Connecting device

• US 20040157499A1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Published: 08/12/2004
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 7,326,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/680
• 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. An connector assembly for connecting together two conduits or cables, said assembly comprising:

a female receptacle connector having an receptacle insulator and receptacle case with both a groove and an opening;

a male plug connector including plug case having an interfitting plug insulator, said plug case having a key that is slidable in to said groove, and at least one catch that may interfit with said opening to thereby prevent accidental separation; and

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

2. The connector assembly of claim 1 in which said retention means includes a snap apron.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1 in which said retention means includes a radially inwardly pointing web.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1 in which 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.

5. The connector assembly of claim 4 in which the geometry of said head permits relative indexing between said receptacle insulator and said receptacle case.

6. The connector assembly of claim 4 in which the geometry of said head permits selectable keying between said receptacle insulator and said receptacle case.

7. The connector assembly of claim 6 in which said head is six sided.

8. The connector assembly of claim 1 in which said ears are formed from a double cantilever beam extension.

9. The connector assembly of claim 1 further including a castellated insulator positioner to align said plug insulator thereby allowing relative indexing or radial relative displacement of said male plug connector to said female receptacle connector.