Patent ID: 7749012
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. A co-mold process for providing a socket connector, comprising the steps of: performing a first molding operation, comprising: placing a first tooling into a molding cavity of a mold; injecting plastic into the molding cavity, wherein the first tooling and the molding cavity are cooperatively configured so that the plastic injected into the molding cavity forms a connector body, wherein the connector body has a terminal housing having at least one terminal cavity formed in said terminal housing, a seal seat defined in a seal seat housing of unitary construction, two axially spaced and opposing walls that face each other, one of said two axially spaced walls at a respective axial end of said seal seat, and at least one passage formed in said connector body; selectively removing a selected portion of the first tooling from the mold; performing a second molding operation, comprising: placing a second tooling into the molding cavity of the mold; injecting an elastomer into the molding cavity, wherein the second tooling, the connector body, and the molding cavity are cooperatively configured so that the elastomer injected into the molding cavity passes through the at least one passage to thereby form a peripheral seal and a cable seal integrally joined with the peripheral seal via the at least one passage, wherein the peripheral seal engirds the terminal housing and wherein the cable seal is disposed in said seal seat within the confines of said axially spaced and opposing walls that face each other and the connector body such that said cable seal does not extend beyond the connector body, said cable seal has at least one seal opening formed therein, each seal opening being aligned with each terminal cavity, respectively, and wherein said first and second molding operations collectively provide the socket connector; removing the second tooling and any remaining portion of the first tooling from the mold; and removing the socket connector from the mold.