Connector mating structure
US5681185A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 26, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R12/79
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of preventing damage to the metal contacts of multiple contact connectors in wiring harnesses during shipment and preinstallation handling. The method comprises the steps of providing essentially identical connector bodies with complemental, multi-point mechanical interconnections so that the connector bodies can be segregated into pairs and releasably attached to one another in such a way that the connector body surfaces relative to which the metal contacts are most exposed are juxtaposed relative to one another. The mated connectors and the associated wiring harnesses are thereafter packaged and shipped to a location where they are assembled into the vehicle. The mated connector pairs are detached from one another so that they may be separately routed in the course of the installation process. The apparatus disclosed provides means for releasably attaching the connectors to one another in juxtaposed pairs with multi-point mechanical connections which resist torsional loads found to occur during shipment and handling. The mating connector designs may be such as to be compatible with vehicle components used in the final installation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.