Patent ID: 7311566

Claim:
A socket assembly comprising: a first socket arrangement having an inner contact surface provided by first multiple, electrically-conductive, resilient contact elements disposed around the circumference of the socket and arranged electrically to contact the outside of a conductive pin element of a plug assembly inserted within the socket; and a second socket arrangement electrically connected within said socket assembly with said first socket arrangement and located coaxially externally of said first socket arrangement to define an annular recess therebetween, wherein said second socket arrangement includes second multiple, electrically-conductive, resilient contact elements arranged around the socket in said annular recess and arranged to contact a surface of a tubular conductive element of said plug assembly inserted within said annular recess, said tubular conductive element extending coaxially to and electrically connected within said plug assembly with said pin element such that current can flow between the socket assembly and the plug assembly via both the first and second electrically-conductive contact elements.