Modicon, Inc.

Lawrence Pardo

Ronald E St Germain

An apparatus (10) for positively preventing misengagement of multipoint connector elements includes a mounting rack (26) having a pivot slot (18) and a stepped guide surface (32), along with an associated receptacle element (34) of a multipoint connector. The apparatus (10) also includes a housing (44) having a pivot pin (20) and a stepped guide surface (50), along with an associated plug element (54) of multipoint connector. Only when the pivot pin (20) is fully seated in the pivot slot (18) will the receptacle (34) and plug (54) elements be able to engage. Otherwise, the stepped guide surfaces (32, 50) act to positively prevent such engagement. Also, the stepped guide surfaces (32, 50) are concentrically mated to provide angular engagement and disengagement paths that result in a plurality of plug pin contacts (68) and receptacle socket contacts (70) engaging and disengaging in a sequential order, respectively.

Growing community of inventors

Boxford, MA, United States of America

Lawrence Pardo