US3873177A

US3873177A - Junction box connector assembly

Info

Publication number: US3873177A
Application number: US345824A
Authority: US
Inventors: Philip C Ross
Original assignee: Electronic Engineering Company of California
Current assignee: BE AVIONICS Inc A DE CORP; Electronic Engineering Company of California
Priority date: 1972-03-30
Filing date: 1973-03-28
Publication date: 1975-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-25
Also published as: JPS4898804A; JPS5531455B2

Abstract

A junction box connector assembly formed of a connector junction housing member and an adjustable locking device for locating the housing member on a side wall raceway. The connector junction housing member can be locked in position along the raceway or loosened for movement therealong. A plurality of sets of electrical contacts are positioned in the connector junction housing member, each of the sets being interconnected by a bussing member. A plurality of electrical connector members mates with the connector junction housing member, each connector member having a plurality of electrical contacts for mating with one of the contacts of each set of the contacts positioned in the housing member. The contacts are integrally formed with the bussing member and one or more of the contacts can be easily removed therefrom so that an associated electrical circuit can be disconnected from one or more of the connectors coupled to the junction box assembly. Locking means are provided for simultaneously securing a plurality of electrical connector members to the connector junction housing member. The main cables are positioned in the raceway and are connected by means of electrical connector members to the junction housing member. The main cables have sufficient slack so that the connector junction housing member can be moved along the raceway without disconnecting the connector members securing the main cable to the junction housing member.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Ross [ JUNCTION BOX CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Philip C. Ross, Costa Mesa, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Electronic Engineering Company of California, Santa Ana, Calif.

22 Filed: Mar. 28, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 345,824

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 30, 1972 Japan 47-31943 [52] US. Cl. 339/91 R, 339/119 R, 339/22 B, 339/198 GA, 248/298 [51] Int. Cl. HOlr 13/54, I-IOlr 13/60 [58 Field of Search 339/18 C, 19, 21, 22, 75, 339/91, 121, 119 R198 GA, 198 8,198 P,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER PUBLICATIONS Lamp et al., Cable Retention Device, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 11, No. 11, page 1,397, April 1969.

[451 Mar. 25, 1975 Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J. Staab Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Nilsson, Robbins, Bissell, Dalgarn & Berliner [57] ABSTRACT A junction box connector assembly formed of a connector junction housing member and an adjustable locking device for locating the housing member on a side wall raceway. The connector junction housing member can be locked in position along the raceway or loosened for movement therealong, A plurality of sets of electrical contacts are positioned in the connector junction housing member, each of the sets being interconnected by a bussing member. A plurality of electrical connector members mates with the connector junction housing member, each connector member having a plurality of electrical contacts for mating with one of the contacts of each set of the contacts positioned in the housing member. The contacts are integrally formed with the bussing member and one or more of the contacts can be easily removed therefrom so that an associated electrical circuit can be disconnected from one or more of the connectors coupled to the junction box assembly. Locking means are provided for simultaneously securing a plurality of electrical connector members to the connector junction housing member. The main cables are positioned in the raceway and are connected by means of electrical connector members to the junction housing member. The main cables have sufficient slack so that the connector junction housing member can be moved along the raceway without disconnecting the connector members securing the main cable to the junction housing member.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAR 2 51975 $873,177 suma g z 4/ FIGA. 52

1 JUNCTION BOX CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of art to which the invention pertains includes the field ofjunction box connector assemblies, particularly with respect to a connector assembly which is adjustably positioned along a raceway and contains a locking arrangement for securing a plurality of electrical connector members thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The use of electrical distribution systems wherein electrical signals are transmitted from a central station to a plurality of individual substations has, heretofore, required hand interconnection of the main electrical cable with the cables to the individual substation. Such interconnections become relatively complex and subject to human error when certain of the cable wires are to be connected to one or more substations, but not to others. Such distribution systems are utilized in classrooms, office buildings, and transportation vehicles. ,As an example, in conventional commercial aircraft, each passenger seat is provided with an audio entertainment control. This control enables the passenger to individually choose a desired program from a plurality of channels, or alternatively, to be connected to the sound track of a motion picture. Conventional passenger audio entertainment systems interconnect a main cable to each individual passenger entertainment control by conventional crimping or soldering of the wires from the cable to the individual control.

In addition, individual airlines have different type configurations of seating which requires that the seat pitch adjustment be varied normally from a minimum spacing of 28 inches to a maximum spacing of 42 inches. The commercial aircraft will have variable abreast seating varying from one to three seats on each side of the aisle of the aircraft. Jumbo aircraft may contain variable seatings of from six to nine, or even ten abreast seatings with aisle spacings between certain of the seats. Moreover, charter airlines will vary the seating continously between different type pitch adjust ments, dependent upon the charter flight arranged, while certain commercial aircraft are convertible, that is, will fly passengers at certain times and have the seats of the aircraft removed at other times, enabling freight to be carried in the aircraft, the seats being replaced the following morning, enabling maximum utilization of the same aircraft. Thus, it has become necessary to be able to rapidly connect and disconnect the main seat-to-seat cable of an aircraft with the passenger control system of each seat. In addition, it is necessary to be able to continuously vary the position of the seats without necessitating reconnection to the audio entertainment control.

In order to overcome the attendant disadvantages of prior art passenger audio entertainment electrical connector assemblies, the present invention provides a junction box connector assembly which can be connected to the seat-to-seat cables, enabling the passenger seats of an aircraft to be varied over a wide seat pitch adjustmentwithout disconnecting the passenger audio entertainment control from the seat-to-seat cable. In addition, the junction box connector assembly enables the main seat-to-seat cables-to be connected directly to the junction box, as well as the passenger audio entertainment controls of the adjacent seats.

Each of the electrical connectors which interconnect the junction box assembly with the individual entertainment controls are rigidly locked to the junction box assembly, preventing the aircraft vibration or other accidental movement from disconnecting the connector assembly. In addition, means are provided for easily and quickly disconnecting the connectors from the junction box assembly, allowing easy removal of the seat together with its associated passenger audio entertainment control. Each of the junction box assemblies is locked to a raceway containing the main seatto-seat cables and means are provided for releasing the junction box so that it can be repositioned on the raceway so as to accomodate various seat pitch adjustments. The junction box connector assembly contains bussing members with a plurality of electrical contacts extending therefrom. One or more of the contacts are remov able from each bussing member, so that should it be desirable not to couple an electrical signal to the individual passenger audio-entertainment control system, the contact coupling the signal to the electrical connector can be easily removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A junction box connector assembly comprises a connectorjunction housing member. Means are positioned on the housing member for adjustably locating and locking the connector junction housing member in a predetermined position on a side wall raceway. A plurality of sets of electrical contacts are positioned in the connector junction housing member, with a bussing member interconnecting and being integrally formed with each of the sets. A plurality of electrical connector members are mated with the connector junction housing members, each connector member having a plurality of electrical contacts, one of which mates with one of the contacts of each set of contacts positioned in the housing member. Means are provided for simultaneously securing a plurality of electrical connector members to the connector junction housing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the interior of an aircraft illustratingthemounting ofjunction box connector assemblies therein;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of ajunction box connector assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the housing portion of the connector assembly of FIG. 2 taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an interior portion of the housing connector assembly;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an electrical connector which is mated,with the junction box connector assemy;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 5, taken along the line 6-6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is atop view of the junction box connector assembly shown mounted on a raceway;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the junction box connector assembly taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tab member used to secure the junction box connector assembly in a fixed position to the raceway.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a junction box connector assembly 12 made in accordance with the principles of the invention. The junction box connector assembly is shown mounted on a raceway 14 of a conventional commercial aircraft with one connector assembly 12 shown associated with each group of seats.

Electrical cables 16 in the raceway are interconnected to the junction box assembly 12 by means of electrical connectors 18. Other similar electrical connectors are utilized to connect individual passenger control units 22 mounted on each seat 24 of the aircraft to the junction box connector assembly through the electrical conductors 26. While the junction box connector assembly of FIG. 1 is illustrated as being used to interconnect the passenger control units of the individual seats of a commercial aircraft to a main cable 16 running through the aircraft, it should be understood that the junction box connectorassembly is not limited to commercial aircraft, but can be used to interconnect a plurality of electrical connectors which are desired to be physically joined together at a common point. Moreover, with the trend toward increased use of passenger in-flight audio entertainment, it should be understood that the junction box connector assembly could be utilized in various types of commercial aircraft, as well as other transportation vehicles such as trains or buses. In

addition, the junction box connector assembly could also be utilized in nontransportation seating such as auditoriums or theaters where each listener may desire to adjust the volume of the incoming audio track or each listener may want to choose between a plurality of audio channels.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the junction box connector assembly is shown in greater detail and comprises a housing member 32 formed of conventional insulating material and contains a first and

second side wall

34 and 36, a top wall 38 and a bottom wall 42. In addition, the connector housing 32 contains a first end surface 44 and a second end surface 46. Cut into the top wall 38 of the housing is a pair of

slots

48 and 52. The slots extend from the second end surface 46 of the housing approximately one third the way inward along the top wall 38.

Covering each of the

slots

48 and 52 are U-shaped

channels

54 and 56, respectively. The U-shaped

channels

54 and 56 do not extend all the way to the interior of the

slots

48 and 52, leaving a portion of the slots free, when viewed from the top of the housing. Similar identical slots and U-shaped channels are positioned on the bottom wall 42 of the housing.

A first and

second partition

62 and 64 extends from the first end surface 44 of the housing rearwardly to a transversely extending insulator plate 66 having bores connector members 18 as well as preventing bent pins,

from improper insertion of the connector.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the interior of the housing 32, which is hollow, is shown in cross-section. The interior surfaces 82 and 83 of the firstand

second side walls

34 and 36, respectively, extend from the second end surface 46 of the housing toward the surface 88 of the insulator plate 66.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a bussing member 92 is formed of a flat plate 94 whose

sides

96 and 98 are juxtaposed the

surfaces

82 and 83, respectively, forming a loose fit between. The front and rear edges of the plate 94 are integrally formed with a plurality of contacts with two or more forward contacts 102 extending from the front edge of the plate 84 and two or more rearward contacts 104 extending from the rear edge. Each of the contacts 102 and 104 are joined to the plate by a slightly

enlarged tab portion

106 and 108, respectively.

The contacts 102 and 104 can be clipped at the

tab portions

106 and 108, respectively, removing a contact from the bussing member. Thus, selective interconnection to only certain of the connectors 18 coupled to the junction box assembly 12 can be made. The forward extending contacts 102 are offset from the contacts 104, the forward extending contacts 102 being inserted in the bores 68 of the insulator plate 66. In addition, the front edge of the bussing member 92 abuts the surface 88 of the plate 66.

To lock the bussing members 92 in a correct position in the housing 32, a pair of bus retention members 112 illustrated in FIG. 1 is utilized. The bus retention members 112 contain a generally rectangular central portion 114 which generally extends in a plane parallel to the

partitions

62 and 64 and separate the adjacent connector members, as well as forming a polarization device for connectors inserted from the rear of the housing 32. The top and bottom of the members 112 have

slight offsets

116 and 118, respectively, which are integrally formed at opposite ends of the central portion 114 of the members 112 and perform the similar desired polarization function as the offset

portions

72 and 74 formed at the front of the connector housing. Integrally formed with the rear end of the

offsets

116 and 118 are

tabs

122 and 124, respectively. Each of the tabs is identical and only the tab 122 will be described.

The tab 122 is separated from the top surface of the offset 116 so as to define a slot 126 which extends from the front surface of the member 112 rearwardly, enabling the tabs 122 to be bent toward the offset 116. The front end of the tab 122 contains a tapered portion 128 having a rearward facing shoulder 132. When the bus retention members are inserted into the housing member as illustrated in FIG. 3, the tapered portion 128 is depressed downwardly so that it may pass under the

channels

54 or 56. Thereafter, the rearward facing shoulder 132 locks onto the front surface of the

channels

54 and 56 and is secured in the

slot

48 or 52, with the front surface of the member 112 abutting the bussing members 92 and thereby securing them in position in the housing.

FIG. 4 illustrates the interior surface of the bottom wall 42 adjacent the second end 46. Only the interior surface '136 of the bottom wall is illustrated, it being understood that the interior surface of the top wall 38 is identical. The interior surface 136 extends from the housing second end surface 46 to a shoulder 138. An

inward surface 142 extends from the top edge of the shoulder 138 to the surface 88 of the insulator plate 66. The slots 48 (shown only in FIG. 1) and 52, which are cut in the top and

bottom walls

38 and 42 of the hous ing, terminate in a shoulder 146 formed in a plane perpendicular to the surface 142. Thus, when the bus retention members 112 are inserted into the housing member 32, the interior facing surface thereof abuts the shoulder 146.

The electrical connector 18, as shown in FIG. 2 and 5 is formed ofa generally rectangular housing shell 152 having a plurality of bores 154 extending from a rear surface 156 forwardly therethrough. One side surface 158 of the housing has a trapezoidally shaped plate 162 formed in a plane parallel thereto and integral therewith. At the free end of the plate 162, a pair of holes 164 are positioned which can be utilized to pass a wire or other fastening member therethrough in order to secure electrical conductors (not shown for clarity) which are positioned adjacent the plate 162. In addition, two front corners of the housing contain

chamfers

166 and 168 which form keyways for correctly mating electrical connectors in the housing 32 and which abut the offset

portions

72, 74 or 78 of the housing 32, when the connector is inserted from the front end of the housing. When connectors are inserted from the rear of the housing, they are operatively associated with the

offsets

116 and 118 of the members 112. A first and second transversely extending

flange

172 and 174 ex tend outwardly from the top and bottom wall of the housing member, respectively, and are used to secure the connector members 18 to the housing member 32 as will be explained hereinafter.

Referring now toFlG. 6, the connector housing shell 152 is shown in cross-sectional detail and has a hollow front end which is defined by an opening 192 which extends from the front of the housing rearwardly to a forward facing wall 194. Each of the bores 154 which extends from the rear surface of the housing shell 152 terminates at the forward facing wall 194 in a pair of contact retaining tangs 196.

Formed near the front surface 198 of the housing are three

openings

202 and 204, equidistantly spaced apart on the top and

bottom surfaces

206 and 208, respectively, of the housing. The

openings

202 and 204 extend through to the opening 192 and are utilized to secure an insulator 212 which is positioned in the opening 192 by insertion from the front end of the housing. The insulator 212 contains a plurality of outwardly extending

tangs

214 and 216 which extend from the insulator 212 into

openings

202 and 24, respectively, thus securing the insulator in the housing shell 152. The insulator 212 terminates at a rear surface 222 just forward of the front end of the tangs 196. In addition, bores 224 are formed in the insulator 212 and are aligned with each of the bores 154 formed in the rear portion of the housing.

Electrical contacts 232, which are positioned in the aligned bores 154 and 224, are formed of front socket portions 242 and rear crimp or solder portions 244. The socket portions 242 are formed with a rearward facing shoulder 246 which abuts the front surface of the tangs 196. As is conventional, a tool may be inserted from the rear of the bores 156, spreading the tangs 196 apart and enabling the contacts to be removed from the rear. in addition, electrical conductors 248 are normally soldered or crimped to the portions 244.

In manufacture of the electrical connector, the insulator 212 is manufactured separately so that the tangs 196 be formed in the rear portion of the housing shell 152. The the insulator 212 is slidably inserted into the front end of the housing shell 152 until the

tangs

214 and 216 lock into the

openings

202 and 204 formed on the side walls of the housing.

Referring once again to FIG. 2, there is shown a protrusion 302 which is integrally molded with the outer surface of the housing 32 at the junction of the second side wall 36 and the top wall 38. The protrusion 302 extends along the entire width of the housing and has an outwardly facing semi-cylindrical surface 304 formed at the edge thereof. In addition, the junction of the first side wall 34 and the top wall 38 also contains a short tab member 306 which extends upwardly from the cen ter of the top wall 38 and is integrally formed with the top wall with an outwardly facing lip 308 formed therein.

A rectangular locking ring 310 consists of a pair of

sides

312 and 314 which are joined together by a front portion 316 and a rear portion 318. The length of the

portions

316 and 318 is slightly longer than the width of the housing 32. The portion 318 is inserted into the semi-cylindrical surface 304 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

After the electrical connectors 18 are inserted into the housing and the electrical contacts in the housing and the connectors are mated together, the ring 310 is forced downwardly at the front portion 316, positioning the portion 316 into thelip 308 formed in the tab 306. The

sides

312 and 314 abut the rearward facing surface of the connector flanges 172, thus preventing the connectors 18 from being removed from the housing 32. An identical bottom ring 320 is formed on the bottom of the housing 32, as is illustrated in FIG. 2. The ring 320 is shown locking the flange 174 in place. As can be seen, the tab 306 extends upwardly and is somewhat flexible, enabling the locking rings 310 and 320 to be easily removed therefrom, thus enabling the electrical connectors to be removed from the housing when desired.

The raceway 14 is shown in cross-sectional view in FIG. 8 and comprises an elongated tubular member, generally oval in cross-section. The tubular member contains a side wall 404 adjacent the wall of the aircraft which is secured to the aircraft wall by means of screws or fasteners (not shown). The hollow member 402 also contains a top semi-cylindrical portion 406 and a bottom semi-cylindrical portion 408, one end of which is integrally formed with the top surface of the side wall and the bottom surface of the side wall 404, respectively. The tubular member further defines a longitudinal opening 412 opposite the side wall 404. Typically, the raceway 14 contains the main cable 16 which is interconnected to each of the junction box assemblies 12 by means of connectors such as the connector 18. Sufficient slack is provided in the cables 16 so that the junction box connector assembly 12 is movable along the raceway 14. Thus, should the seating configuration change, each of the junction box connector assemblies 12 can be moved to be positioned adjacent the seats to which associated connectors are connected.

in order to move the junction box connector assembly 12 along the raceway and then lock the assembly 12 in a predetermined desired position, a locking mecha nism is provided. The locking mechanism is formed of a wedge member 430 illustrated in FIG. 9 and comprises a trapezoidally shaped base plate 432 having a downwardly extending lip 434 extending from the bottom side of one of the tapered surfaces of the plate when positioned on the assembly 12. Formed in a plane perpendicular to the base plate at the enlarged end thereof, is a tab 436 having a reinforcing bar 438 integrally formed therewith and with the top surface of the base plate 432. The tab 436 provides a grasping surface for movement of the wedge member.

Outwardly extending upper and lower (as illustrated in FIG. 8)

curved arms

442 and 444, respectively defining

opposed surfaces

443 and 445 are integrally formed with the side wall 36 at the top and bottom ends thereof. The facing surfaces of the

arms

442 and 444 abut the outer surface of the top and

bottom portions

406 and 408, respectively, of the raceway. A bottom plate452 is formed in a plane parallel to the bottom wall,4 2 of the housing 32 and terminates at a transversely extending wall 446. The wall 446 interconnects the outer end of the upper curved arm 442 and the plate 452 defines a hollow opening 454 therebetween preventing the lower curved arm 444 from being bent or deformedwhen the housing is mounted on the raceway 14, as shown in FIG. 8.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a slotted channel 462 is formed on the top surface of the upper curved arm 442 and is defined by an upwardly extending flange member 466 which extends from the top surface of the upper curved arm 442 near the outer end thereof along the length of the connector housing 32. In addition, a

lip 468 extends from the top end of the member 466 so as to define one side 472 of the channel 462. Opposite the side 472 of the channel is a member 474 which extends outwardly from the junction of the second side wall 36 and the top wall 38 directly below the tab member 302. The member 474 contains a depression 476 therein which is directly opposed to the channel side 472.

As can best be seen in FIG. 7, the channel side 472 and the depression 476 define a tapered slot which flares outwardly from the first end surface 44 of the connector housing to the second end surface 46. A pair of

plates

482 and 484 are formed at the rear end of the channel 462 in a plane parallel to the second end surface 46 of the housing and are used as stops for the wedge member 430. As the wedge member 430 is moved toward the first end surface 42 of the housing, the tip 434 forces the upper curved arm 442 downwardly, so that the surface 443 is juxtaposed with the top surface of the upper surface of the upper portion 466, causing the juxtaposed surfaces to be immovable relative to each other. Should it be desired to release the housing for movement along the raceway, the wedge member 430 is moved toward the second side end surface 46. Thus, as can be readily seen, the housing can be easily moved along the raceway as well as removed therefrom by movement of the wedge member 430.

It should be noted that the polarization devices formed by

offsets

72, 74 and 76, 116 and 118 require that the contacts 102 be offset from the contacts 104. Thus, when a connector 18 is inserted from either side of the connector housing member 32, the same socket contact 242 will be connected to a pin 102 or 104 connected to the same bussing member 112.

In addition, the main cable is connected by a pair of connectors to the junction assembly. Certain communi cations which need not be transmitted to the passengers could also be carried by the cable. It should be noted that the contacts on the bussing member 92 are easily removable at the

tab portions

106 and 108, and certain of the connector positions, such as those adjacent the raceway, could be reserved for the connection to and from the main cables. These connectors, as well as associated contacts, could then be used to carry communications only between the cabin crew, such as when the stewardess desires to speak with the captain of the aircraft, in addition to the audio communications to the passenger control unit 22.

What is claimed is:

l. A junction box connector assembly comprising:

a connector junction housing member;

means positioned on said housing member for adjustably locating said connector junction housing member on a side-wall raceway and locking said connector junction housing member in a predetermined position;

a plurality of sets of electrical contacts positioned in said connector junction housing member, each of said sets being interconnected by a bussing member integrally formed with each of said sets of contacts;

a plurality of electrical connector means matable with said connector junction housing member on opposite sides thereof and including flange means extending therefrom, each of said connector members having a plurality of electrical contacts for mating with one of the contacts of each set of contacts positioned in said housing member; and

locking ring means pivotally attached to said connectorjunction housing member and movable into engagement with said flange means securing a plurality of said electrical connector members to opposite sides of said connector junction housing member.

2. Apparatus for securing an electrical connector housing in one of a plurality of positions along a raceway comprising:

a slidable member secured to said electrical connector housing member and having a portion of one surface thereof formed to be juxtaposed with a surface of said raceway as said electrical connector housing member is moved along the axis of said raceway; and

locking means on said slidable member for fixedly positioning said slidable member in a predetermined position on said raceway said locking means including a taperedslot formed on said slidable member, and a sliding wedge member when moved in a first predetermined direction causing said juxtaposed surfaces to remain fixed relative to each other and movement of said wedge member in a second predetermined direction enabling said juxtaposed surfaces to be movable with respect to each other said first and second predetermined directions being defined by an axis parallel to said raceway axis.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said electrical connector housing member has a second slidable member juxtaposed said raceway on the opposite side of said raceway.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tapered slot is formed of a pair of opposed surfaces.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second slidable member is formed of a hollow section of housing enabling said second member to be deformed.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said wedge member contains a downwardly extending lip which forces said juxtaposed surfaces to be immovable relative to each other when said wedge member is moved in said first predetermined direction.

7. An electrical connector junction housing having a plurality of electrical connectors secured thereto; each of said connectors having a plurality of electrical contacts therein; and means for electrically interconnecting one of said electrical contacts of each of said electrical connectors comprising:

a bussing member formed of a flat plate and having a plurality of contact portions extending from opposite sides therefrom, one of said contacting portions being electrically connected to said one electrical contact of said electrical connectors; insulator means positioned on opposite edges of said bussing member, one of said insulator means comprising a portion of said connector junction housing and having openings therein for enabling some of said contact portions to extend therethrough while simultaneously securing said bussing member to said connector junction housing; and other of said insulator means being formed of a main portion and end tabs spaced by an opening from the main portion of said other insulator means which are fitted into slots formed in said connector junction housing, said tabs, when depressed toward said main insulator means along said opening enabling said other insulator means to be removable from said housing.

8. An electrical connectorjunction housing in accordance with claim 7 wherein a portion of said slots are covered with channel members, said tabs being locked against said channel members when said insulator means is positioned in said housing.

9. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a junction box connector housing having a first plurality of electrical contacts therein;

a plurality of electrical connectors, each connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts mounted therein, and extending along the longitudinal axis of said connectors flange members extending from said connectors in a plane perpendicular to the axis of engagement of said connectors, each of said connector flange members extending beyond the preiphery of said junction box connector housing outer surface when said electrical connector contacts are mated with said junction box connector housing contacts, and a locking ring secured to said junction box connector housing for simultaneously locking connectors secured to opposite sides of said housing and preventing said connectorsfrom being removed from said junction box connector housing.

10. An electrical connector assembly in accordance with claim 9 wherein said locking ring is removably snapped into a groove formed on said junction box connector housing.

11. An electrical connector assembly in accordance with claim 10 wherein said locking ring abuts said flange members when said locking ring is snapped into

Claims

1. A junction box connector assembly comprising: a connector junction housing member; means positioned on said housing member for adjustably locating said connector junction housing member on a side-wall raceway and locking said connector junction housing member in a predetermined position; a plurality of sets of electrical contacts positioned in said connector junction housing member, each of said sets being interconnected by a bussing member integrally formed with each of said sets of contacts; a plurality of electrical connector means matable with said connector junction housing member on opposite sides thereof and including flange means extending therefrom, each of said connector members having a plurality of electrical contacts for mating with one of the contacts of each set of contacts positioned in said housing member; and locking ring means pivotally attached to said connector junction housing member and movable into engagement with said flange means securing a pluRality of said electrical connector members to opposite sides of said connector junction housing member.

2. Apparatus for securing an electrical connector housing in one of a plurality of positions along a raceway comprising: a slidable member secured to said electrical connector housing member and having a portion of one surface thereof formed to be juxtaposed with a surface of said raceway as said electrical connector housing member is moved along the axis of said raceway; and locking means on said slidable member for fixedly positioning said slidable member in a predetermined position on said raceway said locking means including a tapered slot formed on said slidable member, and a sliding wedge member when moved in a first predetermined direction causing said juxtaposed surfaces to remain fixed relative to each other and movement of said wedge member in a second predetermined direction enabling said juxtaposed surfaces to be movable with respect to each other said first and second predetermined directions being defined by an axis parallel to said raceway axis.

7. An electrical connector junction housing having a plurality of electrical connectors secured thereto; each of said connectors having a plurality of electrical contacts therein; and means for electrically interconnecting one of said electrical contacts of each of said electrical connectors comprising: a bussing member formed of a flat plate and having a plurality of contact portions extending from opposite sides therefrom, one of said contacting portions being electrically connected to said one electrical contact of said electrical connectors; insulator means positioned on opposite edges of said bussing member, one of said insulator means comprising a portion of said connector junction housing and having openings therein for enabling some of said contact portions to extend therethrough while simultaneously securing said bussing member to said connector junction housing; and other of said insulator means being formed of a main portion and end tabs spaced by an opening from the main portion of said other insulator means which are fitted into slots formed in said connector junction housing, said tabs, when depressed toward said main insulator means along said opening enabling said other insulator means to be removable from said housing.

8. An electrical connector junction housing in accordance with claim 7 wherein a portion of said slots are covered with channel members, said tabs being locked against said channel members when said insulator means is positioned in said housing.

9. An electrical connector assembly comprising: a junction box connector housing having a first plurality of electrical contacts therein; a plurality of electrical connectors, each connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts mounted therein, and extending along the longitudinal axis of said connectors flange members extending from said connectors in a plane perpendicular to the axis of engagement of said connectors, each of said connector flange members extending beyond the preiphery of said junction box connector housing outer surface when said electrical connector contacts are mated with said junction box connector housing contacts, and a locking ring secured to said junCtion box connector housing for simultaneously locking connectors secured to opposite sides of said housing and preventing said connectors from being removed from said junction box connector housing.

11. An electrical connector assembly in accordance with claim 10 wherein said locking ring abuts said flange members when said locking ring is snapped into said groove.