Patent ID: 7367831

Claim:
A connector for use in an environment in which a combustible material may be present, comprising: a first housing section including a plurality of electrically conductive contacts therein; and a second housing section including a plurality of electrically conductive contacts that can form an electrical connection with the contacts of the first housing section, the first housing section and the second housing section being removably connectable, the first housing section and the second housing section being capable of forming an explosion proof housing when connected, the second housing section comprising a seating member to which the contacts of the second housing section are attached, the seating member being movably attached to the second housing member such that the contacts of the second housing section move after contact of the second housing section with the first housing section relative to the contacts of the first housing section to automatically align the contacts of the second housing and the contacts of the first housing section during connection of the second housing section to the first housing section regardless of the rotational orientation of the contacts of the first housing section about the axis of the connector relative to the contacts of the second housing section upon contact of the second housing section with the first housing section, electrically conductive connection between the contacts of the first housing section and the contacts of the second housing section occurring during connection of the second housing section to the first housing section in a manner such that when connection between the contacts of the first housing section and the contacts of the second housing section occurs, the first housing section and the second housing section are in sufficient connection to form an explosion proof housing.