Dielectric sleeve for electrically and mechanically protecting exposed female contacts of an electrical connector

Claim 1

In combination with an electrical connector element of the type having an insert and a plurality of female contacts mounted therein with the mating end of the female contact extending from one face of said insert, each of said female contacts including an enlarged portion and a forward portion that includes the mating end and an annular groove having a rearwardly facing shoulder in the forward portion of the contact, the improvement comprising: a plurality of sleeves comprised of electrically insulating material, each mounted on the forward portion of one of said female contacts and completely surrounding said mating portion of said contacts, each of said sleeves including an internal projection having a forwardly facing shoulder that mates with the annular groove in said female contact and engages the rearwardly facing shoulder of said groove to secure the dielectric sleeve to the forward portion of said female contact and wherein each of said sleeves includes a forward male contact receiving end portion that tapers radially inward with respect to the axis of said sleeve from free end so as to provide a means for guiding a male contact into said sleeve and said mating portion of said female contact.