The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 12, 1992
Filed:
Dec. 18, 1989
David C Kamp, Cincinnati, OH (US);
William H Hanks, Cincinnati, OH (US);
Cooper Industries, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An improved electrical panel assembly of the type providing a plurality of receptacles for use with cable connectors and requiring that the connectors must be connected with their respective receptacles in a given order and disconnected therefrom in the reverse of that order. The panel assembly comprises a planar panel element having an opening therein for each receptacle and a receptacle mounting housing element behind each panel opening, constituting an integral, one-piece molding. Each panel opening is provided with a cover swingable between a closed position and an open position. The connectors and receptacles are of the known type having single contacts which lock together when the connector is mated with the receptacle and rotated a partial revolution. Polarizing devices are provided in association with each receptacle and each cable connector. Each panel opening, except the first, is provided with a locking mechanism of simplified construction which is shiftable between a normal locking position wherein it precludes opening of the cover of the next adjacent panel opening and a retracted position permitting opening of the cover of the next adjacent panel opening. The locking mechanism of each opening is shifted to its retracted position when the appropriate connector is inserted through the preceding opening and mated and locked with its receptacle. Each locking mechanism in retracted position precludes removal of the connector from the preceding opening. As a result of the simpler locking mechanism, the panel can be made smaller overall, with fewer parts and simpler assembly.