Electrical connector assembly with latching bar
First Claim
1. An electrical connector assembly comprising, in combination:
- a main terminal connector associated with a master cable comprising(1) a housing having a receiving end, said receiving end defining an elongated opening exposing a cavity having a first plurality of grooves each of a first predetermined cross-sectional shape on one side of said cavity and a second like plurality of grooves each of a second cross-sectional shape, on the other side of said cavity, said first and second plurality of grooves opposing one another so as to form a like plurality of contiguous passageways from said opening to the back of said cavity;
(2) a plurality of terminal pins supported with respect to said housing, each of said pins being electrically connectable to said master cable, said pins being associated in pairs, the two pins of each pair being disposed in a spaced-apart relationship in a corresponding one of said passageways;
(3) a slot formed in said housing on said one side of said cavity transverse to said first plurality of grooves;
(4) an elongated locking bar having formed along its length thereof a plurality of spaced-apart notches, each notch being associated with a corresponding one of said grooves of said first plurality, said bar being mounted within said slot for movement between (a) a locking position wherein said notches are spaced from the grooves of said first plurality and said bar partially obstructs each of said passageways, and (b) an unlocking position wherein each of said notches is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said grooves of said first plurality so that each of said passageways is substantially unobstructed; and
(5) biasing means for biasing said locking bar in said locking position; and
at least one plug associated with a single cable including an insertion end having a cross-section so as to be slidably receivable in a snug-fitting manner in any one of said passageways to a fully inserted position, said plug comprising a pair of terminal openings in said insertion end, and means disposed in each opening and electrically-connectable to said single cable, for receiving and making electrical contact with the corresponding terminal pins disposed in said one passageway when said plug is in said inserted position, said insertion end including (a) means cooperative with said bar for moving said bar from said locking position to said unlocking position against said biasing means when said plug is slid in said passageway to said inserted position, and (b) locking means cooperating with said locking bar when said plug is in said inserted position and said locking bar is in said locking position, for locking said plug in said passageway.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved electrical connector assembly (for transmitting biopotential signals) comprises a main terminal connector associated with a master cable connectable to the signal processing apparatus and at least one plug associated with a single cable connectable to an biopotential electrode for sensing the biopotential signal of increase. The connector comprises a cavity defining a plurality of contiguous passageways each structured so as to receive the plug in only one direction to provide proper polarization. The design of the plug and the passageways, a color coding provided on the housing and the plug, the provision of an automatic interlocking mechanism allowing each plug to be inserted in any passageway and automatically locked in place, provides for easy, reliable and quick connections to be made. The preferred connector is designed to be easily cleaned such as by immersing it in a cleaning fluid, and the connecting pins are provided in a protective manner in the connector.
71 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An electrical connector assembly comprising, in combination:
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a main terminal connector associated with a master cable comprising (1) a housing having a receiving end, said receiving end defining an elongated opening exposing a cavity having a first plurality of grooves each of a first predetermined cross-sectional shape on one side of said cavity and a second like plurality of grooves each of a second cross-sectional shape, on the other side of said cavity, said first and second plurality of grooves opposing one another so as to form a like plurality of contiguous passageways from said opening to the back of said cavity; (2) a plurality of terminal pins supported with respect to said housing, each of said pins being electrically connectable to said master cable, said pins being associated in pairs, the two pins of each pair being disposed in a spaced-apart relationship in a corresponding one of said passageways; (3) a slot formed in said housing on said one side of said cavity transverse to said first plurality of grooves; (4) an elongated locking bar having formed along its length thereof a plurality of spaced-apart notches, each notch being associated with a corresponding one of said grooves of said first plurality, said bar being mounted within said slot for movement between (a) a locking position wherein said notches are spaced from the grooves of said first plurality and said bar partially obstructs each of said passageways, and (b) an unlocking position wherein each of said notches is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said grooves of said first plurality so that each of said passageways is substantially unobstructed; and (5) biasing means for biasing said locking bar in said locking position; and at least one plug associated with a single cable including an insertion end having a cross-section so as to be slidably receivable in a snug-fitting manner in any one of said passageways to a fully inserted position, said plug comprising a pair of terminal openings in said insertion end, and means disposed in each opening and electrically-connectable to said single cable, for receiving and making electrical contact with the corresponding terminal pins disposed in said one passageway when said plug is in said inserted position, said insertion end including (a) means cooperative with said bar for moving said bar from said locking position to said unlocking position against said biasing means when said plug is slid in said passageway to said inserted position, and (b) locking means cooperating with said locking bar when said plug is in said inserted position and said locking bar is in said locking position, for locking said plug in said passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification