Electrical connector with high impact strength locking assemblies
First Claim
1. In a water tight electrical connector assembly having a male connector and a female connector with a mating seal formed cooperatively upon connection of the male connector to the female connector, wherein one of the connectors includes locking tabs and the other connector comprises:
- a locking yoke made from an impact resistant thermoplastic having a bit portion with opposed ends and locking arms integrally formed on either end of the bit portion;
an electrical contact forming a terminating end of a wire; and
a dielectric thermoplastic overmold body including a portion of the mating seal at the proximal end thereof and encasing said bit portion and said electrical contacts whereby the locking arms extend outside the body with a degree of flexibility so that the arms are capable of engaging and disengaging the locking tabs on the mating connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A weather-resistant electrical connector having an environmental seal and including a locking assembly made from a high impact strength thermoplastic. A method is disclosed for overmolding the connectors in one step. A locking yoke latches the connectors together. Locking tabs secure the connectors to mounting plates. The locking tabs have steps to retain the connectors upon compression of a seal. An insulated mounting post supports the contact and is of sufficient length to seal and contain any arcs from live connections.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. In a water tight electrical connector assembly having a male connector and a female connector with a mating seal formed cooperatively upon connection of the male connector to the female connector, wherein one of the connectors includes locking tabs and the other connector comprises:
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a locking yoke made from an impact resistant thermoplastic having a bit portion with opposed ends and locking arms integrally formed on either end of the bit portion; an electrical contact forming a terminating end of a wire; and a dielectric thermoplastic overmold body including a portion of the mating seal at the proximal end thereof and encasing said bit portion and said electrical contacts whereby the locking arms extend outside the body with a degree of flexibility so that the arms are capable of engaging and disengaging the locking tabs on the mating connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification