Abstract:
A molded housing of suitable, non-conductive material encasing and segregating a plurality of spring-loaded terminal connector tabs that embody stab connections to receive wire in the rear of the housing for the purpose of conducting current through the insulated terminal tabs to an identical yet inverted hermaphroditic mate for the purpose of connecting multiple wires to multiple wire to wire connections, wire to fixture connections, or series harness connections and the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a molded housing of suitable, non-conductive material encasing and segregating a plurality of spring-loaded terminal connector tabs that embody stab connections to receive wire in the rear of the housing for the purpose of conducting current through the insulated terminal tabs to an identical yet inverted hermaphroditic mate for the purpose of connecting wire to wire, fixtures, series harnesses and the like. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Hermaphroditic connectors provide reliable means for connecting and disconnecting a plurality of electrical conductors. The manufacturing advantages are obvious in that one piece serves as both pieces of a connective set. Previous patent examples attest to the practicality of manufacture, functionality of use and varied applications of hermaphroditic connectors. See Gettig, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,102, and Rudoy, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,196. 
   The preceding references depict hermaphroditic connectors with similar features to each other. Most of the connectors are configured to be factory wired with molded entry rears or at best require the use of a separate “crimp” type conductive terminal with a blade extension to be inserted into the harness at time of use. The most obvious difference distinguishing the present invention from the prior art is the embodiment of low pressure “stab” connectors located at the rear of the housing. This allows for the fast reliable and field operable attachment of wire to connector. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel hermaphroditic connector or coupling which permits connection of a plurality of wire to wire connections, wire to fixture connections, or series harness connections. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel hermaphroditic connector which allows for fast and secure connection requiring low insertion force. 
   A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel hermaphroditic connector which facilitates multiple wire connection which facilitates quick and positive multiple wire connections which are easily releasable if so desired. 
   A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel hermaphroditic electrical connector which provides for a plurality of stab connectors and parallel communication with each other within the hermaphroditic connector which facilitates quick, positive connections which are easily releasable if desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A molded housing of suitable, non-conductive material encasing and segregating a plurality of spring-loaded terminal connector tabs that embody stab connections to receive wire in the rear of the housing for the purpose of conducting current through the insulated terminal tabs to an identical yet inverted hermaphroditic mate for the purpose of connecting multiple wires to multiple wire to wire connections, wire to fixture connections, or series harness connections and the like. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a hermaphroditic housing mate illustrating one set of stab connectors; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the opposing inverted half of the hermaphroditic housing mate and associated stab connectors; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the hermaphroditic connector mate of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the inverted connector members illustrating the locking of the hermaphroditic mates to form the connection to each other; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of two hermaphroditic connectors engaged in a locking position; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a stab connector utilized in the hermaphroditic coupling of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a first hermaphroditic mate member  10  and  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a second inverted hermaphroditic mate member  12  which when mated form a coupling housing  13  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . First and second hermaphroditic mate members  10  and  12  are of identical construction and when one is inverted, they snap fit together to form a positive electrically conductive connection  13 . This will be apparent when considering the exploded views of first hermaphroditic mate member  10  and second inverted hermaphroditic mate member  12  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . First and second hermaphroditic mate members  10  and  12  are defined by top wall  22 , bottom wall  24 , and end wall  26  and opposing side walls  30  and  32 , top wall  22  having an extending latching member  28  as will be described hereafter. Disposed between opposing side walls  30  and  32  are a series of rib members  40  which define a series of channels  42  within first and second hermaphroditic mate members  10  and  12 . The channels  42  defined by the rib members  40  are for receipt of conductive stab connectors  44 . Not shown in  FIG. 1 , but illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the end wall  26  of hermaphroditic mate members  10  and  12  have a plurality of apertures  56  for the insertion of wire. The stab connectors  44  are secured within the hermaphroditic mate member  10  such that an apertures  60  in each of the stab connectors  44  (See  FIG. 6 ), are alignable with a respective apertures  56  in the end wall  26  of the hermaphroditic mate member  10 . 
   Hermaphroditic mate member  12  as illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 2  is the inverted version of hermaphroditic mate member  10 . It secures between its ribs  40 , a plurality of like stab connectors  44  identical to the stab connectors  44  of hermaphroditic mate member  10  except that they are inverted. Apertures  60  on stab connectors  44  of hermaphroditic mate member  12  are alignable with apertures  56  in the end wall  26  of the hermaphroditic mate member  12 . Hermaphroditic mate member  10  and inverted hermaphroditic mate  12  are secured by their respective latching members  38  and a recessed slotted keeper  70  on their respective bottom walls  24 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the hermaphroditic mate member  10  and inverted hermaphroditic mate member  12  in a mated and locked position. 
   Each stab connector  44 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6  consists of a longitudinal web portion  80  having a first end  82  folded upon the web portion  80  so as to form an acute angle which constitutes a conductive terminal end  84 . The opposing end  86  of web portion  80  is folded or bent a series of times to the same side of the web  30  as the first end  82  such that the second end  86  is distal proximate the web portion  80  forming gap  88  which forms the stab connector. The bending of the stab connectors  44  provides appropriate spring tension to both ends allowing usage thereof with hard wire found in the internal wiring of a structure as well as braided wire utilized in fixtures. 
   As better can be understood from  FIG. 5  which is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 4  along its longer axis, when hermaphroditic mate member  10  and inverted hermaphroditic mate member  12  are in a locked and mated position, the terminal portion  84  of stab connectors  44  of hermaphroditic mate member  10  are in contact with the terminal portion  84  of stab connectors  44  of inverted hermaphroditic mate member  12 . Therefore, when a wire  90  is inserted through an aperture  56  in hermaphroditic mate member  10 , it passes through an aperture  60  in stab connector  44 , contacts the bent end  86  of the respective stab connector and is directed into the gap  88  and secured. When a similar wire  92  is inserted through the corresponding aperture  56  in the opposing inverted hermaphroditic mate member  12 , it is directed in a similar manner by the stab connector in order to secure the wire. The two wires  90  and  92  are now in electrical communication as a result of their contact with their respective stab connectors and the fact that the terminal ends  84  of the stab connectors are in abutting relationship. 
   Hermaphroditic mate members  10  and  12  are identical and when one is inverted, the two of them mate as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . They are constructed of a suitable insulative, non-conductive material. The vertical ribbing members are formed unitarily with the hermaphroditic mates and are of the same material so as to insulate adjacent stab connectors and prevent arcing, corona discharge or water born shorting. The conductive terminal ends  84  of the stab connectors protrude slightly beyond their respective hermaphroditic mate members  10  and  12  which facilitates positive, spring tensioned, conductive contact with the opposing conductive terminals when the hermaphroditic mate members are engaged in the locked position. 
   The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 5  represents three stab connectors associated with each hermaphroditic mate member. It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that depending upon the wiring requirements, a hermaphroditic coupling of the type disclosed herein may be constructed in which fewer stab connectors or more stab connectors may be secured within a hermaphroditic coupling designed to accommodate same without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   While the present invention has been described with respect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications or changes can be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it is manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims and the equivalence thereof.