Bi-directional header for multi-direction connector mating

An electrical connector system, comprising:

• a header, including:
• a body;
• and
• a plug defined on a first side of the body, including:
• a pair of first opposing sidewalls extending from the body and defining a locking feature for engaging with a corresponding locking feature of a first mating connector and a second mating connector;
• and
• a pair of second opposing sidewalls extending from the body and including respective keying elements formed thereon;
• the first mating connector defining a first mating keying element complementary to the keying element of at least one of the pair of second opposing sidewalls and adapted such that the first connector is mateable to the header in only a first orientation;
• and
• the second mating connector defining a second mating keying element complementary to the keying element of at least one of the pair of second opposing sidewalls and adapted such that the second connector is mateable to the header in only a second orientation, distinct from the first orientation, and when the first mating connector is not mated with the plug, wherein:
• with the first mating connector mated to the header, the plug is adapted to receive a portion of the first mating connector between the pair of first opposing sidewalls and extending in a direction of a first sidewall of the second opposing sidewalls and through a first opening defined by the pair of first opposing sidewalls and the first sidewall of the second opposing sidewalls;
• and
• with the second mating connector mated to the header, the plug is adapted to receive a portion of the second mating connector between the pair of first opposing sidewalls and extending in a direction of a second sidewall of the second opposing sidewalls and through a second opening defined by the pair of first opposing sidewalls and the second sidewall of the second opposing sidewalls.

An electrical header, comprising:

• a body adapted to mount to an object;
• an opening formed through the body and receiving an electrical terminal;
• and
• a plug defined on a first side of the body and adapted to separately mate with each of a first mating connector arranged in a first orientation with respect to the body and a second mating connector arranged in a second orientation with respect to the body and distinct from the first orientation when the first mating connector is not mated with the plug, the plug including a pair of first opposing sidewalls extending from the body and a pair of second opposing sidewalls extending from the body, wherein:
• a first sidewall of the second opposing sidewalls includes a first keying element of the at least one keying element formed thereon and adapted to engage with a first complementary keying element of the first mating connector and a first complementary keying element of the second mating connector;
• and
• a second sidewall of the second opposing sidewalls includes a second keying element of the at least one keying element formed thereon and adapted to engage with a second complementary keying element of the first mating connector and a second complementary keying element of the second mating connector.

An electrical header, comprising:

• a body adapted to mount to an object;
• an opening formed through the body and receiving an electrical terminal;
• and
• a plug defined on a first side of the body and adapted to mate with a first mating connector arranged in a first orientation with respect to the body, and a second mating connector arranged in a second orientation with respect to the body and distinct from the first orientation when the first mating connector is not mated with the plug, the plug including at least one sidewall extending from the body, the at least one sidewall arranged at least partially about the opening and defining:
• a locking feature adapted to engage with a corresponding locking feature of the first mating connector and the second mating connector;
• and
• at least one keying element adapted to engage with at least one complementary keying element of the first mating connector and the second mating connector, wherein the at least one sidewall and the at least one keying element are asymmetric about at least one of orthogonal planes bisecting the plug.