Method for forming a separable electrical connector
AssigneeThomas & Betts International, Inc.
InventorsAlan D. Borgstrom, Frank M. Stepniak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for forming a separable electrical connector having an electrical interface surface includes the steps of molding an interface shell from a thermoplastic, placing the interface shell against an electrical interface portion of a mold cavity and molding a housing within the mold cavity. When placed in the mold cavity, the interface shell provides a barrier to the mold cavity interface portion, wherein the housing is isolated from the electrical interface potion of the mold cavity by the interface shell. The shell has an inner surface and an outer surface and the housing is bonded to one of the inner and outer surfaces, wherein the other of the inner and outer surfaces of the shell defines the electrical interface surface of the electrical connector.
Claims10
A method for forming a separable electrical connector comprising the steps of:
- molding an interface shell from a non-rubber material in a first mold to form a semi-rigid to rigid shell, said shell having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- removing said shell from said first mold;
- placing said interface shell within an interface portion of a mold cavity of a second mold, whereby said shell provides a barrier to said mold cavity interface portion;
- and
- molding a housing within said mold cavity of said second mold, wherein said housing is isolated from said interface potion of said mold cavity by said interface shell during molding and is bonded to one of said inner and outer surfaces of said shell, whereby said shell and said housing are integrally molded and wherein the other of said inner and outer surfaces of said shell defines an interface surface of said electrical connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.