Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly includes a connector having a housing and a receptacle for mating with a mating connector. The assembly also includes a cover configured to attach to the housing, and a tether linking the housing to the cover. The tether includes a housing mount for installing the tether onto the housing, a cover mount for installing the tether onto the cover, and a link connecting the housing mount to the cover mount. The link is non-metallic.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/008,799, filed on Dec. 21, 2007 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/070,914, filed Mar. 26, 2008, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The subject matter described and/or illustrated herein relates generally to electrical connectors, and, more particularly, to electrical connectors having tethered covers. 
         [0003]    Electrical connectors that are commonly used in telecommunication systems provide an interface between successive runs of cables and/or between cables and electronic devices of the system. Some of such electrical connectors, for example modular jacks, include a receptacle for receiving a mating plug therein. For example, the mating plug may terminate the end of a cable. In some applications, the receptacle may be mounted to a wall, panel, equipment surface, and/or the like. In some of these applications, it is desirable to protect the receptacle from the environment. Specifically, it may be desirable to protect the receptacle from dust, dirt, and/or other debris when the plug is not mated to the receptacle. Thus, the receptacle may be installed within a connector housing. In certain applications, a removable cover may be provided on the housing to cover the receptacle when the electrical connector is not in use, for example, when the mating plug is not plugged into the receptacle. The cover provides a barrier that prevents or reduces dust, dirt, and/or other debris from collecting within the receptacle. At least some known covers include a tether that connects the cover to the housing of the electrical connector. The tether facilitates preventing the cover from being lost or misplaced when removed from the housing. 
         [0004]    The tethers of at least some known electrical connectors may be more difficult and/or expensive to manufacture and/or assemble than may be desired. For example, the tethers of at least some known electrical connectors may include a plurality of components, such as a pair of connection rings, a chain, and/or one or more gaskets. Each of the connection rings surrounds a portion of either the housing or the cover to provide connection thereto. The chain connects the connection rings together to tether the cover to the housing. Gasket(s) may be provided between the connection rings and adjacent portions of the electrical connector and/or other structures, such as a panel to which the housing is mounted. The multiple components may increase the difficulty and/or cost of assembling and/or manufacturing the tether and/or the associated electrical connector. Further, the chain may be fabricated from a plurality of beads or links that are connected together, which may increase a complexity of the chain and thereby may increase the difficulty and/or cost of manufacturing the tether. Moreover, the connection rings and chain of at least some known tethers are metallic, which may increase a cost and/or difficulty of manufacturing the tether. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one embodiment, an electrical connector assembly includes a connector having a housing and a receptacle for mating with a mating connector. The assembly also includes a cover configured to attach to the housing, and a tether linking the housing to the cover. The tether includes a housing mount for installing the tether onto the housing, a cover mount for installing the tether onto the cover, and a link connecting the housing mount to the cover mount. The link is non-metallic. 
         [0006]    Optionally, the housing mount and/or the cover mount is non-metallic. The link optionally includes an elongate strip. The cover mount and/or the housing mount optionally includes at least a portion of a ring. Optionally, the housing mount includes an opening for installing the housing mount on the housing and/or the cover mount includes an opening for installing the cover mount on the cover. The housing includes a mating end portion and the housing mount optionally fits over the mating end portion of the housing. The cover includes a mating end portion and the cover mount optionally fits over the mating end portion of the cover. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the housing includes a housing groove and the housing mount includes a tab configured to be received within the housing groove. Optionally, the housing mount includes an opening for installing the housing mount onto the housing and a tab extending generally toward a center of the opening. Optionally, the cover includes a cover groove and at least a portion of the cover mount is configured to be received within the cover groove. Optionally, the cover mount includes a recess and the cover includes a rib that is configured to be received within the recess. In some embodiments, the cover includes an opening and the cover mount includes a tip portion of the link, wherein the tip portion is configured to be received within the opening of the cover. Optionally, the tip portion includes a latch feature configured to latch the tip portion within the opening of the cover. Optionally, the housing mount includes a tab extending a length along a longitudinal tab axis, wherein the link extends a length along a longitudinal link axis that is angled obliquely relative to the longitudinal tab axis. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly and an exemplary panel. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a housing of the electrical connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cover of the electrical connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the cover shown in  FIG. 3  illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement of a plurality of ribs of the cover. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a tether of the electrical connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly and panel shown in  FIG. 1  assembled. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary alternative embodiment of an electrical connector assembly and an exemplary panel. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cover of the electrical connector assembly shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a tether of the electrical connector assembly shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly and panel shown in  FIG. 7  assembled. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector assembly  10  and an exemplary panel  28 . In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector assembly  10  includes a modular receptacle (not shown), such as, but not limited to, an RJ-45 outlet or jack. However, the electrical connector assembly  10  may include any type of receptacle. The electrical connector assembly  10  is configured for mating with a mating connector (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a mating plug that may be received within the receptacle. The electrical connector assembly  10  includes a connector  12  having a housing  48  and the receptacle. The housing  48  includes a mounting end portion  14  and a mating end portion  16 . The housing  48  includes a flange  42  between the mounting end portion  14  and the mating end portion  16 , respectively. The housing  48  includes an opening  20  extending therethrough from the mounting end portion  14  to the mating end portion  16 . The receptacle is held within the opening  20  of the housing  48  such that a mating interface (not shown) of the receptacle is positioned along the mating end portion  14  of the housing  48 . Accordingly, the receptacle receives the mating connector therein through the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48 . 
         [0019]    The electrical connector assembly  10  includes the connector  12 , a cover  22 , a tether  24 , an optional gasket  44 , and a fastener  26 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electrical connector assembly  10  is mounted on an exemplary panel  28 . Although the panel  28  is a faceplate, the electrical connector assembly  10  may be mounted on any type of panel. The panel  28  includes a pair of opposite sides  30  and  32  and an opening  34  extending therethrough. The opening  34  receives the mounting end portion  14  of the housing  48  for mounting the housing  48  on the panel  28 . Specifically, when received within the opening  34 , the mounting end portion  14  of the housing  48  extends from the side  32  of the panel  28 . The fastener  26  can then be connected to the mounting end portion  14  of the housing  48  to secure the panel  28  between the fastener  26  and the flange  42 , and thereby secure the housing  48  to the panel  28 . Optionally, the gasket  44  extends between the side  30  of the panel  28  and the flange  42  of the housing  48 . The opening  34  may have any geometr(ies), size(s), shape(s), and/or the like. 
         [0020]    In the exemplary embodiment, the mounting end portion  14  of the housing  48  includes a plurality of threads  36  that threadably engage a plurality of threads  38  of the fastener  26  to connect the housing  48  and the fastener  26  together. In addition or alternative to the threads  36  and/or  38 , the housing  48  and/or the fastener  26  may include any other type of structure, means, and/or the like for mounting the housing  48  on the panel  28  using any type of connection between the housing  48  and the panel  28  and/or the fastener  26 , such as, but not limited to, a bayonet connection, an interference connection, a snap-fit connection, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the fastener  26  is not included and the housing  48  connects directly to the panel  28 . 
         [0021]    The cover  22  is removably connected to the housing  48 . When connected to the housing  48 , the cover  22  covers the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48  such that the cover  22  covers the mating interface of the receptacle. The cover  22  provides a barrier that prevents or reduces dust, dirt, and/or other debris from collecting within the receptacle. The cover  22  may be removed from the housing  48  to expose the receptacle and enable mating of the mating connector with the connector  12 . The tether  24  includes a housing mount  40  and a cover mount  46 . As will be described below, the housing mount  40  is mounted on the housing  48  and the cover mount  46  is mounted on the cover  22  to connect the cover  22  to the housing  48 . The tether  24  thereby facilitates preventing the cover  22  from being lost or misplaced when removed from the housing  48 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the housing  48 . In the exemplary embodiment, the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48  includes one or more bayonet connection features  54  that cooperate with corresponding bayonet connection features  62  ( FIG. 3 ) of the cover  22  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 , and  6 ) for removably attaching the cover  22  to the housing  48 . Each housing bayonet connection feature  54  includes a housing groove  50  that receives an extension  65  ( FIG. 3 ) of the corresponding cover bayonet connection feature  62  therein. As will be described below, each housing groove  50  also receives a corresponding tab  52  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) of the housing mount  40  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) of the tether  24  ( FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  6 ) therein. In addition or alternative to the bayonet connection features  54  and/or  62 , other types of structure, means, and/or the like for connection of the cover  22  to the housing  48 , such as, but not limited to, a threaded connection, an interference connection, a snap-fit connection, and/or the like, may be used. Although, in the exemplary embodiment, the housing  48  includes two bayonet connection features  54  arranged approximately opposite each other (approximately 180° from each other) along an exterior surface of the mating end portion  16 , the housing  48  may include any number of bayonet connection features  54  each having any location along the exterior surface of the mating end portion  16  relative to any other bayonet connection feature  54 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cover  22 . The cover  22  includes a body  56  having a mating end portion  58  and an opposite end portion  60 . The cover body  56  includes an optional opening  55  extending therein. The opening  55  optionally holds a dummy plug (not shown) that is received in the receptacle when the cover  22  is attached to the housing  48  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ,  7 , and  10 ). The dummy plug facilitates aligning the cover  22  with the housing  48  during attachment of the cover  22  to the housing  48 . As the cover  22  is removed from the housing  48 , the dummy plug is removed from the receptacle to expose the receptacle for reception of the mating connector therein. 
         [0024]    The mating end portion  58  of the cover body  56  connects to the housing  48 . Accordingly, at the mating end portion  58 , the cover body  56  includes one or more bayonet connection features  62  for removably attaching the cover  22  to the housing  48 . Specifically, each bayonet connection feature  62  of the cover body  56  cooperates with a corresponding one of the bayonet connection features  54  of the housing  48  to connect the cover  22  from the housing  48 . As described above, each bayonet connection feature  62  includes an extension  65 . Although, in the exemplary embodiment, the cover body  56  includes two bayonet connection features  62  arranged approximately opposite each other (approximately 180 from each other) along an internal surface of the mating end portion  58 , the cover body  56  may include any number of bayonet connection features  62  each having any location along the internal surface of the mating end portion  58  relative to any other bayonet connection feature  62 . As described above, other structures may be used in lieu of the bayonet type attachment mechanism. 
         [0025]    The end portion  60  of the cover body  56  includes one or more cover grooves  64  along at least a portion of the outer surface  57  of the end portion  60 . As will be described below, one of the cover grooves  64  receives the cover mount  46  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) of the tether  24  ( FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  6 ) to mount the tether  24  on the cover  22 . Each cover groove  64  includes one or more of ribs  66 . As will be described below, each rib  66  of the cover groove  64  that receives the cover mount  46  therein is received within a corresponding recess  68  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) of the cover mount  46  of the tether  24 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the outer surface  57  of the end portion  60  is sloped such that each groove  64  is located at a different diameter of the outer surface  57 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the cover  22  illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement of the ribs  66  along the outer surface  57  of the end portion  60  of the cover body  56 . For clarity, only one cover groove  64  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The cover groove  64  and the ribs  66  thereof are shown with phantom lines in  FIG. 5 . Each cover groove  64  extends into the cover body  56  a depth to a bottom  70 . Each rib  66  extends outwardly from the bottom  70  of the corresponding cover groove  64 . In the exemplary embodiment, each rib  66  extends along only a portion of the depth of the corresponding cover groove  64 . Alternatively, one or more of the ribs  66  extends along an approximate entirety of the depth of the corresponding cover groove  64 . In the exemplary embodiment, the ribs  66  are arranged along the outer surface  57  of the end portion  60  of the cover body  56  such that each cover groove  64  includes four ribs  66  that are located approximately 90° from each adjacent rib  66  of the same cover groove  64 . However, the ribs  66  of each cover groove  64  may have any locations along the outer surface  57  of the end portion  60  of the cover body  56  relative to any other rib  66  of the same cover groove  64 . Moreover, each cover groove  64  may include any number of ribs  66 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cover body  56  may include any number of cover grooves  64 . Moreover, any of the cover grooves  64  may receive the cover mount  46  of the tether  24  therein. Any of the cover grooves  64  that do not receive the cover mount  46  of the tether  24  therein may not include some or any of the ribs  66  thereof. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the tether  24 . The tether  24  includes a body  72  having the cover mount  46  and the housing mount  40 . As described above, the cover mount  46  mounts the tether  24  to the cover  22  ( FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 , and  6 ) and the housing mount  40  mounts the tether  24  to the housing  48  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ,  7 , and  10 ). A link  74  extends between, and connects, the cover mount  46  and the housing mount  40 . In the exemplary embodiment, the link  74  is an elongate strip that extends a length L along a longitudinal axis  75  between a cover mount end portion  76  and a housing mount end portion  78 . The cover mount end portion  76  extends from the cover mount  46 , and the housing mount end portion  78  extends from the housing mount  40 . The longitudinal axis  75  of the link  74  may be referred to herein as a “longitudinal link axis”. 
         [0029]    In the exemplary embodiment, the housing mount  40  includes a continuous ring  80  having an opening  82  extending therethrough. The opening  82  includes a center  84 . The opening  82  is configured to receive a portion of the mating end portion  16  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of the housing  48  therein such that the ring  80  fits over a portion of the housing  48 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the ring  80  fits over the exterior surface of the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48 . As described above, the housing mount  40  includes one or more tabs  52 . Specifically, each tab  52  extends radially inward from the ring  80  generally toward the center  84 . As described above and will be described below, each tab  52  is received within a corresponding one of the housing grooves  50  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  7 ) of the housing  48 . In the exemplary embodiment, the housing mount  40  includes two tabs  52  that are arranged approximately opposite each other (approximately 180° from each other) along the ring  80 . Specifically, each tab  52  extends a length from the ring  80  along a common longitudinal tab axis  86 . The longitudinal axis  75  of the link  74  optionally extends at any oblique angle {acute over (α)} relative to the longitudinal tab axis  86 . As will be described below, when the housing mount  40  is mounted on the housing  48 , the oblique angle {acute over (α)} between the longitudinal axis  75  of the link  74  and the longitudinal tab axis  86  facilitates locking the tether  24  to the housing  48 . 
         [0030]    Although two tabs  52  are shown, the housing mount  40  may include any number of the tabs  52  for reception within any number of housing grooves  50 . Although the tabs  52  are arranged approximately opposite each other (approximately 180° from each other) along the ring  80  in the exemplary embodiment, each tab  52  may have any location along the ring  80  relative to any other tab  52  so long as each tab  52  is aligned with the corresponding housing groove  50 . Moreover, the optional oblique angle of the longitudinal axis  75  of the link  74  may be relative to the longitudinal tab axis of any of the tabs  52  when the ring  80  includes two tabs  52  that are not aligned along a common longitudinal tab axis. 
         [0031]    In the exemplary embodiment, the cover mount  46  includes a continuous ring  88  having an opening  90  extending therethrough. The opening  90  includes a center  92 . The opening  90  is configured to receive a portion of the end portion  60  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6 ) of the cover  22  therein such that the ring  88  fits over a portion of the cover  22 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the ring  88  is received within one of the grooves  64  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the cover  22 . As described above, the cover mount  46  includes the recesses  68 . Specifically, the recesses  68  extend within a radially inner surface  94  of the ring  88 . As described above and will be described below, each recess  68  receives a corresponding one of the ribs  66  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the cover  22 . In the exemplary embodiment, the cover mount  46  includes four recesses  68  that are arranged along the ring  88  approximately 90° from each adjacent recess along the ring  88 . However, the cover mount  46  may include any number of recesses  68 , each for reception of any number of ribs  66 . Moreover, each recess  68  may have any location along the ring  88  relative to any other recess  68   
         [0032]    The tether body  72  may be fabricated from any material(s), so long as the link  74  is non-metallic. As used herein, the term “non-metallic” as applied to an item is intended to mean that such item does not include a metal. Optionally, the housing mount  40  and/or the cover mount  46  are non-metallic. In some embodiments, an entirety of the tether body  72  is non-metallic. Examples of one or more materials that any portion of the tether body  72  may be fabricated from include, but are not limited to, plastics and/or other polymers, such as, but not limited to, thermoplastics, such as, but not limited to, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic, celluloid, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVAL), fluoroplastics, ionomers, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyacetal (POM), polyacrylates, polyamide (PA), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyketone (PK), polyester, polyethylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (PI), polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polysulfone (PSU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and/or the like. Moreover, further examples of one or more materials that any portion of the tether body  72  may be fabricated from include, but are not limited to, non-polar plastics such as, but not limited to, fluroopolymers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), and/or the like. Even more examples of one or more materials that any portion of the tether body  72  may be fabricated from include, but are not limited to, extruded plastics (such as, but not limited to, extruded polystyrene and/or the like), thermosets (such as, but not limited to, phenol formaldehyde resin, duroplast, polyester, and/or epoxy), and/or the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing and cover mounts  40  and  46 , respectively, are formed integrally with the link  74 . Alternatively, the housing mount  40  and/or the cover mount  46  is formed separately from the link  74 . 
         [0033]    Although each of the rings  80  and  88  of the housing mount  40  and the cover mount  46 , respectively, are shown as having an approximately circular shape, each of the rings  80  and/or  88  may include any other shape(s) in addition or alternative to approximately circular, such as, but not limited to, an approximately rectangular shape and/or the like. Moreover, although each ring  80  and  88  is shown as continuous, one or more of the rings  80  and/or  88  may alternatively not be continuous such that the ring  80  and/or  88  does not continuously surround the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48  and/or the end portion  60  of the cover  22 , respectively. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly  10  and panel  28  assembled. Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , to assemble the electrical connector assembly  10  and mount the electrical connector assembly  10  on the panel  28 , the mounting end portion  14  of the housing  48  is inserted into the opening  34  within the panel  28 . The gasket  44  is optionally sandwiched between the flange  42  and the panel  28 . On the side  32  of the panel  28 , the fastener  26  is connected to the mounting end portion  14  of the housing  48 , via the threads  36  and  38 , to mount the housing  48  to the panel  28 . 
         [0035]    To mount the tether  24  to the cover  22 , the ring  88  of the cover mount  46  is fit over the end portion  60  of the cover  22  such that the ring  88  is received within one of the cover grooves  64 . Moreover, the ring  88  is positioned such that each recess  68  of the ring  88  receives a corresponding one of the ribs  66  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the cover  22 . Engagement between the ribs  66  and the recesses  68  facilitates locking the tether  24  to the cover  22 . To mount the tether  24  to the housing  48 , the ring  80  of the housing mount  40  is fit over the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48 . The ring  80  is fit over the mating end portion  16  such that the each tab  52  of the ring  80  is received within the corresponding housing groove  50  of the housing  48 . Reception of the tabs  52  within the housing grooves  50  facilitate locking the tether  24  to the housing  48  via engagement of the tabs  52  with the housing  48 , and more specifically with surfaces of the housing  48  that define the housing grooves  50 . The tether  24  thereby facilitates preventing the cover  22  from being lost or misplaced when removed from the housing  48 . 
         [0036]    When the tether  24  is mounted on the housing  48  and the cover  22 , and the cover  22  is mounted on the housing  48 , the tabs  52  are sandwiched within the housing grooves  50  between the housing  48  and the extensions  65  ( FIG. 3 ) of the cover  22  to facilitate locking the tether  24  to the housing  48 . A thickness of the housing mount  40  is such that the housing mount  40  does not interfere with the bayonet connection between the cover  22  and the housing  48 . Moreover, the oblique angle {acute over (α)} between the longitudinal axis  75  ( FIG. 5 ) of the link  74  and the longitudinal tab axis  86  ( FIG. 5 ) of the tabs  52  facilitates locking the tether  24  to the housing  48 . Specifically, the oblique angle acts as a moment arm that provides a force in the direction D of  FIG. 1  to facilitate keeping the tether  24  attached to the housing  48 . The force in the direction D may be provided by a weight of the link  74 , the cover mount  46 , and/or the cover  22 , and/or may be provided by an orientation of the cover mount  46  relative to the cover  22 . For example, when the cover  22  is removed form the housing  48 , the weight of the cover  22  provides the force in the direction D to facilitate keeping the tether  24  attached to the housing  48 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary alternative embodiment of an electrical connector assembly  210  and the exemplary panel  28 . In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector assembly  210  includes the modular receptacle, such as, but not limited to, an RJ-45 outlet or jack. However, the electrical connector assembly  210  may include any type of receptacle. The electrical connector assembly  210  is configured for mating with the mating connector, such as, but not limited to, a mating plug that may be received within the receptacle. 
         [0038]    The electrical connector assembly  210  includes the connector  12 , a cover  222 , a tether  224 , the fastener  26 , and the optional gasket  44 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the electrical connector assembly  210  is mounted on the exemplary panel  28 , although the electrical connector assembly  210  may be mounted on any type of panel. Connection between the housing  48  and the fastener  26 , as well as mounting of the housing  48  on the panel  28 , is substantially similar to that described herein with respect to the electrical connector assembly  10  ( FIGS. 1 and 6 ) and therefore will not be described in more detail herein with respect to the electrical connector assembly  210 . 
         [0039]    The cover  222  is removably connected to the housing  48 . When connected to the housing  48 , the cover  222  covers the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48  such that the cover  222  covers the mating interface of the receptacle. The cover  222  provides a barrier that prevents or reduces dust, dirt, and/or other debris from collecting within the receptacle. The cover  222  may be removed from the housing  48  to expose the receptacle and enable mating of the mating connector with the connector  12 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the cover  222 . The cover  222  includes a body  256  including an end portion  258  and an end portion  260 . The end portion  258  connects to the housing  48  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ,  7 , and  10 ). Specifically, the end portion  258  of the cover  222  is configured to be received within the opening  20  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  7 ) of the housing  48  and includes a connection feature  262  that communicates with an internal surface of the mating end portion  16  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  7 ) of the housing  48  to connect the cover  222  to the housing  48 . In addition or alternative to the connection feature  262 , the cover  222  may include any other type of structure, means, and/or the like for connection to the housing  48 , such as, but not limited to, a threaded connection, a snap-fit connection, an interference connection, a bayonet connection, and/or the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the connection feature  262  is a groove  263  that extends within an exterior surface of the end portion  258  of the cover  222  and receives an o-ring (not shown) therein. The o-ring engages the internal surface of the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48  to facilitate holding the end portion  258  of the cover  222  within the opening  20  of the housing  48 . In addition or alternative to the groove  263 , the connection feature  262  may include any other type of connection feature. 
         [0041]    At the end portion  260 , the cover body  256  includes an extension  264  having an opening  266 . In the exemplary embodiment, the opening  266  extends through the extension  264 . As will be described below, the opening  266  receives at least a portion of a cover mount  246  ( FIGS. 7 and 9 ) of the tether  224  ( FIGS. 7 ,  9 , and  10 ) therein to mount the tether  224  on the cover  222 . Although the opening  266  is shown as having an approximately cylindrical shape, the opening  266  may include any other shape(s) in addition or alternative to approximately cylindrical. 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the tether  224 . The tether  224  includes a body  272  including the cover mount  246  and a housing mount  240 . The cover mount  246  mounts the tether  224  to the cover  222  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  10 ) and the housing mount  240  mounts the tether  224  to the housing  48  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ,  7 , and  10 ). A link  274  extends between, and connects, the cover mount  246  and the housing mount  240 . In the exemplary embodiment, the link  274  is an elongate strip that extends a length along a longitudinal axis  275  from the cover mount  46  to a housing mount end portion  278 , which extends from the housing mount  240 . The longitudinal axis  275  of the link  724  may be referred to herein as a “longitudinal link axis”. 
         [0043]    In the exemplary embodiment, the housing mount  240  includes a continuous ring  280  having an opening  282  extending therethrough. The opening  282  includes a center  284 . The opening  282  is configured to receive a portion of the mating end portion  16  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  7 ) of the housing  48  therein such that the ring  280  fits over a portion of the housing  48 . Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the ring  280  fits over the exterior surface of the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48 . The housing mount  240  includes one or more tabs  252 . Specifically, each tab  252  extends radially inward from the ring  280  generally toward the center  284 . As will be described below, each tab  252  is received within a corresponding one of the housing grooves  50  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  7 ) of the housing  48 . In the exemplary embodiment, the housing mount  240  includes two tabs  252  that are arranged approximately opposite each other (approximately 180° from each other) along the ring  280 . Specifically, each tab  252  extends a length from the ring  280  along a common longitudinal tab axis  286 . The longitudinal axis  275  of the link  274  optionally extends at any oblique angle {acute over (α)} relative to the longitudinal extension axis  286 . As will be described below, when the housing mount  240  is mounted on the housing  48 , the oblique angle {acute over (α)} between the longitudinal axis  275  of the link  274  and the longitudinal tab axis  286  facilitates locking the tether  224  to the housing  48 . 
         [0044]    Although two tabs  252  are shown, the housing mount  240  may include any number of the tabs  252  for reception within any number of housing grooves  50 . Although the tabs  252  are arranged approximately opposite each other (approximately 180° from each other) along the ring  280  in the exemplary embodiment, each tab  252  may have any location along the ring  280  relative to any other tab  252 . Moreover, the optional oblique angle {acute over (α)} of the longitudinal axis  275  of the link  274  may be relative to the longitudinal tab axis of any of the tabs  252  when the ring  280  includes two tabs  252  that are not aligned along a common longitudinal tab axis. 
         [0045]    Although the ring  280  of the housing mount  240  is shown as having an approximately circular shape, the ring  280  may include any other shape(s) in addition or alternative to approximately circular, such as, but not limited to, an approximately rectangular shape and/or the like. Moreover, although the ring  280  is shown as continuous, the ring  280  may alternatively not be continuous such that the ring  280  does not continuously surround the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48 . 
         [0046]    The cover mount  246  includes a tip portion  288  of the link  274 . As will be described below, the tip portion  288  is configured to be received within the opening  266  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  10 ) of the extension  264  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  10 ) of the cover  222  to mount the tether  224  on the cover  222 . The tip portion  288  includes a latch feature  268  that cooperates with the extension  264  to latch the tip portion  288  within the opening  266 . In the exemplary embodiment, the latch feature  268  includes one or more recesses  269  that each receive a portion of the extension  264  therein to latch the tip portion  288  within the opening  266 . In addition or alternative to the recesses  269 , the latch feature  268  may include any other structure, means, and/or the like for latching the tip portion  288  within the opening  266 . Although two recesses  269  are shown, the latch feature  268  may include any number of recesses  269 . 
         [0047]    The tether body  272  may be fabricated from any material(s), so long as the link  274  is non-metallic. Optionally, the housing mount  240  and/or the cover mount  246  are non-metallic. In some embodiments, an entirety of the tether body  272  is non-metallic. Examples of one or more materials that any portion of the tether body  272  may be fabricated from include, but are not limited to, rubbers and/or plastics and/or other polymers, such as, but not limited to, thermoplastics, such as, but not limited to, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic, celluloid, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVAL), fluoroplastics, ionomers, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), polyacetal (POM), polyacrylates, polyamide (PA), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyketone (PK), polyester, polyethylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyimide (PI), polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polysulfone (PSU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and/or the like. Moreover, further examples of one or more materials that any portion of the tether body  272  may be fabricated from include, but are not limited to, non-polar plastics such as, but not limited to, fluroopolymers, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE), and/or the like. Even more examples of one or more materials that any portion of the tether body  272  may be fabricated from include, but are not limited to, extruded plastics (such as, but not limited to, extruded polystyrene and/or the like), thermosets (such as, but not limited to, phenol formaldehyde resin, duroplast, polyester, and/or epoxy), and/or the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing and cover mounts  240  and  246 , respectively, are formed integrally with the link  274 . Alternatively, the housing mount  240  and/or the cover mount  246  is formed separately from the link  274 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the electrical connector assembly  210  and the panel  28  assembled. Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 10 , to assemble the electrical connector assembly  210  and mount the electrical connector assembly  210  on the panel  28 , the mounting end portion  14  of the housing  48  is inserted into the opening  34  within the panel  28 . The gasket  44  is optionally sandwiched between the flange  42  and the panel  28 . On the side  32  of the panel  28 , the fastener  26  is connected to the mounting end portion  14  of the housing  48 , via the threads  36  and  38 , to mount the housing  48  to the panel  28 . 
         [0049]    To mount the tether  224  to the cover  222 , the tip end portion  288  of the tether  224  is inserted into the opening  266  of the cover extension  264  such that the recesses  269  each receive a portion of the extension  264  therein. Engagement between recesses  269  and the extension  264  facilitates locking the tether  224  to the cover  222 . To mount the tether  24  to the housing  48 , the ring  280  of the housing mount  240  is fit over the mating end portion  16  of the housing  48 . The ring  280  is fit over the mating end portion  16  such that the each tab  252  of the ring  280  is received within the corresponding housing groove  50  of the housing  48 . Reception of the tabs  52  within the housing grooves  50  facilitates locking the tether  224  to the housing  48  via engagement of the tabs  52  with the housing  48 , and more specifically with surfaces of the housing  48  that define the housing grooves  50 . The tether  224  thereby facilitates preventing the cover  222  from being lost or misplaced when removed from the housing  48 . 
         [0050]    When the tether  224  is mounted on the housing  48  and the cover  222 , the oblique angle {acute over (α)} between the longitudinal axis  275  ( FIG. 9 ) of the link  274  and the longitudinal tab axis  286  ( FIG. 9 ) of the tabs  252  facilitates locking the tether  224  to the housing  48 . Specifically, the oblique angle {acute over (α)} acts as a moment arm that provides a force in the direction D 1  of  FIG. 7  to facilitate keeping the tether  224  attached to the housing  48 . The force in the direction D 1  may be provided by a weight of the link  274 , the cover mount  246 , and/or the cover  222 , and/or may be provided by an orientation of the cover mount  246  relative to the cover  222 . For example, when the cover  222  is removed form the housing  48 , the weight of the cover  222  provides the force in the direction D 1  to facilitate keeping the tether  224  attached to the housing  48 . 
         [0051]    The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein provide an electrical connector assembly and/or a tether that is more easily and/or less expensive to assemble and/or manufacture than at least some known tethers and electrical connector assemblies. 
         [0052]    Exemplary embodiments are described and/or illustrated herein in detail. The embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components and/or steps of each embodiment may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. Each component, and/or each step of one embodiment, can also be used in combination with other components and/or steps of other embodiments. When introducing elements/components/etc. described and/or illustrated herein, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, and “at least one” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the element(s)/component(s)/etc. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional element(s)/component(s)/etc. other than the listed element(s)/component(s)/etc. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. in the claims are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described and/or illustrated herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description and illustrations. The scope of the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure. 
         [0053]    While the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described and/or illustrated herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.