Strain-relief bushing

Abstract

A unitary, permanently-locked, strain-relief bushing and a tool for applying same in an aperture in a support panel. The bushing comprises two generally concave, complementary portions interconnected by a flexible web. Each complementary portion comprises a shank segment having an especially configured shouldered end and a grip segment frangibly secured thereto axially extending from the shouldered end. The tool for applying the bushing into the aperture comprises an open-sided barrel, a plunger within the barrel and an especially configured mounting recess at the front end of the barrel. The mounting recess firmly receives the shank shouldered ends when the complementary portions are folded, concave portion to concave portion permitting an electric conductor or the like to be received in the bore thus defined by the complementary portions. The shank segments are inserted into the aperture whereupon the plunger is actuated to contact the front end of the grip segments and sever the grip segments from the shank segments. Further travel of the plunger forces the grip segments within the shank segments and permanently locks the conductor within the bushing and the bushing within the support panel.