Power connector with safety feature

• US RE41,283 E1
• Filed: 09/27/2007
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCI Americas Technology Incorporated (FCI)
• Original Assignee: FCI Americas Technology Incorporated (FCI)
• Inventors: Rohrbaugh, Brian M., Allison, Jeffrey W., Evans, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond; Briggitte R
• Application Number:
  US11/862,464
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 439/680, 439/681, 439/682, 439/677, 439/633, 439/79
• US Class Current: 439/680
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/724 containing contact members forming a right angle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/44 Means for preventing access to live contacts making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036

Abstract

Electrical receptacle connectors are provided including an insulative housing and AC power contacts disposed therein that are configured for engaging an external power supply. The receptacle connectors are employed with a safety guard for restricting operator access to hot AC power contacts when disconnected from complementary header connectors. Preferred safety guards include projections extending along at least a portion of perimeter areas surrounding housing apertures that provide access to engaging portions of the AC power contacts. The projections define a safety gap between human digits directed toward the housing apertures and the AC power contacts.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising:

an insulative housing including a connector mating face;

a DC power contact disposed in said insulative housing, said DC power contact comprising a pair of opposed and spaced apart contact walls, and one or more terminals extending from one of the contact walls for engaging a circuit board;

an AC power contact disposed in said insulative housing; and

a shrouded AC cable port extending from said insulative housing at a location that is different from that of said connector mating face;

wherein said connector mating face comprises;

an aperture therein to provide access to a engaging portion of said AC power contact;

a perimeter area adjacent said aperture; and

a guard proximate said perimeter area for preventing direct human touching of said engaging portion of said AC power contact.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said AC power contact comprises a pair of opposed and spaced apart contact walls, and a tab extending from at least one of the contact walls.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of signal contacts disposed in said insulative housing.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said guard comprises at least one projection extending outwardly from opposing sides of said perimeter area.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein said guard comprises two spaced apart projections extending outwardly from each of the opposing sides of said perimeter area.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 3 5, wherein said two spaced apart projections are dissimilar.

7. An electrical connector, comprising:

an insulative housing including a connector mating face including first and second apertures formed therein;

a first type of power contact disposed in said insulative housing and accessible through said first aperture;

a second type of power contact disposed in said insulative housing, said second type of power contact being accessible through said second aperture and having a different configuration than that of said first type of power contact; and

at least one projection extending outwardly from said connector mating face and along at least a portion of a perimeter of said first aperture to inhibit entry of a human digit into said first aperture,

wherein said first type of power contact comprises a pair of opposed and spaced apart walls, at least one of which includes a tab for engaging an AC power cable plug; and

wherein said second type of power contact comprises a second pair of opposed and spaced apart walls including a plurality of terminals extending therefrom for engaging a printed circuit board.