U.S. patent number 3,725,844 [Application Number 05/124,088] was granted by the patent office on 1973-04-03 for hermaphroditic electrical contact.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Bendix Corporation. Invention is credited to Stephen E. Gregoire, James E. McKeown, Donald E. Michel.
United States Patent |
3,725,844 |
McKeown , et al. |
April 3, 1973 |
HERMAPHRODITIC ELECTRICAL CONTACT
Abstract
A hermaphroditic type electrical connector assembly that does
not use the standard male and female connection. Instead of a
single male pin, several fine wires are bundled together to form a
brush contact. Similarly, the mating contact is comprised of
several fine wires bundled into a brush. When the contacts are in
mated relationship, the fine wires of the connector assembly are
intermingled to complete the electrical circuit relationship
between the mated contacts of the connector assembly.
Inventors: |
McKeown; James E. (Sidney,
NY), Gregoire; Stephen E. (Sidney, NY), Michel; Donald
E. (Sidney, NY) |
Assignee: |
The Bendix Corporation
(Southfield, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
22412699 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/124,088 |
Filed: |
March 15, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/291; 174/90;
439/930; 174/84S; 200/278 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/33 (20130101); Y10S 439/93 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/02 (20060101); H01R 13/33 (20060101); H01r
013/22 (); H01r 025/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/28,29,47,48,49,75,64,65,95,99,101,103,108-110,58,278T,181,252,255,273
;174/84S,90,91 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
705,831 |
|
Mar 1954 |
|
GB |
|
666,667 |
|
Feb 1952 |
|
GB |
|
1,119,366 |
|
Dec 1961 |
|
DT |
|
Primary Examiner: Champion; Marvin A.
Assistant Examiner: Lewis; Terrell P.
Claims
Having described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. An electrical contact comprising:
a conduit having an axial passage; and
several electrical conducting wires axially aligned and axially
mounted within the passage of said conduit so that said wires
extend beyond one end of said conduit, each of said wires extending
beyond the end of said conduit including an end portion that
terminates in an acutely angled surface.
2. An electrical contact comprising:
an elongated electrical conductor having an axial passage that
includes an end portion that terminates in an opening at one end of
said conductor and an interior passage portion, the end portion of
said passage having a cross-sectional area larger than the
cross-sectional area of the interior portion of said passage;
and
several electrical wires axially aligned and axially mounted in
said axial passage and extending a predetermined distance beyond
the end of said elongated conductor, said wires spaced from the
wall of the end portion of said passage to permit the spreading of
said wires within the end portion of said passage, each of said
wires extending beyond the end of said conductors includes an end
portion that terminates in a tapered end.
3. The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein the passage
opening in said elongated conductor includes a portion that is
tapered inwardly.
4. The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein the predetermined
distance said wires extend beyond the end of said conductor is less
than the length of the end portion of the axial passage.
5. An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first
electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit
relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector
assembly comprising:
a first assembly which includes:
a housing having a passage therethrough;
a duct disposed in said housing passage, said duct having a first
end which extends beyond said housing;
an elongated conductor adapted to receive said first electrical
conductor in one end, said elongated conductor having an axial
passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an
opening at one end of said conductor and an interior passage
portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area
larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage
portion; and
a plurality of wires axially mounted in said axial passage and
extending beyond the end of said conductor, said conductor mounted
in said duct so that the end portion of said conductor, having said
wires extending therefrom, does not extend out of the first end of
said duct;
a second assembly which includes:
a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to
receive the first end of said first assembly duct that extends
beyond said first assembly housing;
a duct disposed in said housing passage, said duct having a first
end which terminates within said housing passage;
an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical
conductor in one end, said elongated conductor having an axial
passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an
opening at one of said conductor and an interior passage portion,
the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than
the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and
a plurality of wires axially mounted in said axial passage and
extending beyond the end of said conductor, said conductor mounted
in said duct so that the end portion of said conductor, having said
wires extending therefrom, extends out of the first end of said
duct, so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship
with said second assembly the wires of said first and second
assembly are intermingled with and in contact with each other
whereby said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit
relationship with said second electrical conductor.
6. The combination as recited in claim 5 for connecting a first
plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit
relationship with a second plurality of electrical conductors,
wherein said first assembly housing has a plurality of passages
therethrough each having an elongated conductor, a plurality of
wires and a duct therein which extends beyond said housing and
wherein said second assembly housing has a plurality of passages
therethrough, arranged in the same manner as the passages in said
first assembly housing, each having an elongated conductor, a
plurality of wires and a duct therein that terminates within said
second housing so that when said first assembly is in mated
relationship with said second assembly said first plurality of
conductors in said first assembly are in predetermined circuit
relationship with said second plurality of conductors in said
second assembly.
7. The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein said first
assembly has at least one duct which terminates within a first
housing passage which is also adapted to receive a duct from said
second housing, and wherein said second housing includes at least
one duct which extends beyond a second housing passage whereby said
first and second assemblies include both male and female
members.
8. An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first
electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit
relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector
assembly comprising:
a first assembly which includes:
a housing having a passage therethrough;
an elongated conductor mounted in said housing passage and adapted
to receive said first electrical conductor at one end, said
elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end
passage portion that terminates in an opening at the other end of
said elongated conductor and an interior passage portion, the end
passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the
cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and
a plurality of axially aligned wires axially mounted in said
interior passage portion and extending through, out of, but spaced
from the inside walls of the end passage portion of said elongated
conductor, the other ends of said wires terminating in free ends
each of which includes a tapered end portion, said elongated
conductor mounted in said housing so that the end portion of said
elongated conductor, having said wires therein, extends out of the
first passage of said first assembly housing; and
a second assembly which includes:
a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to
receive the wires of said first assembly that extends out of said
first assembly housing passage;
an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical
conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial
passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an
opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an
interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a
cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the
interior passage portion; and
a plurality of axially aligned wires axially mounted in said
interior passage portion of said second assembly elongated
conductor and extending through, out of, but spaced from the walls
of the end passage portion of said elongated conductor, the other
ends of said wires terminating in free ends each for which includes
a tapered end portion, said elongated conductor mounted in said
second assembly housing so that the end portion of said conductor,
having said wires therein, terminates within the passage of said
second assembly housing, so that when said first assembly is in
mated relationship with said second assembly the wires of said
first and second assemblies are intermingled with and in contact
with each other within the confines of said end portions of said
elongated conductors of said first and second assemblies, whereby
said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit
relationship with said second electrical conductor.
9. The combination as recited in claim 8 for connecting a first
plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit
relationship with a second plurality of electrical conductors,
wherein said first assembly housing has a plurality of passages
therethrough each having mounted therein an elongated conductor
adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first
plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of
the other ends of said elongated conductors, said elongated
conductors of said first assembly having end portions that extend
beyond said housing passage and wherein said second assembly
housing has a plurality of passages therethrough, arranged in the
same manner as the passages in said first assembly housing, each of
said passages of said second housing having mounted therein an
elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical
conductors of said second plurality at one end and a plurality of
wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated
conductors of said second assembly, said elongated conductors of
said second assembly having end portions which terminate within
said second housing so that when said first assembly is in mated
relationship with said second assembly said first plurality of
conductors in said first assembly are in predetermined circuit
relationship with said second plurality of conductors in said
second assembly.
10. The combination as recited in claim 8 wherein said first
assembly has at least one elongated conductor which terminates
within one of said first housing passages which is also adapted to
receive an elongated conductor mounted in said second housing, and
wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated
conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages
whereby said first and second assemblies include both male and
female members.
11. An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first
electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit
relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector
assembly comprising:
a first assembly which includes:
a housing having a passage therethrough;
an elongated conductor, mounted in said housing passage and adapted
to receive said first electrical conductor at one end, said
elongated conductor having an axial passage that terminates in an
opening at the other end of said conductor; and
a plurality of axially aligned wires mounted in said axial passage
and extending beyond the end of said elongated conductor, said
elongated conductor mounted in said housing so that the end portion
of said elongated conductor, having said wires extending therefrom,
extends out of the passage of said housing; and
a second assembly which includes:
a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to
receive the end of said elongated conductor that extends beyond
said first assembly housing;
an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical
conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial
passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an
opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an
interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a
cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the
interior passage portion; and
a plurality of axially aligned wires axially mounted in said
interior passage portion and extending into but spaced from the
inside walls of the end passage portion of said elongated
conductor, said elongated conductor mounted in said second assembly
housing so that the end portion of said conductor, having said
wires extending therefrom, terminates within the passage of said
second assembly housing, so that when said first assembly is in
mated relationship with said second assembly the wires of said
first and second assemblies are intermingled with and in contact
with each other whereby said first electrical conductor is in
electrical circuit relationship with said second electrical
conductor.
12. The combination as recited in claim 11 for connecting a first
plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit
relationship with a second plurality of electrical conductors,
wherein said first assembly housing has a plurality of passages
therethrough each having mounted therein an elongated conductor
adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first
plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of
the other ends of said elongated conductors, said elongated
conductors of said first assembly having end portions which extend
beyond said housing passage and whereby said second assembly
housing has a plurality of passages therethrough, arranged in the
same manner as the passages in said first assembly housing, each of
said passages of said second housing having mounted therein an
elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical
conductors of said second plurality at one end and a plurality of
wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated
conductor, said elongated conductors of said second assembly having
end portions which terminate within said second housing so that
when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second
assembly said first plurality of conductors in said first assembly
are in predetermined circuit relationship with said second
plurality of conductors in said second assembly.
13. An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein
each of said wires of said first and second assemblies includes a
free end having a tapered end portion.
14. The combination as recited in claim 11 wherein said first
assembly has at least one elongated conductor which terminates
within one of said first housing passages which is also adapted to
receive an elongated conductor mounted in said second housing, and
wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated
conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages
whereby said first and second assemblies include both male and
female members.
15. An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein
each of said wires of said first and second assemblies includes a
free end having a tapered end portion.
16. An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein
each of said wires of said first and second assemblies includes a
free end having a tapered end portion.
17. An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first
electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit
relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector
assembly comprising:
a first assembly which includes:
a housing having a passage therethrough;
an elongated conductor, mounted in said housing passage and adapted
to receive said first electrical conductor at one end, said
elongated conductor having an axial passage that terminates in an
opening at the other end of said conductor; and
a plurality of axially aligned wires mounted in said axial passage,
said wires terminating in a free end each having an acutely angled
end portion; and
a second assembly which includes:
a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to
receive the end of said elongated conductor of said first
assembly;
an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical
conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial
passage that terminates in an opening at the other end of said
conductor; and
a plurality of wires axially aligned and mounted in said axial
passage of said second assembly elongated conductor, said wires
terminating in a free end each having an acutely angled end
portion, said elongated conductor mounted in said second assembly
housing so that the end portion of said conductor, having said
wires mounted therein, terminates within the passage of said second
assembly housing, whereby when said first assembly is placed in
mated relationship with said second assembly the angled end
portions at the free ends of said wires of each assembly
facilitates the intermingling of said wires without the bending
thereof so that said wires of said first assembly may be repeatedly
placed in electrical circuit relationship with said wires of said
second assembly.
18. The combination as recited in claim 17 for connecting a first
plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit
relationship with a second plurality of electrical conductors,
wherein said first assembly housing has a plurality of passages
therethrough each having mounted therein an elongated conductor
adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first
plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of
the other ends of said elongated conductors, said elongated
conductors of said first assembly having end portions which extend
beyond said housing and wherein said second assembly housing has a
plurality of passages therethrough, arranged in the same manner as
the passages in said first assembly housing, each of said passages
of said second housing having mounted therein an elongated
conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of
said first plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in
each of the other ends of said elongated conductors, said elongated
conductors of said second assembly having end portions which
terminate within said second housing so that when said first
assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly said
first plurality of conductors in said first assembly are in
predetermined circuit relationship with said second plurality of
conductors in said second assembly.
19. The combination as recited in claim 17 wherein said first
assembly has at least one elongated conductor which terminates
within one of said first housing passages which is also adapted to
receive an elongated conductor mounted in said second housing, and
wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated
conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages
whereby said first and second assemblies includes both male and
female members.
20. The combination as recited in claim 18 wherein said first
assembly has at least one elongated conductor which terminates
within one of said first housing passages which is also adapted to
receive an elongated conductor mounted in said second housing, and
wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated
conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages
whereby said first and second assemblies include both male and
female members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrical connector assemblies for
connecting a first plurality of electrical conductors in
predetermined circuit relationship with a second plurality of
electrical conductors. This invention is more particularly related
to a method and apparatus for improving the electrical circuit
relationship between the contact members of a connector assembly.
Specifically, the invention is related to hermaphroditic contacts
for multiple-conductor cable connectors.
In order to link the operating units or components of an electrical
installation, it is known to make use of multi-wire cables which
are interconnected by means of terminal connectors. Such coupling
devices are usually of the male and female type, the cable
interconnections being made by properly mating male and female
connectors. Departing from this standard approach, the inventor has
invented a connector which utilizes hermaphroditic mating
contacts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a new hermaphroditic-type of electrical
contact. The invention is an electrical connector assembly
characterized by electrical contacts which are comprised of a
bundle of several burr-free wires having angled end portions. When
the contact wires of each half of the connector assembly are in
mated relationship, the bundled wires of one contact are
intermingled with and in contact with the bundled wires of another
contact, thereby establishing an electrical circuit relationship
between the contacts. In one embodiment of the invention, the
electrical contact comprises: an elongated conductor having an
axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates
in an opening at one end of the conductor and an interior passage
portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area
larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage
portion, and a plurality of electrical conducting wires axially
mounted in the axial passage of the elongated conductor and
extending a predetermined distance beyond the end of the elongated
conductor. The electrical conducting wires are spaced from the wall
of the end portion of the axial passage in the elongated conductor
to permit the spreading of the wires within the end portion of the
elongated conductor passage when the wires are in mated
relationship with the wires of a similar electrical contact. The
wires of the connector assembly are characterized by the fact that
they are burr-free and the end portions of each wire has an angled
surface for facilitating the intermingling of the wire with other
wires.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an
electrical connector that relies upon hermaphroditic mating
contacts to establish the electrical relationship between the plug
and receptacle.
The above and other objects and features of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompaying drawings and claims which form a
part of this specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a connector assembly showing a partial
cross-section of the receptacle and plug that embody the objects of
this invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a
hermaphroditic electrical contact which characterizes this
invention.
FIG. 3 is a magnified view of one of the contact wires shown in
FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of electrical contacts, which
embody the principles of this invention, in mated relationship.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of
a hermaphroditic electrical contact which characterizes this
invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of still another preferred
embodiment of a hermaphroditic electrical contact which
characterizes this invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a double ended hermaphroditic
electrical contact which embodies the principles of this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a connector
assembly that is comprised of a first assembly 1 and a second
assembly 2, both of which embody the principles of the
invention.
The first assembly 1 comprises a housing 8 having a plurality of
passages 23, a plurality of ducts 21 and 22 disposed in the
passages 23, and an electrical connector contact 11 disposed in
each of said ducts 21 and 22.
The housing 8 is generally comprised of a nonconducting material
and may take any particular configuration.
The ducts 21 and 22 are disposed within the passages 23 in a
predetermined manner so that some of the ducts 21 extend out of the
passage 23 and other of the ducts 22 terminate within the passage
23. In this embodiment the position of the ducts 21 and 22
determine the male and female portion of the assembly 1.
Located within each duct 21, 22 in an electrical contact 11 similar
to that shown in FIG. 2. The shoulder 17 of the electrical contact
11 assists in positioning the electrical contact 11 in its proper
place within the duct 21, 22. In the first assembly, the electrical
contact 11 is located in the ducts 21 that extend out of the
passage 23 so that neither the housing 10 nor the wires 12 extend
out of the duct 21. The electrical conductor 5 that is to be
connected to another conductor is in electrical circuit
relationship with the electrical contact 11.
Similarly, the second assembly 2 comprises a housing 9 having a
plurality of passages 23 therein, a plurality of ducts 21 and 22
located in each of the housing passages 23, and an electrical
contact 11 located in each of the ducts 21, 22. The shape of the
housing 9 and the arrangement of the passages 23 are identical to
the first assembly housing and passage arrangement so that the
ducts 21 and 22 may enter the passage 23 in assemblies 8 and 9 in a
predetermined relationship.
In the second assembly 2 there are a plurality of ducts 22 that
terminate within the passage 23 of the second assembly 2. This is
so the passages 23 may receive ducts 21 from the first assembly 1.
There are also a plurality of ducts 21 that extend beyond the
passage 23 for mating with the passages 23 in the first assembly
1.
Located in each duct 21, 22 are electrical contacts 11. Extending
beyond the duct 22 is a portion of the housing 10 and wires 12 of
the electrical contact 11 that will be inserted into the duct 21
when duct 21 is inserted into passage 23 of the second assembly
2.
A second conductor 6 is in circuit relationship with the electrical
contact 11 so that when the first assembly 1 is in mated
relationship with the second assembly 2, the wires 12 of the first
and second assembly are intermingled with and in contact with each
other whereby the first electrical conductor 5 is in electrical
circuit relationship with said second electrical conductor 6.
Although a plurality of ducts 21 and 22 and electrical contacts 11
are shown, this connector may also be used for connecting as few as
two wires in electrical circuit relationship. Further, the first
assembly 1 could be arranged such that all the ducts 21 and 22
terminate within the passages 23 making it a receptacle while all
the ducts 21 and 22 located in the second assembly 2 may extend
beyond the housing making it a plug. However, the combination of
male and female contacts in each assembly makes it possible to key
one assembly to another so that only one mating relationship is
possible. Also, the ducts 21 and 22 could be eliminated from the
assembly and the electrical contacts 11 placed directly into a
housing. In this regard, resilient inserts, adapted to receive and
locate the contacts 11 in a predetermined position would comprise
the connector assembly. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
passages 23 and ducts 21 and 22 are used to align and position the
electrical contacts 11.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of an
electrical connector contact 11 that embodies the principles of
this invention. The elongated housing 10, which is fabricated from
an appropriate conducting material, has an axial passage 14 in one
end for receiving an electrical conductor (not shown). The other
end of the housing 10 has an axial passage 13 of two different
cross-sections, for receiving a plurality of wires 12. Generally,
seven or more wires 12 fill the inner portion B of the passage 13
and are crimped at one or more points 19 into place. However, they
may be soldered or brazed into position so long as all of the wires
12 are in electrical circuit relationship with one another. The end
portion A of the passage 13 has a larger axial cross-sectional area
than the axial cross-sectional area of the interior portion A of
the passage 13. This larger cross-sectional area provides a space
between the wires 12 and the inner wall of the end portion of the
passage 13 for the spreading of wires 12 in a radial direction. The
opening at the end portion of the passage 13 is chamfered inwardly
to facilitate the passage of similar wires (not shown) into the end
portion of the passage 13. When the wires of a similar assembly are
axially in line with the wires 12 of this assembly, and an axial
force is applied thereto, the wires of this assembly expand within
the confines of the end portion A of the housing passage 13 as the
wires of the other assembly enter the passage 13 and intermingle
with the wires of this assembly. This action completes the
electrical circuit relationship between the two assemblies.
Preferably, the distance D that the wires 12 extend beyond the
housing 10 is less than the length of the end portion A of the
housing passage 13. This will insure that when all wires 12 are in
mated relationship with the wires of a similar contact they are
surrounded by and supported by the housing 10. This confines the
wires 12 to a given space and helps to prevent radical bending of
the wires that prevents a wire from entering the passage 13 in the
housing 10 when the contacts are placed in mated relationship.
FIG. 3 is a magnified view of one of the wires 12 that are mounted
in a housing to accomplish the objects of this invention. In this
embodiment, for ease of assembly, both ends of wire 12 have a
tapered or an angled surface 3 to facilitate sliding movement upon
contact with the wires of another connector. The wire shown may be
of any conducting material depending upon the strength and
conductivity requirements. An example of one preferred material is
beryllium-copper wire having a silver coating thereon. When
beryllium-copper is used, it is preferred that for a housing 11,
having an outside diameter of about 0.060 inches, that the wires 12
have a length of about 0.375 inches and a diameter of about 0.006
inches. In this embodiment, wires having a diameter less than 0.01
inches and greater than 0.001 inches are preferred. As previously
mentioned, for structural purposes, it may be desirable to limit
the length of the wire 12 to a length that allows the wire 12 to
extend a distance beyond the housing that is less than the length
of the end portion (A, FIG. 2) of the passage (13, FIG. 2).
FIG. 4 illustrates hermaphroditic contacts, similar to the one
shown in FIG. 2, in mated relationship. In this preferred
embodiment, it is shown how the end portions A of the housing
passages 13 confine the intermingled wires 12 to a specific space.
Although it is not necessary that the ends of each housing 10
contact each other, it is preferred that they do. Such an
arrangement prevents the buckling of the wires should an unusually
high amount of axial force be exerted on the housings 10. Each of
the housings 10 include a second axial passage 14 for receiving an
electrical conductor (not shown).
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a
hermaphroditic electrical contact 11 which characterizes this
invention. In this embodiment, the wires 12 are mounted in the
axial passage 13 in the housing 10. However, the axial passage 13
is of uniform cross-section and there is no end portion which is
spaced from the wires mounted therein. This type of contact may be
mated with the electrical contacts shown in FIGS. 2, 6 or 7 and
with contacts identical to that shown in this figure.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of still another preferred
embodiment of a hermaphroditic electrical contact which
characterizes this invention. In this embodiment, the wires 12 do
not extend beyond the end of the housing 10, but terminate at or
within the housing 10. The end portion A of the passage 13 has a
larger cross-section than the interior passage portion B for
containing the wires 12 to a predetermined space when mated with
the wires of another contact. This type of contact is especially
adapted to receive the contact shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 but may also
receive the contact shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a double ended hermaphroditic
electrical contact which embodies the principles of this invention.
In this embodiment, the wires 12 of either end of the contact 11
can be mated with the contact wires 12 shown in FIGS. 2, 5, or 6
and with contacts identical to that shown in this figure. In this
embodiment, a plurality of wires 12 are securely held in axial
alignment with respect to each other by a conduit 10 which permits
the extension of the wires 12 from both ends of the conduit 10. An
electrical conductor can be attached to the contact at either end
of the wires or to the conduit. Alternately, the conduit 10 could
be eliminated and the wires 12 brazed or soldered together so that
the wires form a bundle of generally parallel wires.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be
made to the invention as set forth in the appended claims, and, in
some cases, certain features of the invention may be used to
advantage without corresponding use of other features. For example,
the configuration of any of the components of the preferred
embodiments may take various forms (round, square, with shoulders,
without shoulders, etc.) while the objects may still be achieved.
Accordingly, it is intended that the illustrative and descriptive
materials herein be used to illustrate the principles of the
invention and not to limit the scope thereof.
* * * * *