Waterproof electrical connector

A separable waterproof electrical connector for a plurality of pairs of axially interconnectable cylindrical electrical terminals coupled to the ends of insulated wires,

• each terminal having an annular external recess in its cylindrical peripheral surface,
• the connector comprising:
• a pair of elongated, rigid nonconductive elastomeric, tubular members having generally complementary end portions, fitted one into the other,
• a soft elastomeric sealing sleeve concentrically interposed between the interengaged end portions to prevent the passage of moisture therebetween,
• releasable clamping means on the exterior of the tubular member end portions holding the latter in engagement,
• each elastomeric tubular member having an interior partition wall extending laterally of its longitudinally axis in juxtaposition to the interengaged end portions thereof,
• each partition wall having a plurality of axially extending apertures therethrough equally spaced around the longitudinal axis of the tubular members,
• the electrical terminals being seated in the apertures,
• a portion of the wall of each aperture comprising an axially extending cantilevered locking member hinged at one end to the partition wall and having a detent spaced from its hinged end engaged with the external recess on the terminal seated in the respective aperture to prevent axial displacement of the terminal,
• each partition wall having an axially extending cavity communicating with the locking members,
• the partition wall cavity comprising a plurality of slots intersecting at the tubular member axis,
• the slots being equal in number to the apertures,
• displaceable plug means seated in the partition cavity in abutting relation to the locking members to hold the detents on the latter in the respective terminal recesses,
• the displaceable plug means having locating fins received within the slots with body portions between the fins in abutting engagement with the locking members to prevent flexure of the latter in a direction transversely of the tubular member axis,
• and grommet means seated in the tubular member outwardly of the partition wall through which the insulated wires extend,
• the grommet means being in watertight engagement with the interior walls of the tubular members and the insulated wires.