Electrical connectors – Including or for use with tape cable – With mating connection region formed by bared cable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-04
2001-08-21
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Including or for use with tape cable
With mating connection region formed by bared cable
C439S357000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276958
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors, and more particularly, to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector having reliable latching mechanisms between a drive member and an insulating housing of the connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wide variety of flexible printed circuit (FPC) connectors are provided for interconnecting flexible printed circuits (FPCs) with printed circuit boards. A typical FPC connector includes an insulating housing, contact elements received in the housing, and a drive member rotatably mounted onto the housing and/or insertable into the housing for pressing an FPC against the contact elements. Latching mechanisms of various designs are proposed for this purpose.
A conventional FPC connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,262, wherein a plastic molded housing integrally forms a pair of detent projections. Corresponding engagement steps of a lock-on insert are locked with the detent projections. However, the integral configuration weakens both the housing and the detent projections, which is a disadvantage for providing a reliable latching mechanism, and also makes soldering inconvenient.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,214 discloses another conventional FPC connector having a dielectric housing and a pair of separately formed latch/mounting clips. Camming latch embosses of an actuator lock with the latch/mounting clips when an FPC is inserted into the connector. However, the latching assembly is not convenient to use when removing the FPC.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector having a latching mechanism which reliably engages a slider with a housing thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an FPC connector with an improved slider for firmly retaining an FPC.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an FPC connector having an improved housing structure.
A flexible printed circuit (FPC) connector according to the present invention includes a substantially rectangular insulating housing, a plurality of contact elements received in the housing, a slider insertably mounted to the housing, and a pair of solder pads mounted on opposite sides of the housing for securing the electrical connector to a printed circuit board. The insulating housing defines a hollow portion for receiving the slider between opposite side walls thereof. A cutout is defined in a lower portion of each side wall. The slider has a pair of latching arms on opposite sides thereof. A latching fluke projects inwardly from a front end of each latching arm. Each solder pad has a first and a second mounting walls. A gap is defined between a corresponding first and second mounting walls. A projection is formed on each first mounting wall. When the slider is in a first position, the latching fluke of each latching arm enters through the gap of a corresponding solder pad, into a corresponding cutout of the housing, and locks with a front edge of the second mounting wall of the corresponding solder pad. When the slider is in a second position, the latching fluke of each latching arm locks with the projection of a corresponding first mounting wall.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5354214 (1994-10-01), Aso et al.
patent: 5474468 (1995-12-01), Chishima et al.
patent: 5501610 (1996-03-01), Ikemoto
patent: 5688143 (1997-11-01), McHugh et al.
patent: 6165008 (2000-12-01), Wu et al.
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Patel Tulsidas
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