Electrical connector with high impact strength locking assemblies
AssigneeDSM&T Company, Inc.
InventorSergio Corona
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A weather-resistant electrical connector having an environmental seal and including a locking assembly made from a high impact strength thermoplastic. A method is disclosed for overmolding the connectors in one step. A locking yoke latches the connectors together. Locking tabs secure the connectors to mounting plates. The locking tabs have steps to retain the connectors upon compression of a seal. An insulated mounting post supports the contact and is of sufficient length to seal and contain any arcs from live connections.
Claims30
In a water tight electrical connector assembly having a male connector and a female connector with a mating seal formed cooperatively upon connection of the male connector to the female connector, wherein one of the connectors includes locking tabs and the other connector comprises:
- a locking yoke made from an impact resistant thermoplastic having a bit portion with opposed ends and locking arms integrally formed on either end of the bit portion;
- an electrical contact forming a terminating end of a wire;
- and
- a dielectric thermoplastic overmold body including a portion of the mating seal at the proximal end thereof and encasing said bit portion and said electrical contacts whereby the locking arms extend outside the body with a degree of flexibility so that the arms are capable of engaging and disengaging the locking tabs on the mating connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.