Patent ID: 7798065

Claim:
A connector block for retaining at least one shock tube in signal transfer relationship with a detonator, the connector block comprising: a housing having an axial bore formed therethrough for receiving a detonator provided with a percussion-actuation end and a base charge disposed within the percussion-actuation end, the bore having an insertion end for receiving a detonator and a signal transmission end axially opposite the insertion end for positioning the percussion-actuation end of a detonator in signal transfer relationship with at least one shock tube; a rigid shock tube retention means integral with the housing and extending to axially overlie the signal transmission end of said bore, the shock tube retention means defining with the housing a slot for receiving therein at least one shock tube and to hold said at least one shock tube in signal transfer relationship with said percussion-actuation end of a detonator when present in said bore, said slot having an entrance for allowing insertion of shock tubes into said slot; and a flexible and resilient closure member integral with the housing and separate from the shock tube retention means, the closure member extending from said housing into said entrance, and being biased to partially or fully close said entrance, such that the entrance in the biased condition of the closure member is narrower than the slot; wherein said rigid shock tube retention means has a flexibility that is less than the flexibility of the closure member so that said closure member resiliently flexes away from said entrance and said biased position to allow entry of at least one shock tube through said entrance and into said slot, and said shock tube retention means undergoes no flexing when at least one shock tube is caused to be inserted into said slot.