Connector cover for protecting a connection from contaminants

摘要

A connector cover may be used to protect a connector from exposure to environmental contaminants and physical abuse. In some examples, the connector cover includes a housing defining an opening that is configured to receive a connector positioned on the end of a transmission line. The housing may contain a complementary connector for mating with the transmission line connector. The connector cover may also include first and second doors positioned to cover different portions of the opening. In use, the doors may bias together when the connector is not inserted into the housing so as to keep the opening closed. Upon inserting the connector into the opening, the connector cover doors may move apart in response to the connector physically contacting the doors. This may allow a user to insert the connector into the connector cover without using their hands to touch the doors, which may transfer contaminants.

主权项

1. A connector system comprising:
a connector shroud attached to a transmission line, the connector shroud extending from a shroud proximal end to a shroud distal end and defining an opening at the shroud distal end for accessing at least one connector positioned at a terminal end of the transmission line; and a connector shroud receiver configured to receive the connector shroud, the connector shroud receiver comprising:
a receiver housing defining an opening into which the shroud distal end of the connector shroud can be inserted, the receiver housing housing at least one complementary connector to the connector positioned at the terminal end of the transmission line;a first door positioned between the opening defined by the receiver housing and the at least one complementary connector, the first door defining a first door leading edge and a first door trailing edge; anda second door positioned between the opening defined by the receiver housing and the at least one complementary connector, the second door defining a second door leading edge and a second door trailing edge,wherein the first door and the second door are configured to bias together when the connector shroud is not inserted into the receiver housing so as to close the opening defined by the receiver housing, and the first door and the second door are configured to move apart in response to the shroud distal end contacting the first door and the second door as the connector shroud is inserted into the receiver housing so as to allow the connector positioned at the terminal end of the transmission line to mate with the complementary connector housed in the receiver housing,wherein, when the first door and the second door are biased together, the first door leading edge contacts the second door leading edge, andwherein, when the first door and the second door are biased together, the first door leading edge and the second door leading edge are positioned in a different plane than a plane containing the first door trailing edge and the second door trailing edge such that the shroud distal end is configured to contact the first door leading edge and the second door leading edge upon being inserted into the receiver housing prior to contacting the first door trailing edge and the second door trailing edge.