US 11,745,840 B1
Apparatus and method for joining modules in a field configurable autonomous vehicle
Eric Seeley, Seabeck, WA (US); and Jacob Snow, Bremerton, WA (US)
Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Keyport, WA (US)
Filed by The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Sep. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/974,043.
Application 16/974,043 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,138, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, granted, now D937179.
Application 29/742,138 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,133, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, granted, now D928691.
Application 29/742,133 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,129, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, granted, now D928690.
Application 29/742,129 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,131, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, granted, now D928068.
Application 29/742,131 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,130, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, granted, now D933577.
Application 29/742,130 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,135, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, granted, now D928069.
Application 29/742,135 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,132, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, granted, now D926662.
Application 29/742,132 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,134, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, granted, now D927398.
Application 29/742,134 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,137, filed on Jan. 30, 2020, granted, now D928070.
Application 29/742,137 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/742,034, filed on Oct. 3, 2019, granted, now D928689.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/974,118, filed on Nov. 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/973,045, filed on Sep. 12, 2019.
Int. Cl. H01R 13/641 (2006.01); B63G 8/04 (2006.01); B63G 8/00 (2006.01); H01R 12/70 (2011.01); H01R 13/62 (2006.01); H01R 13/717 (2006.01); H01R 12/91 (2011.01); H01R 13/64 (2006.01)
CPC B63G 8/04 (2013.01) [B63G 8/001 (2013.01); H01R 12/7005 (2013.01); H01R 13/641 (2013.01); B63G 2008/002 (2013.01); H01R 12/91 (2013.01); H01R 13/6205 (2013.01); H01R 13/64 (2013.01); H01R 13/7175 (2013.01)] 38 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connector for joining a first component to a second component in a field configurable autonomous vehicle, comprising:
a. a male end having:
i. a plurality of pins;
ii. a first data bus terminal; and
iii. a first power bus terminal;
b. a single piece female end having:
i. a plurality of slots sized for receiving said plurality of pins;
ii. a second data bus terminal, wherein said second data bus terminal is positioned on said female end to align with said first data bus terminal when said female end is joined with said male end; and
iii. a second power bus terminal, wherein said second power bus terminal is positioned on said female end to align with said first power bus terminal when said female end is joined with said male end; and,
c. a sealing gasket, wherein at least one of the male and female ends further comprise the sealing gasket, wherein the male end is adapted to join to the female end by rotating the male end into the female end, whereby the first and second data bus terminals align as the female end is joined with the male end, and whereby the first and second power bus terminals align as the female end is joined with the male end.