Patent ID: 7448902

Claim:
A mechanical device disclosing prior mating, comprising: a first part, the first part including a first conductive device movable from a first position to a second position, a retention feature that captures the movable conductive device in the second position, and a plurality of second conductive devices; a second part, the second part including a plurality of third conductive devices mateable with the second conductive devices; a plurality of fourth substantially inelastic conductive devices, the second part mateable to the first part; wherein upon initial mating, the fourth substantially inelastic conductive devices of the second part contact the first movable conductive device of the first part to close a circuit prior to the plurality of second conductive devices of the first part contacting the plurality of third conductive devices of the second part; and wherein upon full mating of the first and second parts, the substantially fourth inelastic conductive devices of the second part urge the first movable conductive device of the first part to its second position, at which location it is captured by the retention feature, the second position being such that upon any subsequent mating of the first and second part, the plurality of second conductive devices of the first part contact the plurality of third conductive devices of the second part prior to the first movable conductive device of the first part contacting the fourth substantially inelastic conductive devices of the second part; wherein the first conductive device is a jumper contact; the plurality of second conductive devices are the plurality of second contacts; the plurality of third conductive devices are the plurality of third contacts.