Electrical Connector Unit

Abstract

An electrical connector unit is provided for detachably attaching a thermocouple to an electrical instrument, or instrument panel, or the like, without the use of screws, or like fastening elements, and without the need for any tool other than a suitable soldering tool, preferably a soldering tool of the so-called pencil type.

Description

OBJECTS

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector which is especially adapted for use in detachably attaching a thermocouple to an electrical instrument, or instrument panel, or the like, without the use of screws, or like fastening elements, and without the need for any tool other than a suitable soldering, preferably a soldering tool of the so-called pencil type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector which is especially adapted for use in detachably attaching a thermocouple to an electrical instrument, or instrument panel, or the like, without the use of screws, or like fastening elements, and embodying parts which, when assembled, will remain in their proper assembled position until it is desired to disassemble the unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical connector unit for attaching a thermocouple to an electrical instrument, or instrument panel, or the like, without the use of screws or other fastening elements, and which includes a plurality of detachably interconnected components arranged in end-to-end relationship and embodying novel means for detachably attaching the said components together in assembled relationship, and novel electrically conductive means carried by said components for conducting an electrical current therethrough.

An additional object of the invention is to provide, in one embodiment thereof, novel means carried by one of the end components for detachably attaching a thermocouple thereto, and novel means carried by the other end component for detachably attaching the lead wires from an electrical instrument, or instrument panel, thereto.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a typical and preferred embodiment of the present invention in assembled condition;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the component parts of the new electrical connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged central longitudinal sectional view on line 3--3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating, in central longitudinal section, the component parts of the new electrical connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, inclusive;

FIG. 5 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a pair of combination electrical conductor and latching members embodied in the new electrical connector unit, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, and showing the same in assembled condition;

FIG. 6 is an exploded elevational view of the two pairs of electrical conductor members embodied in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive, and showing the same in disassembled condition;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged central longitudinal sectional view of the form of the new electrical connector unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, and showing a thermocouple unit and lead wires from an electrical instrument, or instrument panel, attached thereto;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded view, partly in section and partly diagrammatic, of a bank of the new electrical connector units as used for connecting thermocouple units to an instrument panel;

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary central vertical sectional view on line 8A--8A in FIG. 8, on a reduced scale;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view, as seen from the bottom in FIG. 8, showing a plurality of the new electrical connectors attached to an instrument panel;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the area circled and indicated at "A" in FIG. 5, showing the novel means embodied in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, inclusive, for detachably latching the intermediate components together in electrically conductive and physically assembled relationship;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged exploded elevational view illustrating in disassembled position certain parts of the novel combination electrical conductor and attaching unit embodied in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10, inclusive, for attaching and holding the intermediate components of the new electrical connector unit in electrically conductive and assembled relationship;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged exploded elevational view illustrating a modified form of construction for attaching and holding the intermediate components of the new electrical connector unit in assembled and electrically conductive relationship;

FIG. 13 is a central vertical sectional view illustrating the manner in which and the means by which the intermediate components are held together in assembled and electrically conductive relationship by the modified form of attaching and electrically conductive members shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 14--14 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a modification of the invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view on line 16--16 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged central vertical sectional view of another modification of the invention; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a ferrule member which is embodied in the form of construction illustrated in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FORM OF THE INVENTION SHOWN IN FIGS. 1 TO 11, INCLUSIVE

A typical and preferred embodiment of the new electrical connector unit is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11, inclusive, of the drawings, wherein it is generally indicated at 10, and comprises a pair of similar and complementary outer or end components 11 and 12, respectively, and a pair of similar and complementary inner or intermediate components 13 and 14, respectively. Since the two end components 11 and 12 are identical and complementary to each other in construction, only one of the same will be described in detail herein, and similar parts embodied in the other end component will be given the same reference numerals followed by the additional and distinguishing reference character a.

The bodies of the two intermediate components 13 and 14 are identical and complementary in construction but other parts of the intermediate components 13 and 14 differ from each other. Hence those parts of the intermediate component 14 which are similar or identical in construction to corresponding parts embodied in the intermediate component 13 will be given the same reference numerals followed by the additional and distinguishing reference character a, and those parts embodied in the intermediate component 14 which differ from parts embodied in the intermediate component 13 will be given different reference numerals.

Thus it will be noted that the end component 11 includes a body 15 which may be made of any suitable electrically insulating and nonconductive material such, for example, as flexible natural latex rubber or synthetic plastic resinous elastomeric electrically insulating and nonconductive material, and for this purpose a suitable and preferred material is the flexible resilient silicone rubber known as SE-b 482 (General Electric) which is described in Technical Data Book S-1 of the Silicone Products Department of the General Electric Company, Waterford, N.Y. The body 15 of the end component 11 is generally oval shaped in cross section, and has a centrally arranged internal cavity 16 therein which is likewise generally oval shaped in cross section. The internal cavity 16 in the body 15 of the end component 11 is open at its axially inner end, as at 17 (FIG. 4) and has a reduced centrally arranged passage 18 formed therein at its axially outer end (FIGS. 3 and 4). This central passage 18 communicates at its axially outer end with the interior 19 of an externally threaded metallic clamping ferrule 20 which is provided with radially spaced longitudinally extending slots 21 (FIGS. 1 and 4) so that it may be contracted somewhat, for a purpose which will be described hereinafter.

The inner end portion of the metallic clamping ferrule 20 has a pair of axially spaced external flanges 22 thereon which provide an anchoring groove 23 for the reception of an annular anchoring flange 24 which is formed in the flexible rubber or like body 15 of the end component 11.

The body 15 of the end component 11 has an attached element in the form of a circumferentially extending attaching or anchoring groove 25 formed therein, in its inner surface, adjacent the axially inner end thereof, and this attaching or anchoring groove 25 is adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped attaching element in the form of an attaching or anchoring flange 26 which is formed in the body 27 of the intermediate component or member 13. The body 27 of the intermediate component or member 13 is likewise preferably composed of the same material as that employed in making the body 15 of the end component leg, as described hereinbefore, and is shaped and sized to fit snugly, with a friction fit, into the central internal cavity 16 in the body 15 of the end component 11. The body 27 of the intermediate component or member 13 has an external flange 28 formed therein at its axially inner end (FIGS. 3, 4 and 7) and, when the parts are assembled, this flange 28 abuts against the axially inner end wall surface 17 of the body 15 of the end component 13, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a peripheral groove 61 is formed in the body 27 of the intermediate component 13, between the flanges 26 and 28, for a reason which will be pointed out hereinafter.

The body 27 of the intermediate component 13 has a hollow metallic combination electrical conductor and female latching member 30 mounted therein, in a suitable recess provided therefor, and this combination electrical conductor and female latching member 30 has a hollow open-ended terminal contact portion or post 31 at its axially outer end for the reception and attachment of the end portion of an electrical metallic conductor element of a thermocouple unit, as will be explained hereinafter. The hollow metallic combination electrical conductor and female latching member 30 has a latching slot 46 formed in the wall thereof between its ends, for reason which will be pointed out hereinafter (FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).

The body of the intermediate component 13 also has a solid metallic electrical conductor member 32 mounted therein, in a suitable recess provided therefor in the body 27 of the intermediate member 13. This electrical conductor member 32 has a hollow open-ended terminal contact portion or post 33 at its axially outer end, for the reception and attachment thereto of a second metallic conductor element of a thermocouple unit, as will be described more fully hereinafter. In addition, the electrical conductor member 32 has a solid electrically conductive portion 34 which projects outwardly, and axially inwardly, of the body 27 of the intermediate member 13, and has a cone-shaped contact outer end portion 35.

It will thus be noted that the hollow contact members 31 and 33 provide contact terminal posts which are disposed adjacent to or in side-by-side relationship in the internal cavity 16 of the end component 11 (FIGS. 3 and 7) for the reception of attaching end portions of the metallic elements of a thermocouple unit, as will be described presently.

The end component 12 includes a body which is preferably composed of the same material as described hereinbefore in connection with the members 11 and 13 and has a central internal cavity 16a therein which is provided, adjacent its axially inner end, with an internal attaching or anchoring groove 25a. A metallic ferrule 20a is attached to the body 15a of the end component 12 in the same manner as that in which the metallic ferrule 20 is attached to the body 15 of the end component 11, and the metallic ferrule 20a has radially spaced longitudinally extending slots 21a therein.

The intermediate component 14 includes a body 27a which is likewise preferably made of the same material as described hereinbefore in connection with the members 11, 12 and 13, and a hollow metallic conductor member 36 is mounted in the body 27a of the member 14. This hollow metallic conductor 36 has a terminal contact portion or post 37 which projects axially outwardly from the body 27a of the intermediate component 14 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 6). The conductor member 36 has a cone-shaped recessed contact portion 42 at its axially outer end (FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).

The intermediate component 14 also has a solid metallic combination electrical conduct and male attaching or latching member 38 mounted therein and this male attaching or latching member 38 includes a combination electrically conductive and male attaching or latching portion 39 of reduced diameter which projects axially outwardly beyond the body 27a of the intermediate component 14. This male projecting combination conductor and attaching or latching portion 39 has a cone-shaped combination contact and latching head 40 at its axially outer end, and this combination contact and latching head portion 40 has an annular latching flange 41 formed thereon at its axially inner end (FIGS 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). Likewise, the member 38 has a terminal contact portion or post 42 at its opposite or axially outer end and, when the parts are assembled, as in FIGS. 3 and 7, the terminal contact portions or posts 39 and 42 are disposed in side-by-side relationship in the internal cavity 16a of the end component 12.

The intermediate component 14 also has a peripheral attaching or anchoring flange 26a thereon which is adapted to fit into the internal attaching or anchoring groove 25a in the end component 12, and the intermediate component 14 has an external flange 28a which is adapted to abut against the external wall surface 17a of the body 15a of the end component 12, when the parts are in assembled position, as in FIGS. 3 and 7. In addition, the intermediate component 14 has a peripheral groove 62 formed therein between the flanges 26a and 28a FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) for a purpose which will be described hereinafter.

The external diameter of the electrical conductor member 32-34 is slightly less than the internal diameter of the metallic conductor member 36 so that the projecting portion 34 of the electrical conductor member 32-34-35 will slide readily into and out of the contact member 36 with the cone-shaped contact nose or inner end portion 35 thereof bearing against the cone-shaped recessed contact portion 43 at the axially outer end portion of the conductor member 36 so as to effect a good electrical contact between the parts 32-34-35 and 36-42 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

However, as shown in FIG. 11, the longitudinal axis of the body of the combination electrical conductor and attaching member 38-39-40-41 is offset slightly, preferably in the order of about two degrees (2.degree. ), from the longitudinal axis of the intermediate component 14 and from the longitudinal axis of the electrical conductor members 30-31-32-33-34-35 and 36 carried thereby, for a purpose which will be described hereinafter; said longitudinal axes being indicated by the broken line indicated at "LA" in FIG. 11.

All of the electrically conductive contact members, as 30-38-32-36 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11) are preferably composed of suitable electrically conductive material of the so-called thermocouple type and quality such, for example, as so-called IRON-CONSTANTAN (Calibration J), so-called CHROMEL-ALUMEL (Calibration K), (Hoskins Mfg. Co.) and so-called COPPER-CONSTANTAN (Calibration T) as made by the Wilbur Harris Co., in accordance with the requirements of the Instrument Society of America.

OPERATION AND USE OF THE FORM OF THE INVENTION SHOWN IN FIGS. 1 TO 11, INCLUSIVE

The operation and use of the form of the new electrical connector unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, inclusive, are as follows: In assembling the parts of the new electrical connector unit 10 for packaging, sale and shipment, the body 27 of the intermediate component 13 is manually inserted and forced into and frictionally fitted into the central cavity 16 in the body 15 of the end component 11. During this operation the peripheral anchoring or attaching flange 26 on the body 27 of the intermediate component 13 fits snugly, with a friction fit, against the inner wall surface of the central cavity 16 in the body of the end component 11, whereupon the parts assume the position in which they are shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, with the peripheral attaching or anchoring flange 26 on the intermediate component 13 engaging in the attaching or anchoring groove 25 formed in the inner surface of the internal cavity 16 of the body 15 of the end component 11, and with the peripheral flange 28 on the body 27 of the intermediate component 13 abutting the axially inner end wall surface 17 of the end component 11, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. At this time, the metallic electrical contact elements or terminal posts 31 and 33 are disposed in side-by-side relationship in the central cavity 16 in the body 15 of the end component 11, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7.

The intermediate component 14 is then assembled with the intermediate component 13 by inserting the projecting portion 34-35 of the metallic conductor member 32 into the body of the metallic conductor member 36 until the cone-shaped contact nose portion 35 engages the cone-shaped contact recess 43 in the hollow conductor member 36 while, at the same time, inserting the male projecting portion 39-40 of the combination electrical conductor and male latching member 38 into the body of the metallic combination electrical conductor and female latching member 30. During this operation the cone-shaped combination latching and contact head portion 40-41 of the combination electrical conductor and male attaching member 38-39 frictionally engages and bears against the inner wall surface of the hollow conductor and female latching member 30 by reason of the offsetting of the longitudinal axis of the combination electrical conductor and male attaching or latching member 38-39-40 from the longitudinal axis of the intermediate component 14 and from the longitudinal axis of the metallic conductor members 32-34-35 and 36 carried thereby, all of said longitudinal axis being indicated by the broken line "LA" in FIG. 11.

Accordingly, as the combination electrical conductor and male attaching or latching member 38-39-40-41 is thus moved through the body of the hollow conductor and female latching member 30, the annular latching and contact flange 41 on the head 40 snaps into and engages in the latching slot 46 in the hollow female conductor and latching member 30, thereby firmly latching the combination electrical conductor and male latching member 38-39-40-31 to the hollow conductor and female latching member 30-46 in physically assembled and electrically conductive relationship with each other. Thereupon, the intermediate components 13 and 14 and the parts 30-31 and 33-34-35 and 38-39-40-41-42 and 32-34-35 and 36-39 assume the positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 3 and 7.

The end component 12 may then be assembled with the intermediate component 14, with the peripheral attaching or anchoring flange 26a on the intermediate component 14 fitting snugly, with a friction fit, into the attaching or anchoring groove 25a in the body 15a of the end component 14, and with the end flange 28a on the intermediate component 14 abutting the internal end wall surface 17a of the end component 12, whereupon the parts are disposed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 and with the electrical contact or terminal post members 37 and 42 disposed in the internal cavity 16a in the body 15a of the end component 12, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7.

When the end components 11 and 12 and the intermediate components 13 and 14 are thus assembled, the new electrical connector unit 10 is ready for packaging, sale, shipment and use.

When it is desired to use the new electrical connector unit 10 as, for example, in connecting a thermocouple to an electrical instrument, or instrument panel, or the like, this may be accomplished as follows:

Thus, a typical and conventional thermocouple unit is generally indicated at 44 (FIG. 7) and includes a body or housing 45 in which a pair of electrically conductive dissimilar electrically conductive metallic members 46 are mounted, as is well known in the art of thermocouples. Each of these electrically conductive, metallic thermocouple members 46 has an inner end portion 47 which is adapted to be attached, as by soldering (preferably using a soldering gun of the pencil type) to a corresponding one of the metallic thermocouple members 45 are suitably soldered or welded together and to the end wall of the housing 45, as at 48 (FIG. 7). An internally threaded clamping nut 49 is provided for threaded attachment to the externally threaded split metallic ferrule 20 so as to clamp the thermocouple unit 44 in position of use to and upon the electrical connector unit 10 (FIG. 7).

An electrical conductor member 50 is shown in FIG. 7 and embodies a pair of lead wires or conductor wires 50 which are adapted to be connected to any desired electrical instrument, or instrument panel. Each of these lead wires 50 has an inner end portion 52 which is adapted to be attached, as by soldering, to one of the contact terminal members or posts 39 and 42. An internally threaded clamping nut 53 is provided for threaded attachment to the externally threaded split metallic ferrule 20a so as to clamp the conductor member 50 and its lead wires 51 in position of use to and upon the electrical connector unit 10 (FIG. 7).

A typical instrument panel is fragmentarily shown in FIGS. 8, 8A and 9 of the drawings, wherein it is generally indicated at 54, and has rows of spaced openings 55 therein for a reason which will be pointed out presently. In order to attach a bank of typical thermocouple units, as 44, to an instrument panel, as 54, by means of the new electrical connector units 10, this may be accomplished as follows: The end component 11 may be manually detached from the intermediate component 13 and the (in use) inner end portion of the thermocouple unit 44 inserted into the split metallic ferrule 20 with the inner end portions 47 of the electrically conductive thermocouple members 46 of the thermocouple unit 44 inserted through the metallic ferrule 20, and through the passage 18, and suitably bent and attached, as by soldering, to the metallic terminal contact members or posts 31 and 33 (FIG. 7). The end component 11, and attached thermocouple unit 44 may then be reassembled with the intermediate component 13 and the clamping nut 49 screwed into position on the split metallic ferrule 20 so as to clamp the thermocouple unit 44 in assembled position on the electrical connector unit 10.

Likewise, the end component 12 may be manually detached from the intermediate component 14 and the body of the electrical conductor member 50 inserted into the split metallic ferrule 20a with the instrument lead wires 51 extended through the passage 18a and with their inner end portions 52 suitably bent and attached, as by soldering, to the contact terminal members or posts 39 and 42. An internally threaded clamping nut 53 may then be secured in position on the split metallic ferrule 20a so as to clamp the conductor member 50 and the instrument lead wires 51 embodied therein to the electrical connector unit 10, as shown in FIG. 7.

Thus, it will be noted that when in position of use the assembled end components 12 and 14 and attached lead or conductor wires 50-51 are mounted at one side of the instrument panel 53 with the end components 11 and 13 and attached thermocouple units 44 disposed at the opposite side of the instrument panel 54, as shown in FIG. 8.

In order firmly to mount the electrical connector units 10 in attached position on the instrument panel 54, a generally rectangular-shaped clamping plate member 56 is provided in association with each of the electrical connector units 10 and each of the openings 55 in the instrument panel 54. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A, each of those clamping plate members 56 is provided with a slot 57 which extends between the sides thereof, and each of these slots has an inlet mouth or opening 58 at its outer end, the slot 56 forming a pair of spaced arms 59 in each of the clamping members 56.

In attaching the electrical connector units 10 and thermocouple units 44 to the instrument panel 54 the intermediate components 14 are mounted in the openings 55 in the instrument panel 54 with one surface of the flange 28a on each of the intermediate components 14 arranged generally flush with or projecting slightly below (as shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A) the bottom surface 60 of the instrument panel 54. The clamping plate members 56 are then manually slipped into position of use along the (as shown) upper surface 61 of the instrument panel 54 with the marginal edge portions of the clamping plate members 56 which define the slots 57 therein engaging in the peripheral grooves 62 which are formed in the intermediate components 14 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4), whereupon the clamping plate members 56 are adhesively secured, as at 67 (FIG. 8A) to the upper surface 61 of the instrument panel 54, by means of any suitable adhesive, as shown in FIG. 8A.

Hence, to complete the mounting of the thermocouple units, as 44, on the instrument panel 53, the assembled end components 11 and attached intermediate components 13, with the thermocouple units 44 attached thereto, are attached in position of use upon the instrument panel 54 by inserting the combination metallic conductor and attaching members 34-35, which are carried by the intermediate component 13, into the hollow female metallic conductor and attaching members 36 which are carried by the intermediate component members 14 (FIGS. 2 and 4) with the portions 34-35 of each of the electrical conductor members 32-34-35 projecting into a corresponding one of the female electrical conductor members 36-37 so as to provide a good electrical contact therewith while, at the same time, the parts 38-39-40-41 and 30-46 attach the intermediate components 13 and 14 in assembled and electrically conductive relationship with each other, thereby completing the mounting of the thermocouple units 44 in position of use on the instrument panel 54.

Any one or all of the thermocouple units 44 may be readily detached from the instrument panel 54 by manually separating the assembled end components 11 and attached intermediate components 13, and attached thermocouple units 44, from the assembled end components 12 and intermediate components 14. This operation is facilitated by the fact that the latching engagement between the latching and male contact head 40-41 on each of the members 38-39-40-41 and the latching slots 46 in the hollow conductor and female latching members 30 is such that when manual force is applied to the assembled end components 11 and intermediate components 13 (and attached thermocouple units 44) the walls of the hollow conductor and female attaching members 30 will yield slightly, due to their innate resiliency, to enable the combination latching and contact flanges 41 on the heads 40 to be separated from the combination latching and contact slots 46 in the conductor and female latching members 30.

MODIFICATION OF FIGS. 12, 13 AND 14

A modified form of construction for holding the intermediate components 13 and 14 in assembled and electrically conductive relationship is illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 of the drawings and those parts thereof which are similar to, parts embodied in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11, inclusive, have been given the same reference numerals followed by the additional and distinguishing reference character b,

Thus in the modification illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 the cooperating attaching and electrically conductive members 30-38-39-40-41 are eliminated and two pairs of cooperating metallic attaching and electrically conductive members 32 b-34 b-35b and 36 b-39b and 43b are provided. These cooperating pairs of members 32 b-34 b-35 b-36 b-39 band 43 bare shaped and sized to fit tightly and telescopically together, with a friction fit, so as to hold the assembled intermediate components 13b and 14b in assembled and electrically conductive relationship, as shown in FIG. 14.

MODIFICATION OF FIGS. 15 AND 16

Another modification of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 of the drawings and those parts thereof which are similar or correspond in construction, use and mode of operation to corresponding parts in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11, inclusive, have been given the same reference numerals followed by the additional and distinguishing reference character c.

The form of construction illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 is substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, inclusive, but differs therefrom in that the clamping ferrules 20 and 20a and attached clamping nuts 49 and 53 are eliminated and the body 15c of each of the end components 11c and 12c is formed with an outer neck flange 63 which has a centrally arranged opening 64 therein for the passage of the lead-in conductor wires 51c and the thermocouple members 46c -47c (FIG. 16).

MODIFICATION OF FIGS. 17 AND 18

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 of the drawings and those parts thereof which correspond in construction, use and mode of operation to similar parts embodied in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11, inclusive, have been given similar reference numerals followed by the additional and distinguishing reference character d.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 is substantially similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, inclusive, except that in this form of the invention a flexible, resilient, strain-relieving ferrule 65, having a central longitudinally extending opening 66 therein, is arranged within each of the split externally threaded clamping ferrules 20d and the lead-in conductor wires 51d and the thermocouple members 46 d-47d lead-in conductor are inserted through these flexible, resilient, strain-relieving ferrules 65 (FIGS. 17 and 18). In the use of the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 internally threaded metallic clamping nuts, as 49d and 53d, are threaded onto the externally threaded metallic clamping ferrules 20d and thereby firmly clamp the flexible, resilient ferrules 65 in position of use within the externally threaded metallic clamping units 20d without exerting any strain or pressure on the lead-in conductor wires 51d or on the thermocouple members 46 d-47d .

The flexible, resilient ferrules 65 may be made of the same material described hereinbefore as used in the bodies of the components 11, 12, 13 and 14 and these flexible, resilient ferrules 65 are particularly useful in those instances in which the inside diameter of the externally threaded clamping ferrules, as 20d , is less than 5/16 inch. When so used the flexible, resilient ferrules 65 not only prevent strain on the lead-in conductor wires 51d and on the thermocouple members 46d and 47d but they also prevent the parts from turning and twisting out of proper position when in use.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, that the present invention provides new and improved electrical connector units for their intended purposes, having the desirable advantages and characteristics, and accomplishing their intended objects including those hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. An electrical connector unit for detachably attaching a thermocouple embodying a pair of electrically conductive metallic thermocouple elements to an electrical instrument or instrument panel, or the like, comprising:

1. a plurality of interconnected separable components arranged axially of the said connector unit in end-to-end relationship and including

a. a pair of outer or end components each including

1. a body of flexible, resilient electrically nonconductive material;

b. a pair of intermediate components each including

1. a body of flexible, resilient, electrically nonconductive material arranged between the said outer end components in end-to-end relationship therewith; and

2. pairs of interengageable electrical conductor members anchored in and carried by the said intermediate components;

2. means for detachably holding each of the said outer or end components in assembled relationship with an adjacent one of the said intermediate components;

3. additional means for holding the said intermediate components together in assembled relationship including

a. a female combination electrical contact and latching member anchored in one of the said intermediate components and having

1. a combination electrical contact and latching element formed therein between its ends; and

b. a male combination electrical contact and latching member;

4. the said female combination electrical contact and latching member and the said combination male electrical contact and latching member being arranged generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the said outer or end components and of the said intermediate components; and

5. the said combination male electrical contact and latching member including

a. a longitudinally extending base portion which is yieldably embedded in and is surrounded by and is in intimate contact with the material of the said flexible, resilient body of the other one of the said intermediate components and including

b. a protruding shaft portion which projects outwardly of the said flexible resilient body of the said other one of the said intermediate components and is offset laterally from the longitudinal axis of the said female combination electrical contact and latching member and from the longitudinal axis of the said outer or end components and of the said intermediate components

6. whereby when the said intermediate components are assembled together the said protruding shaft portion of the said male combination contact and latching member will yield slightly by reason of the said base portion thereof being yieldably embedded in the said flexible, resilient body of the said other one of said intermediate components and will yieldably engage the said female combination contact and latching member in electrical contact and latching engagement therewith.

2. An electrical connector unit as defined in claim 1 in which

a. the said protruding shaft portion of the said combination male electrical contact and latching member has

1. a combination latching head and contact member formed thereon at its outer end which is yieldably engageable with the said female combination electrical contact and latching member when the said male combination contact and latching member is inserted into the said female combination contact and latching member.

3. An electrical connector unit as defined in claim 1 in which the said male combination electrical contact and latching member is offset from the longitudinal axis of the said female combination electrical contact and latching member at an angle of approximately 2.degree. .

4. An electrical connector unit for detachably attaching a thermocouple embodying a pair of electrically conductive metallic thermocouple elements to an electrical instrument or instrument panel, or the like, comprising:

1. a plurality of interconnected separable components arranged axially of the said connector unit in end-to-end relationship and including

a. a pair of outer or end components each including

1. a body of flexible, resilient electrically nonconductive material;

b. a pair of intermediate components each including

1. a body of flexible, resilient, electrically nonconductive material arranged between the said outer end components in end-to-end relationship therewith; and

2. pairs of interengageable electrical conductor members anchored in and carried by the said intermediate components;

2. means for detachably holding each of the said outer or end components in assembled relationship with an adjacent one of the said intermediate components;

3. additional means for holding the said intermediate components together in assembled relationship including

a. a female combination electrical contact and latching member anchored in one of the said intermediate components and having

1. a combination electrical contact and latching element formed therein between its ends; and

b. a male combination electrical contact and latching member anchored in the said flexible, resilient body of the other one of the said intermediate components and having a combination contact and latching head thereon whereby the said intermediate components may be assembled together in physically assembled relationship and the said pairs of interengageable electrical conductor members assembled in electrically conductive relationship by inserting the said male combination electrical contact and latching member into the said female combination electrical contact and latching member and into latching engagement and into electrically conductive relationship with the said female combination electrical contact and latching member;

4. the said female combination electrical contact and latching member and the said combination male electrical contact and latching member being arranged generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the said outer or end components and of the said intermediate components and

5. each of the said combination male electrical contact and latching members including

a. a longitudinally extending shaft portion which is yieldably mounted in the said flexible, resilient body of the said other one of the said intermediate components and is offset laterally from the longitudinal axis of the said female combination electrical contact and latching member and from the longitudinal axis of the said outer or end components and of the said intermediate components whereby when the said intermediate components are assembled together the said male combination contact and latching member will yield slightly in the said flexible, resilient body of the said other one of said intermediate components and will yieldably engage the said female combination contact and latching member in electrically contacting and latching engagement therewith; and

b. an enlarged combination electrical contact and latching head at one of the said longitudinally extending shaft portions thereof; and

c. the said enlarged combination electrical contact and latching head yieldably engaging the said female combination electrical contact and latching member when the said male combination electrical contact and latching member is inserted into the said female combination electrical contact and latching member;

6. the said female combination electrical contact and latching member being in the form of a hollow tubular member and including

a. a sidewall portion having therein

1. a slot for the reception of the said enlarged contact and latching head portion on the said longitudinally extending shaft portion of the said male combination electrical contact and latching member.