Blind-mating, positionally adjustable electrical connection device

Claim 1

A blind-mating, positonally adjustable electrical connection device for use in releasably blind-mating an electrically conductive structure to a source of electricity, said electrical connection device comprising: a. a base member disposed adjacent said electrically conductive structure which is to be blind-mated thereto, with said base member having an upper surface with a first opening therein, and a passageway in said base member essentially in the shape of a cruciform of predetermined size on communication with said opening; b. means, interposed between and operably associated with said base member and said electrically conductive structure, for releasably blind-mating said electrically condutive structure to said base member, wherein this means includes: a plate-like member made of dielectric material and having a hole therethrough of predetermined size, with this member disposed within and in contact with said first opening in said upper surface of said base member, such that said hole in said plate-like member and said cruciform-shaped passageway in said base member are in communication, and also such that said plate-like member is positionally adjustable within said first opening in said base member; a strip-like member made of electrically conductive material and mounted on and in contact with an upper surface of said plate-like member; an electrically conductive socket member mounted on, and in electrical connection with, said strip-like electrically conductive member; an electrically conductive plug member complementary to, and removably insertable into and matable with, said electrically conductive socket member, wherein said plug member is in electrical connection with said electrically conductive structure; and means for releasably connecting said plate-like member to said base member and for permitting a correction of a linear misalignment of said plug member and of said socket member, wherein said releasably connecting means includes a bolt member having a shank portion of a predetermined size passing through said cruciform-shaped passageway in said base member and through said hole in said plate-like member and extending out of said hole, wherein said predetermined size of said shank portion is less than said predetermined size of said hole and less than said predetermined size of said cruciform-shaped passageway, and a nut member engaged to said bolt shank portion extending out said hole, wherein said bolt shaft portion of said bolt member can be positioned through any portion of said cruciform-shaped passageway, whereby the position of said plate-like member and thus the position of said socket member can be adjusted with respect to said electrically conductive structure and thereby correct a misalignment of said socket member and of said plug member, and also thereby permit alignment and easy blind-mating of said plug and socket members; and c. means, in selective mechanical and electrical connection with said strip-like electrically conductive member of said means for releasably blind-mating said electrically conductive structure to said base member, for permitting either quick connection to and electrification of said stip-like member, of quick disconnection of and de-electrification of said strip-like member wherein said means for permitting quick connection or disconnection includes a electrically conductive terminal member in electrical connection with said strip-like member, and means for selectively conducting electricity from a source of electricity to said terminal member.