Patent ID: 6761568
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly comprising:a mating axis; a male connector having a terminal blade and a body having a leading face, wherein the terminal blade projects forward from the leading face; a female connector constructed and arranged to electrically engage the terminal blade along the mating axis, the female connector having a leading face which faces the leading face of the body of the male connector; a blade stabilizer disposed between the leading face of the female connector and the leading face of the male connector, the blade stabilizer having a blade alignment position when the electrical connector assembly is not mated, a seated position when the connector assembly is mated, and an aperture communicating axially, wherein the terminal blade extends through the aperture when the blade stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, and wherein the terminal blade extends through the aperture when the blade stabilizer is in the seated position; wherein a void for protecting the terminal blade exists when the blade stabilizer is in the blade alignment position and is defined axially between the leading surface of the blade stabilizer and the leading face of the body of the male connector; and wherein the leading face of the body of the male connector is engaged to the leading surface of the blade stabilizer when the blade stabilizer is in the seated position.