US5356304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealed connector
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1993-09-27
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Granted: 1994-10-18
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Expires: 2013-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A sealed electrical connector includes a housing having an interior cavity for sealingly receiving a mating connector. A latch arm engages the mating connector for holding the connectors in mated condition. A passageway communicates the interior cavity with the environment. A seal closes the passageway. The latch arm includes a release portion for biasing the seal and opening the passageway to release air entrapped in the cavity automatically as a function of mating the connectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen A. Colleran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5219; H01R13/5213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
In a sealed electrical connector which includes a housing having an interior cavity for sealingly receiving a mating connector, latch means for holding the connectors in mated condition, passageway means communicating the interior cavity with the environment, and seal means for sealing and closing the passageway means, wherein the improvement comprises: release means operatively associated between the latch means and the seal means for biasing the seal means and opening the passageway means to release air entrapped in the cavity during mating of the connectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a sealed electrical connector which includes a housing having an interior cavity for sealingly receiving a mating connector, latch means for holding the connectors in mated condition, passageway means communicating the interior cavity with the environment, and seal means for sealing and closing the passageway means, wherein the improvement comprises: release means operatively associated between the latch means and the seal means for biasing the seal means and opening the passageway means to release air entrapped in the cavity during mating of the connectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a sealed electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said latch means comprises a latch arm having a first portion for latchingly engaging the mating connector and a second portion defining said release means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a sealed electrical connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said housing is fabricated of molded plastic material and said latch arm is integrally molded therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a sealed electrical connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein said latch arm comprises a cantilevered arm integrally molded with the housing at one end of the arm, with the opposite end of the arm being adapted to flex and bias the seal means during mating of the connectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a sealed electrical connector as set forth in claim 4, wherein said seal means is snugly fit within recess means of the housing, said passageway means communicates with the recess means, and said release means is adapted for biasing the seal means away from a wall of the recess means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a sealed electrical connector which includes a housing having a cavity for sealingly receiving a mating connector, passageway means communicating the cavity with the environment, and seal means for sealingly closing the passageway means, wherein the improvement comprises: release means for biasing the seal means and opening the passageway means to release air entrapped in the cavity automatically during mating of the connectors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a sealed electrical connector which includes a housing having a cavity for sealingly receiving a mating connector, passageway means communicating the cavity with the environment, and seal means for sealingly closing the passageway means, wherein the improvement comprises: release means for biasing the seal means and opening the passageway means to release air entrapped in the cavity automatically during mating of the connectors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a sealed electrical connector as set forth in claim 6, wherein said release means include a resilient arm on the connector housing and engageable with the mating connector during mating of the connectors, the arm being biased by the mating connector into engagement with the seal means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a sealed electrical connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein said housing is fabricated of molded plastic material, and said arm is integrally molded therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a sealed electrical connector as set forth in claim 7, wherein said arm comprises a cantilevered arm integrally molded with the housing at one end of the arm, with the opposite end of the arm being adapted to flex and bias the seal means during mating of the connectors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a sealed electrical connector as set forth in claim 6, wherein said seal means is snugly fit within recess means of the housing, said passageway means communicates with the recess means, and said release means is adapted for biasing the seal means away from a wall of the recess means.
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) | 1997-10-17 | 1998-04-18 | 1998-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-17 | 2002-04-18 | 2002-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-17 | 2006-04-18 | 2006-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |