GB988820A - Improvements in or relating to composite electrical connector housings comprising modular housings - Google Patents

Abstract

988,820. Two part couplings. AMP INCORPORATED. May 14, 1963 [June 18, 1962], No. 19109/63. Heading H2E. A multi-way connector assembly 2 (Fig. 1) comprises a number of identical connector units (Figs. 2, 3) which are individually movable relative to the assembly for alignment with a complementary mating assembly 4 (Fig. 1) each unit having contact elements (Fig. 16, not shown) received in cavities and having leading edges shaped to accomplish alignment in two stages. In the first stage the slot 39 receives the rib 37 of an identical unit, and the curved surface 46 engages the end of wall 34, and in the second stage the rounded edges of walls 42 and 35 co-operate with the curved surfaces towards the ends of walls 32 and 44 respectively, and then with the rounded edges of projections 28, 30, 38, 40. The units have slots 18 to fit on to flanges 56 (Fig. 1) of the two supporting rails 54, being located by ribs 20, and the rails are held in position by two end pieces 70 (see also Fig. 13, not shown) having slots 73 to fit over the flange. Each end 70 is locked by the clip 79 (Fig. 20) having a spring tongue 83 engaging a recess 75, and rods 68 (Fig. 1) extend through the assembly carrying nuts to secure ends 60 of the outer cover to the assembly of units. The connector parts 2 and 4 may be held together with a captive screw 94, or with a spring clip 128 (Fig. 20) at each end. Several units may be oppositely arranged (Fig. 4, not shown) to facilitate visual identification of the connector and of its orientation. Specification 960,997 is referred to.