Patent ID: 7021974

Claim:
An input/output module comprising: a housing containing input/output electronic circuitry for adapted for industrial automation input/output functions, wherein said housing comprises an inner housing and an outer housing inter-fitted with the inner housing to define an interior space in which said input/output electronic circuitry is contained; a plurality of input/output electrical connectors operably connected to the input/output circuitry and projecting outwardly from the housing; first and second electrical module connectors adapted to mate respectively with first and second base connectors of an associated backplane; at least one coupling projection that projects outwardly from the housing and conformed to mate with and be selectively retained by a coupling device of the associated backplane, wherein said plurality of electrical connectors project through and outward from said outer housing and wherein said plurality of electrical connectors and said input/output electronic circuitry are potted in said outer housing.