Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A connector system, comprising: a socket member having first connectors arranged in a row equally spaced from each other; a unitary, rectangular plug housing open at first and second longitudinal ends thereof, said plug housing having a slot in one side extending transversely of a longitudinal axis of said plug housing and having an inside chamber; individual plugs coupled to said first connectors and mounted in said plug housing in a row adjacent one another through one of said ends of said plug housing, said plugs projecting from said first end of said housing to permit introduction into said socket member, each of said plugs having an external locking recess; a locking strip coupled to said plug housing and movable between locking and unlocking positions, in said locking position said strip being in said slot, projecting into said inside chamber and engaging said locking recesses of said plugs to secure said plugs against thrusts in longitudinal directions thereof; a blade stop spring, included as part of said socket member, having a free end segment extending over said first connectors and into an insertion path of said plugs; and lock-in recesses on said plugs engaging said stop spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A connector system, comprising: a socket member having first connectors arranged in a row equally spaced from each other; a unitary, rectangular plug housing open at first and second longitudinal ends thereof, said plug housing having a slot in one side extending transversely of a longitudinal axis of said plug housing and having an inside chamber; individual plugs coupled to said first connectors and mounted in said plug housing in a row adjacent one another through one of said ends of said plug housing, said plugs projecting from said first end of said housing to permit introduction into said socket member, each of said plugs having an external locking recess; a locking strip coupled to said plug housing and movable between locking and unlocking positions, in said locking position said strip being in said slot, projecting into said inside chamber and engaging said locking recesses of said plugs to secure said plugs against thrusts in longitudinal directions thereof; a blade stop spring, included as part of said socket member, having a free end segment extending over said first connectors and into an insertion path of said plugs; and lock-in recesses on said plugs engaging said stop spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A connector system according to claim 1 wherein said locking strip is hinged at one end thereof to said plug housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A connector system according to claim 1 wherein said plug housing comprises a housing shoulder projecting into said inside chamber on one side thereof and extending transversely of said longitudinal axis at a distance from said one end of said plug housing; and each of said plugs comprises a mating shoulder engaging said housing shoulder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A connector system according to claim 1 wherein said socket member and said plug housing comprise polarizing means for ensuring engagement of said plugs in said socket member in only a single, predetermined alignment with said first connectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A connector system according to claim 1 wherein said stop spring comprises a unitary portion of a shielding plate surrounding said first connectors in said socket member; said socket member comprises a socket housing, an insulating body supporting said first connectors and a hollow space between said socket housing and said insulating body, said free end segment being located in said hollow space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector system according to claim 5 wherein said free end segment is tongue-shaped, and is reinforced by an angled tab extending along an entire width of said free end segment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A connector system according to claim 6 wherein said angled tap comprises a stiffening corrugation engaging said lock-in recesses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A connector system according to claim 1 wherein electrical conductors are coupled to said plugs and said first connectors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector system according to claim 1 wherein said plug housing is formed of plastic.