Electronic connector devices

Claim 2

Electrical connector plug means for electrical equipment having a first set of plug connector elements and a second set of plug connector elements positioned in a connector block in an array arranged to mate with corresponding plug elements of the first set upon application of frictional pressure between the first and second said plug elements, comprising transfer connector means including locking structure for temporarily supporting a plurality of said first connector elements in immovable position a two dimensional array comprising multiple rows with a plurality of connector elements positioned to engage in simultaneous frictional engagement in mating electrical connection with said second set of connector elements in said connector block while supported by said transfer connector means to withstand movement caused by the frictional engagement, said transfer connector means being disengageable from said first set of connector elements after the latter have been engaged in electrical contact with said connector elements of said second set in said connector block.

Claim 3

Electric connector plug means according to claim 1, comprising superimposed transfer connector members adapted to support a plurality of first connector elements in a regular array adapted for immediate mating with the array of matching connector elements of said connector block and being thereafter removable to leave the first connector elements in operative engagement with the matching connector elements to provide the connections between an installation and an item of equipment.

Claim 4

Electric connector plug means according to claim 2, wherein the first connector elements are supported in regularly spaced order in the form of an array by slots provided in said two superimposed members comprising plates, the slots extending transversely in the two plates and the connector elements being engaged by the two plates at the intersection points of the said slots and in which at least one of the plates is provided with keyway means for receiving and engaging mating structure on the first connector elements to prevent movement of the first elements relatively to the plates in a direction caused by frictional engagement of the plug members when the plates are in the superimposed position.

Claim 5

Electric connector devices according to claim 3, wherein the first connector elements consist of connector plug pins extending away from the plates supporting them in both directions, the pins being arranged at one end to be received by the second plug connector elements which comprise sockets adapted to frictionally receive and hold said plug pins in an array arranged in a connector block and means on said plug ping at the other end adapted for attachment to equipment wiring.

Claim 6

An electric connector system for electric equipment forming part of an installation, comprising a connector block fixedly associated with the installation and comprising a closely spaced array of first connector elements having pins projecting from the connector block for attachment to the installation wiring, and a transfer connector temporarily associated with equipment to be installed in said installation, said transfer connector embodying removable support means and a plurality of second connector elements supported thereby in an array corresponding to the array of said first contact elements of the connector block and having pinlike portions to which the equipment wiring is connected, the arrangement being such that in fitting the equipment to the installation the two Sets of contact elements are brought by said removable support means into electric coupling engagement after which the removable parts are removed leaving the two sets of connector elements in electrical engagement one with the other, with the installation wiring coupled to the elements of the connector block and the equipment wiring connected to the connector elements engaged by the elements of the connector block, said transfer connector comprising two plates of insulating material each plate being of comblike form with through slots extending inwardly from one edge for the major portion of the width of the plate, the slots extending in transverse directions in the two plates when assembled, the slots pertaining to one plate being provided with grooves in one surface of the slot, said grooves being engageable by intermediately positioned lugs on a sidewall of each contact pin supported by said plates at the intersection points of the slots in the two plates, thus supporting the pins in a regular array while preventing axial displacement of the pins relatively to the plates, said plates being temporarily connected while in use as a transfer connector and being disengageable after the contact pins have been engaged in socket elements of a connector block.

Claim 7

An electric connector system for electric equipment forming part of an installation, comprising a connector block fixedly associated with the installation and comprising a closely spaced array of first connector elements having pins projecting from the connector block for attachment to the installation wiring, and a transfer connector temporarily associated with equipment to be installed in said installation, said transfer connector embodying removable support means and a plurality of second connector elements supported thereby in an array corresponding to the array of said first contact elements of the connector block and having pinlike portions to which the equipment wiring is connected, the arrangement being such that in fitting the equipment to the installation the two Sets of contact elements are brought by said removable support means into electric coupling engagement after which the removable parts are removed leaving the two sets of connector elements in electrical engagement one with the other, with the installation wiring coupled to the elements of the connector block and the equipment wiring connected to the connector elements engaged by the elements of the connector block, said transfer connector comprising two plates of insulating material each plate being of comblike form with through slots extending inwardly from one edge for the major portion of the width of the plate, the slots extending in transverse directions in the two plates when assembled, the slots pertaining to one plate being provided with grooves in one surface of the slot, said grooves being engageable by intermediately positioned lugs on a sidewall of each contact pin supported by said plates at the intersection points of the slots in the two plates, thus supporting the pins in a regular array while preventing axial displacement of the pins relatively to the plates, said plates being temporarily connected while in use as a transfer connector and being disengageable after the contact pins have been engaged in socket elements of a connector block.

Claim 8

Electrical connector devices for electrical equipment having a first set of connector elements and a second set of connector elements positioned in a connector block in an array arranged to mate with corresponding elements of the first set, comprising transfer connector means for temporarily supporting a plurality of said first connector elements in a two dimensional array comprising multiple rows with connector elements positioned to engage in mating electrical connection with said second set of connector elements in said connector block, said transfer connector means being disengageable from said first set of connector elements after the latter have been engaged in electrical contact with said connector elements of said second set in said connector block, having element holding means for supporting the connector elements of said first set against movement relative to the transfer connector means when the connector elements of the two sets are brought into said mating electrical contact, wherein the transfer connection means comprises two slotted plates superimposed with slots in the different plates normally oriented and wherein the connectors in said first set have a keying structure thereon, and one of said slotted plates has key structure therein for receiving the keying structure on said connectors of the first set to comprise said element holding means.

Claim 9

Electrical connector devices for electrical equipment having a first set of connector elements and a second set of connector elements positioned in a connector block in an array arranged to mate with corresponding elements of the first set, comprising transfer connector means for temporarily supporting a plurality of said first connector elements in a two dimensional array comprising multiple rows with connector elements positioned to engage in mating electrical connection with said second set of connector elements in said connector block, said transfer connector means being disengageable from said first set of connector elements after the latter have been engaged in electrical contact with said connector elements of said second set in said connector block, having element holding means for supporting the connector elements of said first set against movement relative to the transfer connector means when the connector elements of the two sets are brought into said mating electrical contact, wherein the transfer connection means comprises two slotted plates superimposed with slots in the different plates normally oriented and wherein the connectors in said first set have a keying structure thereon, and one of said slotted plates has key structure therein for receiving the keying structure on said connectors of the first set to comprise said element holding means.