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US 4,792,308 AGranted
Electrical connector
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorRaymond L. Johnson
Life of this patent
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorRaymond L. Johnson
Estimating the term…
An improved apparatus for electrically connecting together two cables. The connection is easily coupled and uncoupled and is comprised of a first unit having a number of first contact elements electrically connected to the first cable; and a second unit having a corresponding number of second contact elements electrically connected to the second cable. The first unit includes a pair of spring biased flaps for receiving and holding the second unit thereby forcing the second unit and the second contact members against the complementary contacts in the first unit.
An improved apparatus for electrically connecting a first cable to a second cable, comprising:
An improved apparatus for electrically connecting a first cable extending from a tractor to a second cable extending from a trailer comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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No related US applications are recorded in the indexed filing history.
Contact members: contacts for co-operating by abutting
Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap: for wall or panel outlets
Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement: additional means for holding or locking…
Electrically-conductive connections
Term ended 25 Aug 2007 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a two-piece electrical connector which can be easily coupled and uncoupled. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrical connector that will not be damaged if sudden forces are applied to the connector assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the first and second units separated from one another and a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the connected first and second units illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 3--3 in FIG. 2; and
Referring first to FIG. 1, an apparatus is shown for providing an electrical connection between two members, such as a tractor and its trailer or items aboard a strip or other commercial or residential vehicles or items of equipment, according to the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This apparatus includes a first coupling unit 10 which is adapted to be mounted to one member such as, for example, a tractor 14, and a second coupling unit 12 that is mounted to another member such as, for example, a trailer, by a flexible conduit 74 with the second unit itself adapted to be connected to the first unit 10.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, first unit 10 has an outer housing 16 including a bottom wall 18, a rear wall 20 adapted to be mounted to any surface such as is shown against tractor 14, and a top wall 22 that is substantially perpendicular to rear wall portion 20.
As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, first unit 10 has a pair of contact plate support members 24 which are secured to the rear portion 20 of outer housing 16. A first contact plate 26 is supported by members 24 in a position substantially parallel to the rear portion 20 of outer housing 16, as shown in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 1, contact plate 26 may be secured adjacent support members 24 by a plurality of mounting screws 25 that are inserted through the top portion 22 of outer housing 16.