Multiple pin connector for multiple conductor cable

A connector for a multiple conductor cable comprising

• a first and second insert each having a plurality of elongated male connector pins located in a first selected portion of the insert and a plurality of elongated female connector sockets located in an adjacent second selected portion of the insert, said pins and sockets being arranged in each of said first and second inserts in a parallel spaced relationship and in an identical pattern to form a hermaphrodite connector;
• a base having a face plate defining an interconnecting surface for supporting said first and second inserts in an adjacent planar predetermined spaced relationship, with the first and second selected portions of each insert being positioned within the face plate in an identical geometrical spacial orientation relative to each other with the pins and sockets thereof extending generally perpendicular to the interconnecting surface of the face plate, said face plate including means defining a raised partial collar extending around one of the first and second inserts which terminates with its collar ends intermediate the spaced distance therebetween;
• means defining, on the collar ends, a differential locking boss having a keyway extending toward the other of the first and second inserts and a clamping lip located on the exterior of the raised collar adjacent the edge of said one of the first and second inserts and in substantial alignment with the first and second inserts;
• a stirrup interconnector having at one end thereof bifurcated locking arms, each terminating in a differential locking member formed of a key and a cam, and the other end of the stirrup interconnector terminating in a releasable clamping member, said stirrup interconnector being positioned to receive the base between the bifurcated locking arms with the raised collar and clamping lip located adjacent the releasable clamping member, and with each differential locking member pivotally mounted to the base to afford rotation of the stirrup interconnector therearound, said stirrup interconnector being adapted to rotate around the pivotal mountings to position the releasable clamp in clamping engagement with the clamping lip when the stirrup interconnector is rotated into a locking position, and to position the releasable clamp in disengagement from the clamping lip when the stirrup interconnector is rotated into a release position, each of said differential locking members being positioned to cooperate with a differential locking boss on an identical connector wherein the key is adapted to be inserted into locking engagment with a keyway of a differential locking boss on an identical connector to form a locked assembled connector of two identical connectors when the stirrup interconnector is rotated into a locking position and wherein the cam is adapted to cooperate with an opposed adjacent surface of a differential locking boss on an identical connector to urge the connector apart from an identical connector in opposite direction when the stirrup interconnector is rotated into release position forming an unlocked connector;
• and
• means positioned in the base for receiving and supporting a multiple conductor cable in a position perpendicular to the axis of each insert thereby resisting disconnection of a pair of such connectors from longitudinal tension on connected cables.