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US3880487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low cost sealed connector
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1973-07-20
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A low cost sealed electrical connector in which the mating plug and receptacle connector members are each formed of a unitary body of elastic pliant molded material in which mating contacts are mounted in aligned contact passages. The receptacle connector member is formed with a resiliently radially expandable sleeve which slidably receives a forwardly extending annular section of the plug connector member. Such annular section defines a cavity which slidably receives a central projection formed on the receptacle connector member. Either a deformable lip or a plurality of ribs are formed on the outer surface of the plug annular section which have an interference fit with the inner surface of the sleeve thereby providing a primary interfacial seal therebetween. The projection on the receptacle provides mechanical support for the plug annular section and also is in sealing engagement therewith so as to provide a secondary seal. A lip seal or sealing ribs are formed on the wall of each contact passage to provide a rear seal for the insulated wire which is connected to the contact mounted in the passage.
Inventors
- 👤 David S Goodman
- 👤 Gerald J Selvin
- 👤 Jack Langenbach
- 👤 Willys T Lemm
- 👤 Wilfred L Mintz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/50; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/422; H01R13/4223; H01R13/52; H01R13/5219
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
An electrical connector comprising: mating plug and receptacle connector members each comprising a one-piece unitary elastic pliant body; said receptacle connector member embodying a resiliently radially-expandable forwardly-extending sleeve portion and a central forwardly-extending supporting projection spaced from said sleeve portion to define a generally annular recess therebetween, said sleeve portion having a generally cylindrical inner surface surrounding said projection; said plug connector member embodying a forwardly-extending annular section slidably insertable into said annular recess, said projection providing a relatively rigid support for said annular section; said annular section providing a central cavity slidably receiving said projection and having a generally cylindrical outer surface; one of said cylindrical surfaces being smoothly continuous and substantially free of undulations throughout its length; a plurality of longitudinally-spaced annular ribs integral with the other of said cylindrical surfaces, said ribs being adapted to be compressively deformed in a sealing interference fit with said smoothly continuous cylindrical surface to form a first seal having a plurality of sealing contacts over a length of said receptacle connector member defined by said longitudinally-spaced ribs; said annular section having an inner surface adapted to mate in sealing engagement with a cooperating outer surface of said supporting projection to form a second seal underlying said first seal; longitudinally extending aligned contact passages in said plug and receptacle connector members, said receptacle connector member contact passage extending through said projection and said plug connector member contact passage opening into said cavity; a plurality of annular integral ribs on the wall of each of said passages adjacent to the rear thereof dimensioned to have an interference fit with an insulated wire termiNating in a contact in the forward portion of said passage; and means in each said passage for removably retaining a contact therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
An electrical connector comprising: mating plug and receptacle connector members each comprising a one-piece unitary elastic pliant body; said receptacle connector member embodying a resiliently radially-expandable forwardly-extending sleeve portion and a central forwardly-extending supporting projection spaced from said sleeve portion to define a generally annular recess therebetween, said sleeve portion having a generally cylindrical inner surface surrounding said projection; said plug connector member embodying a forwardly-extending annular section slidably insertable into said annular recess, said projection providing a relatively rigid support for said annular section; said annular section providing a central cavity slidably receiving said projection and having a generally cylindrical outer surface; one of said cylindrical surfaces being smoothly continuous and substantially free of undulations throughout its length; a plurality of longitudinally-spaced annular ribs integral with the other of said cylindrical surfaces, said ribs being adapted to be compressively deformed in a sealing interference fit with said smoothly continuous cylindrical surface to form a first seal having a plurality of sealing contacts over a length of said receptacle connector member defined by said longitudinally-spaced ribs; said annular section having an inner surface adapted to mate in sealing engagement with a cooperating outer surface of said supporting projection to form a second seal underlying said first seal; longitudinally extending aligned contact passages in said plug and receptacle connector members, said receptacle connector member contact passage extending through said projection and said plug connector member contact passage opening into said cavity; a plurality of annular integral ribs on the wall of each of said passages adjacent to the rear thereof dimensioned to have an interference fit with an insulated wire termiNating in a contact in the forward portion of said passage; and means in each said passage for removably retaining a contact therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the outer periphery of each said rib on said other cylindrical surface has a convexly curved configuration in longitudinal cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said supporting projection and said annular section have mating frusto-conical surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: each said contact retaining means is integrally formed on the wall of each said passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the inner periphery of said ribs on said contact passage walls have a convexly curved configuration in longitudinal cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the outer surface of said supporting projection and the wall of said cavity are in sealing contact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 including: latching means in addition to said ribs integrally formed on said plug and receptacle connector members for releasably holding said members in mating engagement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said latching means comprises an inwardly extending flange on said receptacle connector member adjacent to the end of said sleeve defining a rearwardly facing surface and a rearwardly facing surface formed on said plug connector member behind said sealing means engageable with said surface on said receptacle connector member, said surfaces being inclined so that upon applying a disengaging force to said connector members said flange will expand radially outwardly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 including: a contact mounted in each of said contact passages, each said contact being connected to an insulated wire extending through the rear of its corresponding contact passage; and said annular ribs on the wall of each said contact passage sealingly engaging said insulated wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 9 wherein: each said contact is formed with an annular recess; and each said contact retaining means extends into the annular recess in its respective contact limiting longitudinal movement of said contact.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 10 wherein: each said contact retaining means comprises a radially inwardly extending annular flange being sufficiently resilient and pliant to allow said contact to pass therethrough.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |