Electrical connector having multiple terminal receptacle receiving different plugs
First Claim
1. In a multiple contact connector, a universal receptacle for mating with a plug assembly comprising either a single multiple terminal plug or various combinations of smaller plugs, said universal receptacle including:
- a formed body;
a plurality of female connector terminals supported on said body; and
a number of male connector terminals carried on the body,said male terminals being arranged relative to said female terminals in a manner to permit only one orientation and position for each of said plugs relative to said receptacle, whereby polarity across the connector is assured for all combinations of plugs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple contact electrical connector is provided with a universal receptacle adapted to mate alternatively with a single plug or various combinations of plugs while maintaining polarity of the contacts in the connector. The receptacle is provided with a resilient exterior for forming weatherseals at the interface between mating male and female terminals in the connector, yet also has a rigid central core providing sufficient strength for positive coupling with the mating plugs. In preferred forms, each plug has a centrally attached threaded bolt adapted to be received within a complemental insert formed in the rigid core of the receptacle for facilitating coupling and uncoupling of the plugs with the receptacle and for locking mating terminals in electrical contact with one another. The resilient receptacle is particularly adapted for releasable sealed mounting on the firewall of a motor vehicle by virtue of the provision of a removable U-shaped clip which captively engages the firewall in cooperation with a flange formed in the resilient body of the receptacle.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a multiple contact connector, a universal receptacle for mating with a plug assembly comprising either a single multiple terminal plug or various combinations of smaller plugs, said universal receptacle including:
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a formed body; a plurality of female connector terminals supported on said body; and a number of male connector terminals carried on the body, said male terminals being arranged relative to said female terminals in a manner to permit only one orientation and position for each of said plugs relative to said receptacle, whereby polarity across the connector is assured for all combinations of plugs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a motor vehicle having a firewall, a multiple contact connector forming an electrical interface for circuits of the vehicle electrical system passing through the firewall:
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a unitary receptacle including a resilient central body supporting a plurality of female connector terminals; a plug assembly including a complemental first number of male terminals for mating with said female terminals when said assembly and said receptacle are coupled together; and polarizing means for permitting said plug assembly to be coupled with said receptacle in only a single predetermined orientation whereby to maintain polarity across the connector, said polarizing means including a number of second male connector terminals on said receptacle forming a radially asymmetrical array with said first female terminals thereon, and complemental second female connector terminals on said plug assembly disposed to mate with said second male terminals, said plug assembly comprising a plurality of plugs each having terminals thereon, the total number of terminals on said plugs being equal to the number of terminals on said receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification