Importance

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Abstract

A connector system is described wherein the most vulnerable parts of the front mating ends of a pair of connectors can be easily replaced in the field. The first connector (12, FIG. 2) includes a shell (20), a main insulator (22) within the shell, and main contacts (24) lying in the main insulator and having socket front ends (30). A first insert module (32) has an insert insulator (36) and insert contacts (38) with pin type rear ends. The first module is inserted into the shell of the first connector to mate with the main contacts. If the front ends (40) of the insert contacts are damaged, the connector can be repaired in the field by merely removing the first module and replacing it with another module. The second connector (14) is similarly constructed, with the modules (36, 36A) of the two connectors being identical so a single spare module can replace either one. The first module that lies in the first connector, has contact front ends forming sockets (40, FIG. 3) which are surrounded by a rigid insulator forming tapered passages (120) that guide pins into the sockets. The second module which lies in the second connector has contacts with pin-type front ends (62A), with the rears of the pins being surrounded by a layer (110) of elastomeric material that has a convex front end (114) to deform against the rigid front face (70) of the first module.

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First Claim