Quick release electrical connector

An electrical connector, comprising:

• (a) a first connector element;
• (b) a second connector element for being mated with the first connector element for allowing electrical current to flow therethrough;
• (c) a retainer for receiving and carrying the first connector element, the ring including an annular collar within which the first connector element is adapted to be received, and a retainer flange carrying locking anchors thereon for mounting the locking means into complementary locking ports in a mounting bracket whereby the electrical connector is releasably carried on the mounting bracket;
• (d) the mounting bracket including an annular opening for receiving the second connector element, a flange extending around and outwardly from the annular opening and a plurality of radially extending notches communicating with the annular opening for receiving complementary ones of the locking anchors;
• and
• (e) the second connector element including a connector flange for being mounted on an opposite side of the mounting bracket from the retainer, said connector flange having holes therein for receiving the locking anchors.

A seat having at least one electrically-operable apparatus associated therewith, and comprising:

• (a) a seat base carrying a seat back and seat bottom;
• (b) a mounting bracket mounted on the seat for mounting the electrical connector;
• (c) an electrical connector carried by the mounting bracket for connecting the electrically operable apparatus to a source of electricity, the electrical connector comprising:
• (d) a first connector element;
• (e) a second connector element for being mated with the first connector element for allowing electrical current to flow therethrough;
• (f) a retainer for receiving and carrying the first connector element, the ring including an annular collar for receiving the first connector element and a retainer flange carrying locking anchors thereon for mounting the locking means into complementary locking ports in the mounting bracket whereby the electrical connector is releasably carried on the mounting bracket;
• (g) the mounting bracket including an annular opening for receiving the second connector element, a flange extending around and outwardly from the annular opening and a plurality of radially extending notches communicating with the annular opening for receiving complementary ones of the locking anchors;
• and
• (h) the second connector element including a connector flange for being mounted on an opposite side of the mounting bracket from the retainer, said connector flange having holes therein for receiving the locking anchors.

A method of mounting an electrical connector to a mounting bracket, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing:
• (i) a first electrically-conductive connector element;
• (ii) a second electrically-conductive connector element for being mated with the first connector element for allowing electrical current to flow through the electrical connector from an upstream to a downstream side;
• and
• (iii) a retainer for receiving and carrying the first connector element, the retainer including locking anchors for mounting the retainer into complementary locking ports in a mounting bracket whereby the electrical connector is releasably carried on the mounting bracket;
• (b) mounting the first connector element to the retainer:
• (c) mounting the retainer to the mounting bracket by extending the locking anchors into the locking ports in the mounted bracket;
• and
• (d) connecting the second connector element to the first connector element.