Electrical connector with substantially flush mounted cord seal
First Claim
1. An electrical connector for attachment to an end of an electrical cord comprising:
- a connector body having a plurality of electrical contacts mounted thereto, said contacts being adapted to be coupled to the end of the electrical cord;
a cover having a tubular sidewall with a first end and a second end, said first end of said cover being coupled to said connector body and said second end having an inwardly extending end wall with an exterior surface defining a centrally located opening for receiving the electrical cord therethrough; and
a removable resilient cord seal fixedly coupled within said opening of said cover, said cord seal having an outer peripheral surface engaging an inner peripheral surface of said opening in said end wall to form a seal therebetween and a centrally located aperture for receiving the end of the electrical cord therethrough to form a seal therebetween, said outer peripheral surface of said cord seal being located entirely within said opening of said cover, said cord seal having an outer end surface extending between said outer peripheral surface and said aperture, said outer end surface of said cord seal being substantially contiguous with respect to said exterior surface of said cover to form a substantially smooth interface with said exterior surface to increase difficulty of removal of said cord seal from said opening in said end wall of said cover,said inner peripheral surface of said opening being configured to matingly engage said outer peripheral surface of said cord seal to secure said cord seal within said opening via a protrusion and recess connection formed on said peripheral surfaces.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical connector with a cord seal is disclosed for attachment to an end of an electrical cord to prevent dust, moisture and other foreign matter from entering the electrical connector. The electrical connector preferably a connector body with a plurality of electrical contacts mounted therein, and cover coupled to the connector body. The cover has an end wall with the cord seal mounted therein such that the outer surface of the cord seal is at least substantially flush with respect to the exterior surface of the end wall of the cover to increase the difficulty of removing the cord seal from the opening in the end wall of the cover. In other words, the geometry of the exterior surface of the end wall of the cover blends with the geometry of the outer surface of the cord seal. The electrical connector can be either a male or a female electrical connector.
28 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. An electrical connector for attachment to an end of an electrical cord comprising:
-
a connector body having a plurality of electrical contacts mounted thereto, said contacts being adapted to be coupled to the end of the electrical cord; a cover having a tubular sidewall with a first end and a second end, said first end of said cover being coupled to said connector body and said second end having an inwardly extending end wall with an exterior surface defining a centrally located opening for receiving the electrical cord therethrough; and a removable resilient cord seal fixedly coupled within said opening of said cover, said cord seal having an outer peripheral surface engaging an inner peripheral surface of said opening in said end wall to form a seal therebetween and a centrally located aperture for receiving the end of the electrical cord therethrough to form a seal therebetween, said outer peripheral surface of said cord seal being located entirely within said opening of said cover, said cord seal having an outer end surface extending between said outer peripheral surface and said aperture, said outer end surface of said cord seal being substantially contiguous with respect to said exterior surface of said cover to form a substantially smooth interface with said exterior surface to increase difficulty of removal of said cord seal from said opening in said end wall of said cover, said inner peripheral surface of said opening being configured to matingly engage said outer peripheral surface of said cord seal to secure said cord seal within said opening via a protrusion and recess connection formed on said peripheral surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification