Patent ID: 6799984
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: G01N,H01R

Abstract:
A connector for use in an environment in which a combustible material may be present, comprising:a first housing section including a plurality of electrically-conductive contacts therein; and a second housing section including a plurality of electrically-conductive contacts that can form an electrical connection with the contacts of the first housing section, the first housing section and the second housing section being removably connectable, the first housing section and the second housing section being capable of forming an explosion-proof housing when connected, the contacts of the second housing section being attached to a seating member that is rotatably attached to the second housing section to align the contacts of the second housing section with the contacts of the first housing section during connection of the second housing section to the first housing section, the seating member including an abutment member that abuts an abutment member of the first housing section to prevent rotation of the seating member relative to the first housing section when the contacts of the second housing section are in a predetermined alignment with the contacts of the first housing section during connection of the second housing section to the first housing section, electrically-conductive connection between the contacts of the first housing section and the contacts of the second housing section occurring during connection of the second housing section to the first housing section in a manner such that when connection between the contacts of the first housing section and the contacts of the second housing section occurs, the first housing section and the second housing section are in sufficient connection to form an explosion-proof housing.