Inventors:
Thomas A. Clark - Santa Monica CA
Assignee:
Automation Industries, Inc. - Greenwich CT
International Classification:
H01R 13453
Abstract:
One connector part has an end face with openings aligned with the contacts. A transferable metal plate has openings which can be aligned with the contacts and the end face openings, the plate and end face openings being sufficient to receive a pin contact without shorting out. The plate is located in front of the socket contacts and spring-loaded to urge an edge outwardly of the connector part or shell. With the connector parts disconnected, the metal plate partially blocks off the end face openings. On mating of the connector parts, the shell of the other connector part engages the protruding plate edge camming the plate to align the plate openings with the openings of the socket contacts. Alternatively, the shield plate is mounted on the connector part to rotate from a first position where the plate openings are aligned with end face openings and contacts, to a second position of rotation where the shield plate openings are out of alignment and partially covering the contacts to shield them from external fields. An actuator arm cammed by the shell housing of the other connector part during mating aligns the shield plate openings and contacts.