Electrical connector and devices using the same
First Claim
1. A female connector for positioning in an insulated adapter housing to receive a male connector, the female connector comprising:
- a connector body having an outer periphery and defining a through aperture having an inner periphery, the connector body including a flexible, non-conductive portion and a conductive portion having diametrically opposed conductive segments, each conductive segment at least partially extending continuously around the outer periphery of the body and into the inner periphery of the aperture, wherein the connector body is constructed such that when the male connector is inserted through the aperture of the connector body, the flexible, non-conductive portion of the connector body and the conductive portion of the connecter body cooperate to allow for radially outward expansion of the aperture, thereby creating radially inwardly directed contact pressure between the conductive portion of the connector body that partially defines the inner periphery of the aperture and an outer periphery of the male connector inserted therethrough.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The subject disclosure is directed to female connectors which can be employed in a quick connect/disconnect system used in medical devices to provide a non-permanent electrical and mechanical engagement with a male connector. The female connectors include, inter alia, a connector body that has an outer periphery and an aperture extending therethrough. The connector body has a flexible, non-conductive portion and a conductive portion which is at least partially exposed in the aperture and on the outer periphery of the connector body. The connector body is constructed such that when a male connector is inserted into the aperture of the connector body, the flexible, non-conductive part and the conductive part of the connecter body cooperate to allow for expansion of the aperture, creating contact pressure between the conductive part of the connector body and the male connector.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A female connector for positioning in an insulated adapter housing to receive a male connector, the female connector comprising:
a connector body having an outer periphery and defining a through aperture having an inner periphery, the connector body including a flexible, non-conductive portion and a conductive portion having diametrically opposed conductive segments, each conductive segment at least partially extending continuously around the outer periphery of the body and into the inner periphery of the aperture, wherein the connector body is constructed such that when the male connector is inserted through the aperture of the connector body, the flexible, non-conductive portion of the connector body and the conductive portion of the connecter body cooperate to allow for radially outward expansion of the aperture, thereby creating radially inwardly directed contact pressure between the conductive portion of the connector body that partially defines the inner periphery of the aperture and an outer periphery of the male connector inserted therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
13. A female connector for insertion into an insulated adapter housing to receive a male connector, the female connector comprising:
- a connector body having an outer periphery and defining a circular through aperture with an annular inner periphery having an inner diameter, the connector body including a flexible, non-conductive portion and a conductive portion having diametrically opposed conductive segments, each conductive segment at least partially extending continuously around the outer periphery of the body and into the inner periphery of the aperture, wherein the connector body is constructed such that when the outer diameter of the male connector is larger than the inner diameter of the aperture, the flexible, non-conductive portion of the connector body and the conductive portion of the connecter body cooperate to allow for radially outward expansion of the aperture and receipt of the male connector, and create radially inwardly directed contact pressure between the conductive portion of the connector body that partially defines the inner periphery of the aperture and the outer diameter of the male connector.
- View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
Specification