Abstract: An inventive rear lamp module for a vehicle incorporates a trailer tow connector to provide electrical signals to a trailer that is to be pulled by the vehicle. Preferably, two separate connectors are formed on a rear face of an electric lamp module. A first connector receives input signals from the vehicle and a second connector is an optional connector to be connected to a trailer connector when the trailer is connected to a vehicle. The present invention eliminates the need of a separate wire harness for the trailer connector, and thus reduces cost. In addition, by positioning the trailer tow connector within a plastic part mounted in a secure position in the vehicle, the trailer tow connector is easily maintained.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle terminal comprising a frame, and a leaf spring. The frame has a receptacle section for a male terminal. The receptacle section has a general shell configuration with one side of the shell having a seam therein. The seam is located to section the side of the receptacle section into two cantilevered side sections with each side section being cantilevered from an opposite wall of the receptacle section parallel to the seam. The leaf spring is movably captured within the receptacle. The leaf spring is biased against the shell of the receptacle section with opposite ends of the leaf spring contacting the side of the shell. The leaf spring has two pairs of support surfaces. One pair of the support surfaces is located at each of the opposite ends of the leaf spring.

Abstract: A connector is provided having a set of spaced blades that cooperate to penetrate the coating of a wire to make electrical contact with the wire while the connector is bent therearound. The blades are disposed circumferentially about the wire at approximately 120.degree. intervals. The connector may have a plurality of sets of blades. Further, a method of forming a connection between a wire having a coating and a connector is disclosed having the steps of extending a first, a second and a third blade from a connector body, the second blade disposed between the first and third blades, and bending the body about a portion between the first and second blades and about a portion between the second and third blades so that the blades engage the wire through the coating.

Abstract: A female electrical connector has a wire attachment segment and a receptacle segment. A pair of apertures are juxtapositioned within the receptacle segment circumferentially separated from one another by solid portions of the receptacle segment therebetween. A male electrical connector has a wire attachment segment, a bulged segment and a shaft segment. The male electrical connector has a longitudinal channel positioned within the shaft segment. Considered individually or together, these electrical connectors substantially reduce required insertion forces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a seal assembly having a radially diffusive barrier surrounding a compressible combination seal. The combination seal has a radial seal portion and an axial seal portion, providing axial and radial sealing properties as they relate to both diffusive and convective mass flows.

Abstract: A sealing member of the present invention is used in an automotive vehicle electrical connector assembly and has a pentagonal cross sectional shape thereto with an inside surface defining an aperture centrally therein. A first electrical connector half has an electrical contact proximate therewith and is surrounded by a support structure. A second electrical connector half has an electrical contact proximate therewith and has a body segment and a mating segment within which extends an outer peripheral wall. Furthermore, the second connector half outer peripheral wall has an outside surface and an inside surface which are joined by a peripheral edge therearound. The sealing member is juxtapositioned between the inside surface of the second connector half and the outside surface of the first connector half supporting structure.

Abstract: The present invention anti-rotational fastener for an automotive vehicle comprises a cap portion suitable for attachment to an electrical apparatus and a barbed shaft. The shaft has a pair of broad sides and a pair of thin sides, all of which extend perpendicularly downward from the cap portion for attachment to an automotive vehicle body panel. This difference in shaft side dimensions corresponds to an elongated slot cut within the vehicle body panel, thereby preventing rotation of the fastener and, in turn, the electrical apparatus. Furthermore, an upper portion of the shaft broad sides has a pair of wings oppositely extending outward therefrom in order to mechanically stabilize the fastener against rotational movements in vertical planes which would otherwise tend to loosen the fastener. In an alternative embodiment, the anti-rotational fastener of the present invention can be used to retain and prevent rotation of a portion of a wire harness.

Abstract: A cover plate for use in covering an opening in an automotive vehicle body panel is comprised of a substantially flat base having an appearance face and a hidden face bordered by a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge has a tapered frame around a majority thereof. The cover plate is further comprised of a pair of flexible legs each having a shortened member projecting from the hidden face and having an elongated member extending beyond the peripheral edge of the base partially coincidental to an overhanging portion of the base. The cover plate also has a wedge ramp with a triangular-shaped segment being mounted upon the hidden face of the base such that an intersection is created between a hypotenuse of the wedge ramp and the base. The base has a first portion which is juxtaposed to this intersection. A fastening protrudes from the hidden face of this first portion.

Abstract: A subminiature terminal (10; FIGS. 5 and 6A & 6B) for mechanically holding and electrically interconnecting a wedge-base bulb (1; FIGS. 1 & 2) into a circuit in, for example, an automotive application, in which the electrical and mechanical retention forces balance out, in a preferred manner (FIGS. 4 & 4A), preventing undesired rotation (tilting) of the bulb held between opposed terminal pairs seated in a connector system (not illustrated). The terminal includes conductor and insulation grips (11), a body or base (12) (the structural part), a mechanical retention spring (13), and an electrical contact spring (14).

Abstract: A subminiature electrical connector for use particularly in the automotive industry including an insulating plastic body (3) housing an exemplary three terminal pins (1A-C), which are initially locked into place by resilient internal fingers (6) having outwardly directed locking tabs (6A), which are lockingly engaged into inner openings (19) in the terminal pins. After the terminal pins have been inserted and seated, a resilient, exteriorly applied radial locking ring (4) is applied about the body, laterally straddling it, providing a second, double lock for the terminal pins. The locking rings include three, inwardly directed, radial tabs (42A-C) which extend through external body openings (3A) and which lockingly extend into outer, mating openings (18) in the terminal pins. The radial finger tabs and the radial ring tabs are oppositely positioned and conjunctively provide a double lock on each of the pins seated within the connector body.

Abstract: A terminal pin which can be used in a subminiature electrical connector system ("C") for use particularly in the automotive industry, which system includes a body (3) housing an exemplary three terminal pins (1), which are initially locked into place by resilient internal fingers (6) having outwardly directed locking tabs (6A), which lockingly engage inner openings (19) in the terminal pins. A resilient, exteriorly applied radial locking ring (4) is applied about the body, straddling it, providing a second, double lock for the terminal pins. The locking ring includes three inwardly directed, radial tabs (42A-C) which extend through body openings (3A) and which lockingly extend into outer, mating openings (18) in the terminal pins. The finger tabs and the radial ring tabs are oppositely positioned and conjunctively provide a double lock on each of the pins seated within the connector body. Circumferentially extending guide rails (11) properly locate the radical lock on the exterior of the body.

Abstract: A unitary resilient bracket (1) for mounting a plurality of electrical component housings (70, 76) to a mounting surface (80) in a space saving vertical arrangement using a minimum of individual fasteners while allowing access to the components located within the housings.Bracket (1) includes keyways (21, 23, 25, 27, 29) for accommodating a multiplicity of keys (74, 78) located on housings (70, 76 respectively) in combination with housing retaining members (60) and flange lock (4) interacting with flange (72) to secure the housings to the bracket.Bracket (1) is secured to mounting surface (80) by fasteners passing through fastening flanges (2) and a primary lock tab (62) which is disposed in a receiving slot (82) located in mounting surface (80).

Abstract: A rattle-free peripheral interface between a housing and a top latched thereto including at least generally vertically extending, integral, resilient members which are resiliently deformed when the top is latched to the cover, with the integral resilient members providing the sole contact between the opposed peripheries of the top and of the housing. A first form of resilient member includes a pair of oppositely extending, diagonal legs extending down from the top and terminating in feet which resiliently contact rigid shelves or facing areas on the opposed housing (FIG. 4), the housing having a castellated, interdigitated interface with the resilient member. A second form of resilient member includes a vertically extended, thin member on the underside of the top, which is resiliently deformed and in contact with an opposed rigid shelf when the top is latched onto the housing (FIGS. 5A and 5B).

Abstract: An electrical component housing assembly having a main housing body (2) containing a matrix (12) of receptacle cavities (34) being adapted to accommodate mating single receptacles (4) or mating double receptacles (6). The electrical receptacles include polarizing tabs (170, 270) which are received in polarizing slots (40) of the receptacle cavities (34) upon the condition that the receptacles are properly oriented with respect to the receptacle cavities. Locking tabs (172, 272) located on the receptacle (4, 6) respectively engage with the recessed channels (42) and walls (43) to secure the receptacles within the cavities (34). A locking bar (8) interacts with a locking member (37) that engages cutout portion (168, 268) of a receptacle (4, 6) to further secure the receptacles within the cavities.

Abstract: A rattle-free peripheral interface between a housing and a top latched thereto including at least generally vertically extending, integral, resilient members which are resiliently deformed when the top is latched to the cover, with the integral resilient members providing the sole contact between the opposed peripheries of the top and of the housing. A first form of resilient member includes a pair of oppositely extending, diagonal legs extending down from the top and terminating in feet which resiliently contact rigid shelves or facing areas on the opposed housing (FIG. 4), the housing having a castellated, interdigitated interface with the resilient member. A second form of resilient member includes a vertically extended, thin member on the underside of the top, which is resiliently deformed and in contact with an opposed rigid shelf when the top is latched onto the housing (FIGS. 5A and 5B).

Abstract: A ventilated, splash-resistant electrical component housing assembly adapted to allow free flow of air throughout the housing assembly in order to provide cooling of electrical components therein. A main housing body (2) having a plurality of openings (12) along with means to retain electrical components (4) with the main body is disclosed. A top cover (30) having exterior notches (42) and an interior wall (46) with interior notches (48) is attached to the main body (2) and a bottom cover (14) having vent channels (19) is secured to the main body (2) in order to shield the electrical components and simultaneously to allow the free flow of air throughout the housing assembly.