Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-20
2004-05-18
Zarroli, Michael C. (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C439S353000, C439S355000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06736663
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly to an electrical connector having a latching mechanism for latching the connector to a complementary connector.
2. Prior Art
It is common practice in the electrical connector art to provide on all plastic connectors integral latching arrangements which will allow positive locking together of the mating plug and receptacle connectors thereby assuring that electrical continuity is maintained under varying conditions of vibration and separating forces which would otherwise result in the loss of electrical continuity.
Such a conventional electrical connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,425. Referring to
FIG. 1
, the connector includes a latching lever
10
which has a first and second free ends
13
,
14
, and a first and second pivot points
11
,
12
located between the first and second free ends
13
,
14
. A pawl
15
projects outwardly from the first free end
13
for locking the connector to an engaging connector. Part
16
of the latching lever
10
is the portion between the pivot points
11
,
12
of reduced thickness and is curved inwardly. This prevents part
16
from bending outwardly when the connector is being disconnected. In operation, when disengaging the two mating connectors, the second free end
14
is pressed downwardly, and the part
16
is pivoted about the second pivot point
12
. Sequently, the first free end
13
is pivoted about the first pivot point
11
and the pawl
15
moves downwardly together with the first free end
13
, whereby the connector escapes from the complementary connector to disconnect the connection.
However, the two pivot points provided make the process of the disconnecting action more complicated, resulting in an increased probability of the latching lever
10
being damaged. Additionally, a force required against the latching lever
10
to disconnect the connectors is relatively large, which makes it difficult for some users to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having a latching mechanism which makes disconnection of the connector from a complementary receptacle connector more convenient.
To accomplish the above-mentioned object, an electrical connector of the present invention adapted to engage with a complementary receptacle connector, includes a housing defining a plurality of through holes therein for receiving a plurality of contacts, a cover engaging with the housing and defining a receiving space for receiving a plurality of coaxial cables, and a latching mechanism engaging with the cover. The latching mechanism includes a locking sheet forming a first and second free ends and a base sheet connecting with the locking sheet via a connecting portion. A pair of locking tabs project from the second free end for locking the connector to a receptacle connector.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the drawings and the following detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4961711 (1990-10-01), Fujiura et al.
patent: 5494452 (1996-02-01), Matsumoto et al.
patent: 6149451 (2000-11-01), Weber
patent: 6231392 (2001-05-01), van Woensel
patent: 6371789 (2002-04-01), Sato et al.
patent: 6585536 (2003-07-01), Wu
Lee Han Ker
Tang James
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