Sealed multiple-contact electrical connector

Abstract

An environmentally protected, substantially sealed connector for attachment to a cable having a plurality of electrical conductors which are terminated at an end thereof with a contact, including a housing having a floor with a plurality of apertures therethrough arranged in a predetermined pattern and a backshell extending from the floor of the housing and encompassing the extended axes of the apertures, the backshell having at least one bead portion protruding from an outer surface of the outer backshell and extending at least partially around the backshell. A plurality of electrical contacts are disposed within the housing, each of the electrical contacts having a portion extending through one of the apertures and adapted to mate with one of the contact-terminated electrical conductors. Each of the electrical contacts has a locking member for retaining the associated contact in a fixed relationship to the floor. An overmold extends from and is molded about an exterior of the backshell to couple the overmold and backshell together. A portion of the overmold engages the bead in retaining relationship to augment the connection between the overmold and the backshell. The overmold extends axially away from the backshell and is preferably molded directly in place encompassing and securely coupled to an exterior of the cable of electrical conductors.