Plug-in connector for use with electrical sockets in motor vehicles

• US 4,319,798 A
• Filed: 02/14/1980
• Issued: 03/16/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bernhard Mittelhauser
• Original Assignee: Bernhard Mittelhauser
• Inventors: Mittelhauser, Bernhard
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Application Number:
  US06/121,641
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 339/154, 339/153
• US Class Current: 439/638
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement

Abstract

Tandem plug-in connectors for use with electrical sockets in motor vehicles include two plug-in connector sections each provided with, in addition to their center contacts, an external contact which is to be shifted radially of the connector body. The external contact of the front section is arranged radially beyond the external contact of the rear section in such a manner that an electrical connection is established between the external contacts, at least when the front section is inserted into a corresponding socket, i.e. in the operative position of such plug-in connector section.

Claims

1. A tandem-type plug-in connector, for use with electrical sockets in motor vehicles, which comprises:

a first section and a second section each independently usable as plugs as well as both usable when unified, said first and second sections of the tandem-type plug-in connector being capable of being connected; and

an external contact respectively provided for each of said sections, one end of each of said external contacts being embedded in its pertaining section, the other end of each of said contacts being a free end adapted to be shifted radially with respect to its pertaining section, said external contacts being capable of engaging one another to effect connection of said first and second sections and electrical connection between said external contacts, with said external contact of said first section being arranged radially outwardly of said external contact of said second section in the position of connection of said first and second sections, said free end of said external contact of said second section being curved to form a hook shape that is capable of positively engaging said external contact of said first section, said external contact of said second section being shifted inwardly in a radial direction upon application of radially exerted pressure on said external contact of said first section, said first and second sections each having a center contact, one end of one of said center contacts being adapted to resiliently abut against one end of the other of said center contacts when assembled.