US3611272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polarizing means for mateable units such as electrical connectors
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-01
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1990-07-01
Abstract
Abstract Polarizing means for mateable units or parts, such as the separable plug and receptacle units of an electrical connector, said means comprising readily removable and replaceable complementary elements selectively oriented and mateably positioned in said units wherein all of said elements may be substantially of identical construction.
Inventors
- 👤 Le Roy W Fairbairn
- 👤 Wayne R Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/64; H01R13/645; H01R13/6453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Apparatus comprising first and second mateable units having therein opposed aligned recesses of transverse rectangular cross section, and polarizing means for controlling the mateability of said units comprising a like plurality of pluglike inserts sideby-side in each said recess, each said insert having a base portion of substantially square transverse section seated in the inner end of a said recess and a stem portion extending axially from the outermost end surface of said base portion, said stem portion having a transverse section somewhat less than one half the transverse section of said base portion and being spaced from a line bisecting said end surface, whereby said units are mateable only when each said insert in the first unit is complementally oriented with the oppositely disposed insert in the second unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus comprising first and second mateable units having therein opposed aligned recesses of transverse rectangular cross section, and polarizing means for controlling the mateability of said units comprising a like plurality of pluglike inserts sideby-side in each said recess, each said insert having a base portion of substantially square transverse section seated in the inner end of a said recess and a stem portion extending axially from the outermost end surface of said base portion, said stem portion having a transverse section somewhat less than one half the transverse section of said base portion and being spaced from a line bisecting said end surface, whereby said units are mateable only when each said insert in the first unit is complementally oriented with the oppositely disposed insert in the second unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein all of said inserts are of substantially identical construction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a separable electrical connector comprising a receptacle unit and a plug unit, said units including rigid insulating bodies carrying mateable pin and socket contacts, polarizing means for said units comprising a plurality of pluglike inserts seated in a recess of rectangular section in each of said units, said recesses being in alignment and oppositely disposed when the pin and socket contacts are mated, each said insert having a base portion and a reduced stem portion and said inserts being slidable into said recesses with an interference fit between said base portions and the walls of the recesses whereby the inserts are removably secured in said recesses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a separable electrical connector comprising a receptacle unit and a plug unit, said units including rigid insulating bodies carrying mateable pin and socket contacts, polarizing means for said units comprising a plurality of pluglike inserts seated in a recess of rectangular section in each of said units, said recesses being in alignment and oppositely disposed when the pin and socket contacts are mated, each said insert having a base portion and a reduced stem portion and said inserts being slidable into said recesses with an interference fit between said base portions and the walls of the recesses whereby the inserts are removably secured in said recesses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 3 wherein the transverse cross section of the stem portion of an insert is somewhat less than half the corresponding cross section of the base portion and said stem portion is positioned at one side of the longitudinal axis of said base portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 3 wherein each said insert has a longitudinally extending rib on and displaced from the center of each side of the base portion thereof, said ribs being generally evenly spaced about the periphery of the base portion and of substantially even height.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 5 wherein the ribbed base portions of the polarizing inserts have a compression fit within said recesses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 6 wherein the inserts are made of a slightly resilient material, such as Nylon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 5 comprising inwardly projecting, longitudinally extending ribs on the walls of the recess arranged to alternate with the ribs on the inserts in said recess and to engage the sides of the base portions thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 8 wherein the ribs on the recess walls have an interference fit with the base portions of said inserts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 5 wherein said ribs on adjacent sides of adjacent inserts in a said recess are offset one from the other irrespective of the angular orientation of the inserts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus comprising first and second separable mateable units having therein opposed aligned recesses of transverse oblong rectangular cross section and polarizing means for controlling the mateability of said units comprising a plurality of pluglike inserts seated in each said recess, said inserts being of substantially identical construction, each comprising a base portion and a reduced stem portion positioned at one side of the longitudinal axis of the base portion, said inserts and recesses having ribs thereon which alternate around the periphery of the recess to provide an interference fit for the inserts in the recess.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus comprising first and second separable mateable units having therein opposed aligned recesses of transverse oblong rectangular cross section and polarizing means for controlling the mateability of said units comprising a plurality of pluglike inserts seated in each said recess, said inserts being of substantially identical construction, each comprising a base portion and a reduced stem portion positioned at one side of the longitudinal axis of the base portion, said inserts and recesses having ribs thereon which alternate around the periphery of the recess to provide an interference fit for the inserts in the recess.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB961714A
Cited
US3426315A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |