Patent ID: 6257932
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly providing continuity in a circuit for use with a barrier including a gate providing access to an area surrounded by the barrier, the electrical connector comprising:a first receptacle adapted to be mounted to a fixed portion of the barrier, the first receptacle having a curvilinear, first cross-sectional profile and adapted to be electrically connected to the circuit and the first receptacle having at least two first pin sockets having a first spacing therebetween;a first key coupling comprisinga first plug comprisinga first cavity having a curvilinear cross-sectional profile substantially identical to the first cross-sectional profile of the first receptacle, thereby permitting the first receptacle to be inserted in the first cavity, andat least two first pins disposed in the first cavity and having the first spacing therebetween, the first pins being insertable in the first pin sockets upon the first receptacle being inserted into the first cavity of the first receptacle, anda second receptacle having a curvilinear, second cross-sectional profile different from the first cross-sectional profile, the second receptacle having at least two second pin sockets with a second spacing therebetween different from the first spacing; anda second plug adapted to be mounted to the gate comprisinga second cavity having a curvilinear cross-sectional profile substantially identical to the second cross-sectional profile of the second receptacle, thereby permitting the second receptacle to be inserted in the second cavity, andat least two second pins disposed in the second cavity and having the second spacing therebetween, the second pins being electrically connected together and insertable in the second pin sockets upon the second receptacle being inserted into the second cavity of the second receptacle,whereby manually inserting the first receptacle into the first plug and the second receptacle into the second plug provides electrical continuity between the first pin sockets via the first key coupling and the second plug.