Method of mounting a connector assembly

• US 20100144183A1
• Filed: 12/15/2009
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Interconnect Americas, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hypertronics Corporation (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kannally, Thomas H. JR., Feinberg, Arnold S., Radunsky, Vadim L., Coughlan, Christopher, Nania, Francesco A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,938,670 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/248
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3831 comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical coupling H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5829 the clamping part being flexibly or hingedly connected to the housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6271 Latching means integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6456 comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6599 Dielectric material made conductive, e.g. plastic material coated with metal

Abstract

A connector for electrical or optical conduits that provides a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. A separate relative keying means is included that is separate from the case keying or locating mechanism. The connector also utilizes a retention means for example, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within the receptacle case.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A method of mounting a connector assembly to an equipment case, the connector assembly connecting together a first conduit and a second conduit, the method including:

inserting a receptacle insulator into a receptacle case to form a receptacle assembly of a female receptacle connector of the connector assembly;

retaining the receptacle insulator within the receptacle case using a retainer;

passing a plurality of leads of the first conduit into corresponding bores in the receptacle insulator;

inserting a rear portion of the receptacle assembly into an opening in the equipment case; and

securing the receptacle assembly to the equipment case.

11. The method of claim 10, further including:

selecting a relative indexing of the receptacle insulator relative to the receptacle case; and

inserting the receptacle insulator into the receptacle case based on the selected relative indexing.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the connector assembly further includes a male plug connector, and the method further includes connecting the male plug connector to the female receptacle connector.

13. The method of claim 12, further including:

inserting a plug insulator into a plug case to form a plug assembly of the male plug connector; and

passing a plurality of leads of the second conduit into corresponding bores in the plug insulator.

14. The method of claim 13, further including:

selecting a relative indexing of the plug insulator relative to the plug case; and

inserting the plug insulator into the plug case based on the selected relative indexing.

15. The method of claim 13, further including interfitting the plug insulator with the receptacle insulator to connect the plug case to the receptacle case.

16. The method of claim 10, further including positioning a panel nut onto the rear portion of the receptacle assembly to secure the receptacle assembly to the equipment case.

17. A method of mounting a connector assembly to an equipment case, the connector assembly connecting together a first conduit and a second conduit, the method including:

inserting a rear portion of a receptacle case into an opening in the equipment case;

securing the receptacle case to the equipment case;

passing a plurality of leads of the first conduit into corresponding bores in a receptacle insulator;

inserting a front portion of the receptacle insulator into the rear portion of the receptacle case to form a receptacle assembly of a female receptacle connector of the connector assembly; and

retaining the receptacle insulator within the receptacle case using a retainer.

18. The method of claim 17, further including:

selecting a relative indexing of the receptacle insulator relative to the receptacle case; and

inserting the receptacle insulator into the receptacle case based on the selected relative indexing.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the connector assembly further includes a male plug connector, and the method further includes connecting the male plug connector to the female receptacle connector.

20. The method of claim 19, further including:

inserting a plug insulator into a plug case to form a plug assembly of the male plug connector; and

passing a plurality of leads of the second conduit into corresponding bores in the plug insulator.

21. The method of claim 20, further including:

selecting a relative indexing of the plug insulator relative to the plug case; and

inserting the plug insulator into the plug case based on the selected relative indexing.

22. The method of claim 20, further including interfitting the plug insulator with the receptacle insulator to connect the plug case to the receptacle case.

23. The method of claim 17, further including positioning a panel nut onto the rear portion of the receptacle case to secure the receptacle case to the equipment case.