Pin and socket connectors

Claim 1

A CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A SUPPORTING INSULATING HOUSING HAVING A BORE THEREIN, THE BORE INCLUDING A CONSTRICTION FORMING TWO SHOULDERS, COMPRISING: A REMOVABLE SOCKET TYPE CONTACT FOR INSERTION INTO THE BORE HAVING A BODY PORTION, A CONDUCTOR ENGAGING PORTION AT ONE END OF SAID BODY PORTION, A SOCKET PORTION FOR RECEIVING A MATING PIN CONTACT AT THE OTHER END OF SAID BODY PORTION; SAID CONTACT HAVING A PORTION OF ITS OUTER SURFACE OF REDUCED DIAMETER, MEANS TO ENGAGE ONE OF THE BORE SHOULDERS TO PREVENT OVERINSERTION OF SAID CONTACT INTO THE BORE; SEPARATE SPRING MEANS SECURED TO SAID CONTACT SURFACE REDUCED DIAMETER AND INCLUDING A FIRST PORTION DISPOSED OUTSIDE OF THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID CONTACT AND SPACED FROM SAID CONTACT TO ENGAGE THE OTHER OF THE BORE SHOULDERS; SAID SPRING MEANS FIRST PORTION AND SAID MEANS TO ENGAGE ONE OF THE BORE SHOULDERS TO PREVENT OVERINSERTION SERVING, BY SAID COOPERATION WITH THE BORE SHOULDERS, TO PREVENT REMOVAL OF SAID CONTACT FROM THE BORE; SAID SPRING MEANS FIRST PORTION ADAPTED TO BE DEFLECTED AWAY FROM THE OTHER BORE SHOULDER TO PERMIT THE REMOVAL OF SAID CONTACT AND SAID SPRING FROM THE BORE; AND SAID SPRING MEANS INCLUDING A SECOND PORTION DISPOSED WITHIN SAID SOCKET PORTION TO RESILIENTLY ENGAGE A THEREIN INSERTED PIN CONTACT.