Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-04-17
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C439S953000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217364
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to an electrical connector assembly which includes guide pins that perform a dual function of guiding a pair of connectors into mated condition as well as latching the connectors in the mated condition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical electrical connector assembly includes a pair of electrical connectors which interconnect respective conductive terminals when the connectors are mated. In some assemblies, extraneous latching mechanisms are provided to hold the connectors in mated condition and to prevent the connectors from pulling apart. Obviously, such latching mechanisms require space or occupy an area of the connectors. In some instances, this space can be considerable in relation to much smaller terminals of the connectors. If one connector is mounted on a circuit board, a panel or the like, the space required for the latching mechanisms can occupy valuable “real estate” on the board or panel.
Other connectors require some form of guiding mechanisms to guide the pair of connectors into mated condition and, thereby, ensure that the terminals are properly aligned and interconnected. For instance, one connector of a connector assembly may include one or more guide holes for receiving complementary guide pins projecting from the mating connector. Here again, such guiding mechanisms require space or occupy a considerable area of the connectors.
The present invention is directed to solving the problems of latching mechanisms and guiding mechanisms taking up excessive space by a unique system wherein one of the connectors of the connector assembly includes at least one guide pin that performs a dual function of not only guiding the connectors into mated condition but to facilitate latching the connectors in the mated condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector assembly of the character described which includes a unique guiding and latching system.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the electrical connector assembly includes a first connector having a housing mounting a plurality of terminals. The housing has a guide hole at a mating face thereof. A second connector includes a housing mounting a plurality of terminals for connection to the terminals of the first connector when the connectors are mated. A guide pin on the second connector is insertable into the guide hole of the first connector to guide the connectors into mated condition. The guide pin has a latch portion. A latch member on the first connector is engageable with the latch portion of the guide pin when the connectors are mated to hold the connectors in mated condition. Therefore, the guide pin performs a dual function of guiding the connectors as well as latching the connectors.
As disclosed herein, a pair of the guide holes are provide at opposite ends of the mating face of the first connector, along with a pair of guide pins on the second connector. Both guide pins have latch portions, and the second connector includes a pair of the latch members. The latch portions on the guide pins are provided by notches in the sides thereof. The latch members include latch hooks engageable in the notches.
Each latch member comprises a latch arm pivotable relative to the housing of the first connector. In the preferred embodiment, the latch arm is a separate member independent of the housing of the first connector. The latch arm is pivoted to the housing intermediate opposite ends of the latch arm. One end of the latch arm is located inside the housing for engaging the latch notch of a respective one of the guide pins. An opposite end of the latch arm is located outside the housing for manual manipulation by an operator. The latch arms are fabricated of spring metal material, and the opposite ends of the latch arms include spring portions for biasing the hooked ends of the latch arms into latching condition with the notches of the guide pins.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Magajne Michael F.
Miskin Michael
Molex Incorporated
Nasri Javaid
Patel Tulsidas
Yesukevich Robert A.
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