Modular electrical contact assemblies

A kit of parts for forming a contact assembly for a discrete electrical circuit comprising a conductive first member and a conductive second member and at least one conductive intermediate member of selected length, said first member having an assembly face with a securing section and further defining at an opposed face thereof a connection section for forming an electrical connection with a complementary connection section of a first electrical article, said second member having an assembly face with a securing section and further defining at an opposed face thereof a connection section for forming an electrical connection with a complementary connection section of a second electrical article, said second member further including a small diameter bore extending into an assembly face, said intermediate member including opposed mounting faces associated with respective said assembly faces of said first and second members and securable thereto at first and second assembly interfaces;

• each said assembly interface including a cylindrical embossment extending from one of said assembly face and mounting face and a small diameter bore extending into the other of said assembly face and mounting face for receipt thereinto of said cylindrical embossment, said cylindrical embossments each having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said small diameter bore and with the dimensions of said small diameter bores and said cylindrical embossments preselected to define a substantial desired retention force upon assembly sufficient to assuredly self-retain said first and second members to each other thereafter;
• and
• said intermediate member including a said cylindrical embossment at one said mounting face and a said small diameter bore at the other said mounting face,
• wherein said first member is either affixable to said second member or is affixable to said intermediate member which is affixable to said second member, defining a kit of parts enabling assembly of a contact assembly of a desired one of at least two different lengths.

A contact assembly for electrically connecting a first electrical article and a second electrical article at respective pin-and-socket interfaces adapted for mating and unmating, to define a discrete electrical circuit therebetween, comprising:

• a conductive first member and a conductive second member,
• said first member having a first assembly face with a securing section and further defining at a mating face thereof a first connection section for mating with a complementary connection section of said first electrical article, in a manner permitting unmating therefrom,
• said second member having a second assembly face with a securing section and further defining at a mating face thereof a second connection section for mating with a complementary connection section of said second electrical article, in a manner permitting unmating therefrom, and
• one of said first and second assembly faces having its securing section defined by a small diameter bore extending into said assembly face thereof, and the other thereof having its securing section defined by a cylindrical embossment extending from an assembly face thereof;
• and
• said cylindrical embossment having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said small diameter bore, wherein said first and second members are affixable to each other by said cylindrical embossment being force fitted into said small diameter bore under sufficient insertion force, and with the dimensions of said small diameter bores and said cylindrical embossments preselected to define a substantial desired retention force upon assembly sufficient to assuredly self-retain said first and second members to each other thereafter,
• whereby a contact assembly is defined upon assembly of said first and second members having a contact section at each end adapted to permit mating with and unmating from complementary contact sections of other electrical articles, and the contact assembly is modular enabling a contact member having a pin contact section to be assembled to a contact member having either a pin or socket contact section as desired and enabling a member having a socket contact section to be assembled to a contact member having either a pin or socket contact section as desired.