Patent ID: 7182637

Claim:
A panel-mounted electrical connector pair ( 12 , 36 ) having a recessed connector ( 12 ) with a housing body ( 14 ), said housing body ( 14 ) having a socket portion ( 18 ) with a first flange ( 26 ) proximate an open end ( 20 ) thereof, a first distal web ( 22 ) and at least one first type of electrical terminal ( 24 a ) protruding through said first distal web ( 22 ), one end ( 86 a ) of said at least one first type electrical terminal ( 24 a ) extending into said socket portion ( 18 ), another end thereof protruding through said distal web ( 22 ) in a direction opposite to said socket portion ( 18 ), said socket portion ( 18 ) extendable through a first opening ( 64 ) in a first panel ( 62 ), said first flange ( 26 ) abutting against a first surface ( 66 ) on said first panel ( 62 ), said connector pair ( 12 , 36 ) including a protruding connector ( 36 ) with a plug portion ( 38 ), characterized by: said protruding connector ( 36 ) having a proximal end plate ( 42 ), a second distal web ( 44 ) spaced from said proximal end plate ( 42 ), a side wall ( 40 ) extending between said proximal end plate ( 42 ) and said second distal web ( 44 ), a second flange ( 48 ) disposed on said protruding connector ( 36 ) proximate to said second distal web ( 44 ), and at least one second type of electrical terminal ( 46 a ) protruding through said second distal web ( 44 ) toward said proximal end plate ( 42 ), said proximal end plate ( 42 ) having at least one opening ( 94 a ) therein aligned with said at least one second type of electrical terminal ( 46 a ), said protruding connector ( 36 ) extendable through a second opening ( 76 ) in a second panel ( 74 ), said second flange ( 48 ) abutting against a second surface ( 78 ) on said second panel ( 74 ), said plug portion ( 38 ) slideably receivable within said socket portion ( 18 ) with said proximal end plate ( 42 ) approaching said first distal web ( 22 ), said at least one first type electrical terminal ( 24 a ) penetrating said at least one opening ( 94 a ) in said end plate ( 42 ) and electrically contacting said at least one second type electrical terminal ( 46 a ) establishing an area of contact located between said first flange ( 26 ) and said first distal web ( 22 ) when said first panel ( 62 ) and said second panel ( 74 ) are brought together in close parallel juxtaposition.