Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – Having resilient means engaging panel opening
Patent
1992-07-14
1994-06-21
Paumen, Cary F.
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
Having resilient means engaging panel opening
439571, H01R 1373
Patent
active
053224523
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One type of connector which mounts near the edge of a circuit board, includes a housing molded of a polymer. The housing includes a main portion which rests on the upper surface of the circuit board and several depending pegs that extend through round holes in the circuit board. After the pegs are inserted through the holes, downwardly protruding portions of the pegs are heat staked to melt the ends of the plastic legs so portions thereof extend against the bottom surface of the circuit board and thereby lock the connector to the board. Companies which purchase the connectors to mount on circuit boards, often wish to avoid the secondary operation of heat staking. Heat staking adds cost to the assembly and is often perceived as unreliable and as being inconsistent or difficult to monitor in a manufacturing environment. If the pegs could be constructed by the connector manufacturer, so the pegs automatically securely locked to the board upon merely pressing the connector down against the board, the assembly cost for the customer could be significantly reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a board-mounted connector assembly of low cost is provided, which enables the connector to be mounted on the board by merely pressing the connector into place. The connector includes a polymer-molded housing with a main part that lies above the board and with integrally molded pegs which each projects down into a board hole. A plurality of metal clips are provided, each mounted on one of the pegs and having resilient arms that press outwardly against the walls of the hole. The connector manufacturer installs the clips on the pegs, and the customer can mount the connector on a board by merely drilling round holes in a board and pressing down the connector so the pegs with the clips thereon move down into the board holes and automatically held in place.
Each clip can be constructed with a band that mounts about a portion of the peg, a plurality of arms extending largely downwardly but with a bowed portion for bearing against the walls of the hole, and an upper portion which locks into place on the peg. The arms have free lower ends which slidably bear against lower portions of the peg, so opposite ends of each arm are supported although the lower end can slide as the middle is deflected. The upper portion of each clip includes a leg with one end extending upwardly from the band but bent around in a 180.degree. loop, to form a downwardly-extending part with a tip that lies against an upwardly-facing shoulder formed on the peg.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a connector and a portion of a circuit board on which the connector can mount.
FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevation view of the connector of FIG. 1, but without the contacts, and showing in phantom lines a portion of the circuit board.
FIG. 3 is a view taken on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a partial exploded bottom view of a portion of the connector of FIG. 1, showing a peg and a clip that can mount thereon, and also showing in phantom line the clip mounted on the peg.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a view taken on the line 8--8 of FIG. 7, and also showing in phantom lines, a carrier which holds the clip prior to its installation.
FIG. 9 is a view taken on the line 9--9 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10--10 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 7, showing it after it has been blanked from a metal sheet, but prior to bending thereof.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector of FIG. 3 without the clip.
FIG. 13 is a
REFERENCES:
patent: 4585295 (1986-04-01), Ackerman
patent: 5108308 (1992-04-01), Northcraft et al.
ITT Corporation
Paumen Cary F.
Peterson Thomas L.
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