Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-05
2001-12-11
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328614
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an electrical connector provided with a means for doubly retaining terminal fittings.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
One example of a connector provided with means for doubly retaining terminal fittings is shown in JP-10-312847. As shown in
FIG. 12
of this specification, this connector comprises a connector housing
1
having a plurality of cavities
2
formed therein. terminal fittings (not shown) being inserted into these cavities
2
. A resiliently bendable lance
3
is formed on an inner wall of each cavity
2
, and a retainer
4
is formed on an outer wall section, opposing the lance
3
, of each cavity
2
. Each retainer
4
has a cantilevered shape, is in the vicinity of an outer face of the connector housing
1
, and is formed in a unified fashion with this connector housing
1
, being joined thereto by a hinge
5
. When the retainer
4
is in the form in which it has been moulded, it is out of the insertion path of the terminal fitting as this terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity
2
, and is in a shape whereby it protrudes outwards from the outer face of the connector housing
1
. In this form, the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity
2
without interference, and the inserted terminal fitting is retained by the lance
3
. Thereupon, the retainer
4
is pushed into the cavity
2
and engages with the terminal fitting, thereby doubly retaining this terminal fitting.
In this connector, the retainer
4
protrudes outwards from the outer face of the connector housing
1
when it is in the form in which it has been moulded. Consequently, there is the danger that the retainer
4
may be pushed into the connector housing
1
when it is being ejected from the mould or when it is being transported from the moulding site to the site where the terminal fittings are attached. If the terminal fitting is inserted when the retainer
4
has been incorrectly positioned, the terminal fitting will engage with the retainer
4
, and the insertion operation will be impeded.
The present invention has been developed after taking the above problem into consideration, and aims to present a connector wherein incorrect positioning is prevented of a retainer that is provided on a connector housing, this retainer serving a double retaining function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an electrical connector housing having a cavity extending therethrough, said cavity being adapted to receive an electrical terminal in one direction, and being provided with a resilient inwardly directed lance for restraining a terminal from movement against said direction, wherein said housing further includes a retainer movable from a first condition outside said cavity to a second condition inside said cavity whereby a terminal can be engaged and doubly restrained from movement against said direction, said retainer comprising a resilient arm, in the second condition said retainer being substantially flush with the outer surface of said housing, being bendable outwardly of said cavity by insertion of a terminal in the cavity, and being adapted to resiliently return to and doubly restrain said terminal at a predetermined terminal insertion depth.
Such a resilient retainer can be moved from outside the housing to inside the cavity in the usual manner to doubly restrain a terminal, but if accidentally moved to the interior condition it still permits a terminal to be installed.
The retainer may be mounted on a support hinged to the housing body, for example by an integral plastic hinge, and one support may have several retainers mounted thereon, one for each of several cavities in the housing; this permits retainers to be moved both into and out of the housing as a unit, thus avoiding the necessity of individual operation. The support may extend in the same direction as the retainer, and the retainer may be bendable through an aperture of the support so as to protrude to the exterior of the housing and indicate a half-fitted terminal condition.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6126484 (2000-10-01), Klein et al.
patent: 6129596 (2000-10-01), Yamatani
patent: WO 98/52252 (1998-11-01), None
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Nguyen Khiem
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
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