Multiple plug device

Claim 1

A multiple connector comprising a first plug part and a second plug part each comprising a respective plurality of contact elements which cooperably engage the other plurality of contact elements when said plug parts are mated, each of said pluralities of contact elements fixed in a pattern defining the corners of a polygon which permits at least two different engagment associations of the pluralities of contact elements, first and second protective collars included in the respective plug parts surrounding the contact elements thereof and dimensioned for telescopic movement of said second protective collar into said first protective collar upon mating of the plug parts, first and second cooperable guide means for the respective plug parts for aligning and guiding said parts, said first guide means rigidly connected with said first plug part, second guide means included in said second collar, said first protective collar being rotatably mounted on said first plug part about an axis of said first plug part extending in the direction of plugging, and means for selectively securing said second protective collar to said second plug part at a number of circumferentially distributed positions, the number of positions determined as at least an integer fraction of the number of possible associations of said pluralities of said contact elements.