Abstract: A resilient tapered conical insert (40,70) is snap fit into a mating recess in each side of a two-piece multi-circuit connector (50, 80). A coupling body segmented latch arm (501, 801) expands over an insert ramp (410, 701) with segmented tabs (42, 82) and locks into an insert recess groove (402, 702) for a tactile and audible signal of engagement and a secure permanent union. Replaceable contact elements (20, 90) are snap fit in a fluid-resistant self-sealing relationship to selected mating openings (44, 74) in the inserts with a contact protrusion (22, 92) engaging an insert shoulder (140, 170) and contact barbs (23, 93) engaging resilient insert openings (145A, 171). A front contact barb (24, 94) snaps into a larger insert opening (45, 74) for a tactile and audible feedback of complete insertion. Replaceable inserts may be fitted with any desired configuration of paired contact elements assembled in the field. Blank or partially blank inserts (40B, 70B) may be drilled in the field.

Abstract: A connection structure for a shield electric cable and a method of processing a shield electric cable are intended for a shield electric cable having a cable core, an insulating inner jacket covering the cable core, a braided wire formed around the insulating inner jacket, and an insulating outer jacket formed around the braided wire so as to cover the cable core, the insulating inner jacket, and the braided wire. The connection structure includes an exposed portion of the braided wire obtained by partially exposing the braided wire and a shield terminal connected to the exposed portion. The shield electric cable and the shield terminal are connected to each other with a shield terminal joint portion formed between the shield terminal and the exposed portion by use of resistance welding. The method of processing a shield electric cable includes a step of bringing the shield terminal into contact with the exposed portion so as to resistance-weld the shield terminal to the exposed portion.

Abstract: To accommodate an electronic circuit board in an electrical connection box without accommodating it in a container. An electronic circuit board 14 is placed above a portion of insulation plates 19 and busbars 13 stacked on a lower casing 11. Circuit portions 14a of the circuit board 14 are electrically connected with the busbars 13 via connection terminals 17. There are provided housings 16 for retaining the connection terminals 17 in terminal chambers arranged side by side therein. The connection terminals 17 are connected with the circuit portions 14a by fitting the housings 16 to the periphery of the circuit board 14 sideways. The circuit board 14 is placed on the upper faces of supports 11c projecting from the lower casing 11 while the connection terminals are fitted to the tabs of the busbars from above.

Abstract: An interface connector which facilitates connection between a miniature card and a host device is disclosed. The interface connector includes an elastomeric connection device, an insulating body and electrical contacts. The elastomeric connection device and electrical contacts provide electrical pathways between corresponding pads and contacts (e.g., data, power and ground) on the miniature card and the host. The insulating body is adapted to be received by the host and to receive the miniature card, and includes a castellated side wall which protects the elastomeric connection device from foreign objects. The insulating body also includes location pins which facilitate proper insertion and alignment of the connector with regard to the host device. A keying feature is provided to prevent insertion of incompatible miniature cards. A write protect feature is disclosed for use with writable miniature cards. A combined latch-card detection switch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rectangular hand-mounted connector with d-shaped geometrical bay areas for providing easy mounting or dismounting compatibility in a commercial application without the use of any special tool is disclosed. The connector system uses a plurality of hooks located at the top and bottom of the receptacle shell to mate with a plurality of draw latches or bail latches at the top and bottom of the plug shell. In an alternative embodiment, a vertical clamping latch system is used to engage the receptacle and plug assembly. A polarization key in the receptacle shell provides latch tension when it is mated with its mating part from the plug shell. Strain reliefs may be connected to the receptacle or plug shell and may further having a plurality of ground studs for grounding the electrical contacts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for keying an electrical assembly with a wiring backplane include an electrical assembly (1), a removable guide member (3), and a wiring backplane (8). The removable guide member (3) has a projection (7) perpendicular to the body (4) of the removable guide member (3) which is secured to the electrical assembly (1) by a flexible latching element (11). The electrical assembly (1) having a removable guide member (3) is received by a wiring backplane (8) adapted to receive the removable guide member (3).

Abstract: A cable connecting structure includes a cable connector connected to a cable, a back panel selectively provided with one or a plurality of projections depending on a connecting position of the cable connector, and a substrate assembly having first and second ends and having a plurality of movable sliders extending between the first and second ends. Each of the sliders has third and fourth ends. The third end of at least one of the sliders makes contact with the projection of the back panel and the fourth end thereof projects from the first end of the substrate assembly when the second end of the substrate assembly connects to the back panel. The cable connector has at least one recess which receives and accommodates the fourth end of the at least one of the sliders when the cable connector connects to the first end of the substrate assembly.

Abstract: A system of using a rotatable key in the insertion of a conductor bearing card edge into a slotted supporting connector to accommodate a large number of different cards. A rotatable key opening in the slot face of the slotted supporting connector together with a specific card feature accommodating key positioned in the opening are arranged so that the key can be in one of several positions controlled by the opening with the shape of the key providing an interruption to the continuity of the slot at different distances along the slot length. The card has at least one notch in the insertion edge positioned to be at the slot interruption distance for the particular position of the key. A large number of unique distances are achievable with a single key part.

Abstract: A plug and socket connection system for an electronic unit, consists of a connection plug for the connection of connecting lines and a socket for receiving the connection plug. In accordance with the present invention, both the socket and the connection plug have at least one linearly guiding guide element for the guiding of the connection plug in correct position upon introduction of the connection plug into the socket and at least one locking element for the detachable locking of the connection plug in the plug socket, the locking elements cooperating by engagement in at least two positions.

Abstract: A modular multiple contact assembly includes a plug; a socket member having a socket opening for receiving the plug in a predetermined orientation; a first encoding sleeve securable to the plug; and a second encoding sleeve securable to the socket member. At least one of the first and second encoding sleeves is angularly and end-over-end placeable into a plurality of positions to bring into alignment different cross-sectional shapes of the first and second encoding sleeves. In a selected position one of the cross-sectional shapes of the first encoding sleeve matches with a cross-sectional shape of the second encoding sleeve, whereby in such a selected position the first and second encoding sleeves fit into one another to allow insertion of the plug into the socket opening.

Abstract: The invention concerns an indexable coding device for an electronic connector having a correction component (30) having a rear part (31) comprising a right prism of which at least one of the lateral faces makes up an angular indexing positioning reference surface, and an elongated front part (32) extending in a longitudinal direction and having a correction profile. According to the invention, it has a holding element (3, 8) for correction component (20, 30) said holding element (3, 8) comprising a lateral indexing means (11, 35, 36) having at least two lateral indexing positions spaced laterally with regard to one another to hold correction component (20, 30) according to one of the lateral indexing positions.

Abstract: In a device for pivotally mounting a terminal block on a support, in particular on an interface module case in a programmable controller, the terminal block is mounted on the support by nesting engagement with a rotary member articulated to the support. The articulated member and the terminal block carry complementary coding pegs associated by movement in translation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a connector system comprising a plug having a first part comprising first signal contact members, a second part comprising first electrical power supply contact members and an intermediate part and a socket having a first part comprising second signal contact members, a second part comprising second electrical power supply contact members disposed to cooperate electrically with the first electrical power supply contact members and an intermediate part. The intermediate part of the plug has a first ground contact member and the intermediate part of the socket has a second .ground contact member to cooperate electrically with the first member.

Abstract: A card edge connector (10) for connection to a circuit board (11). At least one key position (19, 20) is formed in the connector (10) between the contacts (15) and the end walls (13, 14) of the connector housing (12). At least one key (21) is disposed in the at least one key position (19, 20). At least one key slot (22) is formed in the circuit board (11) to cooperate with and receive the key (21). A removable key (21) may be removed from the key opening (19, 20) with a tool (27). In an alternate embodiment, the key (21') is irremovable.

Abstract: In a device for pivotally mounting a terminal block on a support, in particular on an interface module case in a programmable controller, the terminal block is mounted on the support by nesting engagement with a rotary member articulated to the support. The articulated member and the terminal block carry complementary coding pegs associated by movement in translation.

Abstract: A keying arrangement for electrical connectors is disclosed for preventing the inadvertent mating of a plug to the wrong receptacle. The opposing walls (28,30;18,20) of the mating plug (14) and receptacle (12) have openings (52,53;36,37) formed therein that contain opposing keys (40,51;54,56,58). One key has a projection (44) and the other key (54,56,58) has a groove (62,70). The groove is in alignment with the projection where the plug and receptacle are designated to mate. The keys are used in pairs, one key at each end of the connector to prevent partial mating and the resulting potential damage. The keys are in diagonally opposite positions to prevent inadvertent partial mating along an edge of the connector. The keys are removable and replaceable so that keying configurations can be changed in the field.

Abstract: A keying arrangement for electrical connectors is disclosed for preventing the inadvertent mating of a plug to the wrong receptacle. The opposing ends of the mating plug (14) and receptacle (12) have polygonal openings (80,94) formed completely through their housings that contain opposing polygonal-shaped keys (100) that are axially aligned. Each of the keys is retained in its respective polygonal opening by a pair of wing-like flanges (116) extending from the key that overlies a first surface (86) formed in the housing adjacent the polygonal opening and a locking tab (122) projecting from the key that underlies another surface (92) spaced from the first surface (86).

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises, an insulative housing block (2), electrical contacts (4) held by the housing block (2), spring fingers (11) on each of the contacts (4) for gripping onto a conductive pin, cavities (6) in an insulating housing (5) for receiving the fingers (11), mouths (19) opening into the cavities (6) for receiving conductive pins to be gripped by the spring fingers (11), and a break way key and latch assembly (30) for connecting together the housing block (2) and the housing (5) .

Abstract: A connector (C1) includes a housing (10) and a pair of terminals (T1) adapted to interconnect to a pair of wires (W1, W2) to electrically connect with terminals (33, 35) of a connector (R1); wherein the connector has a key (20) that is movably latchable in the housing in one of two positions in accordance with the orientation of the wires as terminated to terminals (T1) to form an appropriate connector orientation relative to a keyway and the mating connector and assure proper mating of connectors and wires, despite random orientation of wires as terminated.

Abstract: An external key (24) on a connector (12), the key being adapted with multiple slots (35) in a clip (25), rails (36) in the slots (35) being shorter in length than the slots (35), projecting posts (38) on the connector (12) received in the slots (35), projecting latches (40) on the connector (12), and the clip (25) being slidable to move the rails (36) into channels (39) of the posts (38), and to latch the clip (25) against the latches (40).

Abstract: A fiber optic connector for a fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) has a keying element located along the centerline of the plug which may be rotated to provide different polarizations for the plug. The plug has a cable entering one end, and breaking out into two fibers which terminate in ferrules at the other end of the plug. The keying element has a post which is slidably received in a hole through the plug, the hole positioned in a groove located along the centerline of the plug; an annular flange is formed at the distal end of the post to retain it within the hole. The post is molded with a square keyway block which has two channels in its upper surface. The channels are orthogonal, and one is located along the centerline of the block while the other is located along one side of the block. The plug mates with a receptacle having a spline on its inner surface, located in one of four possible configurations near the centerline of the receptacle.

Abstract: The connector keying system has a first connector housing (4) with a mating surface and a second connector housing (2) with a mating surface. The second housing (2) is movable relative to the first housing (4). In this system a programming of the keying shall occur automatically as the connector housings (2, 4) are mated together. This achieved as follows: A keying means receiving recess (23) is provided on the mating surface of the first connector housing (4) proximate an end thereof. A keying means is provided in the recess (23). The keying means has a first (22) and a second keying member (24). The first keying member (22) is secured to the first connector housing (4) by first securing means (50, 52). The second keying member (24) is frictionally maintained in corporation with the first keying member (22). The second keying member (24) has second securing means which are provided to cooperate with the second connector housing when the connector housings (2, 4) are mated together.

Abstract: A test connector for an electronic circuit unit to be mounted on a shelf (11) of an electronic apparatus, which is adapted to be inserted on the shelf only when a projection (33) on the electronic circuit unit comes into a matching position relative to a groove (25) provided on a frame portion (21) of the shelf (11). Guide members (51, 53) with guide grooves (55, 65) which guide the opposite side edges of the electronic circuit unit (27) are provided on a printed wiring board (45) which has connectors (47, 49) at the opposite ends thereof. A plurality of rod members (61, 63) are slidably located on the guide member (51). When mounting the electronic circuit unit, at least one of the rod members (61) or (63) is slid forwardly by the projection (33), prohibiting the placement of the test connector (43) on the shelf (11) unless a protruded end of the rod member (63) is in a matching position relative to the groove (25) on the shelf (11).

Abstract: Coding modules are connected to an electrical plug and an electrical socket to control whether or not the plug and socket can be connected to each other. Each module has a frame and two keys connected to their frames. The keys are selectively positionable on the frames to provide at least sixteen different key configurations for each module. The modules are snap-lock connected to the electrical plug and socket such that the module key configurations must be arranged in a complementary fashion before the plug and socket can be connected to each other.

Abstract: A connector comprises a plug of electrically insulating material and a housing box for accommodating electric contacts therein. The plug is selectively insertable in the box and comprises at least one first element insertable in a bore of the box formed for accommodating the contacts, and a second element for insertion in a corresponding opening of a printed circuit board. The plug selectively includes a bore for receipt of a complementary electric contact or a lug closing the box bore for preventing receipt of a complementary electric contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing including a transverse body section and a shroud portion extending forwardly therefrom and defining a cavity, an array of pin contact members extending forwardly of the body section and within the cavity and at least one pair of closely spaced elongate members within the cavity. The elongate members extend to respective leading ends forwardly beyond the leading edge of the shroud portion and cooperate with the shroud portion and with each other to disallow inadvertent entry of a human finger into the cavity proximate pin contacts adjacent the elongate members. The pair of elongate members further provide aligning and keying means for the connector.

Abstract: A keying arrangement for interconnectable components is disclosed. The keying arrangement is particularly useful for fiber optic connector assemblies having a receptacle connector with key projections integrally formed therewith in one of plural different key positions. These key positions may be dictated by an industry standard. A plug connector of the assembly includes a multi-positionable key element. The key element is positionable in plural different orientations to provide keyways which uniquely accommodate one of the plural different key positions of the receptacle connector. Rotative movement of the key element within the plug connector provides the plural different orientations and thereby the plural keyways.

Abstract: A connector guide (30) includes an apertured body (31) adapted to receive a guide pin (26) to position, align, and/or polarize mating connectors (14, 22). The guide embodiments include projections (32, 34, 36, 56) adapted to lock guide means to connector mating structures such as a printed circuit board (12) or a cover (23).

Abstract: An arrangement for providing a connection for ground, power or signals for an electronic connector assembly which also provides a keying function.

Abstract: Polarizing keys are provided to allow only selected pairs of connectors to be mated, which allow one connector to be displaced slightly after mating, while also providing a large area of interference between nonmating keys to prevent their connectors from mating. Each key has an elongated keying portion with an interfitting side 94 (Fig. 9) which lies opposite the interfitting side of a similar corresponding key when the connectors are mated. Each interfitting side has forward and rearward parts 120, 122, with the rearward part 122 being indented with respect to the forward part.

Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a female and a male connector part. At least one coding element is attached to each connector part. The coding element provides for a code face having at least one recess. The code faces of the male and female connector parts allocated to each other are complementary in shape. When connector parts allocated to each other are plugged into each other the faces of the respective coding elements engage with each other. Only a limited number of all possible code face shapes are used so that unambiguous code face sets are obtained.

Abstract: A keying arrangement for interconnectable components is disclosed. The keying arrangement is particularly useful for fiber optic connector assemblies having a receptacle connector with key projections integrally formed therewith in one of plural different key positions. These key positions may be dictated by an industry standard. A plug connector of the assembly includes a multi-positionable key element. The key element is positionable in plural different orientations to provide keyways which uniquely accommodate one of the key projections defining the plural different key positions of the receptacle connector. Rotative movement of the key element within the plug connector provides the plural different orientations and thereby the plural keyways.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention comprises an hermaphroditic key assembly for electrical connectors which includes a first connector (10) having first and second pairs of diametrically opposed key positions (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) at either of which a pair of keys (42a, 42b) may be provided, and a second connector (12) having first and second pairs of diametrically opposed key-receiving positions (46a, 46b, 46c, 46d) at either of which a pair of key-receiving openings (47a, 47b) may be provided. The connectors (10, 12) are permitted to mate when the diametrically opposed keys (42a, 42b) are aligned with the diametrically opposed key-receiving openings (47a, 47b), and are not permitted to mate when the keys (42a, 42b) are not aligned with the openings (47a, 47b), providing two possible keying orientations for the keying means.

Abstract: The disclosed non-interchangeable plug-in electrical connector includes a first connection device bearing a series of break-away interference elements, to be broken away selectively; plug-in interference members are plugged into the second connection device, bearing interference elements which, in the preferred embodiment, are break-away elements to be removed selectively so as to become complementary to the retained interference elements of the first device; the plug-in interference members have break-away extensions that facilitate insertion of the interference members, the extensions then being broken away and serving in removal of selected break-away interference elements.

Abstract: A plastic casing for reception of electric contact elements which is suited for processing by machine, including coding elements for permitting the machine to recognize the electric contact elements present in the casing so that the casing can be properly assembled with a mating second casing to avoid assembling errors. The coding elements include grooves and coding pins, the grooves being provided in the first-mentioned casing. At least one of the coding pins being extractably inserted in a selected one of the grooves so that the presence and non-presence of the coding pins provides a predetermined code which is read by the machine. The coding arrangement can also be used to prevent incorrect mating of the casing with a plug.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a dielectric body having a panel-reception groove and a relatively large number of conductive spring elements extending along side surfaces of the groove to engage conductive strips carried on the panel. Special spacer pads are removably disposed in end areas of the groove to variably limit the insertion of the panel into the groove, thus removing selected ones of the conductive spring elements from connection with the conductive strips. As a further feature, special spacer blocks may be located at the end of the groove to effectively reduce the width of the groove, thus enabling the groove to accept panels having reduced width dimensions. The invention seeks to increase the versatility of the electrical connector, and to reduce the need for a large multiplicity of differently constructed connectors.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic or "genderless" electrical connector having a main housing and an auxiliary housing. The main housing contains primary electrical contacts while the auxiliary housing provides mechanical keying and, preferably, contains auxiliary electrical contacts. The auxiliary housing can be positioned within the main housing in a plurality of orientations to provide mechanical keying when the electrical connector is telescopically engaged with a duplicate electrical connector.

Abstract: A first connector 1 provided with a polarizing structure 23 and keying structure 28, 29, a complementary housing 3 provided with a receiving end 25 having a slidable frame 30 for receiving the polarizing structure 23 and the keying structure 28, 29, and the frame 30 having complementary keying means aligned with the keying structure of the first connector and aligned with a single one of the multiple connector positions.

Abstract: An extender board connector is provided for connecting a circuit board card to a motherboard through an extender card for routing signals from the motherboard to the top of the extender for testing the circuit board card. The connector has first and second end portions, each having an integral mounting block with an octogonal slot. The connector also has first and second pins, each having an enlarged end portion and an octogonal middle portion and a grooved end portion with a ring groove. The octogonal middle portion of the pin is received in the octogonal slot of the connector for providing eight positions at each connector or a combination of eight-squared positions or 64 positions. The pin has a snap-on retaining ring received in the pin groove, and has a ring spacer disposed next to the snap-on retaining ring, and has a helical compression spring disposed between the ring spacer and the mounting block.

Abstract: A key retention system for electrical connectors which includes a connector (12) including a lower backshell (42) having at least one generally T-shaped slot (51) extending therein from a side face (52) thereof for receiving a generally T-shaped key (61). Slot (51) and key (61) are configured to permit key (61) to be easily inserted into slot (51) in the correct orientation and to prevent key (61) from rotating or from moving laterally or longitudinally within slot (51) to any appreciable extent. Locking means comprising a projection (81) extending inwardly from the cover (43) for the lower backshell (42) is positioned to extend into the slot when cover (43) is mounted to lower backshell (42) to lock key (61) in position within slot (51).

Abstract: An electric coupling device comprises a test contact strip fastened to an appliance frame, a housing which can be mounted in a space in the appliance frame by means of two pivot pins interspaced along the same axis and which houses a socket terminal strip, levers hinged to the appliance frame and which can be inserted with sliding block cranks in slotted grooves in the housing for swivelling the housing to the appliance frame, and coding means arranged on the appliance frame and housing. To ensure simple, reliable and variable coding, between the pivot pins (11) the socket terminal strip housing (3) has a row of previously made slots (30) with notched contours and open front ends in the direction of plugging, and between the pivot pins (12) the appliance frame (1) has at least one coding pin (31) which can be interchangeably and firmly inserted in openings in the appliance frame and introduced into slots (30) in the socket terminal strip housing (30).

Abstract: Keying and fastening of mating connectors includes pairs of mating key members, ones of which include central apertures through which extend respective jackscrews having threaded leading ends, and the others of which have threaded apertures into which the jackscrews are threaded to fasten the connectors together after the pairs of keys permit connector mating. The keys in which the jackscrews are mounted permit rotating the jackscrews. The jackscrew leading ends are recessed slightly behind the leading ends of hood-like keying projections of the key members for protection against damage and misalignment, and the threaded apertures of the other keys extend to the leading ends of the keying projections thereof which are adapted to receive the corresponding hood-like keying projections in axial recesses along the outer surfaces extending about halfway around the circumference of the key.

Abstract: A system of keying and fastening together a pair of mating connectors is provided where each of the connectors is of the type having forward and rearward thin walled metal shells clinched together about their flanged edges to retain a housing means therewithin, with the forward and rearward shells having adjacent aperture lateral flanges. The system includes a pair of key members each securable to the front of the forward shell at a respective lateral flange, seated within correspondingly hexagonally shaped flange apertures of the forward shell only, held against the front surface of the rearward shell. On one of the connectors a pair of jackscrews extend through the flange apertures and through with the apertures being slightly larger than the jackscrew portions extending therethrough, the jackscrews being apertures of the key members of the one connector, secured rearwardly of the connector by means permitting rotation after mounting and simultaneously securing the key members to the connector.

Abstract: A connector which has alignment holes to receive alignment posts of a mating connector, includes conductive clips in each alignment hole having forwardly extending spring arms to be engaged and deflected laterally by forward ends of respective alignment posts. The clip spring arms discharge the electrostatic potential between the connectors upon being engaged by the alignment posts to chassis ground, when the clips are in conductive engagement with the shielding of the connector and the alignment posts are conductive and in conductive engagement with the shielding of the mating connector and to conductive framework to which the mating connector is mounted. The clips can have a spring arm extending rearwardly from the connector housing to be engaged by the shielding of the connector upon complete assembly. The alignment posts can be force fit into a metal shell of the mating connector through holes precisely aligned with reference holes of the mating connector housing.

Abstract: The invention provides a supply box for electric ducting able to be mounted at both ends of an electric distribution ducting. This box comprises a movable part with foolproof means which may be moved transversely with respect to the axis of the ducting, between a first position in which the foolproof means cooperate with associated foolproof means on the ducting so as to allow connection of the box to the ducting and a second position making such connection impossible. Marks provided on the movable part make it possible to identify the conductors of the box for each of the two positions.

Abstract: A polarized grounding pin incorporating a spring, to provide continuous electrical conductivity between mated connector shells.

Abstract: A system of keying of a panel mounted connector and a mating connector is provided where each of the connectors is of the type having forward and rearward thin walled metal shells clinched together about their flanged edges to retain a housing means therewithin, with the forward and rearward shells having adjacent apertured lateral flanges enabling mounting of either one of the connectors to a panel at an I/O port of an electronic apparatus by screw means. The keying system includes a pair of key members each securable to the front of the forward shell at a respective lateral flange, by the corresponding screw means extending through the apertures of the rearward and forward shell flanges and threaded into a threaded key member aperture. The key members may have octagonal cross-sections and are seated within correspondingly octagonally shaped flange apertures of the forward shell only, held against the front surface of the rearward shell.

Abstract: A centering strip for plugging onto a backplane printed circuit board provided with contact blades accepts plugs in a housing opening and accepts contact blades through openings in a floor of the centering strip. In order to guarantee that the individual cable plugs are correctly plugged into the proper location on the centering strip and that the centering strip is not damaged when the plug is inserted into the housing opening, the centering strip is divided into a plurality of segments by transversely oriented partitions. The partitions have two sides on an upper half portion which forms a mechanical coding devices for the plugs to be accepted. The lower half of the partitions are provided with cavities for acceptance of contact blades. The depth of the cavities is dimensioned such that the centering strip is supported on the contact blades by a solid middle part located between the upper and lower half portions of the partitions.

Abstract: A plastic article is molded to have integral members deflectable and latchable within recesses as desired to program or encode the article. Plug and receptacle connector housings are molded with a plurality of deflectable members proximate their mating faces along housing side walls which become adjacent each other upon connector mating, the deflectable members associated in pairs. The deflectable members are joined to the respective housing side walls by integral hinges at rearward ends thereof and by frangible web portions proximate forward ends thereof. Recesses are formed in the housing side walls so that the deflectable members are deflectable thereinto if desired, enabling customizing of the connector housings to provide a system of keying particular plug housings with particular receptacle housings.

Abstract: A key retention system for electrical connectors which includes a connector (12) including a lower backshell (42) having at least one generally T-shaped slot (51) extending therein from a side face (52) thereof for receiving a generally T-shaped key (61). Slot (51) and key (61) are configured to permit key (61) to be easily inserted into slot (51) in the correct orientation and to prevent key (61) from rotating or from moving laterally or longitudinally within slot (51) to any appreciable extent. Locking means comprising a projection (81) extending inwardly from the cover (43) for the lower backshell (42) is positioned to extend into the slot when cover (43) is mounted to lower backshell (42) to lock key (61) in position within slot (51).