Electrical connector with combined shield and latch

Details Electrical connector with combined shield and latch Electrical connector with combined shield and latch

1999-08-30

2001-06-26

Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

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

Retaining means

Reexamination Certificate

active

06250942

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 combined shield and latch.
2. Brief Description of Earlier Developments
U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,711 discloses an electrical connector with a shield jacket. U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,558 discloses an electrical connector having a shield with integral latch arms. U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,002 discloses an electrical connector with a movable outer hood and a snap-lock latch. Most cable assemblies that are used to interconnect units of electronic equipment are required to perform a number of functions in addition to the normal function of providing an electrical pathway between two pieces of equipment. The cable connectors must be rugged and resistant to damage by normal use. They must be capable of being mechanically secured to the equipment so that they are not easily dislodged during use. The electromagnetic integrity of the electronic systems needs to be maintained between the electronic systems so that undesirable electronic signals are not emitted from the system. The multiple functions required of these connectors tends to make “external” cable assemblies high in cost, since they typically require a number of component parts to perform the various mechanical and electrical functions such as signal transmission, mechanical latching and electromagnetic shielding. All of the various pieces of the system must also fit together properly for reliable function. Therefore it is desirable to integrate some of these functions to lower the number of components and their costs and to improve reliability. This is particularly true in miniaturized systems where the requirements for precision and accuracy are great. There is a need for an electrical connector having integration of shielding and latching functions for a lower manufacturing cost and higher potential reliability than prior art designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising a housing, an electrical contact connected to the housing, and an electromagnetic grounding shield connected to the housing. The shield comprises a latching section with a latch, a deflection control section, and a first torsionally deflectable beam extending laterally from the latching section at a location between the latch and the deflection control section. The bean connects the latching section to the rest of the shield.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising a housing, at least one electrical contact connected to the housing, and an electromagnetic grounding shield. The housing comprises a base and a cover movably connected to the base. The cover comprises a latch deflector. The electromagnetic grounding shield is connected to the housing. The shield comprises a front latch and a deflection control section. The deflection control section is located beneath the latch deflector. The front latch and latch deflector are movable between up and down positions in reverse unison. The latch deflector is movable to depress the deflection control section which raises the latch.
In accordance with one method of the present invention, a method of manufacturing an electrical connector is provided comprising steps of connecting an electromagnetic shield to a base of a housing of the connector, the shield comprising an integral latch and an integral latch deflection control; and connecting a cover to the base over the shield, the cover comprising a latch deflector located at the latch deflection control, wherein the cover is movable relative to the base between a first position and a second position, wherein when the cover is moved from the first position to the second position the latch deflector moves the latch deflection control in an inward direction causing the latch to deflect in an outward direction.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3871735 (1975-03-01), Herrmann, Jr.
patent: 4337989 (1982-07-01), Asick et al.
patent: 5021002 (1991-06-01), Noschese
patent: 5611711 (1997-03-01), Okada et al.
patent: 5660558 (1997-08-01), Osanai et al.

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