Patent ID: 6074230
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly including a pair of hermaphroditic connectors having opposed mating faces which are juxtaposed generally along a plane when the connectors are mated, with the connectors being adapted for mating in either opposite direction generally parallel to said plane of the mating faces, each hermaphroditic connector comprising:a housing including a plurality of spaced-apart ribs having edges extending from said plane and defining respective grooves between immediately adjacent ribs, the ribs of each hermaphroditic connector being interleaved with the ribs of the other connector when the two connectors are mated in said opposite direction, and complementary interengaging latch means on the housing to lock the connectors against unmating in a direction generally perpendicular to said plane of the mating faces; anda plurality of terminals mounted parallel to the ribs and the mating face on each housing and having contact portions of at least some of the terminals between the ribs for engaging the contact portions of the terminals on the housing of the other connector.