Devices, methods, and combinations for securing electrical connectors

Abstract

Devices, methods, and combinations for securing electrical connectors, wherein one of the connectors has a pair of mounting holes for facilitating mounting to a panel having cooperating mounting holes therein and an intermediate slot to permit passage of a portion of an electrical connector therethrough, can utilize a device which includes a flexible and sturdy planar member having a pair of mounting holes therein oriented so as to co-align with holes in the one connector and the panel. The planar member has a cooperating slot at least as large as the panel slot, and is formed so that two substantive portions can be folded at right angles in a U shape along parallel lines extending from opposite sides of the slot, the folded portions having inner surfaces facing each other with a space therebetween for housing the other connector. In one embodiment, a first strip of fastening means is affixed to the outer surface of one of the portions distant from the slot, and a second strip of cooperating fastening means is affixed to the inner surface of the other of the portions distant from the slot. One strip contains hook elements, the other contains loop elements. The planar member is formed with slits extending from the mounting holes to the rectangular slot to allow for retrofitting to an already existing bolted panel connector without removing the connecting bolts. Optionally, the fastening means can be affixed to surfaces which face each other, so as to engage with cooperating fastening means affixed to the cable connector. Combinations include the use of such a device in connection with the panel connector, the cable connector, and the panel substrate. Further detailed embodiments are also disclosed.