Mating Connector

Abstract

A connector assembly is disclosed that includes a connector including a dielectric housing and a plurality of conductive terminals at least partially disposed within the dielectric housing, and a connector support assembled to the connector. The connector support includes a pair of U-shaped side supports disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric housing and a pair of elongated fasteners for fastening the connector to the plate. A cable includes a plurality of conductors that are received inside the dielectric housing through a cable opening in the housing and terminated in a termination portion of the conductive terminals.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Mating connectors for connecting cables and cable assemblies to other pieces of electronic hardware are common in the industry. Mating connectors with improved resistance to high temperatures are more flexible and have a longer life than conventional mating connectors. Summary of the Invention

[0002] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a connector assembly is disclosed that may include a connector including a dielectric housing having a mating front end for mating with a mating connector and an opposing rear end defining a cable opening therein, and a plurality of conductive terminals at least partially disposed within the dielectric housing, the plurality of conductive terminals including mating portions disposed proximate the mating front end of the dielectric housing for electrical contact with corresponding terminals of the mating connector, and termination portions. The connector may also include connector supports assembled to the connector, the connector supports being disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric housing. The dielectric housing may include a pair of U-shaped side supports, each of which may have a substantially coextensive elongated base disposed along a corresponding side of the dielectric housing, a first leg extending from a first end of the base and disposed on and facing a rear end of the dielectric housing, and a second leg extending from an opposite second end of the base and disposed on and facing a front end of the dielectric housing, the first leg and second leg may define respective first and second openings therein. The connector support may also include a pair of elongated fasteners for fastening the connector to the plate, each of the elongated fasteners may engage a corresponding one of the pair of side supports such that a rear portion of the elongated fastener is disposed within a first opening of the corresponding side support, a front portion of the elongated fastener is disposed within a second opening of the corresponding side support, and an intermediate portion extending between and connecting the rear and front portions of the elongated fastener is disposed inside the housing, the elongated fastener being tightenable and securable to the corresponding side support. The cable may include a plurality of conductors received inside the dielectric housing through a cable opening in the housing and terminated in a termination portion of the conductive terminal.

[0003] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a connector assembly is disclosed. The connector assembly may include a connector including a dielectric housing having a mating front end for mating with a mating connector and an opposing rear end defining a cable opening therein, and a plurality of conductive terminals disposed within the dielectric housing, the conductive terminals including a plurality of mating portions disposed proximate the mating front end of the dielectric housing for electrical contact with corresponding terminals of the mating connector, and a termination portion. A connector support may be assembled to the connector, and may include a back support disposed outside the rear end of the dielectric housing and defining a central opening aligned with the cable opening and a pair of opposing side openings on either side of the central opening, a plurality of elongated rods oriented along a mating direction (x-axis) of the connector, disposed inside the housing, and extending from the rear end of the housing to the front end of the housing, and a pair of elongated fasteners for fastening the connector to a plate. Each of the elongated fasteners may engage the back support such that a rear portion of the elongated fastener is disposed within a corresponding side opening of the back support. A front portion of the elongated fastener may be disposed adjacent the exterior of the front end of the housing, an intermediate portion extending between and connecting the rear and front portions of the elongated fastener may be disposed inside the housing, and the elongated fastener may be tightenable and securable to the rear support. The cable may include multiple conductors received inside the dielectric housing through a cable opening in the housing and a central opening in the rear support and terminated in a termination portion of the conductive terminal.

[0004] In some aspects of the present disclosure, a connector is disclosed. The connector may include a dielectric housing having a mating end for mating with a mating connector and an opposing cable end, the mating end and the cable end may be spaced apart along a mating direction (X-axis) of the connector, the dielectric housing may be susceptible to unacceptable deformation when exposed to at least one of temperature and pressure within their respective normal operating ranges. A plurality of conductive terminals may be disposed within the dielectric housing and may include a mating portion disposed proximate the mating end of the dielectric housing for electrical contact with corresponding terminals of the mating connector, and a termination portion configured for at least electrical contact with a plurality of conductors of a cable. A plurality of spaced apart metal supports may be assembled to the dielectric housing such that when the connector is mated to the mating connector and securely secured, the plurality of spaced apart metal supports prevent unacceptable deformation of the dielectric housing due to at least one of temperature and pressure within their respective normal operating ranges. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a back support, a side support, and an elongated fastener according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a fastening connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a side view of a fastening connector assembly, further illustrating an attached secondary connector, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a side support and an elongated fastener according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]FIG. 13 illustrates a top perspective view of one embodiment of a side support, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view of a plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12A] 1A-1C are diagrams of a connector support, an elongated rod, and an elongated fastener according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12B] 1A-1C are diagrams of a connector support, an elongated rod, and an elongated fastener according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12C] 1A-1C are diagrams of a connector support, an elongated rod, and an elongated fastener according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view through an elongated fastener of the connector assembly of FIG. 13 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 14 is a cross-sectional view through an elongated rod of the connector assembly of FIG. 13 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16A] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of an elongated rod, an elongated fastener, and a back support according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16B] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of an elongated rod, an elongated fastener, and a back support according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0007] All scientific and technical terms used herein have the meanings commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are intended to aid in the understanding of certain terms frequently used herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, quantities, and physical properties used in the present specification and claims should be understood in all cases as modified by the term "about". Thus, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the above specification and the appended claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties one of ordinary skill in the art would obtain using the teachings disclosed herein.

[0008] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include embodiments having plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is used in its general sense including "and / or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0009] Spatial terms, including but not limited to "lower," "upper," "below," "lower," "above," and "above," when used herein, are utilized for ease of description to describe the spatial relationship of one element to another. Such spatial terms encompass various orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the specific orientations illustrated and described herein. For example, if an object depicted in a figure is turned over or inverted, portions previously described as below or beneath other elements will now be above those other elements.

[0010] As used herein, when an element, component, or layer is described as being "on", "connected", "coupled", or "in contact with", e.g., forming a "coincident interface" with, another element, component, or layer, the element, component, or layer may be, e.g., directly on, connected to, coupled to, or in direct contact with the particular element, component, or layer, or intervening elements, components, or layers may be on, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with the particular element, component, or layer. For example, when an element, component, or layer is described as being "directly on", "directly connected", "directly coupled", or "in direct contact with" another element, there are, e.g., no intervening elements, components, or layers present.

[0011] As used herein, the words "have," "having," "include," "including," "comprise," "comprising," and the like are used in an open-ended sense, generally meaning "including, but not limited to." It is understood that the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" are encompassed by terms such as "comprising."

[0012] Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a back support, a side support, and an elongated fastener according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the X direction may be orthogonal to the Y direction, and each of the X and Y directions may be orthogonal to the Z direction. For clarity, moving backwards along the X direction may indicate moving from the bottom right to the top left of FIG. 1, and moving forwards along the X direction may indicate the opposite direction, as indicated by the arrow. Furthermore, moving upwards along the Z direction may indicate moving vertically upwards, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1, and moving downwards along the Z direction may indicate the opposite direction. Moving from the bottom left to the top right from the perspective of FIG. 1 may indicate moving forwards in the Y direction, as indicated by the arrow, and moving in the opposite direction may indicate moving backwards in the Y direction.

[0013] The connector assembly 300 may include a connector 100 including a dielectric housing 10 having a mating front end 11 for mating with a mating connector 101 and an opposing rear end 12 defining a cable opening 13 therein. The connector 100 may also include a plurality of conductive terminals 20 disposed at least partially within the dielectric housing 10. The terminals 20 may include a termination portion 22 as well as a mating portion 21 disposed proximate the mating front end 11 of the dielectric housing 10 for electrical contact with corresponding terminals of the mating connector 101. The conductive terminals 20 may include any conductive material known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, a metal, a metal alloy, copper, silver, gold, aluminum, graphite, a conductive polymer, a conductive non-metal, or steel.

[0014] A connector support 200, exemplarily shown in FIG. 2 and elements of which are shown in FIG. 4, may be included with the connector assembly 300. The connector support 200 may include a pair of U-shaped side supports 40 disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric housing 10. Each of the U-shaped side supports 40 may include an elongated base 41 disposed along and substantially coextensive with a corresponding side 14 of the dielectric housing 10. Each of the U-shaped side supports 40 may also include a first leg 42 extending from a first end 41a of the base 41 and disposed on and facing the rear end 12 of the dielectric housing 10, and a second leg 43 extending from an opposite second end 41b of the base 41 and disposed on and facing the front end 11 of the dielectric housing 10. The first leg 42 may have a first opening 42a defined therein, and the second leg 43 may have a second opening 43a defined therein.

[0015] 5 is a top perspective view of a fastening connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the fastening connector assembly further showing an attached secondary connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector support 200 may also include a pair of elongated fasteners 50. The elongated fasteners 50 may fasten the connector 100 to the plate 60. The plate 60 and the connector 100 may be exemplarily shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. As exemplarily shown in FIG. 7, each of the elongated fasteners 50 may engage a corresponding one of the pair of side supports 40 such that a rear portion 51 of the elongated fastener 50 is disposed within a first opening 42a of the corresponding side support 40 and a front portion 52 of the elongated fastener 50 is disposed within a second opening 43a of the corresponding side support 40. An intermediate portion 53 of the elongated fastener 50 may extend between and connect the rear portion 51 and the front portion 52, and may be disposed inside the housing 10. The elongated fasteners 50 may be tightenable and securable to the corresponding side supports 40 .

[0016] The connector assembly 300 may also include a cable 70, which may be exemplarily shown in Figure 4. The cable 70 may include a plurality of conductors 71 received inside the housing 10 through the cable opening 13 of the housing 10. Additionally, the cable 70 may be or may be terminated at the termination portion 22 of the conductive terminal 20.

[0017] In various embodiments, the first opening 42a of the U-shaped side support 40 is threaded, as shown in Figure 2. In some embodiments, the rear portion 51 of the elongated fastener 50 is threaded. The elongated fastener 50 may be tightenable and securable to the side support 40 by threading the threaded rear portion 51 of the elongated fastener 50 into the threaded first opening 42a of the side support 40.

[0018] The side support 40 may be rigid and may be formed from any suitable rigid material known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, metal, metal alloy, steel, aluminum, copper, carbon, composite, ceramic, polymer, or organic material. As can be exemplarily shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, the first opening 42a of the U-shaped side support 40 may be a through opening and may have a closed perimeter. In some embodiments, as can be exemplarily shown in FIG. 8, the second opening 43a of the U-shaped side support 40 may be a through opening and may have a closed perimeter. In some embodiments, as can be exemplarily shown in FIG. 2, the second opening 43a of the U-shaped side support 40 may be a through opening and may have an open perimeter. Each of the opposing sides 14 of the dielectric housing 10 may define a channel 15 therein that extends along the side 14 between the front end 11 and the rear end 12 of the dielectric housing 10 (as shown in FIG. 3). The elongated base 41 of the U-shaped side support 40 may be positioned within the channel 15 .

[0019] 7 is a top perspective view of a side support and an elongated fastener according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a side support according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9 is a front view of a plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the fastening connector assembly 400 may include a plate 60 having one or more plate openings 61 formed therein. The fastening connector assembly 400 may include a connector assembly 300 fastened to the plate 60 such that at least a portion of the mating front end 11 of the dielectric housing 10 and a front portion 52 of the elongated fastener 50 are disposed in at least one of the one or more plate openings 61 (exemplarily shown in FIGS. 6 and 9). The elongated fastener 50 may be tightened to the side support 40 to securely fasten the connector assembly 300 to the plate. In some embodiments, the mating connector 101 may be mated with the connector assembly 300 such that the connector assembly 300 is disposed on the front side 62 of the plate 60 and the mating connector 101 is disposed on the opposite rear side 63 of the plate 60. As shown in FIG. 6, the mating connector 101 may include a pair of elongated mating fasteners 102 secured to the elongated fastener 50. In some embodiments, the front portion 52 of the elongated fastener 50 is female-threaded (as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 2 and 10 ) and the end portion of the mating fastener 102 is male-threaded. The mating fastener 102 may be secured to the elongated fastener 50 by threading the threaded end portion of the mating fastener 102 into the threaded front portion 52 of the elongated fastener 50. In various embodiments, the second leg 43 of the U-shaped side support 40 is disposed on the front side 62 of the plate 60. The front portion 52 of each elongated fastener 50 may have a narrow front portion 52a disposed in at least one of the one or more plate openings 61, and each front portion 52 of the elongated fastener 50 may also have a wide front portion 52b disposed on the opposite rear side 63 of the plate 60. The wide front portion 52b may be large enough that it cannot pass through at least one of the one or more plate openings 61.

[0020] In some embodiments, the connector assembly 300 includes a back support 30 disposed outside or adjacent to the rear end 12 of the dielectric housing 10. The back support 30 may define a central opening 31 that may be aligned with the cable opening 13, and the back support may also define a pair of opposing side openings 32 on either side of the central opening 31. A first opening 42a of a first leg 42 of each of the U-shaped side supports 40 may be aligned with a corresponding side opening 32 of the back support 30. A rear portion 51 of each of the elongated fasteners 50 may be disposed within a corresponding side opening 32 of the back support 30. A plurality of conductors 71 of a cable 70 may be received inside the dielectric housing 10 through the central opening 31 of the back support 30. In various embodiments, the side openings 32 of the back support 30 are threaded and the rear portion 51 of the elongated fasteners 50 are threaded. The elongated fastener 50 may be tightenable and securable to the back support 30 and the side support 40 by threading a threaded rear portion 51 of the elongated fastener 50 into a threaded side opening 32 of the back support 30. The back support 30 may be rigid and may be formed from any suitable rigid material known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, metal, metal alloy, steel, aluminum, copper, carbon, composite, ceramic, polymer, or organic materials. In some embodiments, the fastening connector assembly 400 may include a plate 60 defining one or more plate openings 61 therein, and the connector assembly 300 may be fastened to the plate 60 such that at least a portion of the mating front end 11 of the dielectric housing 10 and a front portion 52 of the elongated fastener 50 are disposed in at least one of the one or more plate openings 61. Additionally, the elongated fastener 50 may be tightened to the back support 30 and the side support 40 to securely secure the connector assembly 300 to the plate 60.

[0021] Figure 10 is a top perspective view of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of Figure 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figures 12A, 12B, and 12C are views of a connector support, an elongated rod, and an elongated fastener according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 13 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view through an elongated fastener of the connector assembly of Figure 13 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view through an elongated rod of the connector assembly of Figure 13 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figures 16A and 16B are top perspective views of an elongated rod, an elongated fastener, and a back support according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector assembly 300 may include connectors 110, 120 as shown in Figures 10 and 13. The connectors 110, 120 may include a dielectric housing 10 having a front mating end 11 for mating with a mating connector 101 and an opposing rear end 12 defining a cable opening 13 therein. It should be understood that the connectors 110, 120, and elements thereof, may include or define all of the above-listed characteristics, features, or configurations of the connector 100 or elements thereof. A plurality of conductive terminals 20 may be disposed within the dielectric housing and may include a mating portion 21 disposed proximate the front mating end 11 of the dielectric housing 10 for electrical contact with corresponding terminals of the mating connector 101, and a termination portion 22.

[0022] The connector support 210 is assembled to the connectors 110, 120 and may include a back support 30 disposed outside the rear end 12 of the dielectric housing 10 and defining a central opening 31 aligned with the cable opening 13 and a pair of opposing side openings 32 on either side of the central opening 31. It should be understood that the connector support 210 and its elements may include or define all of the above-listed characteristics, features, or configurations of the connector support 200 or its elements. The connector support 210 may also include a plurality of elongated rods 80, 81 oriented along the mating direction (X-axis) of the connectors 110, 120, and the elongated rods 80, 81 may be disposed inside the housing 10 and extend from the rear end 12 of the housing 10 to the front end 11 of the housing 10. The connector support 210 may further include a pair of elongated fasteners 50 for fastening the connectors 110, 120 to the plate 60. Each of the elongated fasteners 50 may engage the back support 30 such that a rear portion 51 of the elongated fastener 50 is disposed within a corresponding side opening 32 of the back support 30. A front portion 52 of the elongated fastener 50 may be disposed adjacent the exterior of the front end 11 of the housing 10, and a middle portion 53 of the elongated fastener 50 extending between and connecting the rear portion 51 and the front portion 52 may be disposed inside the housing 10. In some embodiments, the elongated fasteners 50 are tightenable and securable to the back support 30. The connector assembly 300 may also include a cable 70 with multiple conductors 71 received inside the dielectric housing 10 through the cable opening 13 of the housing 10 and the central opening 31 of the back support 30 and terminated in the termination portion 22 of the conductive terminal 20.

[0023] In various embodiments, the elongated rods 80, 81 and the elongated fasteners 50 are substantially parallel to the X-axis, substantially parallel to each other, and / or parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the plurality of elongated rods 80, 81 includes two, three, four, or more elongated rods 80, 81.

[0024] 11-12C, each of the elongated rods 80 may be a hollow cylinder and each of the elongated fasteners 50 may be disposed inside a corresponding one of the hollow cylinders or elongated rods 80. The elongated rods 80, 81, which in some embodiments are hollow cylinders or solid rods, may be rigid and may be formed from any suitable rigid material known to those of skill in the art, such as, but not limited to, metal, metal alloy, steel, aluminum, copper, carbon, composites, ceramic, polymer, or organic materials.

[0025] 13-16B, one or more of the elongated rods 81 may be solid rods. Each of the elongated rods 81 may have a rear end (which may be relative to the X-axis) that is fully embedded inside the housing 10 adjacent the back support 30 and an opposite front end (which may be along the X-axis) that protrudes from the housing 10 adjacent the front end 11 of the housing 10. In various embodiments, each of the elongated rods 81 is fully enclosed inside the housing 10, except that the front end (as measured along the X-axis) of the rod 81 protrudes slightly from the front side 11 of the housing 10 and / or the rear end of the rod 81 protrudes slightly from the rear end 12 (as measured along the X-axis) of the housing.

[0026] 16A and 16B, a first elongated rod 81a and a second elongated rod 81b of the four elongated rods 81 are disposed on either side of one of the pair of elongated fasteners 50 along a thickness direction (Z-axis) of the dielectric housing 10 perpendicular to the mating direction (X-axis). Further, a third elongated rod 81c and a fourth elongated rod 81d of the four elongated rods 81 may be disposed on either side of the other of the pair of elongated fasteners 50 along the thickness direction (Z-axis) of the dielectric housing 10.

[0027] In various embodiments, the connector 100 may include a dielectric housing 10 having a mating end 11 for mating with a mating connector 101 and an opposing cable end 12. The mating end 11 and the cable end 12 may be spaced apart along a mating direction (X-axis) of the connector 100. The dielectric housing 10 may be susceptible to unacceptable deformation when exposed to at least one of temperature and pressure within their respective normal operating ranges. The connector 100 may have the same properties, configurations, and features as the connectors 100, 110, 120 described above, and may include a plurality of conductive terminals 20 disposed within the dielectric housing 10, including a mating portion 21 disposed proximate the mating end 11 of the dielectric housing 10 for electrical contact with corresponding terminals of the mating connector 101. The termination portion 22 may be configured to at least make electrical contact with a plurality of conductors 71 of the cable 70. Additionally, the connector 100 may include a plurality of spaced apart metal supports 40, 80, 81 assembled to the dielectric housing 10 such that when the connector 100 is mated and securely fastened to a mating connector 101, the plurality of spaced apart metal supports 40, 80, 81 prevent unacceptable deformation of the dielectric housing 10 due to at least one of temperatures and pressures within their respective normal operating ranges.

[0028] During operation, a user or machine may attach elements of the connector 100, 110, 120 and / or connector assembly 300 to the plate 60, the mating connector 101, or other pieces of electromechanical hardware. During operation of the attached assembly or other components, heat and / or pressure may be generated from various elements. The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a number of effective configurations, materials, and elements (200, 40, 50, 30, 102, 80, 81) that can withstand high temperatures and pressures, or variations thereof, generated by the operation of the electromechanical hardware. Due to the protective design of the present disclosure, other elements (such as a dielectric housing that may include a polymer) that are more susceptible to deformation or other failure modes due to their shape, material, and / or configuration are protected by the protective elements (200, 40, 50, 30, 102, 80, 81). As a result, the connector 100, 110, 120 and / or connector assembly 300 may avoid damage and maintain functionality. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide mechanisms for efficient, reliable, and stable operation of the connector assembly 300 , the connectors 100 , 110 , 120 , and / or the fastening connector assembly 400 .

[0029] The terms and expressions used are used as terms of description, not of limitation, and when using such terms and expressions, there is no intention to exclude the features shown and described or equivalents of parts thereof, and it is understood that various modifications are possible within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, although the present disclosure has been specifically disclosed by certain embodiments and optional features, it should be understood that modifications and variations of the concepts disclosed herein may be used by those skilled in the art, and such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The entire disclosures of patents, patent documents, and publications cited in this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if each was incorporated individually. To the extent that any conflict or inconsistency exists between the present specification as written and the disclosure of any document incorporated by reference herein, the present specification as written shall prevail.

Claims

1. A connector, a dielectric housing having a front mating end for mating with a mating connector and an opposite rear end defining a cable opening therein; a plurality of conductive terminals at least partially disposed within the dielectric housing, the conductive terminals including a mating portion disposed proximate the front mating end of the dielectric housing for electrical contact with corresponding terminals of the mating connector, and a termination portion; a connector comprising: A connector support assembled to the connector, a pair of U-shaped side supports disposed along opposite sides of the dielectric housing, each of the U-shaped side supports having an elongated base disposed along a corresponding side of the dielectric housing and substantially coextensive, a first leg extending from a first end of the base and positioned on and facing the rear end of the dielectric housing, and a second leg extending from an opposite second end of the base and positioned on and facing the front end of the dielectric housing, the first leg and the second leg defining respective first and second openings therein; a pair of elongated fasteners for fastening the connector to the plate, each of the elongated fasteners engaging a corresponding one of the pair of side supports such that a rear portion of the elongated fastener is disposed within the first opening of the corresponding side support, a front portion of the elongated fastener is disposed within the second opening of the corresponding side support, and an intermediate portion extending between and connecting the rear and front portions of the elongated fastener is disposed inside the housing, the pair of elongated fasteners being tightenable and securable to the corresponding side support; a connector support comprising: a cable including a plurality of conductors received inside the dielectric housing through the cable opening in the housing and terminated at the termination portion of the conductive terminal; A connector assembly comprising:

2. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first opening of the U-shaped side support is threaded, the rear portion of the elongated fastener is threaded, and the elongated fastener is securable and fixable to the side support by threading the threaded rear portion of the elongated fastener into the threaded first opening of the side support.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the side supports comprise metal.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the side supports are rigid.

5. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first opening in the U-shaped side support is a through opening.

6. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first opening in the U-shaped side support has a closed perimeter.

7. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second opening in the U-shaped side support is a through opening.

8. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second opening in the U-shaped side support has an open perimeter.

9. The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second opening in the U-shaped side support has a closed perimeter.

10. 2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the opposing sides of the dielectric housing defines a channel therein extending along the side between the front and rear ends of the dielectric housing, and the elongated base of the U-shaped side support is disposed within the channel.

11. a plate defining one or more plate openings therein; and the connector assembly of claim 1 fastened to the plate such that at least a portion of the front mating end of the dielectric housing and the front portion of the elongated fastener are disposed in at least one of the one or more plate openings, the elongated fastener being tightened to the side support to securely fasten the connector assembly to the plate. Fastening connector assembly.

12. 12. The fastening connector assembly of claim 11, further comprising a mating connector mated with the connector assembly such that the connector assembly is positioned on a front side of the plate and the mating connector is positioned on an opposite rear side of the plate.

13. The fastening connector assembly of claim 11 , wherein the mating connector comprises a pair of elongated mating fasteners securely fastened to the elongated fastener.

14. 14. The fastening connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the front portion of the elongated fastener is internally threaded, the end portion of the mating fastener is externally threaded, and the threaded rear portion of the elongated fastener is screwed into the threaded front portion of the elongated fastener, thereby securely fastening the mating fastener to the elongated fastener.

15. 12. The fastening connector assembly of claim 11, wherein the second leg of the U-shaped side support is disposed on a front side of the plate, and the front portion of each of the elongated fasteners has a narrow front portion disposed in the at least one of the one or more plate openings and a wide front portion disposed on an opposite rear side of the plate, the wide front portion being sufficiently large so as not to pass through the at least one of the one or more plate openings.

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