Electrical connectors – With coupling separator – Including retainer or joiner
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2001-09-25
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling separator
Including retainer or joiner
C439S680000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293813
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to the field of electrical connectors, and more particularly, to an electrical connector with latching backplate assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer systems and other types of electronic components and systems generally include input/output ports for providing communication links between electronic components. Electrical connector systems are widely employed to connect the various electronic components together when a relatively large number of electrical connections must be made at the same time. Electrical connector systems generally employ a cable dock coupled to the input/output port of an electronic component and a backshell assembly coupled to a communication medium. Either the cable dock or the backshell assembly generally includes an array of male contacts while the other includes a corresponding and matching array of mating female contacts. Each male contact extends into a corresponding female contact when the cable dock and backshell assembly are brought together, thereby establishing a desired pattern of electrical connections.
The backshell assembly is generally secured to the cable dock using a jackscrew coupling. For example, a plurality of jackscrews are coupled to the backshell assembly and each screws into a corresponding threaded receptacle on the cable dock. Threading the jackscrews into the threaded receptacles engages the corresponding electrical connection contacts and prevents disconnection of the backshell assembly from the cable dock.
Jackscrew-coupled electrical connector systems, however, suffer several disadvantages. For example, computer systems and other types of electronic equipment generally require a large quantity of communication connections. Thus, a correspondingly large number of jackscrews must be actuated to connect the backshell assemblies to corresponding cable docks. The jackscrews are generally small in diameter, thereby resulting in a great deal of difficulty in securing the large number of electrical connections. Additionally, over-tightening of the jackscrews during connection of the cable dock with the backshell assembly results in increased difficulty in disconnecting the cable dock from the backshell assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a need has arisen for an improved electrical connector system and method that provides increased ease of connection and disconnection of electrical components. The present invention provides an electrical connector system and method that addresses shortcomings of prior electrical connector systems and methods.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector system includes a cable dock having a first connector and a backshell assembly having a second connector. The second connector is adapted for engagement with the first connector. The electrical connector system also includes a locking element coupled to the cable dock and a latch coupled to the backshell assembly. The latch is operable to engage the locking element and, in response to movement of the latch relative to the backshell assembly, engage the first connector with the second connector.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for coupling an electrical connector assembly includes aligning a first connector coupled to a cable dock with a second connector coupled to a backshell assembly. The first connector is adapted for engagement with the second connector. The method also includes receiving a locking element coupled to the cable dock in a latch. The latch is coupled to the backshell assembly. The method further includes engaging the first connector with the second connector by actuating the latch relative to the backshell assembly.
The invention provides several technical advantages. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, a latch coupled to the backshell assembly engages a locking element coupled to the cable dock. Actuation of the latch relative to the backshell assembly causes linear movement of the backshell assembly into engagement with the cable dock. The latch may also comprise a feedback feature to provide an operator of the electrical connector system with an indication that the latch is fully engaged or fully disengaged.
Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3488622 (1970-01-01), Gley
patent: 5252084 (1993-10-01), Wakata
patent: 5320544 (1994-06-01), Naoto et al.
Garrett Bruce R.
Johnston Andrew L.
North David C.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Nasri Javaid
Silicon Graphics
Sircus Brian
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