Keying system for electrical connectors
US5370556A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R12/737
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A keying arrangement for electrical connectors is disclosed for preventing the inadvertent mating of a plug to the wrong receptacle. The opposing walls (28,30;18,20) of the mating plug (14) and receptacle (12) have openings (52,53;36,37) formed therein that contain opposing keys (40,51;54,56,58). One key has a projection (44) and the other key (54,56,58) has a groove (62,70). The groove is in alignment with the projection where the plug and receptacle are designated to mate. The keys are used in pairs, one key at each end of the connector to prevent partial mating and the resulting potential damage. The keys are in diagonally opposite positions to prevent inadvertent partial mating along an edge of the connector. The keys are removable and replaceable so that keying configurations can be changed in the field.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.