Connector top cap

A connector and seal assembly comprising:

• a connector having a top section and a bottom section, said top section being angularly hingedly movable between an open position and a closed position, said top section having therein at least one wire insertion hole for guidedly receiving a wire, said wire insertion hole having an entrance aperture for entry of said wire, said open position facilitating entry of said wire in said wire insertion hole;
• said bottom section comprising a housing, said housing including a terminal strip for mechanical and electrical mating with said wire when said top section is in said closed position;
• the top section further having a test aperture and test channel formed therein, and an engagement surface proximate the test aperture;
• said test aperture and said test channel providing a fluid communication path to said terminal strip that is distinct from said entrance aperture and said wire insertion hole;
• and
• a seal comprising a body dimensioned for shape mating engagement with the engagement surface;
• said seal further comprising a latch dimensioned so as to facilitate shape mating engagement with the engagement surface, connected to said body, the latch including a first hook pivotably connected to the first side of said body and a second hook pivotably connected to the second side of said body.

A connector, comprising:

• a top section and a bottom section, said top section being angularly hingedly movable between an open position and a closed position, said top section having therein at least one wire insertion hole for guidedly receiving a wire, said wire insertion hole having an entrance aperture for entry of said wire, said open position facilitating entry of said wire in said wire insertion hole;
• said bottom section comprising a housing, said housing including a terminal strip for mechanical and electrical mating with said wire when said top section is in said closed position;
• the top section further having a test aperture and test channel formed therein, and an engagement surface proximate the test aperture;
• said test aperture and said test channel providing a fluid communication path to said terminal strip that is distinct from said entrance aperture and said wire insertion hole;
• and
• means for sealing the test aperture.

A connector and seal assembly comprising:

• a connector having a top section and a bottom section, said top section being angularly hingedly movable between an open position and a closed position, said top section having therein at least one wire insertion hole for guidedly receiving a wire, said wire insertion hole having an entrance aperture for entry of said wire, said open position facilitating entry of said wire in said wire insertion hole;
• said bottom section comprising a housing, said housing including a terminal strip for mechanical and electrical mating with said wire when said top section is in said closed position;
• the top section further having a test aperture and test channel formed therein, and an engagement surface proximate the test aperture;
• said test aperture and said test channel providing a fluid communication path to said terminal strip that is distinct from said entrance aperture and said wire insertion hole;
• and
• a seal comprising a body dimensioned for shape mating engagement with the engagement surface.

A method for forming a connector and seal assembly, said method comprising:

• providing a connector having a top section and a bottom section, said top section being angularly hingedly movable between an open position and a closed position, said top section having therein at least one wire insertion hole for guidedly receiving a wire, said wire insertion hole having an entrance aperture for entry of said wire, said open position facilitating entry of said wire in said wire insertion hole;
• said bottom section comprising a housing, said housing including a terminal strip for mechanical and electrical mating with said wire when said top section is in said closed position;
• the top section further having a test aperture and test channel formed therein, and an engagement surface proximate the test aperture;
• said test aperture and said test channel providing a fluid communication path to said terminal strip that is distinct from said entrance aperture and said wire insertion hole;
• disposing on a body a latch, said body being dimensioned for shape mating engagement with the engagement surface;
• disposing on said latch a first deflection beam formed on one side of said body, said first deflection beam being dimensioned as to releasably facilitate said shape mating engagement with said engagement surface;
• and
• disposing on said latch a second deflection beam formed on an opposite side of said body, said second deflection beam being dimensioned as to releasably facilitate said shape mating engagement with said engagement surface.