Electrical connectors – Including handle or distinct manipulating means – Coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-21
2001-11-20
Paumen, Gary (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Including handle or distinct manipulating means
Coupling part
C439S405000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319049
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly, and particularly to an electrical connector assembly having a flexible pull tape.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional electrical cable connector assembly for a flat cable usually comprises an electrical connector including electrical contacts, each having an engaging end for engaging with a corresponding conductor of a flat cable by Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC) and a mating end for mating with electrical contacts of a complementary connector. A cover presses the flat cable to the electrical connector. In addition, a pull mechanism is usually provided for users to disengage the electrical connector assembly from the complementary connector where a low profile electrical connector assembly is concerned. The low profile connectors comply with miniaturization trends in the electronic field but access for users to disengage a low profile electrical connector assembly from a complementary connector is often difficult. The pull mechanism is usually provided between the cover and the connector or secured only to the cover, thereby resulting in deterioration of the engagement between the cover and the connector. Furthermore, the engagement of the pull mechanism with the electrical connector is not so reliable as desired since, as is known, the pull force needed to disengage an electrical connector assembly from a complementary connector is relatively large. Therefore, an improved electrical connector assembly is required to overcome the disadvantages described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly having a reliable pull tape, which not only self locks to an electrical connector and a dielectric cover but also secures the cover to the connector;
A second object of the present invention is to provide a pull tape for an electrical connector assembly, the pull tape facilitating users to disengage the electrical connector assembly from a mating connector.
To fulfill the above objects, an electrical connector assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises an electrical connector, a dielectric cover, and a flexible pull tape.
The electrical connector comprises an insulative elongated housing and a plurality of conductive contacts. The housing comprises a pair of opposite longitudinal ends and each longitudinal end forms a protruding block on an upper section thereof. Each protruding block defines a groove in a lower surface thereof and forms a pair of ribs vertically projecting sideward therefrom. Each electrical contact comprises a mating end for mating with electrical contacts of a complementary connector and an engaging end for engaging with conductors of a flat cable.
The dielectric cover comprises a lower surface having a configuration corresponding to the flat cable to tightly press the flat cable to the housing and to reliably position the conductors of the flat cable for ensuring reliable electrical connection between the conductors and the engaging ends of the electrical contacts. The cover defines a pair of slots extending from the lower surface to a top surface thereof on either longitudinal end thereof. The cover comprises a pair of cover ribs corresponding to the ribs of the protruding block and a projecting lid having a projecting hook thereunder to be fitted within one groove of the insulative housing. The longitudinal ends of the cover ribs are flush with the ribs of the protruding blocks of the housing.
The flexible pull tape is made of high performance plastic material, such as Nylon. The flexible pull tape comprises a pair of hollow rectangular frames for surrounding the protruding blocks of the housing and the longitudinal ends of the cover, and a flexible leash connecting the pair of rectangular frames at two opposite ends thereof. The rectangular frames of the flexible pull tape each comprises an upper bar forming a protruding lid for engaging with the slot of the cover and a lower bar forming a pair of barbs for locking with the groove of the housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6059604 (2000-05-01), Juntwait et al.
patent: 6074237 (2000-06-01), Lee
patent: 6126479 (2000-10-01), Lee
patent: 6132241 (2000-05-01), Hwang
Chun Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Paumen Gary
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