US3887256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tractor-trailer electrical connector
Assignee: Echlin Inc
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Filing: 1973-03-27
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A connector assembly includes a connector having female contact members and a receptacle having male contact members. The receptacle has a normally closed cover which forms an angle of other than 90* with the axis of the receptacle. The connector has a cable support formed of a rubber or rubberlike material which not only supports the cable, but forms a seal with it. There is a seal member within the receptacle which not only forms a seal within the receptacle, but is formed and adapted and positioned to form a seal with the connector member when the two are assembled.
Inventors
- 👤 Boleslaw Klimek
- 👤 Victor Mastis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5219; H01R13/5221; H01R13/58; H01R13/595
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
342 words
In an electrical connector assembly having a connector and a receptacle, said connector including a housing, a cable receiving aperture at one end thereof, a flexible cable support attached to said housing at said cable receiving aperture, said cable support being formed of a material to be in sealing contact with a cable therein, a plurality of female contact members positioned within the housing adjacent the opposite end thereof, and a plurality of openings in said opposite end in alignment with said female contact members, a cable clamp within said connector housing including a clamp member and a spring having end portions and a central portion positioned about said clamp member, an adjustment member engaging said spring and urging said clamp member into engagement with a cable therein, said clamp member having a generally arcuate outer surface including a groove and an inner surface formed and adapted to mate with a cable outer surface, said central portion of said spring being positioned within said groove of said clamp member, with the outer surface of said end portions of said spring being in contact with and restrained by an inner surface of said connector housing, movement of said adjustment member radially inward of said housing causing at least said central portion of said spring to translate radially of said housing and apply greater clamping pressure upon said clamping member and the cable positioned within the housing, said receptacle including a housing, a plurality of cable receiving apertures at one end thereof, the opposite end of said housing having an opening and a cover therefor, a plurality of male contact members in said receptacle housing in alignment with said apertures, said male contact members being adapted to be inserted in said female contact members when said connector and receptacle are assembled, mounting means attached to said receptacle housing, the longitudinal axis of said receptacle housing forming an angle with said mounting means which is slightly different from 90* and sufficient to cause any moisture within said receptacle housing to accumulate adjacent the cover thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
342 words
In an electrical connector assembly having a connector and a receptacle, said connector including a housing, a cable receiving aperture at one end thereof, a flexible cable support attached to said housing at said cable receiving aperture, said cable support being formed of a material to be in sealing contact with a cable therein, a plurality of female contact members positioned within the housing adjacent the opposite end thereof, and a plurality of openings in said opposite end in alignment with said female contact members, a cable clamp within said connector housing including a clamp member and a spring having end portions and a central portion positioned about said clamp member, an adjustment member engaging said spring and urging said clamp member into engagement with a cable therein, said clamp member having a generally arcuate outer surface including a groove and an inner surface formed and adapted to mate with a cable outer surface, said central portion of said spring being positioned within said groove of said clamp member, with the outer surface of said end portions of said spring being in contact with and restrained by an inner surface of said connector housing, movement of said adjustment member radially inward of said housing causing at least said central portion of said spring to translate radially of said housing and apply greater clamping pressure upon said clamping member and the cable positioned within the housing, said receptacle including a housing, a plurality of cable receiving apertures at one end thereof, the opposite end of said housing having an opening and a cover therefor, a plurality of male contact members in said receptacle housing in alignment with said apertures, said male contact members being adapted to be inserted in said female contact members when said connector and receptacle are assembled, mounting means attached to said receptacle housing, the longitudinal axis of said receptacle housing forming an angle with said mounting means which is slightly different from 90* and sufficient to cause any moisture within said receptacle housing to accumulate adjacent the cover thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
342 words
In an electrical connector assembly having a connector and a receptacle, said connector including a housing, a cable receiving aperture at one end thereof, a flexible cable support attached to said housing at said cable receiving aperture, said cable support being formed of a material to be in sealing contact with a cable therein, a plurality of female contact members positioned within the housing adjacent the opposite end thereof, and a plurality of openings in said opposite end in alignment with said female contact members, a cable clamp within said connector housing including a clamp member and a spring having end portions and a central portion positioned about said clamp member, an adjustment member engaging said spring and urging said clamp member into engagement with a cable therein, said clamp member having a generally arcuate outer surface including a groove and an inner surface formed and adapted to mate with a cable outer surface, said central portion of said spring being positioned within said groove of said clamp member, with the outer surface of said end portions of said spring being in contact with and restrained by an inner surface of said connector housing, movement of said adjustment member radially inward of said housing causing at least said central portion of said spring to translate radially of said housing and apply greater clamping pressure upon said clamping member and the cable positioned within the housing, said receptacle including a housing, a plurality of cable receiving apertures at one end thereof, the opposite end of said housing having an opening and a cover therefor, a plurality of male contact members in said receptacle housing in alignment with said apertures, said male contact members being adapted to be inserted in said female contact members when said connector and receptacle are assembled, mounting means attached to said receptacle housing, the longitudinal axis of said receptacle housing forming an angle with said mounting means which is slightly different from 90* and sufficient to cause any moisture within said receptacle housing to accumulate adjacent the cover thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
342 words
In an electrical connector assembly having a connector and a receptacle, said connector including a housing, a cable receiving aperture at one end thereof, a flexible cable support attached to said housing at said cable receiving aperture, said cable support being formed of a material to be in sealing contact with a cable therein, a plurality of female contact members positioned within the housing adjacent the opposite end thereof, and a plurality of openings in said opposite end in alignment with said female contact members, a cable clamp within said connector housing including a clamp member and a spring having end portions and a central portion positioned about said clamp member, an adjustment member engaging said spring and urging said clamp member into engagement with a cable therein, said clamp member having a generally arcuate outer surface including a groove and an inner surface formed and adapted to mate with a cable outer surface, said central portion of said spring being positioned within said groove of said clamp member, with the outer surface of said end portions of said spring being in contact with and restrained by an inner surface of said connector housing, movement of said adjustment member radially inward of said housing causing at least said central portion of said spring to translate radially of said housing and apply greater clamping pressure upon said clamping member and the cable positioned within the housing, said receptacle including a housing, a plurality of cable receiving apertures at one end thereof, the opposite end of said housing having an opening and a cover therefor, a plurality of male contact members in said receptacle housing in alignment with said apertures, said male contact members being adapted to be inserted in said female contact members when said connector and receptacle are assembled, mounting means attached to said receptacle housing, the longitudinal axis of said receptacle housing forming an angle with said mounting means which is slightly different from 90* and sufficient to cause any moisture within said receptacle housing to accumulate adjacent the cover thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including an annular seal positioned within the receptacle housing said annular seal forming a seal with the connector housing, when the receptacle and connector are assembled.
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) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |