Patent ID: 7195505

Claim:
A connector pair ( 19 ) comprising: a male connector ( 20 ) defining a plug ( 32 ) with an outer end surface ( 42 ) and an outer side surface ( 44 ), said male connector including a first communications path ( 28 ) terminating generally at said plug, said plug characterized by having a first sealing groove ( 46 ) disposed about said outer side surface at a first longitudinal distance ( 11 ) from said outer end surface of said male connector and a first compliant sealing element protruding about said outer side surface at a second longitudinal distance ( 12 ) greater than said first longitudinal distance from said outer end surface of said male connector; and a female connector ( 22 ) defining a receptacle ( 66 ) with an inner end surface ( 68 ) and an inner side surface ( 70 ), said female connector including a second communications path ( 50 ) terminating generally at said receptacle, said receptacle characterized by a second compliant sealing element ( 58 ) protruding about said inner side surface approximately at said first longitudinal distance ( 11 ) from said inner end surface and a second sealing groove ( 72 ) disposed about said inner side surface approximately at said second longitudinal distance ( 12 ) from said inner end surface; said first sealing groove having a diameter greater than the diameter of said second compliant sealing element so as to compress said second compliant sealing element when said connector pair is mated; said second sealing groove having a diameter less than the diameter of said first compliant sealing element so as to compress said first compliant sealing element when said connector pair is mated; said receptacle arranged and designed to sealably and removably receive said plug thereby operatively coupling said first communications path with said second communications path.