Connecting device

• US 7,326,091 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Interconnect Americas, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hypertronics Corporation (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Feinberg, Arnold S., Radunsky, Vadim L., Coughlan, Christopher, Nania, Francesco A., Kannally, Thomas H. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh; Phuong
• Application Number:
  US10/770,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20040157499A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,464 Days
• Field of Search: 439/681, 439/680, 439/354, 439/903, 439/598
• US Class Current: 439/681
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3831 comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical coupling H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3893 Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5829 the clamping part being flexibly or hingedly connected to the housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6271 Latching means integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6456 comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6599 Dielectric material made conductive, e.g. plastic material coated with metal

Abstract

A connector for electrical or optical conduits that provides a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. A separate relative keying means is included that is separate from the case keying or locating mechanism. The connector also utilizes a retention means for example, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within the receptacle case.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for connecting together two conduits or cables, said assembly comprising:

a female receptacle connector having a receptacle insulator and receptacle case, said receptacle case having a groove defined in said receptacle case and at least one opening defined in said receptacle case;

a male plug connector matingly connectable with said female receptacle connector, said male plug connector including a plug case having an interfitting plug insulator matingly interfittable with said receptacle insulator, said plug case having a key that is slidable into said groove, and said plug case having at least one catch each interfittable with a respective one of the at least one opening to thereby prevent accidental separation between said plug case and said receptacle case during assembled connection of said male plug connector and said female receptacle connector; and

a retention means for retaining said receptacle insulator within said receptacle case,

wherein said receptacle insulator includes a head with a peripheral surface, said receptacle case having a cutout corresponding to the shape of said head whereby engagement of said receptacle insulator head with said receptacle case prevents relative rotation therebetween.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 in which the geometry of said head permits relative indexing between said receptacle insulator and said receptacle case.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1 in which the geometry of said head permits selectable keying between said receptacle insulator and said receptacle case.

4. The connector assembly of claim 3 in which said head is six sided.

5. A connector assembly for connecting together two conduits or cables, said assembly comprising:

a female receptacle connector having a receptacle insulator and receptacle case, said receptacle case having a groove defined in said receptacle case and at least one opening defined in said receptacle case;

a male plug connector matingly connectable with said female receptacle connector, said male plug connector including a plug case having an interfitting plug insulator matingly interfittable with said receptacle insulator, said plug case having a key that is slidable into said groove, and said plug case having at least one catch each interfittable with a respective one of the at least one opening to thereby prevent accidental separation between said plug case and said receptacle case during assembled connection of said male plug connector and said female receptacle connector; and

a retention means for retaining said receptacle insulator within said receptacle case,

wherein said at least one catch are formed from a double cantilever beam extension.