Electrical connection system with interlock

Claim 2

The electrical connection as defined in claim 1 wherein the latch means comprises at least one resilient leg extending from one of the first and second components.

Claim 3

The electrical connection as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the first and second components includes a socket into which a portion of the body of the other component is releasably received.

Claim 4

The electrical connection as defined in claim 3 wherein the latch means comprises a resilient leg element which extends into the socket into engagement with one of the first and second components and the lock means includes an elongated element insertable into the body of the other component to prevent movement of the resilient leg out of said engagement.

Claim 5

The electrical connection as defined in claim 4 wherein the socket includes a latch groove about its interior, the resilient leg element having a latch portion which engages in the latch groove, wherein preferably the shorting element is releasably received in the socket and includes a generally U-shaped shorting clip which has leg portions that define the contact elements and extend parallel to the first connectors, wherein preferably the shorting element comprises a disk-shaped body which is closely received in the socket and through which the first connector elements extend, and wherein preferably the disk-shaped body includes latch tabs which extend into a latch groove formed about the interior of the socket.

Claim 6

An electrical connection including: a) a first component carrying a male connector element; b) a shorting element associated with the first component and including a contact element biased into electrical contact with the male connector element for electrically shorting the male connector element; c) a second component having a body releasably matable with the first component and carrying a female connector element engagable with the male connector element, a portion of the body being contoured to enter between the contact element and the male connector element to disconnect the electrical short upon mating of the second component with the first component; d) resilient latch means carried by the second component for providing a mechanical latch with the first component; and, e) a locking element insertable into a lock position in the first component for preventing release of the latch means and preventing separation of the first and second components while in the lock position.

Claim 7

An electrical connection as defined in claim 6 wherein the second component carries the locking element, wherein preferably the locking element includes a portion that maintains portions of the latch means in engagement with the first component, wherein preferably the locking element extends into the second element parallel to the male connector element when in the latch position, wherein preferably the first component includes a socket which receives the first component, and wherein preferably the body of the second component is received in the socket.

Claim 8

An electro-mechanical connector for use with an electrical apparatus having a first pair of electrical contacts for electrical communication with said apparatus, said connector comprising: a first housing carrying electrical conducting means thereon for selectively electrically connecting said first pair of electrical contacts when in a first position and electrically disconnecting from said first pair of electrical contacts when in a second position; means on said first housing for biasing said electrical conducting means into said first position; a second housing adapted for releasable mating with said electrical apparatus and carrying a second pair of electrical contacts adapted to engage said first pair of electrical contacts for selective electrical communication with said electrical apparatus, a portion of said second housing being adapted for urging said electrical conducting means into said second position against said biasing means when said second housing is mated with said electrical apparatus; resilient latch means on said second housing adapted for providing a mechanical latch with said electrical apparatus; and, a locking element positionable into a lock position in said second housing for preventing release of said latch means and preventing separation of the first and second housings from said electrical apparatus.

Claim 9

The electro-mechanical connector according to claim 8 wherein said latch means comprises at least one resilient leg extending from the second component, wherein preferably said second housing includes a plug insertable into a corresponding socket in said electrical apparatus for releasable connection therewith, wherein preferably said latch means comprises a resilient leg element which extends into the plug into engagement with said electrical apparatus; and, said locking element includes an elongated element insertable into the second housing to prevent movement of said resilient leg out of engagement with said electrical apparatus, and wherein preferably said socket includes a latch groove about its interior, the resilient leg element having a latch portion which engages in the latch groove.

Claim 10

An electrical connection including: a first component carrying connector elements; a second component having a body; and a locking element insertable into a lock position in one of the first and second components.