US4345808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector
Assignee: ITT Inc
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Filing: 1980-11-20
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Granted: 1982-08-24
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Expires: 2000-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector is disclosed in which the mating plug and receptacle connector members are each provided with doors normally closing their forward mating ends to provide EMI and environmental protection. To mate the connector members, an actuator on the plug connector member is operated to open the doors thereon which engage outer portions of the doors on the receptacle connector member causing the latter to open automatically during the mating sequence. The operating sequence minimizes the time that the unsealed interfaces of the connector members are exposed to the environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis H. Ingham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H01R13/6581; H01R13/44; H01R13/447; H01R13/453
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An electrical connector comprising: first and second mating connector members each comprising a shell having a forward mating end and a rear; first closure means on said first connector member shell closing said forward mating end thereof when said connector members are unmated; second closure means on said second connector member shell closing said forward mating end thereof when said connector members are unmated; means for selectively shifting said first closure means to an open position; and said first closure means, when in said open position, automatically opening said second closure means during mating of said first and second connector members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrical connector comprising: first and second mating connector members each comprising a shell having a forward mating end and a rear; first closure means on said first connector member shell closing said forward mating end thereof when said connector members are unmated; second closure means on said second connector member shell closing said forward mating end thereof when said connector members are unmated; means for selectively shifting said first closure means to an open position; and said first closure means, when in said open position, automatically opening said second closure means during mating of said first and second connector members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: each said closure means comprises a pivotably mounted door.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 2 wherein: each said door embodies spring means biasing the door to a normally closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said doors are pivotably mounted about parallel axes adjacent to corresponding sides of said forward mating ends of said shells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said door of said second closure means is nested inside said door of said first closure means during mating of said connector members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said door of said second closure means embodies an actuating portion extending tranversely relative to the center axis of the connector members when said second closure means is closed and outwardly from its pivot axis; and said actuating portion is engaged by said door of said first closure means during mating of said first and second connector members causing said door of said second closure means to pivot open.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: each said closure means comprises a pair of doors pivotably mounted about parallel axes adjacent to opposite sides of the forward mating end of its respective shell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said doors of said second closure means are nested inside said doors of said first closure means during mating of said connector members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said doors of said second closure means are nested inside said first connector member shell and said doors of said first closure means bear against the outer surface of said second connector member shell when said connector members are fully mated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said doors of said second closure means embody actuating portions extending transversely relative to the center axes of the connector members when said second closure means is closed and outwardly from their respective pivot axes; and said actuating portions are engaged by said doors of said first closure means during mating of said first and second connector members causing said doors of said second closure means to pivot open.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said selective shifting means includes an axially movable actuating rod on said first connector member connected to said first closure means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrical connector as set forth in claim 11 wherein: linkage means connects the forward end of said rod to said first closure means; and the rear of said rod extends rearwardly from said rear of said first connector member shell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-08-23 | 1986-02-22 | 1986-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-23 | 1990-02-22 | 1990-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-23 | 1994-02-22 | 1994-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |