Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising first and second connectors (2,4), said first and second connectors having complementary actuating members (14,16) for drawing the two connectors (2,4) together, the second connector (4) being insertable through a panel opening (22) into engagement with the first connector (2), the second connector (4) having a plurality of electrical terminals for engagement with mating contacts in the first connector (2), a housing member (30) of the second connector (4) being profiled for receipt through the opening (22) and having the complementary actuating member (14) adjacent to the front of the housing (30) for interaction with the first connector (2), the assembly being characterized in that the second connector (4) has a peripherally extending shroud (32) remaining exterior to the opening (22) adjacent to the panel (20), the actuating members (14,16) causing the shroud (32) and said housing to move into a final abutting position against the panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the shroud (32) includes a peripheral seal (100) facing the panel (20), and the actuation members (14,16) move the shroud (32) and seal (100) into sealing engagement with said panel (20).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly of either claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an insulating boot (34) extends from said shroud (72) rearwardly, thereby sealing cable connected to the terminals in the second connector (2).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 3, characterized in that the seal (100) and insulating boot (34) are integrated into one piece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector of any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the shroud (32) has latches (46) adapted to latch the shroud to the panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector of claim 5, characterized in that the housing (4) and the shroud (32) have latching members (60, 70) cooperable therebetween, to retain the housing an shroud together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector of claim 6, characterized in that the latching members (60, 70) have a greater retaining force than the latches (46).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The connector of claim 11, characterized in that the actuating members are profiled such that the housing (4) and shroud (32) are brought into latched engagement with the panel, whereupon continued activation thereof, causes the housing to break free of said latching members (60, 70) and continue forwardly into connection with the first connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The assembly of any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the actuating members (14,16) comprise a U-shaped slide (8) moveable transversely relative to the first connector (4), the U-shaped slide (8) carrying camming slots (16) having openings (90) adjacent to forward edges thereof, which receive the complementary actuating member (14) on the first housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The assembly of claim 9, wherein the complementary actuating member on the first housing (30) is a lug (14) which is receivable in the camming slot (16), whereby, transverse movement of the U-shaped slide (8) moves the housing (30) in the axial direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
The assembly of either of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the camming slot (16) is separated into separate camming sections, the first section (92) being relatively steep relative to the mating face of the first connector, providing quick movement of the shroud into its locked position, and a second camming section (16) which has a less incline relative to the mating face of the first connector (2), whereby the mechanical advantage of the camming slot is increased to release the first latching members free, and to overcome the insertion force between the first and second connectors.