Connector assembly with self activating environmental seal
US6039585A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3849
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A connector assembly to join two contacts that has a seal assembly comprised of simple, reliable, easily replaceable and inexpensive components. The connector assembly has a female housing that automatically seals a contact therein when the connector assembly is not assembled. The connector assembly includes a male housing, the female housing, an resilient sleeve and a spring. The male housing includes a rigid projection and a longitudinal passageway sized to mount a first contact therein. Like the male housing, the female housing includes a longitudinal passageway sized to mount a second contact therein. The seal assembly includes the resilient sleeve and the spring. The sleeve is mounted about the contact in the female housing and is located so that the spring pinches the sleeve closed when the male and female housings are not connected. During the connection process, a projection on the male housing portion forces the spring to release its engagement with the resilient sleeve so that the sleeve can deform and open into its normal position wherein the first contact can fit inside the sleeve when the connector is assembled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.