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Modular electrical connector assembly

  • US 4,820,204 A
  • Filed: 12/12/1986
  • Issued: 04/11/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1986
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A modular electrical connector assembly for interconnecting a plurality of conductors in a first ordered array with a like plurality of conductors in a second correspondingly ordered array, the assembly comprising matable first and second connectors, each connector containing a plurality of terminals attachable to the conductors, and a connector housing, each housing comprising:

  • an outer housing shell, each shell being polarized by first keying means and matable with the outer housing shell of the other connector in only one mutual angular orientation;

    an inner body, the terminals being mounted within the inner body, each inner body including second keying means for engaging with a complementary inner body in the other connector in only one angular orientation, and third keying means for orienting the inner body relative to the corresponding shell in one of a plurality of specified angular orientations, the mutual orientation between the first and second keying means in each corresponding inner body and shell being different in each specified orientation of the inner body relative to the shell, the first and second keying means being both engagable with complementary first and second keying means on the matable connector when the angular orientation between the inner body and the shell in the first connector corresponds to the angular orientation of the inner body relative to the shell in the second connector; and

    latching means on the first and second connector comprising a plurality of resilient collet fingers having enlarged ends on the outer housing shell of one connector, the other connector having a ridge on the outer housing shell and an outer shiftable sleeve, the collet fingers being deflectable over the ridge, the sleeve being shiftable over the collet fingers to retain the collet finger ends between the ridge and the sleeve;

    whereby a plurality of distinct first and second connectors can be constructed from interchangeable outer housing shells and inner bodies, each distinct connector assembly being suitable for interconnecting conductors in a first ordered array only with conductors in a corresponding second ordered array.

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