Electrical connectors – Including or for use with tape cable – With mating connection region formed by bared cable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-01
2001-11-13
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Including or for use with tape cable
With mating connection region formed by bared cable
C439S260000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315603
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector for flat cable for connecting a flexible board such as called FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) board or a flat cable such as FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) to a circuit board.
2. Description of Related Arts
As a slide-type retainer (hereinafter, simply referred to as “slider”) used in the connectors of this type, various types have been proposed which are formed of a synthetic resin material as a whole and include a transversely extended main body having an insertable projection and a pair of connection arms extended therefrom (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Gazette No. 6-82783(1994) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Gazette No. 9-283236(1997). Along with an FPC board (flexible printed circuit board), the insertable projection is inserted in an insertion space of a synthetic-resin housing retaining a group of contacts, thereby pressing the FPC board into contact with the contact group. On the other hand, the pair of connection arms serve to interconnect the housing and the retainer, as extended from transversely opposite ends of the main body along lateral side surfaces of the housing in a manner to sandwich the insertable projection therebetween.
The connection arms of the retainer are slidably received by guide grooves formed at lateral sides of the housing. With the connection arms drawn out to limit (moved to forward position), engaged sections formed at the connection arms are engaged with anti-deviation stoppers provided in the guide grooves, whereby the retainer is prevented from being drawn any further.
Unfortunately, the deviation of the connection arms is prevented by way of the engagement between the synthetic resin members, which engagement tends to become loose. As a result, the synthetic resin members fail to positively prevent the deviation of the arms.
It may be contemplated to increase the anti-deviation stopper in the engagement height. However, a problem exists with the assembly work of a connector of this arrangement, which includes the assembling of the connection arms in the guide grooves. In order to assemble the connection arms in the housing, the arms must be resiliently deformed for allowing their engaged sections to slide over the anti-deviation stoppers of the housing. Unfortunately, a great amount of deformation of the connection arms may result in plastic deformation thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide an electrical connector for flat cable ensuring positive prevention of the deviation of the connection arms.
According to a preferred mode of the invention for achieving the above object, an electrical connector for flat cable for removably connecting a flat cable at its end comprises a housing defining an insertion space for insertion of the flat cable in a predetermined direction, a retainer connected to the housing as allowed to slide in the predetermined inserting direction, and a reinforcement member made of metal and fixed to the housing, wherein the reinforcement member includes inhibition means for inhibiting removal of the retainer from the housing. This arrangement utilizes the metallic member for preventing the deviation of the retainer, thus accomplishing reliable prevention of the deviation of the retainer.
Preferably, the reinforcement member is soldered to a circuit board so as to be fixed thereto. This results in the positive prevention of the deviation of the retainer. The reinforcement member soldered to the circuit board is normally disposed at the connector mounted on the circuit board surface. Therefore, the number of components is not increased.
Preferably, the retainer includes an insertable projection slidably inserted in the insertion space, and a pair of connection arms slidably received by a pair of slide grooves of the housing for connection with the housing, whereas the insertable projection includes a pressing portion for pressing an end of the flat cable in the insertion space into contact with a group of contacts. This arrangement positively prevents the connection arms from deviating from the slide grooves.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3084302 (1963-04-01), Braeutigam
patent: 3149897 (1964-09-01), Martineck
patent: 5354214 (1994-10-01), Aso et al.
patent: 5882223 (1999-03-01), Igarashi
patent: 6155864 (2000-12-01), Yoshiura
patent: UM6-82783 (1994-11-01), None
patent: 7-106028 (1995-04-01), None
patent: 9-283236 (1997-10-01), None
Miura Kazuto
Uchida Shinji
Yamane Hiroshi
J.S.T Mfg. Co., LTD
Rader & Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
Ta Tho D.
LandOfFree
Electrical connector for flat cable does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electrical connector for flat cable, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical connector for flat cable will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2606164