Electrical connector with an internal switch

Abstract

A male plug connector having terminals coupled to the signal leads of an electrical circuit for switching the signal leads dependent upon interfitting or separating the male connector with a mating female connector. First, second and third electrodes longitudinally extend through a post-like insulating base thereby defining three respective male pins protruding from the mating face of the base and three respective terminals protruding from the opposing face of the base. A fourth electrode protrudes only from the opposing face to define a fourth terminal. A spring loaded plunger is slidably positioned in the base and protrudes from the mating face of the base. The plunger is mechanically linked to an axially sliding switch which has three interconnected contact arms aligned with the second, third and fourth electrodes. During interfittment of the connectors, the plunger is inwardly deflected by the face of the female connector thereby electrically interconnecting the third and fourth terminals. When the connectors are apart, the spring outwardly deflects the plunger thereby electrically connecting the second terminal to the third terminal.