US5727963A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular power connector assembly
Assignee: COMMUNICATIONS INTEGRATORS Inc
•
Filing: 1996-05-01
•
Granted: 1998-03-17
•
Expires: 2016-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A modular power connector includes male and female housings that releasably couple together. Each housing has ten apertures that locate conductive pin and socket elements. The apertures are arranged in a compact, asymmetrical, three-tier array that ensures that the connector is self-aligning. When the power connector is coupled together, a pin element and a socket element establish an initial ground connection before contact is established between the remaining pin and socket elements. The male housing includes a pair of holding tabs and the female housing includes a pair of cooperating lever arms that facilitate quick and easy connection and disconnection. A protective housing couples the female housing to a conduit and establishes an equipment ground connection between a ground wire and the conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 Dolan M. LeMaster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:09
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C11/00; A47C11/02; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6271; H01R13/6273; H01R13/64; H01R13/642; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H01R13/6581; H01R13/6585; H01R13/6588; H01R13/6591; H01R13/6592; H01R13/73; H01R13/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A modular power connector assembly comprising: first and second housings configured to releasably couple together; N first apertures formed within said first housing, N being a number greater than eight; N conductive first housing contacts configured to fit within said first apertures; N second apertures formed within said second housing; and N conductive second housing contacts configured to fit within said second apertures; wherein each of said first housing contacts engage with corresponding ones of said second housing contacts when said first and second housings are coupled together; and a predetermined one of said first housing contacts and a predetermined one of said second housing contacts are the first to establish contact when said first and second housings are being coupled together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A modular power connector assembly comprising: first and second housings configured to releasably couple together; N first apertures formed within said first housing, N being a number greater than eight; N conductive first housing contacts configured to fit within said first apertures; N second apertures formed within said second housing; and N conductive second housing contacts configured to fit within said second apertures; wherein each of said first housing contacts engage with corresponding ones of said second housing contacts when said first and second housings are coupled together; and a predetermined one of said first housing contacts and a predetermined one of said second housing contacts are the first to establish contact when said first and second housings are being coupled together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined first housing contact is a pin element located within said first housing such that said pin element extends further toward a front portion of said first housing than the remaining ones of said first housing contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
A connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein: said first apertures are formed to define a corresponding plurality of retaining shoulders adapted to position said first housing contacts within said second housing; said retaining shoulder associated with said predetermined pin element is located at a first distance measured perpendicularly from said front surface; and the remaining ones of said retaining shoulders are located at approximately a second distance measured perpendicularly from said front surface, said second distance being less than said first distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
147 words
A modular power connector assembly comprising: a first housing and a second housing, said first and second housings being configured to releasably couple together; ten conductive first housing contacts located within said first housing ten conductive second housing contacts located within said second housing, said first housing contacts and said second housing contacts being configured to establish electrical contact with one another when said first and second housings are coupled together; a flexible conduit coupled to said first housing; and a protective shroud having a first end attached to a rear portion of said first housing and a second end configured to retain said conduit, said protective shroud including an conductive tab located proximate said second end for establishing an electrical contact between a predetermined one of said first housing contacts and said conduit, and said tab being configured to secure said conduit to said protective shroud.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
A modular power connector assembly comprising: a first housing and a second housing, said first and second housings being configured to releasably couple together; ten conductive first housing contacts located within said first housing ten conductive second housing contacts located within said second housing, said first housing contacts and said second housing contacts being configured to establish electrical contact with one another when said first and second housings are coupled together; a flexible conduit coupled to said first housing; and a protective shroud having a first end attached to a rear portion of said first housing and a second end configured to retain said conduit, said protective shroud including an conductive tab located proximate said second end for establishing an electrical contact between a predetermined one of said first housing contacts and said conduit, and said tab being configured to secure said conduit to said protective shroud.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A connector assembly according to claim 4, wherein: first, second, third, and fourth second housing contacts are respectively coupled to first, second, third, and fourth live conductor wires; fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth second housing contacts are respectively coupled to first, second, third, and fourth neutral conductor wires; and ninth and tenth second housing contacts are respectively coupled to first and second ground conductor wires.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein: a pin element is located within said first housing such that said pin element extends further from a front portion of said first housing than the remaining ones of said first housing contacts; and said tenth second housing contact and said pin element are the first to establish contact when said first and second housings are coupled together.
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) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |