Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-20
2001-06-26
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250943
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a connector assembly that is useful as a harness connector assembly.
BACKGROUND ART
It is known to mate male and female connector assemblies. For example, automobile wiring systems typically include wiring harnesses. Each harness contains many conductors that are electrically and mechanically connected to respective contacts contained in harness connector housings. The harness connector housings and the plurality of contacts contained therein are mated with respective header connector housings and the contacts contained therein. In such applications, it is often desirable to mount or otherwise locate the connector assemblies in areas affording limited space. However, due to other requirements of the connector assemblies, this has been difficult to achieve. For example, in addition to function as connectors, the connector assemblies often are required to incorporate some sort of connector position assurance (CPA) to prevent mated connector assemblies from becoming accidentally disconnected. There is also a need that the connector assemblies be easy to use and readily engagable and disengagable relative to each other. All of the foregoing must be achieved without sacrificing strength and reliability. Such demands have necessitated that the connector assemblies be larger and more complicated than desired.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly that may be mounted or otherwise located in areas affording limited space yet is easy to use and is readily engagable and disengagable relative to a mating connector assembly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly which may be mounted or otherwise located in areas affording limited space yet includes a CPA.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly that meets one or more of the foregoing objectives yet has acceptable strength and reliability.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a harness connector assembly that achieves all of the foregoing objectives.
The present invention achieves these and other objects by providing a connector assembly that comprises a connector housing slidably engagable with and disengagable from a mating connector assembly in an engaged mode and a disengaged mode, respectively. At least one resilient lever is pivotally attached relative to the connector housing and comprises a first end and an opposite second end. The first end engages and disengages the mating connector assembly in the engaged mode and the disengaged mode, respectively. A slider is slidably attached to the lever for sliding between the first end and the second end thereof. The slider is structured and arranged to slide in a first direction to a first position, to prevent disengagement of the lever from a mating connector assembly, in a locked mode, and to slide in an opposite second direction to a second position to provide a pressure point for pivoting the lever to provide disengagement of the lever from the mating connector assembly in an unlocked mode.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5820398 (1998-10-01), Stabroth et al.
patent: 5938470 (1999-08-01), Kashiyama
patent: 5947763 (1999-09-01), Alaksin
patent: 6004153 (1999-12-01), Myer et al.
patent: 6071153 (2000-06-01), Fink et al.
Castle Anthony E.
Humphrey David T.
McNeill William H.
Nguyen Son V.
Osram Sylvania Inc.
Sircus Brian
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