초록 ▼

A connector for electrical or optical conduits that provides a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. A separate relative keying means is included that is separate from the case keying or locating mechanism. The connector also u

A connector for electrical or optical conduits that provides a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. A separate relative keying means is included that is separate from the case keying or locating mechanism. The connector also utilizes a retention means for example, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within the receptacle case.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A connector assembly for connecting together two conduits or cables, said assembly comprising: a female receptacle connector having a receptacle insulator and receptacle case, the receptacle case including a groove and an opening; a male plug connector connectable with

The invention claimed is: 1. A connector assembly for connecting together two conduits or cables, said assembly comprising: a female receptacle connector having a receptacle insulator and receptacle case, the receptacle case including a groove and an opening; a male plug connector connectable with the female receptacle connector, the male plug connector including a plug case having an interfitting plug insulator interfittable with the receptacle insulator, said plug case having a key that is slidable into said groove, the plug case including at least one catch configured to interfit with said opening to connect the plug case to the receptacle case; and a retention means for retaining said receptacle insulator within said receptacle case, the retention means including a radially inwardly pointing web. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the radially inwardly pointing web forms a snap apron. 3. The connector assembly of claim 1 further including a castellated insulator positioner to position said plug insulator thereby allowing relative indexing of said male plug connector with respect to said female receptacle connector. 4. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle insulator of the female connector further includes a keyway, and the plug insulator of the male plug connector further includes an insulator key that interfits with the keyway. 5. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the opening of the receptacle case is disposed on an interior surface of the receptacle case. 6. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the receptacle insulator includes a protrusion disposed on an outer surface of the receptacle insulator, and the radially inwardly pointing web is configured to engage the protrusion. 7. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one catch extends outward from an outer surface of the plug case. 8. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug case is fixed with respect to the receptacle case when the at least one catch interfits with the opening. 9. A connector assembly for connecting together two conduits or cables, said assembly comprising: a female receptacle connector having a receptacle insulator and receptacle case, the receptacle case including a groove and an opening; a male plug connector connectable with the female receptacle connector, the male plug connector including a plug case having an interfitting plug insulator interfittable with the receptacle insulator, the plug case having a key that is slidable into the groove, the plug case including at least one catch configured to interfit with the opening to connect the plug case to the receptacle case; a retainer configured to retain the receptacle insulator within the receptacle case, the retainer being fixedly connected to the receptacle case and configured to engage a protrusion on the receptacle insulator. 10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the retainer includes a radially inwardly pointing web configured to engage the protrusion on the receptacle insulator. 11. The connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the radially inwardly pointing web is annular. 12. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the protrusion includes a ring surrounding an outer periphery of the receptacle insulator. 13. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the retainer includes a snap apron configured to engage the protrusion on the receptacle insulator. 14. The connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the snap apron is one-way. 15. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the opening of the receptacle case is disposed on an interior surface of the receptacle case. 16. A connector assembly for connecting together two conduits or cables, said assembly comprising: a female receptacle connector having a receptacle insulator and receptacle case, the receptacle case including a groove and an opening; a male plug connector connectable with the female receptacle connector, the male plug connector including a plug case having an interfitting plug insulator interfittable with the receptacle insulator, the plug case having a key that is slidable into the groove, the plug case including at least one catch configured to interfit with the opening to connect the plug case to the receptacle case; a retainer configured to retain the receptacle insulator within the receptacle case; and an insulator positioner configured to position the plug insulator. 17. The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the insulator positioner includes protuberances that engage a complementary formed head of the plug insulator. 18. The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the insulator positioner is configured to determine a relative displacement of the plug insulator within the male plug connector. 19. The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein the plug case further includes a latching plug, the at least one catch being formed on the latching plug, the insulator positioner being attached to the latching plug. 20. The connector assembly of claim 19, wherein the insulator positioner includes a tab configured to interfit with a groove in the latching plug.