Inline indicating interconnect

• US 5,554,049 A
• Filed: 08/19/1993
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Woodhead Industries Incorporated (Molex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Woodhead Industries Incorporated (Molex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reynolds, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Daniel W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US08/109,379
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 439/488, 439/489, 439/490, 439/620, 439/638, 439/303, 439/315, 439/74, 439/76, 439/639, 439/650, 439/651, 439/655
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

An inline indicating interconnect having a female multi-pin socket connection at a first end and a multi-pin male/male connection and a second, opposed end includes a circuit electrically coupled to and disposed intermediate to the female and male connector ends. The circuit includes at least one light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light when a given electrical condition is satisfied. A generally cylindrical interconnect body comprised of a light-transmissive, moldable material is connected at its respective ends to the female and male connections and overmolded about the circuit components and leads attached thereto so as to encapsulate, seal and provide support for the circuit components and leads while permitting viewing of the emitted light about the entire 360° circumference of the interconnect body. The inline indicating interconnect is particularly adapted for installation in existing cable connections and junctions to provide a visual indication of electrical operation or circuit status.

Claims

1. An inline indicating interconnect for electrically coupling a first male and a second female connector in completing an electrical circuit to connect a functional device to a load, and for indicating a continuity condition for the electrical circuit, said interconnect comprising:

a first connector body including a first end portion having a rotatable threaded portion for coupling to said first male connector and further including a second cylindrical end portion;

a second connector body including a first end portion having a rotatable threaded portion for coupling to said second female connector and further including a second cylindrical end portion;

indicator circuit means electrically coupled to said first and second connector bodies, said indicator circuit means including a disc-shaped circuit board having circuitry disposed on a generally flat surface thereof and coupled to a light source, said indicator circuit means further including said light source mounted to said circuit board and energizable for emitting light when said continuity condition is satisfied; and

an interconnect body coupled to said first and second connector bodies and comprised of a molded light-transmissive material, wherein said interconnect body is molded about said indicator circuit means so as to encapsulate and support said indicator circuit means and to permit viewing of light emitted by said light source, wherein said interconnect body is generally cylindrical and includes first and second opposed open ends respectively adapted to receive in tight-fitting engagement the cylindrical end portions of said first and second connector bodies, and wherein each of said cylindrical end portions of said first and second connector bodies includes a respective plurality of spaced, annular ribs disposed thereabout for securely attaching said connector bodies to said interconnect body.

2. An inline indicating interconnect as recited in claim 1 wherein said interconnect body is comprised of clear polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

3. An inline indicating interconnect as recited in claim 1 wherein said first connector body includes a plurality of conductive socket contacts coupled to said indicator circuit means.

4. An inline indicating interconnect as recited in claim 1 wherein said second connector body includes a plurality of conductive pins coupled to said circuit means.

5. An inline indicating interconnect as recited in claim 1 wherein said light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

6. An inline indicating interconnect as recited in claim 1 wherein said moldable material is rigid to provide a high strength, secure, sealed connection between said first and second connector bodies.

7. An inline indicating interconnect as recited in claim 1 wherein said indicator circuit means includes a second light source for emitting light when a second condition is satisfied, and wherein said light sources respectively emit first and second light colors.

8. The inline indicating interconnect of claim 7 wherein said light sources are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

9. An inline indicating interconnect as recited in claim 8 wherein said colors are green and amber.