Having Interengageable Sealing Extension Patents (Class 439/281)
  • Patent number: 5401181
    Abstract: A connector with fluid sealing including a male connector part having a rectangular body containing at least one contact pin. The outer peripheral surfaces of the rectangular body forming a male mating area. The connector further includes a female mating part containing at least one contact receptacle and having a rectangular opening adapted to receive the male connector part within the opening. The inner peripheral surfaces of the female connector part defining the rectangular opening forming a female mating area. A bead extends circumferentially around the entire periphery of one of the mating areas. The other of the mating areas has a groove extending circumferentially around the entire periphery and is adapted to receive the bead to create a fluid seal between the male and female connector parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: D S M & T Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5387119
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an open-face waterproof, underwater matable electrical connector which can be used in marine seismic operations. The male plug is of a one-piece construction and made of a molded relatively hard and rigid plastic, with electrical connectors encapsulated therein. The body of the female receptacle is of a one-piece construction and made of a relatively soft plastic, with electrical sockets encapsulated therein. The electrical connector also preferably includes an external elongated tubular shell or housing made of a high density plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Tescorp Seismic Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Wood
  • Patent number: 5368499
    Abstract: A multi-lead electrical plug connector is disclosed including a plug part (4) and a socket part (5). The plug connector is furnished in particular for the connection of two cables, each cable having two conducting wires. The plug connector is subdivided into two end section (A, C) with round cross-section and a center section (B) with an oval or flat cross-section, respectively. Two contact pins (1, 2) and two contact shells (14, 15) are furnished, which are disposed adjacent to each other on the longitudinal axis (3) of the oval section. The plug connector is furnished in particular for the heavy-duty operating conditions present, for example, in motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Wabco Westinghouse Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
    Inventor: Ingo Hirt
  • Patent number: 5300734
    Abstract: A grommet which is coupled with a connector and covers a wire which is connected to the connector so as to protect the wire is disclosed. The grommet is comprised of a coupling end having flexibility and being coupled with the connector, a tube-like end having an open end into which the wire is inserted prior to being connected to the connector, a hollow intermediate having flexibility and being provided between and connected with the coupling end and the tube-like end so as to contain the wire, and a handling member made of a hard material and arranged around the coupling end so as to be held in one's fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Motoyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5199893
    Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a connector assembly for plugging geophones into a leader cable includes rigid thermoplastic inserts that are positioned within molded polyurethane bodies and molecularly bonded thereto. The male connector member carries a replaceable silicone O-ring seal in an external annular groove therein which engages an internal annular recess on the female body when the connection is made up. The seal keeps out moisture, and releasably couples the connector members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Don L. Fussell
  • Patent number: 5183413
    Abstract: An electrical connector modularly arrayed wherein electrical contacts either manual or automatic assemble through a grommet assembly into retention clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Luis J. Lazaro, Jr., Franklin D. Harsch
  • Patent number: 5088191
    Abstract: An electrical connector modularly arranged wherein electrical contacts either manual or automatic assemble though a grommet assembly into retention clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Luis J. Lazaro, Jr., Franklin D. Harsch
  • Patent number: 5066242
    Abstract: An environment-proof electrical connector assembly includes first and second mateable connectors. The first connector has a male terminal. The second connector has a female terminal and includes a conductive receptacle defining a blind cavity for receiving the male terminal and for establishing an electrical connection with the male terminal within the blind cavity. A seal is provided on the first connector for closing the blind cavity in response to mating of the connectors to seal the electrical connection from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Roberto Martucci
  • Patent number: 4979908
    Abstract: An electrical connector device which provides for a sealed, weather-proof electrical connection in an electrical circuit. The electrical connector device includes a first housing element having a pair of first electrical fittings projecting therefrom and a second housing element having a pair of second electrical fittings projecting therefrom so that when the first and second housing elements are positioned next to each other the first and second electrical fittings cooperate with each other to complete an electrical connection. The first housing element also includes a pair of circumferential first flanges, each first flange surrounding a different one of the first electrical fittings, and the second housing element also includes two sets of concentric second and third circumferential flanges, each set surrounding a different one of the second electrical fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: The Grote Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Gary W. Brooks, Victor Mastis
  • Patent number: 4973266
    Abstract: A combined terminal secondary lock and seal for securing a terminal within a connector cavity in sealed relation comprises a sleeve surrounding the end of the wire and a portion of the terminal and abutting against the widened terminal contact portion. The sleeve includes a plurality of apertures adjacent the insulated portion of the wire, which apertures define a plurality of axially aligned spaced slats sufficient to provide axial rigidity to the sleeve. A resilient seal ring is integrally molded into the apertures and extends outwardly into circumferential sealing engagement with a cavity of the connector and inwardly into circumferential sealing engagement with an insulated portion of the wire. A sleeve retainer is provided on the connector for securing the sleeve and terminal against axial movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Dill Products Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter H. Bullard
  • Patent number: 4967057
    Abstract: Individual electrically heated mats, self-regulated by use of an electrical element whose resistance varies proportionately with its temperature, used for covering walking areas to prevent accumulation of snow and ice. Each mat is provided with male and female electrical connections on the ends of short power cords to permit any number of mats to be chained together in electrical parallel and to be used to cover, for example, a flight of stairs by positioning one mat on each stair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventors: Ronald E. Bayless, James M. Havard
  • Patent number: 4961713
    Abstract: A dual molded connector and a dual molding process for fabricating a insulative housing having a relatively rigid portion and a relatively more flexible sealing portion is disclosed. The relatively rigid portion is first formed in a mold. Elastomeric material can then be injected after shifting portions of the mold define voids adjacent opposite faces of the molded rigid housing. An internal gate between opposite surfaces of the housing permits sealing material to flow into the void on opposite faces of the housing. Thus, only an external single gate for the injection of sealing material is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis C. McCracken, Charles R. Malstrom, Peter G. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 4950175
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a connector body and an elastomeric seal of one piece construction which seals the conductor end of the connector body and provides an interface seal when the connector body is plugged into a mating connector. The elastomeric seal is held in place by a backshell which provides a protective shroud for the interface sealing portion of the elastomeric seal. A lock arm is incorporated into the backshell which also provides a strain relief and a mount for a connector position assurance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Plyler, Lyle B. Suverison, John A. Yurtin, Joseph H. Gladd
  • Patent number: 4946402
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a thermoplastic connector body, a plurality of electrical terminals which are attached to a plurality of insulated conductor wires, an elastomeric seal, a thermoplastic backshell, a connector position assurance device and a thermoplastic cap. The elastomeric seal provides both conductor wire and interface seals. The backshell includes movable clam shells which gather the conductor wires in a bundle in the closed position. The connector position assurance device cooperates with one of the clam shells and a release lever to insure that the electrical connector is properly latched to a mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Randy L. Fink, Bruce J. Serbin
  • Patent number: 4917632
    Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed having an elongated conductor housing of non-conducting material with two electrical connector conductors embedded in and extending lengthwise of the housing. Each connector conductor has a socket at one end and a pin at the other. A sleeve of elastic material positioned on the housing so that a portion of the housing extends beyond the sleeve to serve as a male plug and a portion of the sleeve extends beyond the other end of the housing to combine with the housing to form a female plug. The sleeve has an integral elongated boot in the side through which a geophone cable extends. The conductors of the geophone cable are connected to the conductors embedded in the housing of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Shaw Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: J. David Smith
  • Patent number: 4904198
    Abstract: A high voltage, anti-corona connector defines similar interengaging structures of varying sizes which both retain the plug in the socket and provide substantially air-tight, anti-corona seals. The plug is a unitarily formed structure fabricated of a resilient dielectric material which defines an elongate contact receiving barrel having a plurality of spaced apart circumferential ribs of distinct sizes disposed on its outer surface. The socket includes a single contact disposed within a concentric aperture having at least one circumferential recess. One of the ribs of the plug seats within the socket recess and tightly retains the plug therein, the remaining ribs providing substantially air-tight seals to minimize arcing and corona discharge. Intimate seals between the face of the socket and a shoulder region of the plug adjacent the barrel as well as the end of the barrel and the internal end wall of the socket also contribute to the performance of the high voltage plug and socket of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Rowe Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Begitschke, David B. Potter
  • Patent number: 4895529
    Abstract: An environmentally sealed electrical connector is comprised of plug and receptacle housing members, each member having a rigid portion and a flexible portion secured to one end thereof, and at least one electrical terminal receiving passageway extending through the rigid and flexible portions. The flexible portions of the passageways are dimensioned to accommodate and sealingly engage a variety of wire sizes terminated to electrical terminals which are received and disposed in the passageways of the assembled member. The plug member may be further comprised of a second flexible section secured at the other end of the rigid section, the second flexible section providing a resilient sealing member for environmentally sealing the interface when the receptable and receptacle members are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Anil C. Thakrar, John P. Redmond, Paul C. Schubert, Jr., Clair W. Snyder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4874325
    Abstract: An electrical connector has an interface seal mounted on a plug portion of a thermoplastic connector body which serves as the mounting surface for the interface seal. The plug portion has a conformation which opens onto the mounting surface and the interface seal has a retainer portion which snaps into the conformation to assure that the interface seal is always correctly positioned. The interface seal has a sealing portion which is made of silicone compounds and the retainer portion is made from thermoplastic material or silicone compounds having a substantially higher durometer than the silicone compounds of the sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bensing, Joseph H. Gladd, John A. Yurtin
  • Patent number: 4865559
    Abstract: A high voltage connector is provided for interconnecting a power cable to an apparatus such as a transformer. The cable is securely coupled to the connector, which is then mounted on to the transformer bushing. The bushing and cable electrical contacts inside the connector are spaced apart, and electrical connection is achieved therebetween by inserting a continuity plug into a socket of the connector. Electrical isolation between the cable and transformer may be effected without physically moving either piece of equipment, by removing the continuity plug and replacing it with another plug that introduces sufficient electrical insulation between the equipment contacts to allow operating and test voltages to be applied to one of the cable and transformer without flashover occurring to the other of said pieces of equipment. Other interchangeable plugs may provide earthing for a selected one of the pieces of equipment, also without requiring physical movement of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Limited
    Inventor: Robin J. Clabburn
  • Patent number: 4842541
    Abstract: A female electrical connector and a male electrical connector. The two connectors are designed to interconnect in a locking relationship. The female electrical connector is an insulative housing member, formed from two parts and a locking mechanism is provided for locking together the two parts. The first of the two parts has a plurality of parallel passages and a cylindrical female contact member retained at one end of each of the parallel passages. Each of the female contact members is attached at one end to an electrical conductor and is provided with a collar proximate the other end. A resilient tang having at least one projection is provided for cooperation with the collar. A latching mechanism is provided for holding the two insulative housing members together. The second part of the female insulative housing member has a body section which is adapted to receive the first part of the female housing member. The body has a back wall with holes aligned with the parallel passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Precision Mechanique Labinal
    Inventor: Sergio Leandris
  • Patent number: 4836802
    Abstract: A sealed fuse holder (10) adapted to receive a fuse (14) having a fuse body (16) with a pair of spaced parallel male blade terminals (18, 20) extending therefrom, includes a resilient rubber electrically insulating receptacle (12) having a front face (26) with an opening (28) defining a cavity (30) extending rearwardly therefrom and having a back wall (32) spaced rearwardly from the front face and having side walls (28, 30) extending from the front face at the opening rearwardly to the back wall. A pair of spaced electrically conducting female terminal-receiving clips (22, 24) extend rearwardly from the back wall and receive respective blade terminals inserted rearwardly thereinto. A first seal (38) provides sealing from the front, and a second seal (12) including the back wall (32) provides sealing from the rear. The combination seals the electrical contact surfaces and the fusible link, and provides moisture-proof and explosion-proof sealing in marine application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Phillips
  • Patent number: 4832616
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a connector body having a plurality of longitudinal cavities which include rearward sealing portions, terminals disposed in the cavities and attached to conductors which extend out of the rearward sealing portions of the cavities and elastomeric seal sleeves for sealing the conductor end of the electrical connector. A conductor seal lock attached to the conductor end of the connector body has towers coaxially disposed on the conductors and axially compressing the elastomeric seal sleeves to ensure full insertion of the terminals and the accurate positioning of the terminals in the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Stein, Sr., Hoi Lui
  • Patent number: 4828509
    Abstract: A modular connector including mating male and female components providing electrical and pressure connection between the two components. The electrical connections comprise a telephone-type connector retained within molded apertures which also provide for a fluid flow between the mating components. The connector housing includes redundant molded sealing elements, disposed on surfaces of the male component of differing dimensions. The connector also features an overlapping member of one of the connector components providing an umbrella-like shield of the confronting surfaces to provide an environmentally resistant, reliable pressure tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Gregory G. Vogel
  • Patent number: 4810208
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a front mating face and a rear sealed face. The connector housing further includes a plurality of terminals disposed in apertures which extend between the front face and the rear sealing face of the housing. The terminals include front contacting portions adjacent to the front face and wire connecting portions adjacent to the rear face. The terminal also includes an integral portion which extends beyond the rear sealing face. A seal is provided at the rear sealing face which is retractable therefrom to expose the extending terminal portions for probing. The seal is retractable from the rear sealing face while the electrical connector is connected to a matable receptacle, and while the system, to which the electrical connector and receptacle are connected, is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Earl J. Hayes, Allen F. VanDerStuyf
  • Patent number: 4768970
    Abstract: A sealed electrical connection comprises a socket connector and an electrical connector plug assembly. The electrical connector plug assembly comprises a combined holder-latch member for a plurality of subassemblies which include elastomeric seals fitted onto insulator housings forming part of ignition cable termination assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Nestor
  • Patent number: 4758175
    Abstract: An aircraft ground power cable system having field-replaceable nose and contact components. The connector body is at one end integrally molded to a ground cable sheath and at the other end is provided with internal fixed contacts to which a replaceable nose section may be threadably secured. Weather- and water-tight seals are provided about the peripheral junction of the nose section and the connector body as well as about the sealing screws which secure the nose to the body. Also provided on the connector body in sealed relationship are a replaceable switch plate and switches mounted on that plate. The replaceable nose section includes replacement contacts for engaging mating contacts on the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: BIW Cable Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Didier, Michael L. Price
  • Patent number: 4758174
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes opposed matable halves. Each half of the connector includes a rigid outer shell and a one-piece molded elastomeric insert frictionally retained in the respective outer shell. The inserts frictionally retain appropriate electrical terminals. Keys on the inserts cooperate with keyways on the outer shell to ensure proper alignment and polarization. One of the outer shells is mechanically crimped to the cable to provide strain relief and an environmentally sealed connection. One of the inserts is provided with an outwardly extending sealing flange which is tightly urged into contact between the opposed outer shells for environmental sealing. The forward end of one insert defines a peripheral lip which is urged into tight engagement with the mating face of the opposed insert to further contribute to environmental sealing. A right angle adapter molded from an elastomeric material can provide a strain relief transition of the cable through a right angle bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Leonard H. Michaels, Robert A. Miller
  • Patent number: 4745381
    Abstract: In a microwave connector assembly for electrical connection of adjacent ones of microwave circuit components, an internal conductor is accommodated in a cavity formed by an external conductor member and is supported by an insulator support member within the cavity. The internal conductor is operable as a leaf spring and elastically brought into contact with a pair of contacts fixed to radio frequency terminals of the adjacent microwave circuit components. The external conductor member may be formed either by a base plate for mounting the circuit components or by a conductive case which is covered with a conductive cap and which is located in an opening of the base plate. A print board may mechanically be attached to the base plate so as to supply a bias voltage to each circuit component through bias terminals thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yuhei Kosugi, Hirohisa Ozawa, Hideki Kusamitsu, Yoshio Minowa
  • Patent number: 4704091
    Abstract: Connector system such as for medical applications, which includes a yoke with inset pins, the yoke also including a locking feature for mating with an insulated connector, and locking the insulating connector into the yoke. The yoke includes at least one or a plurality such as three or more inset pins in the yoke for receiving insulated connectors such as for breath, heartbeat, and rate monitors. The yoke is formed in a three step molding process where colored buttons are first molded, the buttons and pins are then molded into a small inner yoke body assembly, and then a final yoke assembly is molded encompassing the pins, buttons, informational plaque, including a strain relief for the cable. The connector system provides for safety as well as FDA considerations and prevents a connecting lead being plugged into an AC outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventors: Rick L. Owens, Michael J. Fowler