Hermaphroditic electrical connector

An electrical connector that includes a pair of hermaphroditic electrical connector members which are identically formed having a connector body supported within a flexible jacket, wherein the connector body includes a male plug and a female receptacle, whereby the first male plug of the first connector is positioned to be coupled to the second female receptacle of the second connector, and wherein the first female receptacle of the first connector is arranged to be coupled to the second male plug of the second connector when one of the connector members is inverted and latched to the opposing connector member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an electrical connector for use, for 
example, to make an electrical connection between railroad cars for 
controlling the braking systems, and more particularly to a pair of 
hermaphroditic electrical connector members for such use or other uses. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The braking systems on railroad freight cars are pneumatically operated 
with air under pressure provided from the locomotive or other central 
location. The brakes are arranged to set automatically in the absence of 
air pressure and to be released in the presence of air pressure. Once the 
cars are coupled to the locomotive the brakes on all of the cars are 
either in a set or released mode, except for transient conditions, ie., 
when the brakes are initially applied or released at the locomotive, due 
to time required for the air under pressure to travel down the line of 
cars. 
It has been long recognized in the railroad industry that there is a need 
to be able to control the brakes of individual freight cars. This would 
allow the braking system on each freight car to be remotely operated by 
the train engineer from the locomotive cab. Until the present there has 
been no improvement over the braking systems or the coupling devices that 
would allow the cars to be remotely activated. There are several ways this 
can be done with a suitable computer system that allows signals to be sent 
to selected freight cars or to an individual car from a central location, 
ie., the locomotive, which would permit the brakes of one or more of the 
freight cars to be applied independently of the operation of the brakes in 
other cars. For example, when a long freight train is passing over a hill 
it would be desirable to be able to brake the cars on the down grade side 
without braking the cars which are still moving up the grade. In addition, 
any electrical path from the locomotive to the cars coupled thereto would 
enable electrical signals to be sent to and received from the individual 
cars so that information concerning any malfunction of the braking system 
in each car could be relayed to the locomotive to provide a warning signal 
etc. 
However, before such a system or program can be put into operation, there 
needs to be provided an electrical connector that can be readily adapted 
to be positioned in series between each freight car at a point relative to 
the train's coupling devices so that electric signals can be sent to any 
freight car for remotely activating (or integrating) various components 
that might be mounted to the cars. Since either end of a freight car can 
be positioned towards the locomotive either two male/female connector 
halves or a single genderless, ie., hermaphroditic, connector half must be 
used at each end of each car to provide the necessary electrical 
connections. 
Such a connector or connectors must be capable of being disconnected 
manually or automatically when the cars are separated. For example, at the 
present time, when one or more freight cars are to be sidetracked or 
separated from the train's locomotive, the train engineer will manually 
release the coupling apparatus when the cars are in position for 
separation. The air supply system is also disconnected on the selected car 
either manually or automatically when the car or cars are separated from 
the adjoining cars whereby air pressure in the braking system for the 
uncoupled car or cars is released, thereby automatically causing the 
brakes in separated freight cars to be set. Any electrical connection 
between the cars must accommodate the coupling and uncoupling operation. 
In addition, the electrical connector or connections must be capable of 
tolerating adverse weather conditions such as rain, freezing temperatures, 
etc. Accordingly, an electric connector is needed that is simple and 
rugged in construction, which can be readily sealed to prevent damage from 
an unfavorable environment and which can be manually connected or 
disconnected and automatically disconnected when cars are separated. 
Preferably such a connector would be of the hermaphroditic type thereby 
eliminating the need for an extra connector at the end of each car. 
As an example of a hermaphroditic connector (used for entirely different 
purpose) one may refer to U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,102, issued to William A. 
Gettig et al. This connector is typically provided with a pair of 
electrical members, each of which is provided with a pair of electrical 
members, each of which is adapted to receive snap-fitting conductor 
terminals which are joined in a mating relationship upon inverting one of 
the connector members. This connector employs a body having electrical 
conductor terminals each of which is in the form of a blade with lateral 
tongs, lock lugs and overlying spring arms. 
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the present invention as disclosed herein is constructed and 
defined as a hermaphroditic electrical connector having a pair of 
connector members that are identically arranged and constructed with each 
having a connector body that is suitably enclosed in a shell or flexible 
jacket, a portion of which is formed to aid in the operation of a 
quick-disconnect latching device. Mounted within each connector body is a 
male plug or connector pin which is attached to one of the wires of a 
electrical cable and a female receptacle attached to the other wire of the 
electrical cable. Both the plug and receptacle are disposed in respective 
bores formed within each connector body and are arranged to be coupled to 
their respective counterparts as the pair of connector members are coupled 
together. Therefore, as the two connector members are joined the male plug 
of one member is coupled to the female receptacle of the other member, 
whereby each releasable latching device is oppositely disposed so as to be 
inversely locked to each respective connector member along two opposite 
sides. 
Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide 
an improved hermaphroditic connector that defines a simple but novel 
arrangement of a pair of electrical connector members that when coupled 
together establish an enclosed sealed environment between the outer 
jackets of the respective connector members, and whereby each spring 
latching member is respectively sealed therein. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a hermaphroditic electrical 
connector comprising a pair of hermaphroditic electrical connector 
members, defined by a first connector member formed having a first body 
member which includes a first male plug member and a first female 
receptacle, and a second connector member having a second body member 
which also includes a corresponding second male plug member and a second 
female receptacle. The first and second connector members are identically 
formed within their respective body members, wherein the first male plug 
is positioned to be coupled in the second female receptacle, and wherein 
the first female receptacle is positioned to be coupled to the second male 
plug, whereby the coupled connector members are removably latched together 
by means of the oppositely disposed latching means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3, there 
is shown a hermaphroditic electrical connector, generally indicated at 10, 
which is defined by a pair of hermaphroditic electrical connector members 
that comprise a first connector member 12 and a second connector member 
14, wherein both connector members 12 and 14 are identically formed having 
corresponding components as will be hereinafter described. In these two 
views the two connector members are shown interconnected so as to define 
hermaphroditic electrical connector 10 which can be adapted to form 
various applications and industrial uses but is particularly designed for 
use in providing a suitable electrical connection between railroad cars, 
especially freight cars. Due to the unique structure and components of the 
present invention the first and second connector members 12 and 14 will 
hereinafter be described individually so that a clearer understanding of 
their relationship to each other can be readily understood since both 
connector members are joined in a mating relationship, wherein one 
connector member is inverted with respect to the other when they are 
coupled together, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. 
The first connector member 12, shown on the right hand side of FIG. 3, 
comprises a first connector body 16 that is substantially covered by a 
flexible impermeable jacket or shell 18 (made, for example, of rubber or 
plastic). The connector member is arranged along a longitudinal axis x--x 
and has a coupling end, indicated generally at 20, which is readily clear 
and open to receive the second connector member 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 
and 3. The first connector body 16 is formed with a substantially vertical 
wall 21 (perpendicularly disposed to the longitudinal axis) and includes 
an enlarged passage 22 that is formed at the opposite end from that of 
coupling end 20. The open end of passage 22 is covered by an extended 
nipple member 24 which is formed as an integral part of jacket 18. Nipple 
member 24 is aligned with passage 22, whereby an outer sheath 23 of an 
electrical cable 25 is fixedly mounted in passage 22 by a cable securing 
means, generally indicated at 26, and sealed therein by nipple member 24. 
A small bore 28, formed in body 16, communicates with passage 22 and is 
adapted to receive a first male electrical plug 30. Plug 30 is defined by 
a connector pin 32 at one end which is recessed from the wall 21 and an 
enlarged boss 33 at the opposite end which includes a plurality of annular 
wedge-shaped members for engaging the annular inner wall of bore 28. Pin 
32 is positioned to extend through the end wall of bore 28 so as to be 
freely positioned within a contiguous enlarged cylindrical bore 38, as 
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Boss 33 is also adapted to receive a wire 40 
that extends from electrical cable 25. 
A second wire 42 extends from the electrical cable 25 through a reduced 
passage 43 and is connected to a female receptacle 45 which is fixedly 
mounted in an elongated bore 46 by holding means defined as a plurality of 
wedged-shaped annular rings 48. Female receptacle 45 extends outwardly 
from wall 21, also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The connector body 16 
includes vertically oriented side wall sections 47 which extend upwardly 
from a lower wall portion or shelf 84 on either side of the forwardly 
protruding female receptacle 45 and to a height substantially commensurate 
with the upper surface of the receptacle, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. 
The cable securing means 26 is defined as split ring 50 formed preferably 
with a plurality of annular flange members 52. The split ring 50 includes 
a tubular section 53 having a plurality of angularly extending 
triangular-shaped spike members 54 and 55 as is more clearly illustrated 
in FIG. 6. Spike members 54 extend radially outwardly and are arranged to 
lockingly engage annular wall 56 of passage 22. Spike members 55 extend 
radially inwardly and are arranged to engage the outer sheath 23 of cable 
25, as more clearly shown in FIG. 5. Annular flange members 52 are 
interposed between the open end 58 of passage 22 and the inner shoulder 59 
of the jacket nipple member 24, as is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. 
Nipple member 24 fits snugly on the sheath or outer surface of cable 25, 
thus further defining a sealing means to prevent foreign matter, such as 
water, from entering into passage 22, thereby protecting the wires from 
corrosion, for example. 
In FIG. 3, there is shown an elongated channel 60 that is formed in the 
upper portion of first connector body 16 and is adapted to receive a 
spring or biasing means that comprises a latching means 62 which includes 
a one-piece spring clip or latch 64 defined by a pair of outwardly 
extended arm members 66 and 68 that are integrally connected by a 
centrally disposed base member 70. See FIG. 4. The upper spring arm member 
66 is provided with a keeper member 72 that extends outwardly from arm 66. 
The keeper member is bent forwardly at an angle to the longitudinal axis 
x--x so as to be fixedly secured within an outwardly protruding boss 
member 74 that is formed in flexible wall 75 of jacket 18. Boss member 74 
is adapted to be received in a recess 76 that is formed in an extended 
wall portion 9 (or shelf) 78 of second body member 16a. The recess 76 is 
sometimes referred to as the latch engaging portion. 
The latching means 62 further includes the recess 76 and the protruding 
boss member 74. It should be noted, however, that the spring clip 64 may 
be arranged to seat in the recess 76 in the event that the jacket 18 is 
designed to stop short of the recess 76. Both the projecting boss 74 and 
the leading edge 80 of wall portion 78 are formed having beveled edges 
that engage each other to depress the latching spring as the two connector 
members 12 and 14 are inversely connected. 
It should be noted that first body member 16 is also formed having a recess 
82 disposed in wall portion or shelf 84 which is identical to recess 76 
and wall portion 78 of the second body member 16a, wherein a boss member 
86 is also removably received in recess 82 by a second latching means to 
which boss member 86 is a part thereof. Again, both respective first and 
second connector members 12 and 14 are identically constructed and have 
the same components identically arranged so that when inversely connected 
together they define the hermaphroditic electrical connector 10 of the 
present invention. 
When the two connector members 12 and 14 are coupled together so as to be 
interconnected with each other, as illustrated in FIG. 3, connector pin 32 
of male electrical plug 30, which is mounted in connector member 12, is 
inserted into female receptacle indicated generally at 90, which is 
fixedly mounted in second connector body 16a of connector member 14. At 
this same time a second male plug 92 in the second connector body 16a is 
plugged into female receptacle 45 which is secured in connector member 12. 
Each female receptacle 45 and 90 is formed having an outer insulated 
housing 94 in which is mounted an electrical conductive socket 96 adapted 
to be removably coupled to the respective compatible male plug 30. 
Housings 94 are in the form of tubular posts or sleeves. The portions of 
the housing which extend forwardly of the wall 21 are provided with one or 
more sealing rings 98 that are adapted to be received in the bores 38 that 
surround and enclose each respective connector pin 32. The free end of 
each receptacle post 94 includes a beveled surface 95 as illustrated in 
FIG. 3. It is to be noted the male plugs 32 and 92 as well as the female 
receptacles 45 and 90 are identical. 
In order to manually separate connector members 12 and 14 from each other 
each spring arm 66 (sometimes referred to as the latch release arm member) 
of each latching means 62 must be depressed, as illustrated in FIG. 4. As 
the protruding manual release button 100 is pushed downwardly, as 
indicated by arrow 102, the spring arm 66 is bent downwardly, whereby boss 
74 is freed from engagement with recess 76, at which time the two 
connector members 12 and 14 can be readily pulled apart. 
Separating means is further provided by the use of a pair of tether lines 
or lanyards 104 and 106, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The tether lines have a 
shorter overall length than their corresponding electrical cables 25. 
Accordingly, as the freight cars are separated the pulling force on the 
tether lines 104 and 106 (being shorter than the corresponding cables 25) 
will forcibly pull the two connector members apart and overcome latching 
means 62, causing the boss 74 to be disengaged due to the angular position 
of keeper member 72. That is, the pliable material of boss 74 which is 
formed around keeper member 72 will yield, thus allowing the two connector 
members to separate similar to that when spring arm 66 is manually 
operated, as seen in FIG. 4. This provides a quick and easy separation of 
the two joined connector members without putting an excessive amount of 
force or strain on the electrical cables 25 at any time during their 
latched mode. The force required to separate the two connectors by the 
tether lines can be adjusted, e.g., 100 to 200 pounds, by changing the 
angle of the keeper member 72. The closer the orientation of the keeper 
members approach a right angle to the longitudinal axis x--x (FIG. 3), the 
greater the force required to separate the connector members by the tether 
lines. 
The foregoing should only be considered as illustrative of the principles 
of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes may 
readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the 
invention to the exact construction and operation as shown and described, 
and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be 
resorted to, falling within the scope of the claimed invention.