The present teachings provide for an electrical connector including a first housing, power terminals, and first and second shunts. The terminals and shunts are located within a cavity of defined by the first housing. The first housing is configured to mate with a second housing to transfer power between a power storage device and components of an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. The first shunt is configured to complete an interlock circuit. The second shunt is configured to complete a service disconnect circuit. The interlock circuit prevents the transfer of power between the first and second housings when the circuit is broken and allows it when complete. The service disconnect circuit causes the power storage device to be substantially electrically isolated from the rest of the vehicle when the circuit is broken.

An electrical connector (50) comprises a housing (54b) provided with socket holes (52) for the reception of connector pins of a mating connector. A shutter (58) is provided linearly movable between a first end position, in which it covers socket holes, and a second end position, in which no socket holes are covered. Biasing means (60) are adapted to bias the shutter towards the first end position thereof. By providing the biasing means as at least one torsion spring (60)) having a first leg (60a) and a second leg (60b) interconnected by a helical spring portion (60c), very small dimension of the connector can be achieved.

An electrical connector (50) comprises a housing (54b) provided with socket holes (52) for the reception of connector pins of a mating connector. A shutter (58) is provided linearly movable between a first end position, in which it covers socket holes, and a second end position, in which no socket holes are covered. Biasing means (60) are adapted to bias the shutter towards the first end position thereof. By providing the biasing means as at least one torsion spring (60)) having a first leg (60a) and a second leg (60b) interconnected by a helical spring portion (60c), very small dimension of the connector can be achieved.

A method and apparatus (“utility”) for securing an electrical connection formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and receptacles of a female assembly are provided. The utility includes a clamping mechanism whereby the very forces that would otherwise tend to pull the connection apart serve to actuate the clamping mechanism, thereby securing the mated pair. The apparatus may be integrated into a standard receptacle, or retrofitted to work with existing devices. In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism acts solely on the ground prong of a standard plug assembly, so that it is unnecessary to consider electrical potentials applied to the clamped prong in relation to the design of the clamping mechanism. Further, the withdrawing movement of the prongs of a plug may cause elongate clamping surfaces of the clamping mechanism to frictionally engage opposing surfaces of the clamped prong.

The invention is an apparatus comprising an electrically powered appliance with electrically conductive members mounted to the appliance that both support and supply electrical power to the appliance. The electrically conductive members comprise insulative housings with openings that fit over connectors attached to a wall. Both the housings and the connectors comprise electrical conductors. When the connectors are fitted inside the housings, the electrical conductors mate to provide electrical power to the appliance. Furthermore, the appliance is suspended from a wall to which the connectors are mounted. The appliance can be modular or have particular dimensions that allow it to function within an automated storage and retrieval system. Finally, the appliance may be fitted with an outlet to accommodate a detachable power cord.

Systems and devices are disclosed for a powered wall plate for an electrical outlet. The system includes a wall plate and a cable. The wall plate includes a conductor having a first end to engage a socket of the outlet. The wall plate is attached to the outlet and covers two or more sockets of the outlet. The cable includes a first cable end and a second cable end. The first cable end includes a connector to engage a second end of the conductor of the within the wall plate. The second cable end includes an additional electrical outlet. In some embodiments, the powered wall plate system includes a base plate, and the base plate includes a cavity therein. The wall plate is disposed within the cavity and attached to the electrical outlet. An exterior cover plate is positioned over the wall plate and on the base plate.

An electrical RV adapter cord includes: a male plug of a first amperage rating capable of connecting to a source of electricity via at least a load pole, a neutral pole, and a ground pole; a female receptacle of a second amperage rating, electrically connected to the male plug via a main cable, for connecting to the RV via at least a load receptacle, a neutral receptacle, and a ground receptacle; and a standard 110/120 volt residential receptacle having a load receptacle, a neutral receptacle, and a ground receptacle, the standard 110/120 volt residential receptacle being electrically connected to the male plug via an auxiliary cable, the 110/120 volt load receptacle being connected to a load pole of the male plug, the 110/120 volt neutral receptacle being connected to a neutral pole of the male plug, and the ground receptacle being connected to a ground pole of the male plug.

A communication connector (10) includes a plurality of wires (11A to 11C, 12A, 12B, 13, 14) for transmitting communication signals, a plurality of terminals (20) connected to the respective wires (11A to 11C, 12A, 12B, 13, 14), a housing (30) for accommodating the respective terminals (20), and a conductive shield wall portion (40) arranged between the plurality of wires (11A to 11C, 12A, 12B, 13, 14).

A communication connector (10) includes a plurality of wires (11A to 11C, 12A, 12B, 13, 14) for transmitting communication signals, a plurality of terminals (20) connected to the respective wires (11A to 11C, 12A, 12B, 13, 14), a housing (30) for accommodating the respective terminals (20), and a conductive shield wall portion (40) arranged between the plurality of wires (11A to 11C, 12A, 12B, 13, 14).

An angled type connector assembly includes a receptacle connector mounted upon a printed circuit board and having an insulative housing with an oblique opening to receive a plug connector, and a bottom opening through which the mating pads on the printed circuit board is upwardly exposed. The plug connector includes two rows of contacts respectively mechanically and electrically connected to the corresponding two rows of wires. The plug connector forms an oblique mating end or interface relative to an extending direction of the plug, on which the contacting sections of the contacts are exposed to mate with the corresponding mating pads on the printed circuit board.