Abstract: A retention article for retaining closely-spaced terminals in a connector housing is formed having a stiff water-like article of thermoplastic material and elastomeric material therearound, with a plurality of holes extending therethrough. A pair of arcuate, partly converging wall sections partly surround each hole of said water-like article and extend forwardly from a planar section thereof having forward ends acting as stop surfaces to engage a stop shoulder on each terminal inserted therein. Elastomeric material forward of the planar section surrounds and abuts the outside surfaces of the wall sections, so that when a terminal is inserted into a hole of the retention article it slightly expands the stiff wall sections apart until the stop shoulder passes the forward ends, and the elastomeric material acts to urge the wall sections together against the terminal behind the stop shoulder.

Abstract: An improved electrical terminal is disclosed having a smooth surface of transition between a contact portion and a crimp portion of the terminal providing both strength for the terminal and an exterior surface which allows the terminal to be moved through a sealing membrane without damage to the membrane. The terminal is stamped and formed from conventional metal stock and has additional base material in an area formed into a conical shape by die tooling. When the terminal is crimped to a conductor, the transition and crimp area are simultaneously closed to provide a smooth strong transition between the crimp and the remainder of the terminal.

Abstract: A heavy duty connector is disclosed having a plug member and a receptacle member each including a first set of standard terminals and a second set of auxiliary terminals. The subject receptacle will accept a standard plug in a partially mated condition, engaging the first terminals without damaging the second terminals. The subject plug member will fully mate with the subject receptacle, engaging both sets of terminals, and fully mate with a standard receptacle, the second terminals not being engaged. Thus, any combination of the subject and standard connector members are intermatable. The cover of the subject receptacle member is profiled to hold a standard plug in the partially mated condition and the subject plug in a fully mated condition.

Abstract: An improved environmentally sealed connector is disclosed. The connector includes mating members having bodies of semi-rigid dielectric material with a plurality of contact receiving cavities therein. A like plurality of seals are provided each inserted into a recessed rear end portion of a respective contact receiving cavity to effect seating engagement with both the member and the wires connected to the terminals mounted therein. A plurality of seals are preferably molded in a single sheet and are so spaced therein that they can be punched therefrom and inserted directly into the rear of the connector member contact receiving cavities. The seals allow easy replacement of the contacts without destroying the sealing characteristics. The connector members also include radially deformable locking means and sealing means at the mating faces.