrical connector of claim 16, wherein said flared edge is defined by a flared grommet inserted in said aperture of said front portion. 18. A one piece integrally formed cable connector comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, a bottom portion and opposite side portions extending from said bottom portion and defining an open top, said body having a coupling member at said first end for coupling with an opening in the electrical box; a cable retaining spring coupled to said body having a first end extending toward said first end of said body overlying said open top and having a second end coupled to said second end of said body, said cable retaining spring being biased away from said bottom portion; and a spring catch extending from said cable retaining spring for cooperating with said coupling member for coupling said body to the opening in the electrical box. 19. The cable connector of claim 18, further comprising a front portion at said first end and having an axial opening for receiving electrical wires from the cable. 20. The cable connector of claim 18, wherein said body includes a first slot extending between said bottom portion and one of said side portions and a second slot extending between said bottom portion and the other of said side portions, said first and second slots defining said coupling member of said body. 21. The cable connector of claim 18, wherein said cable retaining spring comprises a spring body having a first free end and second end, said spring body having at least one spring arm coupled to said second end and extending toward said bottom portion at an incline for engaging the cable; and a spring member extending between said second end of said spring body and said second end of said body to bias said spring body in an upward direction away from said bottom portion. 22. The cable connector of claim 21, wherein said cable retaining spring further comprises a first side flange extending from a first side edge of said spring body and having a coupling member for coupling with one of said side portion of said body; and a second side flange extending from a second side edge of said spring body and having a coupling member for coupling with the other of said side portions of said body. 23. The cable connector of claim 21, wherein said spring member has a substantially U-shape and is coupled to said bottom portion. 24. The cable connector of claim 23, wherein said spring member includes an aperture having a dimension to receive the cable. 25. A one piece, integrally formed cable connector comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, a bottom portion and opposite side portions extending from said bottom portion and defining an open top, a coupling member at said first end and integrally formed with said body for coupling with an opening in the electrical box; at least one spring catch integrally formed with one of said side portions and extending axially outward from said first end and oriented with respect to said coupling member for coupling said body to said electrical box; and a cable retaining spring integrally formed with said second end of said body, said cable retaining spring extending toward said first end and at an incline toward said bottom portion for gripping and retaining a cable in said body. 26. The cable connector of claim 25, wherein said at least one spring catch has a first end coupled to said respective side portion and a distal end extending from said first end of said body and being spring biased in a radially outward direction with respect to a central axis of said body. 27. The cable connector of claim 25, wherein said cable retaining spring comprises a first spring arm coupled to one of said side portions at said second end and a second spring arm coupled to the other of said side portions, each of said spring arms extending at an incline with respect to said bottom portion and being spring biased toward said bottom portion. 28. The cable connector of claim 25, further comprising a first spring catch integrally formed with a side portion and extending axially outwardly from said first end; and a second spring catch integrally formed with a second side portion and extending axially outwardly from said first end, said first and second spring catches being spaced apart. 29. The cable connector of claim 28, wherein said coupling member comprises a tab extending radially outward from said first end. 30. The cable connector of claim 28, wherein each of said spring catches have a hook portion for engaging the electrical box and an inclined portion extending axially outward from said hook portions and said first end. 31. An electrical connector for coupling to an electrical box, comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, a bottom portion and opposite side portions defining an open top portion, said first end having a coupling member for coupling with an opening in the electrical box; a spring catch at said first end cooperating with said coupling member for coupling said body to the electrical box, said spring catch being integrally formed with said body; and a cable retaining spring integrally formed with said body as a one-piece unit and extending from said second end and toward said bottom portion of said body for gripping and retaining a cable in said body, said cable retaining spring being spring biased away from said bottom portion, said cable retaining spring having a coupling member for coupling with said body for retaining said cable retaining spring under tension and in a cable retaining position. 32. The electrical connector of claim 31, wherein said cable retaining spring includes at least one spring arm extending toward said bottom portion at an incline. 33. The electrical connector of claim 31, wherein said cable retaining spring includes a first side flange extending from a first side edge and having a first coupling member for coupling with a first side portion, and a second side flange extending from a second side edge and having a second coupling member for coupling with a second side portion. 34. An electrical connector for coupling to an electrical box, comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, a bottom portion and opposite side portions defining an open top portion, said first end having an open portion defining a slot in said body for coupling with an opening in the electrical box; a spring catch at said first end cooperating with said coupling member for coupling said body to the electrical box, said spring catch being integrally formed with said body; and a cable retaining spring integrally formed with said body as a one-piece unit and extending from said second end and toward said bottom portion of said body for gripping and retaining a cable in said body. 35. The electrical connector of claim 34, wherein said open portion is defined by a first slot extending between said bottom portion and one of said side portions, and a second slot extending between said bottom portion and the other of said side portions, said first and second slots defining a coupling member for coupling with the opening in the electrical box.