Electrical connector for flat circuits

Details Electrical connector for flat circuits Electrical connector for flat circuits

1999-09-10

2001-07-03

Vu, Hien (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move...

Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...

C439S495000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06254413

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a connector for terminating a flat circuit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wide variety of electrical connectors have been designed for terminating flat circuits, such as flat flexible cables, flexible printed circuits or the like. A typical connector for flat circuits includes a dielectric housing molded of plastic material, for instance. The housing has an elongated slot for receiving an end of the flat circuit which has been stripped to expose generally parallel, laterally spaced conductors. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing and are spaced laterally along the slot for engaging the laterally spaced conductors of the flat circuit. An actuator often is movably mounted on the housing for movement between a first position whereat the flat circuit is freely insertable into the slot and a second position whereat the actuator clamps the circuit in the housing and biases the circuit against the terminals.
One of the problems which has developed with flat circuit connectors of the character described above is that the connectors have become extremely miniaturized and difficult to manipulate and/or operate. The overall length of such a connector may not be greater than the width of an operator's finger nail. Consequently, attempts have been made to provide means for holding the actuator in its first or open position to allow insertion of the flat circuit into the connector.
For instance,
FIG. 3
shows a fragmented view of a prior art connector housing
51
and an actuator
52
that is rotatable relative to the housing in the direction of arrow
53
from a first or open position shown in
FIG. 3
to a second or terminating position (not shown). The actuator is held in its open position by an edge
52
a
of the actuator being captured by a vertical slot
54
in the housing. When the actuator is rotated to its terminating position, edge
52
a
of the actuator moves into a horizontal slot
55
. This vertical-and horizontal slot arrangement becomes worn during use, losing the capability of holding the actuator in its open position. In addition, it requires considerable forces to move the actuator from vertical slot
54
to horizontal slot
55
. If attempts are made to reduce the depths of the slots in order to reduce these forces, the actuator often moves out of its intended position due to vibrations or other extraneous forces.
The present invention is directed to solving one or more of the various problems discussed above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide an electrical connector for a flat circuit and including improved means for holding an actuator of the connector in a predetermined position.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connector includes a dielectric housing having an elongated slot for receiving the flat circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing and are spaced laterally along the slot. The terminals have contact portions for engaging appropriate conductors of the flat circuit. An actuator is pivotally mounted on the housing for rotational movement between an open position allowing insertion of the flat circuit into the slot and an actuating position biasing the flat circuit against the contact portions of the terminals. Complementary interengaging oblique ramps are provided on the housing and the actuator. The ramps are arranged to confront and abut each other when the actuator is in its open position to hold the actuator in the open position.
As disclosed herein, a groove is formed in one of the housing or actuator for receiving a flange on the other of the housing or actuator. The complementary interengaging oblique ramps are located in the groove and on the flange. In the preferred embodiment, the flange projects outwardly from an end of the actuator generally parallel to the elongated slot and into the groove which opens inwardly of the housing. Preferably, one of the flanges projects outwardly from each opposite end of the actuator and into a pair of grooves in the housing at opposite ends of the slot.
Another feature of the invention is the provision of biasing means for biasing the complementary interengaging oblique ramps into confronting abutting relationship. As disclosed herein, the biasing means is provided by a resiliently flexible wall of the housing on which one of the ramps is formed.
A further feature of the invention is the provision of complementary interengaging latch means between the actuator and the housing. The latch means is effective to hold the actuator in its actuating position.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5695359 (1997-12-01), Fujikura et al.
patent: 5695360 (1997-12-01), Seto et al.
patent: 5842883 (1998-12-01), Igarashi et al.
patent: 5906498 (1999-05-01), Nagafuji
patent: 5924891 (1999-07-01), Benjamin et al.

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