Abstract: An electrical connector system includes socket and plug connector components which each receive a plurality of electrical wires for interconnection. The socket and plug components each include a molded receiver element having a plurality of elongated, parallel locking finger elements and a molded spacer element having a plurality of elongated, parallel spacer fingers. The receiver and spacer elements are assembled so that their respective fingers are interdigitated to define a plurality of terminal receiver channels within each of the socket and plug components. Each of the electrical wires carries a socket or a pin terminal for connection to respective socket or plug components, the terminals each incorporating a locking surface which engages a corresponding locking surface formed in corresponding terminal receiver channels, so that the terminals can be releasably secured in the connector components.

Abstract: A two-part multiterminal connector includes a terminal plug connector element and a complementary terminal socket connector element. A cam mounted on a shaft on one connector element includes a spiral camming channel which is centered on the shaft. The channel engages a cam follower mounted on the other connector element, whereby rotation of the cam about the shaft causes the cam follower to be drawn along the spiral camming channel. As the cam rotates, the cam follower is drawn closer to the shaft, causing the pin and socket terminals within the connector elements to mate. Reversal of the cam assembly disassembles the connector.