Electrical connector having a spring to facilitate mounting

• US 20050153591A1
• Filed: 01/09/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hubbell, Inc.
• Inventors: Abughazaleh, Shadi A., O'Connor, Douglas P., Miller, Alan C., Kierstead, Glenn T., Ruetsch, Randolph R., Milner, John J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,018,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/321
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/625 Casing or ring with bayonet engagement

Abstract

An electrical connector is provided that protects the electrical connector and associated components from harsh mechanical, electrical and environmental requirements. A jack is received by a jack housing, and a plug is received by a plug housing. The jack is adapted to receive the plug. A first seal member is positioned between the plug housing and the jack housing to form a seal therebetween when the jack and the plug are connected. A coupling member is attached to the plug housing and is adapted to receive the jack housing. A spring member is positioned between the coupling member and the plug housing to compress the first seal member between the jack housing and the plug housing.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising:

a jack;

a jack housing receiving said jack;

a plug matable with said jack;

a plug housing receiving said plug;

a first seal member positioned between said plug housing and said jack housing to form a seal therebetween;

a coupling member attached to said plug housing and receiving said jack housing; and

a spring member positioned between said coupling member and said plug housing providing a biasing force between said jack housing and said plug housing to compress said first seal member.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said jack is an RJ-45 jack and said plug is an RJ-45 plug.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein

a fastening member is threadably received by said jack housing to mount said electrical connector to a surface.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein

said fastening member is a nut.

5. An electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein

a second seal member is disposed on said plug housing between said fastening member and a second shoulder.

6. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein

said plug housing has a first shoulder on an external surface to limit movement of a rear wall of said coupling member.

7. An electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein

said spring is disposed on said plug housing between said first shoulder and said rear wall of said coupling member.

8. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein

said spring is an overlap spring.

9. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein

said spring is made of stainless steel.

10. An electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein

a cap is connected to said jack housing.

11. An electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein

said cap is coupled to said jack housing for closing said jack housing when said coupling member is removed.

12. An electrical connector secured to a mounting surface, comprising:

a jack;

a jack housing receiving said jack and having a first outer surface and a mounting member positioned proximal a first side of the mounting surface;

a fastening member received on said first outer surface and positioned proximal a second side of the mounting surface

a plug received in said jack;

a plug housing receiving said plug and having a second outer surface and a first shoulder extending outwardly from said second outer surface;

a first seal member positioned between said plug housing and said jack housing forming a seal therebetween;

a second seal member positioned on said first outer surface of said jack housing and between said mounting member and said fastening member;

a coupling member having a rear wall, being on said plug housing and receiving said jack housing, said rear wall of said coupling member being limited in movement by said first shoulder; and

a spring positioned on said outer surface of said plug housing and providing a biasing force between said coupling member and said plug housing to compress of said first and second seal members.

13. An electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein

said jack is an RJ-45 jack and said plug is an RJ-45 plug.

14. An electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein

said fastening member is threadably received on said outer surface of said jack housing.

15. An electrical connector according to claim 14, wherein

said fastening member is a nut.

16. An electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein

said spring is an overlap spring.

17. An electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein

said spring is made of stainless steel.

18. An electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein

a cap is connected to said first outer surface of said jack housing.

19. An electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein

said cap is coupled to said jack housing for closing said jack housing when said coupling member is removed.

20. An electrical connector adapted to be secured to a mounting surface, comprising:

a jack;

a jack housing receiving said jack and having a first outer surface and a second shoulder extending outwardly therefrom and disposable on a first side of the mounting surface;

a fastening member received on said first outer surface and disposable on a second side of the mounting surface to secure said electrical connector to the mounting surface;

a plug received in said jack;

a plug housing receiving said plug and having a second outer surface and a first shoulder extending outwardly from said second outer surface;

a first seal member disposed on said plug housing forward of said first shoulder, said first seal member providing a first seal between said plug housing and said jack housing;

a second seal member disposed on said jack housing rearward of said second shoulder, said second seal member providing a second seal between said jack housing and the mounting surface;

a coupling member on said jack housing and having a rear wall; and

a spring disposed on said plug housing providing a biasing force between said second shoulder and said rear wall of said coupling member, said spring being compressed when said coupling member is engaged with said jack housing to compress the first and second seal members.

21. An electrical connector according to claim 20, wherein

said jack is an RJ-45 jack and said plug is an RJ-45 plug.

22. An electrical connector according to claim 20, wherein

said fastening member is threadably received on said first outer surface of said jack housing.

23. An electrical connector according to claim 22, wherein

said fastening member is a nut.

24. An electrical connector according to claim 20, wherein

said spring is an overlap spring.

25. An electrical connector according to claim 20, wherein

said spring is made of stainless steel.

26. An electrical connector according to claim 20, wherein

a cap is connected to said second seal member of said jack housing.

27. An electrical connector according to claim 26, wherein

said cap is coupled to said jack housing for closing said jack housing when said coupling member is removed.