Patent ID: 6398568
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector having an electrically conductive exterior shell, said shell having an internal surface which surrounds an interior space of the connector to house a plurality of electrical components, and wherein said shell has two ends which are configured to couple said connector to a plurality of external circuits, and wherein said electrical components comprise:A. a conductor located within said interior space and comprising a pair of terminals, wherein: (i) a first terminal is located at a first end of said shell for establishing an electrical connection to a first external circuit; and (ii) a second terminal is located at a second end of said shell for establishing an electrical connection to a second external circuit; B. a lining located within said interior space for securing and isolating said electrical components from said exterior shell, wherein said lining contains an opening which is in communication with said electrical components when said opening is also in communication with said internal surface of said exterior shell; and C. a resistive element configured to establish an electrical contact with said exterior shell and at least one of said terminals when an electrical connection to at least one external circuit is broken, wherein said resistive element is mounted to the surface of at least one of said terminals to permit said electrical contact to be established by insertion of the resistive element at least partially through the opening in said lining to contact said exterior shell; wherein said resistive element is moveable such that said electrical contact is made and broken by movement of said resistive element.