Stackable electrical connector assembly

Claim 2

A connector assembly comprising: a plurality of side-by-side housings each having a plurality of contact receiving holes therein; a plurality of faceplates each overlying and engaging a corresponding one of said housings and having contact access holes therethrough; means engaging said housings and faceplates for coupling each of said faceplates and its said corresponding housing and securing said housings in side-by-side positions; and strain relief means attached to at least two of said housings moveable to a position adjacent each other to retain therebetween conductors running to said contacts.

Claim 3

A connector assembly for carrying a matrix array of electrically conducting female contacts comprising: a plurality of side-by-side housings, carrying said contacts in said matrix array; and a plurality of individually removeable faceplates, each fastenable to a respective one of said housings and having holes therethrough located to align with said contacts carried by its said respective one of said housings; each of said plurality of housings being of insulative material and of identical configuration and each of said plurality of faceplates being of insulative material and of identical configuration; and each of said housings further comprising a strain relief member integrally and removeably attached to a portion of said housing away from said faceplate.

Claim 4

A connector assembly for carrying a matrix array of electrically conducting female contacts comprising: a plurality of side-by-side housings, carrying said contacts in said matrix array; and a plurality of individually removeable faceplates, each fastenable to a respective one of said housings and having holes therethrough located to align with said contacts carried by its said respective one of said housings; each of said plurality of housings being of insulative material and of identical configuration and each of said plurality of faceplates being of insulative material and of identical configuration; and each of said housings further comprising a strain relief member integrally and removeably attached to a portion of said housing away from said faceplate.

Claim 5

A connector comprising: at least two molded rectangular blocks of electrically insulating material placeable adjacent each other to form a stack, each having a plurality of holes, normal to the direction of stacking, and each for receiving therewithin an electrically conducting female contact, each of said at least two blocks further comprising: a pair of fins outstanding from opposite ends thereof, each having a screw receiving hole therethrough, and a strain relief member adapted to be selectively separated from said block, whereby when the strain relief members of said blocks intermediate the ends of the stacks are separated from their respective blocks, the strain relief members upon the blocks at the ends of the stack are positionable to engage a wire bundle located therebetween, at least two molded top members each locatable upon a respective one of said at least two blocks, each of said at least two top members comprising: a planar member extending over the block and having a plurality of holes therethrough aligned with the contact receiving holes in said block, a plurality of shoulders each adjacent a respective one of said holes in said planar member to extend partially into the aligned hole in said block to a position adjacent and inserted contact to maintain its axial position, two pairs of fin engaging members, each located at an end of said planar member separated from each other to receive therebetween a fin of said block upon which said planar members located, and having a recess to align with the screw receiving hole in said fin, whereby a screw can be inserted into said hole in said fin and said recess in said engaging members to hold said planar member in position and to maintain the blocks in their stacked relationship.

Claim 6

A connector comprising: at least two molded rectangular blocks of electrically insulating material placeable adjacent each other to form a stack, each having a plurality of holes, normal to the direction of stacking, and each for receiving therewithin an electrically conducting female contact, each of said at least two blocks further comprising: a pair of fins outstanding from opposite ends thereof, each having a screw receiving hole therethrough, and a strain relief member adapted to be selectively separated from said block, whereby when the strain relief members of said blocks intermediate the ends of the stacks are separated from their respective blocks, the strain relief members upon the blocks at the ends of the stack are positionable to engage a wire bundle located therebetween, at least two molded top members each locatable upon a respective one of said at least two blocks, each of said at least two top members comprising: a planar member extending over the block and having a plurality of holes therethrough aligned with the contact receiving holes in said block, a plurality of shoulders each adjacent a respective one of said holes in said planar member to extend partially into the aligned hole in said block to a position adjacent and inserted contact to maintain its axial position, two pairs of fin engaging members, each located at an end of said planar member separated from each other to receive therebetween a fin of said block upon which said planar members located, and having a recess to align with the screw receiving hole in said fin, whereby a screw can be inserted into said hole in said fin and said recess in said engaging members to hold said planar member in position and to maintain the blocks in their stacked relationship.