Hermaphroditic electrical contact

Claim 2

An electrical contact comprising: a conduit having an axial passage; and several electrical conducting wires axially aligned and axially mounted within the passage of said conduit so that said wires extend beyond one end of said conduit, each of said wires extending beyond the end of said conduit including an end portion that terminates in an acutely angled surface.

Claim 3

An electrical contact comprising: an elongated electrical conductor having an axial passage that includes an end portion that terminates in an opening at one end of said conductor and an interior passage portion, the end portion of said passage having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior portion of said passage; and several electrical wires axially aligned and axially mounted in said axial passage and extending a predetermined distance beyond the end of said elongated conductor, said wires spaced from the wall of the end portion of said passage to permit the spreading of said wires within the end portion of said passage, each of said wires extending beyond the end of said conductors includes an end portion that terminates in a tapered end.

Claim 4

An electrical contact comprising: an elongated electrical conductor having an axial passage that includes an end portion that terminates in an opening at one end of said conductor and an interior passage portion, the end portion of said passage having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior portion of said passage; and several electrical wires axially aligned and axially mounted in said axial passage and extending a predetermined distance beyond the end of said elongated conductor, said wires spaced from the wall of the end portion of said passage to permit the spreading of said wires within the end portion of said passage, each of said wires extending beyond the end of said conductors includes an end portion that terminates in a tapered end.

Claim 5

The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein the passage opening in said elongated conductor includes a portion that is tapered inwardly.

Claim 6

The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein the predetermined distance said wires extend beyond the end of said conductor is less than the length of the end portion of the axial passage.

Claim 7

An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector assembly comprising: a first assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough; a duct disposed in said housing passage, said duct having a first end which extends beyond said housing; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said first electrical conductor in one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at one end of said conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of wires axially mounted in said axial passage and extending beyond the end of said conductor, said conductor mounted in said duct so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires extending therefrom, does not extend out of the first end of said duct; a second assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to receive the first end of said first assembly duct that extends beyond said first assembly housing; a duct disposed in said housing passage, said duct having a first end which terminates within said housing passage; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor in one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at one of said conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of wires axially mounted in said axial passage and extending beyond the end of said conductor, said conductor mounted in said duct so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires extending therefrom, extends out of the first end of said duct, so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly the wires of said first and second assembly are intermingled with and in contact with each other whereby said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit relationship with said second electrical conductor.

Claim 8

An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector assembly comprising: a first assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough; a duct disposed in said housing passage, said duct having a first end which extends beyond said housing; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said first electrical conductor in one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at one end of said conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of wires axially mounted in said axial passage and extending beyond the end of said conductor, said conductor mounted in said duct so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires extending therefrom, does not extend out of the first end of said duct; a second assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to receive the first end of said first assembly duct that extends beyond said first assembly housing; a duct disposed in said housing passage, said duct having a first end which terminates within said housing passage; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor in one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at one of said conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of wires axially mounted in said axial passage and extending beyond the end of said conductor, said conductor mounted in said duct so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires extending therefrom, extends out of the first end of said duct, so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly the wires of said first and second assembly are intermingled with and in contact with each other whereby said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit relationship with said second electrical conductor.

Claim 9

The combination as recited in claim 5 for connecting a first plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit relationship wiTh a second plurality of electrical conductors, wherein said first assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough each having an elongated conductor, a plurality of wires and a duct therein which extends beyond said housing and wherein said second assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough, arranged in the same manner as the passages in said first assembly housing, each having an elongated conductor, a plurality of wires and a duct therein that terminates within said second housing so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly said first plurality of conductors in said first assembly are in predetermined circuit relationship with said second plurality of conductors in said second assembly.

Claim 10

The combination as recited in claim 6 wherein said first assembly has at least one duct which terminates within a first housing passage which is also adapted to receive a duct from said second housing, and wherein said second housing includes at least one duct which extends beyond a second housing passage whereby said first and second assemblies include both male and female members.

Claim 11

An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector assembly comprising: a first assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough; an elongated conductor mounted in said housing passage and adapted to receive said first electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of axially aligned wires axially mounted in said interior passage portion and extending through, out of, but spaced from the inside walls of the end passage portion of said elongated conductor, the other ends of said wires terminating in free ends each of which includes a tapered end portion, said elongated conductor mounted in said housing so that the end portion of said elongated conductor, having said wires therein, extends out of the first passage of said first assembly housing; and a second assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to receive the wires of said first assembly that extends out of said first assembly housing passage; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of axially aligned wires axially mounted in said interior passage portion of said second assembly elongated conductor and extending through, out of, but spaced from the walls of the end passage portion of said elongated conductor, the other ends of said wires terminating in free ends each for which includes a tapered end portion, said elongated conductor mounted in said second assembly housing so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires therein, terminates within the passage of said second assembly housing, so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly the wires of said first and second assemblies are intermingled with and in contact with each other within the confines of said end portions of said elongated conductors of said first and second assemblies, whereby said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit relationship with said second electrical conductor.

Claim 12

An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector assembly comprising: a first assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough; an elongated conductor mounted in said housing passage and adapted to receive said first electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of axially aligned wires axially mounted in said interior passage portion and extending through, out of, but spaced from the inside walls of the end passage portion of said elongated conductor, the other ends of said wires terminating in free ends each of which includes a tapered end portion, said elongated conductor mounted in said housing so that the end portion of said elongated conductor, having said wires therein, extends out of the first passage of said first assembly housing; and a second assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to receive the wires of said first assembly that extends out of said first assembly housing passage; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of axially aligned wires axially mounted in said interior passage portion of said second assembly elongated conductor and extending through, out of, but spaced from the walls of the end passage portion of said elongated conductor, the other ends of said wires terminating in free ends each for which includes a tapered end portion, said elongated conductor mounted in said second assembly housing so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires therein, terminates within the passage of said second assembly housing, so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly the wires of said first and second assemblies are intermingled with and in contact with each other within the confines of said end portions of said elongated conductors of said first and second assemblies, whereby said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit relationship with said second electrical conductor.

Claim 13

The combination as recited in claim 8 for connecting a first plurality of elEctrical conductors in predetermined circuit relationship with a second plurality of electrical conductors, wherein said first assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough each having mounted therein an elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated conductors, said elongated conductors of said first assembly having end portions that extend beyond said housing passage and wherein said second assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough, arranged in the same manner as the passages in said first assembly housing, each of said passages of said second housing having mounted therein an elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said second plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated conductors of said second assembly, said elongated conductors of said second assembly having end portions which terminate within said second housing so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly said first plurality of conductors in said first assembly are in predetermined circuit relationship with said second plurality of conductors in said second assembly.

Claim 14

The combination as recited in claim 8 wherein said first assembly has at least one elongated conductor which terminates within one of said first housing passages which is also adapted to receive an elongated conductor mounted in said second housing, and wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages whereby said first and second assemblies include both male and female members.

Claim 15

An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector assembly comprising: a first assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough; an elongated conductor, mounted in said housing passage and adapted to receive said first electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that terminates in an opening at the other end of said conductor; and a plurality of axially aligned wires mounted in said axial passage and extending beyond the end of said elongated conductor, said elongated conductor mounted in said housing so that the end portion of said elongated conductor, having said wires extending therefrom, extends out of the passage of said housing; and a second assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to receive the end of said elongated conductor that extends beyond said first assembly housing; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of axially aligned wires axially mounted in said interior passage portion and extending into but spaced from the inside walls of the end passage portion of said elongated conductor, said elongated conductor mounted in said second assembly housing so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires extending therefrom, terminates within the passage of said second assembly housing, so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly the wires of said first and second assemblies are intermingled with and in contact with each other whereby said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit relationship with said second electrical conductor.

Claim 16

An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector assembly comprising: a first assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough; an elongated conductor, mounted in said housing passage and adapted to receive said first electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that terminates in an opening at the other end of said conductor; and a plurality of axially aligned wires mounted in said axial passage and extending beyond the end of said elongated conductor, said elongated conductor mounted in said housing so that the end portion of said elongated conductor, having said wires extending therefrom, extends out of the passage of said housing; and a second assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to receive the end of said elongated conductor that extends beyond said first assembly housing; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that includes an end passage portion that terminates in an opening at the other end of said elongated conductor and an interior passage portion, the end passage portion having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the interior passage portion; and a plurality of axially aligned wires axially mounted in said interior passage portion and extending into but spaced from the inside walls of the end passage portion of said elongated conductor, said elongated conductor mounted in said second assembly housing so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires extending therefrom, terminates within the passage of said second assembly housing, so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly the wires of said first and second assemblies are intermingled with and in contact with each other whereby said first electrical conductor is in electrical circuit relationship with said second electrical conductor.

Claim 17

The combination as recited in claim 11 for connecting a firsT plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit relationship with a second plurality of electrical conductors, wherein said first assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough each having mounted therein an elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated conductors, said elongated conductors of said first assembly having end portions which extend beyond said housing passage and whereby said second assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough, arranged in the same manner as the passages in said first assembly housing, each of said passages of said second housing having mounted therein an elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said second plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated conductor, said elongated conductors of said second assembly having end portions which terminate within said second housing so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly said first plurality of conductors in said first assembly are in predetermined circuit relationship with said second plurality of conductors in said second assembly.

Claim 18

An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein each of said wires of said first and second assemblies includes a free end having a tapered end portion.

Claim 19

The combination as recited in claim 11 wherein said first assembly has at least one elongated conductor which terminates within one of said first housing passages which is also adapted to receive an elongated conductor mounted in said second housing, and wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages whereby said first and second assemblies include both male and female members.

Claim 20

An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein each of said wires of said first and second assemblies includes a free end having a tapered end portion.

Claim 21

An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein each of said wires of said first and second assemblies includes a free end having a tapered end portion.

Claim 22

An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector assembly comprising: a first assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough; an elongated conductor, mounted in said housing passage and adapted to receive said first electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that terminates in an opening at the other end of said conductor; and a plurality of axially aligned wires mounted in said axial passage, said wires terminating in a free end each having an acutely angled end portion; and a second assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to receive the end of said elongated conductor of said first assembly; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that terminates in an opening at the other end of said conductor; and a plurality of wires axially aligned and mounted in said axial passage of said second assembly elongated conductor, said wires terminating in a free end each having an acutely angled end portion, said elongated conductor mounted in said second assembly housing so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires mounted therein, terminates within the passage of said second assembly housing, whereby when said first assembly is placed in mated relationship with said second assembly the angled end portions at the free ends of said wires of each assembly facilitates the intermingling of said wires without the bending thereof so that said wires of said first assembly may be repeatedly placed in electrical circuit relationship with said wires of said second assembly.

Claim 23

An electrical connector assembly for connecting a first electrical conductor in predetermined electrical circuit relationship to a second electrical conductor, said connector assembly comprising: a first assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough; an elongated conductor, mounted in said housing passage and adapted to receive said first electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that terminates in an opening at the other end of said conductor; and a plurality of axially aligned wires mounted in said axial passage, said wires terminating in a free end each having an acutely angled end portion; and a second assembly which includes: a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage adapted to receive the end of said elongated conductor of said first assembly; an elongated conductor adapted to receive said second electrical conductor at one end, said elongated conductor having an axial passage that terminates in an opening at the other end of said conductor; and a plurality of wires axially aligned and mounted in said axial passage of said second assembly elongated conductor, said wires terminating in a free end each having an acutely angled end portion, said elongated conductor mounted in said second assembly housing so that the end portion of said conductor, having said wires mounted therein, terminates within the passage of said second assembly housing, whereby when said first assembly is placed in mated relationship with said second assembly the angled end portions at the free ends of said wires of each assembly facilitates the intermingling of said wires without the bending thereof so that said wires of said first assembly may be repeatedly placed in electrical circuit relationship with said wires of said second assembly.

Claim 24

The combination as recited in claim 17 for connecting a first plurality of electrical conductors in predetermined circuit relationship with a second plurality of electrical conductors, wherein said first assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough each having mounted therein an elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated conductors, said elongated conductors of said first assembly having end portions which extend beyond said housing and wherein said second assembly housing has a plurality of passages therethrough, arranged in the same manner as the passages in said first assembly housing, each of said passages of said second housing having mounted therein an elongated conductor adapted to receive one of said electrical conductors of said first plurality at one end and a plurality of wires mounted in each of the other ends of said elongated conductors, said elongated conductors of said second assembly having end portions which terminate within said second housing so that when said first assembly is in mated relationship with said second assembly said first plurality of conductors in said first assembly are in predetermined circuit relationship with said second plurality of conductors in said second assembly.

Claim 25

The combination as recited in claim 17 wherein said first assembly has at least one elongated conductor which terminates within one of said first housing passages which is also adapted to receive an elongated conductor mounted in said second housing, and wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages whereby said first and second assemblies includes both male and female members.

Claim 26

The combination as recited in claim 18 wherein said first assembly has at least one elongated conductor which terminates within one of said first housing passages which is also adapted to receive an elongated conductor mounted in said second housing, and wherein said second housing includes at least one elongated conductor which extends beyond one of said second housing passages whereby said first and second assemblies include both male and female members.