Connector having a slide rail latch release

Details Connector having a slide rail latch release Connector having a slide rail latch release

1999-10-26

2001-01-16

Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Retaining means

Reexamination Certificate

active

06174190

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to electrical interconnection devices, and more particularly to mechanisms used to secure and release such devices to and from each other.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrical connectors typically have a multiplicity of terminal contacts positioned in an insulating housing, and arranged so as to be connected to a complementary connector to form a connector pair. It is well known to use mechanical latching mechanisms for maintaining the connection between the two connectors. These mechanical latching mechanisms have been heretofore designed as either actuating slides or as one or more inter-engaging levers positioned on each connector of the pair. Examples of connectors utilizing such devices may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,947,776, 5,785,540, 5,725,324, 5,399,109, 5,255,154, and 4,995,826. European Patent No. EP587174 A2 also discloses a slide mechanism that is consistent with the prior art.
In such prior art devices, the actuating slide is integrated in one of the connectors in either a guide groove or a guide slot, with the second connector of the pair having the complementary mating portion of the latching mechanism. Typically, when the connectors are mated, the actuating slide causes a lug or the like to move through the guide groove or the guide slot so as to secure the connector pair together. Very often the actuating slides are moved in a transverse direction with respect to the insertion direction of the connectors. This arrangement is not always satisfactory, especially when it is used in conjunction with multiple connectors that are positioned either side-by-side or stacked one above the other.
There is a need in the art for connectors that can be released from one another when the latching mechanism is located in a remote position, or in an arrangement with other connector pairs that provides little or no space for actuation. This need in the art has become acute in connection with many “high density” interconnection systems, where unlatching must take place under difficult circumstances, e.g., in a blind space where several such connectors are arranged in a stacked configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a latch release for engaging an operative portion of a latching mechanism of a connector to switch the latching mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position. In a preferred embodiment, the latch release includes a housing cooperatively associated with the connector and having a passageway therethrough that defines a first open end and a second open end. The second open end of the passageway is positioned adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism. A rail is slidably positioned within the passageway and comprises a front end that projects outwardly from the second open end of the passageway adjacent to the operative portion of the latching mechanism. A rear end of the rail projects outwardly from the first open end of the passageway so that when the rail is slid through the passageway, the front end of the rail engages and actuates the operative portion of the latching mechanism.
A method of releasing a latched connector is also provided that comprises positioning a rail in slidable relation to a passageway defined through a portion of the connector so as to be engagable with an operative portion of a latching mechanism and sliding the rail into engagement with the operative portion of the latching mechanism so as to unlatch the connector.


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