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:
Jul. 20, 1999
Filed:
May. 29, 1997
Peter Dutton, Fremont, CA (US);
Mohamad Higgy, Redwood City, CA (US);
Timm Seaton, Fremont, CA (US);
Raychem Corporation, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Abstract
A modular connector includes a set of pairs of modular inserts configured to mate with each other to convey electrical signals or power in a structure such as a vehicle. Each pair of modular inserts are coupled to their respective wiring lines and supported by their respective structures. One of each pair of modular inserts is supported by a receptacle shell, while the other is supported by a plug shell. The modular inserts are characterized with removable characterized buttons for cooperation respectively with characterizations slots provided in the receptacle shell and plug shell. The characterization scheme ensures that incorrect modular inserts are not loaded onto the wrong position of the receptacle shell and plug shell. The shields of the wiring lines are grounded to grounding contacts provided in the corresponding modular inserts. The receptacle shell is coupled to a grounding shell supported by the vehicle with the corresponding grounding contacts contacting the grounding shell for grounding. The plug shell is coupled to the receptacle shell to place the respective contacts in the pairs of modular inserts in mating connections to convey signals or power. The grounding contacts of the modular inserts in the plug shell contact the grounding shell for grounding. The connector is easy and quick to assemble without the need for tools and with savings in assembly time.