Ruggedized, sealed quick disconnect electrical coupler

Abstract

A quick disconnect electrical coupler for connecting an electrical cable, or cord, to circuitry in a closed housing forms a sealed, high strength, impact resistant connection between the housing and a flexible conduit within which the electrical lead is disposed. The quick disconnect electrical coupler includes a conduit adapter in sealed engagement about an aperture in the housing which is coupled to the conduit by means of a threadable compression connection. Electrical leads coupled to circuitry in the housing terminate in a plurality of conductive pins disposed within an inner connector housing adapted for mating engagement with a conventional socket-type lead connector coupled to the electrical cable. A connector adapter is disposed about the inner connector housing and within the conduit adapter and is in sealed engagement with these two components. The connector adapter includes an outer threaded portion adapted for coupling to the socket-type lead connector within the liquid tight, sealed combination of the conduit adapter and the flexible conduit, which combination also maintains the electrical leads in fixed position within the conduit and conduit adapter and protects the electrical cable and connector from impact damage. Another embodiment replaces the connector adapter and inner connector housing with a ringed, tapered seal for securely coupling the conduit adapter and flexible conduit in a moisture-tight sealed manner while maintaining the electrical leads in fixed position within the electrical coupler.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.