Abstract:
A connector for electrical or optical conduits that provides a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. A separate relative keying means is included that is separate from the case keying or locating mechanism. The connector also utilizes a retention means for example, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within the receptacle case.

Description:
DOMESTIC PRIORITY CLAIM  
         [0001]    This application hereby claims the benefit under Title 35, United States Codes § 119(e) of any U.S. application serial No. 60/445,932 filed Feb. 7, 2003, and is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, a connector that mates with a conjugate connector in order to link a first and second signal conduction means which terminates in each of the connectors. This system is configurable in that the particular location and operation of a keying mechanism is separate, relative to the case and insulator.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Such connectors are utilized mainly, but not exclusively, for electrical conductors or optical fibers or even a combination of the two. Any floating or uncontrolled positioning of either the angular or axial movement of the insulator blocks located therein may compromise the quality of the connection.  
           [0006]    Additionally, and more importantly, prior art keying schemes between such receptacle and plug assemblies are supplied to offer a number of fixed keying configurations or to particular customer specifications. Such manufactured systems prevent customer selection of a particular orientation of the keying means and relative insulator positioning. Further, such assemblies in the past have not been able to change their keying arrangement in the field or once obtained by the customer.  
           [0007]    Connectors are utilized in various fields anywhere particular electric or optical signals or leads need to be conducted. Connectors are typically of two types, one being a so called push-pull type, comprising a male connector and female connector, which allows coupling between two axially moveable bodies and/or insulators. The outer body or plug assembly makes it possible to control a lock and pushing by which the two connectors of conjugate type may be locked together by pushing in one direction and unlocking by pulling out of body. The other type of connector relates to those with other connection means, such as snap fastening of one connection to the other or an equivalent thereof. The insert located within respective receptacle or plug assembly may be termed an insulator, even when the particular function does not insulate, for example for separation of the signal leads.  
           [0008]    What is needed in the art is a connector having a configurable, selectable keying relative to the insulator and casing thereby allowing the end user to select their own keying schemes.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention satisfies the need for a connector by providing a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. The present system includes separate relative keying means that are separate from the case keying or locating mechanism.  
           [0010]    Additionally, the present invention utilizes a retention means for example, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within the receptacle case. The present invention also allows the selectable connection between a customer&#39;s equipment case or box utilizing either a front mounting installation or a rear mounting installation. One additional feature of the present invention is that the invention has an ability to utilize a fastening mechanism separate from either the casing or the insulator blocks.  
           [0011]    The present invention, in one form thereof, utilizes a double beam supported catch for interlocking the plug assembly with the receptacle assembly. Further features of the invention allow particular RF or EMF shielding of locations of the connector assembly as needed or desired.  
           [0012]    An advantage of the present invention is that the end user of the connector is allowed to select the orientation of the keying insulator or block of the plug and receptacle relative to the respective cases. The prior art having fixed keying, required manufacturers to manufacture different keying combinations and stock many different types of manufactured connectors.  
           [0013]    Another advantage of the present invention is the utilization of a retention means such as a one-way apron, allows a non-removable connection between the receptacle insulator and receptacle casing.  
           [0014]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is that by adding several selectable keying positions between the relative insulator blocks, casing, and latching mechanism, incorrect plug attachment or location is prevented. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a connector assembly of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the connector assembly of the present invention viewing the mating insulators;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1C is a sectional view of an alternate connector assembly;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the receptacle insulator and retention means of the connector assembly of FIG. 1A;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the receptacle case in one form of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3B is an alternate sectional view of the receptacle case of FIG. 1A;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4A is a rear perspective view of the receptacle insulator of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the receptacle insulator of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle insulator of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 5A and 5B show a diagrammatic view of one aspect of the present invention showing the selectable keying feature;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of one form of the connector assemble of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the insulator positioner;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8A is a perspective side view of the plug insulator;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8B is a front elevational view of the plug insulator of the present invention showing the temporary fastening means for use with the plug insulator positioner;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8C is a sectional view of the plug insulator;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 9A and 9B are sectional views of an alternate form of the invention showing means of RF and EMF shielding disposed within the connector assembly; and  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 10A and 10B show alternate mounting arrangements to a customer equipment case.  
     
    
       [0033]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1A shows connector assembly  10  of the present invention. FIG. 1A utilizes receptacle assembly  12  and plug assembly  14  which are interfit to make a connection between to electrical or optical conduits or cables  15 . The style of connector assembly  10  is that of a push-pull connection, although alternate styles may be utilized.  
         [0035]    In FIG. 1B, receptacle assembly  12  is shown with an interfit receptacle insulator  18 , later described. Plug assembly  14  as shown in FIG. 1B includes a plug case  30  having an interfit plug insulator  32 . Plug case  30  includes a key  34  that slides into a corresponding groove  17  in receptacle case  16 . This key  34  and groove  17  create and guide the relative orientation of the receptacle case  16  and plug case  30  when the connector assemblies are interfit. Also shown in FIG. 1C, emerging from plug case  30  is one of two radially opposed catches or ears  40  that interfit within a port or opening  42  within receptacle case  16 .  
         [0036]    Directing attention now to receptacle case  16  in FIG. 2, one feature of the present invention is shown, that of the retention means  20  for retaining receptacle insulator  18  therein. In one form of the present invention, retention means  20  is that of a snap apron formed by a radially inwardly pointing web, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. As shown in FIG. 3A, for example, the outer surface of receptacle case  16  includes a boss or shoulder  19  and threads  21 . Receptacle case  16  may further include a colored o-ring or washer for sealing with plug assembly  14 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIGS. 4A and 4B show the construction of the receptacle insulator  18  which stands as a hollow cylindrical shape (as shown, other shapes such as a hexagon may be equivalently utilized), having a ring or protrusion  24  around the periphery of the outer surface. Receptacle insulator  18  is sized to interfit within the bore  13  of receptacle case  16 , such that when so co-located, receptacle insulator  18  engages retention means  20  and insulator ring  24 . Once pushed through and into bore  13 , the retention means  20  or web prevents or inhibits removal of receptacle insulator  18  from receptacle case  16 . Other styles of retention mechanisms may be useful.  
         [0038]    As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, receptacle insulator  18  also includes a particular geometry head  26  having a peripheral surface  27 . The particular geometry of head  26  is further formed in a cutout  29  of receptacle case  16  into which head  26  interfits. The engagement of peripheral surface  27  with the cutout  29  prevents relative rotational movement between insulator  18  and receptacle case  16 . As shown in FIGS.  4 A-C, receptacle insulator  18  includes a groove or keyway  31  for engagement with plug insulator  32  to be described later. As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, receptacle insulator  18  includes bores  33  through which past conventional electrical or optical leads (not shown).  
         [0039]    The particular geometry of head  26  permits relative indexing or selectable keying upon insertion into receptacle insulator  18 . For example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A utilizes a six-sided head  26 . This six-sided head allows for six different radial positions relative to receptacle case  16  upon insertion. This freedom of selection allows a consumer to assemble receptacle assembly  12  for their particular keying needs. Such radial indexing changes the relative radial location of groove or keyway  31  relative to receptacle case  16 .  
         [0040]    The configurable keying feature of the present invention is diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B in which, for example, by having a six-sided head  26  allows for six different keying positions after the receptacle insulator  18  and receptacle case  16  are delivered to the customer. The prior art connectors utilized keys that are specified by the customer when the product is purchased and supplied by the connector manufacturer as a particular fixed feature. During utilization by the customer, the relative locations of the insert are selectable based upon client&#39;s needs. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the radial position of plug insulator  32  is also selectable. Alternatively, other geometries of head  26  may be utilized.  
         [0041]    Plug assembly  14 , shown in FIG. 6, comprises a plug case  30  including ports or orifices  42  through which ears  40  of a cylindrically hollow shaped latching plug are pushed through. Latching plug  44  is the element of plug assembly  14  on which ears  40  are actually formed, and more importantly on a particular double cantilever beam extension  45 . A beam supported at both ends portion of latching plug  44  is formed integrally with latching plug  44  on opposite radial portions of latching plug  44  as more clearly shown in FIG. 1C. Beam  45  creates a mechanism through which ears  40  radially may be retracted with movement of case  30 . Returning to FIG. 6, latching plug  44  also includes a threaded end  46  which attaches to a cable grip adjuster  48 .  
         [0042]    To successfully and accurately locate plug insulator  32  within plug assembly  14 , an insulator positioner  50  is utilized. As shown in FIG. 7, insulator positioner  50  includes at one end, a castellated feature or geometric shape  52 , such as protuberances or shoulders about bore  53 , that interfit a complimentary, geometrically formed head  36  of plug insulator  32 . The surface of feature  52  prevents relative rotation by contacting and interfering with a peripheral surface  37  on plug insulator  32 . Insulator positioner  50  further includes a key means such as tab  54  which interfits with a groove or keyway  49  on latching plug  44 . This prevents relative rotation when assembled between the latching plug and insulator positioner  50  and because of feature  52  and surface  37 , therefore additionally preventing relative rotation of plug insulator  32 . The build up of these features allows the ultimate customer to selectively select the relative indexing or relative displacement of plug insulator  32  relative to plug assembly  14 .  
         [0043]    Generally, plug insulator  32  as shown in FIGS.  8 A- 8 C, is formed of a substantially cylindrical member having a raised portion or key  39  which interfits into groove or keyway  31  in receptacle insulator  18 . Such key and keyway combination  39 ,  31  permits accurate relative radial location and positioning between the insulators  18 ,  32 .  
         [0044]    For ease of assembly, there are raised arcuate portions  56  located about the lead bores  58  on plug insulator  32 . Such arcuate raised portions  56  are utilized to interfit with bore  53  such that during assembly of the cable and leads therethrough, an interference fit is created between insulator positioner  50  and plug insulator  32 . This interference or press fit connection increases the ability to handle the subassembly, during assembly of plug assembly  14 . Lead bores  58  through plug insulator  52  are conventional in nature.  
         [0045]    The assembly of plug  14  is best shown in FIG. 6, as now described. The operator will take a cable  15  with leads and pass such cable through the cable grip adjuster  48 . The leads and cable will then be passed through insulator positioner  50  with the leads then inserted into plug assembly  32 . When the operator has selected the relative indexes between plug insulator  32  and plug case  30  the operator will interfit plug insulator  32  into insulator positioner  50  forcing positioning head  36  and peripheral surface  37  into the feature  52 , thereby preventing relative rotation between the parts. The arcuate projections  56  will form a temporary interference fit as they are pushed into bore  53  thereby forming a subassembly of the plug insulator positioner.  
         [0046]    Next the plug insulator/insulator positioner subassembly will be slid into the latching plug with the positioner alignment tab  54  interfitting into the keyway  49  on the latching plug  44 . Cable grip adjuster  48  will then be slid and connected, for example, via threads  46  to latching plug  44 .  
         [0047]    At this time, the subassembly so developed shall be pushed into plug case  30  to permit ears  40  to pass through radial opposite ports  41  in plug case  30 . Such ears  40  extend out past the outer radial peripheral surface of plug  30  thereby allowing ears  40  to additionally enable relative locking between plug assembly  14  and receptacle assembly  12 . With such insertion of latching plug  44  into plug case  30 , plug assembly  14  is complete and ready for insertion into receptacle assembly  12  to complete connector assembly  10 . The sub-connection of cable grip adjuster  46  and its attachment to latching plug  44  causes fingers  57  formed from radial cuts or grooves within insulator positioner  50 , to collapse about cable  15 , as the fingers  57  interfere with the interior surface of cable grip adjuster  48 . This permits a firm grasp or connection between cable  15  and plug assembly  14  eliminating or reducing possible axial forces between the inserted leads, plug insulator  32 , and cable  15 .  
         [0048]    In an alternate embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, an RF or electromagnetic interference (EMF) protection structure is shown and utilized. Connector assembly  10  in this embodiment is shown with a circular shield contact inserted about the cable leads within insulator positioner  50 . Such cable shield is made of an electrically conductive material and connected to the ground lead or shielding of the inserted cable. Other portions of connector assembly  10 , in particular, receptacle insulator  18 , plug insulator  32 , and insulator positioner  50  are coated with a metallic or conductive layer or substance to fully surround the leads of cable  15 . The cable grip adjuster of this alternate embodiment as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is different than that of the primary embodiment shown elsewhere.  
         [0049]    An additional feature of the present invention is the creation of alternate mounting arrangements of connector assembly  10  with the customer&#39;s equipment case or box  100 . As shown in FIG. 10A, a front mounting installation is possible in which the receptacle assembly  12  is installed with the particular keying of the insulators as selected with the customer&#39;s wiring harness passing through an opening  110  in equipment case  100 . Assembly of the leads takes place outside of box  100 . The mounting proceeds by inserting the receptacle assembly  12  into the bore  110  while a panel nut  120  secures the receptacle  12  from the rear. In an alternate mounting, the receptacle assembly  12  is first inserted and connected to the customer&#39;s case  100  and the receptacle insulator is installed from the back, pushed through the receptacle case  16 , and allowing the retention means  20  such as the one-way web or snap fit to selectively axially locate the insulator within receptacle case  16 .  
         [0050]    Construction materials for the connector assembly  10  may be made from convention materials such as plastics or metal, but are preferably injection molded for standardization and cost reduction. Alternate method of manufacturing and materials may be equivalently utilized.  
         [0051]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.