Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-07-10
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C439S607070, C439S616000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257914
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to an improved one-piece device which performs multiple functions of latching a connector to a mating connector as well as providing strain relief for an electrical cable terminated to the connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, a typical electrical connector includes some form of dielectric housing mounting a plurality of terminals which interengage with the terminals of a complementary mating connector or other connecting device. Often, some type of complementary interengaging latches are provided between the mating connectors to hold the connectors in mated condition. Electrical connectors often are terminated to discrete wires of an electrical cable, and some type of strain relief means is provided for preventing the cable from being pulled out of the connector. The latching means typically is at the front of the connector and the strain relief means is at the rear of the connector.
Problems continue to develop because of extraneous forces applied to electrical connectors of the character described above. Specifically, pulling forces on the mating connector create stresses on the latching means at the front of the connector. Pulling forces on the electrical cable create stresses on the rear portions of the terminals of the connector. Such forces tend to damage the various interengageable components of the connector.
Previous latching strain relief devices had some disadvantages. The devices were located totally on the exterior surface of the dielectric housing. To hold this device to the housing, apertures in mounting tabs had to be manufactured to snap on to projections on the housing or on a half shell portion. Manufacturing tolerances for the angle of the mounting tabs was critical for proper engagement with the apertures and was subject to damage during assembly which could change the angle. By providing a slot in the housing into which a mounting tab is inserted, expensive maintenance of close manufacturing tolerances can be avoided.
Another disadvantage with previous latching strain relief devices is a weakened aperture protrusion engagement. The force placed on the outer portion of the plug connector was passed to the cable through the engagement between the aperture and the protrusion. Because of the relatively small contact surfaces between the aperture and the protrusion high stresses were placed on the protrusion. The subject connector has a relatively larger contact surface between the straight edges of the tab and the straight walls of the mounting slot. This results in a relatively lower stress on the housing and therefore a greater force can be held.
Finally, with other latching strain relief devices, a separate means was needed to electrically connect the latching strain relief devices to the shell and the ground. Slots into which the latching strain relief mounting tabs are inserted, are shared with mounting tabs from the shell thereby simply and easily electrically joining the latching strain relief device with the shell and the ground.
The present invention is directed to solving these problems in a unique system wherein a one-piece device performs multiple functions and is rigidly secured to the housing of the connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector for terminating an electrical cable and for mating with a complementary mating connector or other connecting device.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the connector includes a dielectric housing having a front mating end, a rear terminating end and at least one mounting slot therein. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing and extend generally between the mating and terminating ends thereof. A one-piece latch and strain relief device includes a central mounting portion, a forward latching portion and a rearward strain relief portion. The central mounting portion has a mounting tab insertable into the mounting slot in the housing. The forward latching portion is adapted for latching engagement with the mating connector. The rearward strain relief portion is adapted for embracing the electrical cable.
As disclosed herein, the one-piece latch and strain relief device is stamped and formed of sheet metal material. The forward latching portion is formed by at least one forwardly projecting latch arm. Preferably, a pair of hooked latch arms are provided at opposite sides of the front mating end of the housing. The latch arms are at least partially supported in slots in the housing. The rearward strain relief portion is formed by a crimp ring for clamping onto the electrical cable. The central mounting portion includes a pair of the mounting tabs press-fit into a pair of the mounting slots at opposite sides of the housing.
Another feature of the invention includes a shielding shell member beneath the one-piece latch and strain relief device. The shell member includes a mounting tab insertable into the mounting slot in the housing.
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: 5634809 (1997-06-01), Hirai
patent: 5660558 (1997-08-01), Osanai et al.
patent: 898333 A2 (1999-02-01), None
patent: 898333 A3 (1999-03-01), None
Comerci Joseph D.
Simmel George M.
Molex Incorporated
Nasri Javaid
Sircus Brian
Weiss Stephen Z.
LandOfFree
Electrical connector with integral latch and strain relief... 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 with integral latch and strain relief..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrical connector with integral latch and strain relief... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2520470