Components having means for keyed interconnectability

• US 4,784,614 A
• Filed: 09/30/1987
• Issued: 11/15/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Sadigh-Behzadi, Amir-Akbar
• Primary Examiner(s): MCQUADE, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US07/103,096
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 439/488, 439/491, 439/677, 439/680, 434/259
• US Class Current: 439/488
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling

Abstract

A keying system, especially for use with intermateable electrical connector assemblies is disclosed. An electrical connector assembly includes first and second interconnectable electrical connectors. The first connector includes a first keying means formed into a raised pattern of letters identifying a particular color. The mating second connector is colored the particular color and includes a pattern of cavities corresponding to the pattern of letters. The second connector accommodates the first connector in singular unique orientation, with the color of the second connector easily visually identifying the mateability of the first connector thereto.

Claims

1. An assembly of matched interconnectable components comprising:

a first component; and

a second component constructed for interconnection with said first component;

said first component having first keying means including a raised pattern of letters, said letters identifying a particular color;

said second component having second keying means which interfittingly engages said raised pattern of letters of said first keying means;

said second component being color coded so as to correspond to the particular color identified by said raised pattern of said first component, to thereby provide a visual indication of the matched interconnectability of said first and second components.

2. An assembly of claim 1 wherein said second keying means includes at least one cavity which accomodates said raised pattern of letters of said first keying means.

3. An assembly of claim 2 wherein said cavity is formed into a pattern complementary to said pattern of letters of said first component.

4. An assembly of claim 2 wherein said keying means includes a plurality of cavities constructed to be complementary to said raised pattern of letters of said

5. An assembly of claim 2 wherein said second keying means accommodates said raised letters of said first keying means in singular unique orientation.

6. An assembly of claim 2 wherein said first component is colored a different color than said second component.

7. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a first electrical connector having a first insulative housing supporting a plurality of first electrical contacts;

a second electrical connector, said second connector being connectable to said first connector and including a second insulative housing supporting a plurality of second electrical contacts, said first contacts being electrically connectable to said second contacts;

a first mating element on said first housing being formed into a configuration to identify a particular color;

a second mating element on said second housing, said second mating element being intermateable with said first mating element, said second mating element being color coded said particular color.

8. An electrical connector assembly of claim 7 wherein said first mating element includes plural projections formed into alphabetic shapes in configuration such that said particular color is identified.

9. An electrical connector assembly of claim 8 wherein said second mating element includes plural recesses which accommodate the projections of said first mating element.

10. An electrical connector assembly of claim 9 wherein said first mating element and said second mating element provide for polarized mating of said first and second connector.

11. An electrical connector assembly of claim 7 wherein said first mating element is colored a color other than said particular color.

12. An electrical connector assembly of claim 11 wherein said second housing is colored said particular color.

13. An electrical connector assembly of claim 12 wherein said first housing is colored said color other than said particular color.