Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-14
2001-10-16
Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302745
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to electrical connectors and more particularly to a programmable keying system for mating connectors to assure that the desired connectors are mated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For purposes of illustrating the invention, the keying system will be discussed in relation to a stacked modular connector arrangement. It is to be understood that the keying system is not limited to use in such an arrangement. It is well known in the art to use a plurality of electrical input/output modules that fit together in a stacked arrangement and are electrically connected together. It is also known that the modules may be mounted to a U-shaped metal rail that supports the device and provides electrical connection to ground. It is further known that the use of a keying arrangement is desirable to assure that the correct connector pairs are mated to one another.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,632 discloses one such keying arrangement for a plurality of modules mounted to base units. Each base unit includes a pair of key members that may be positioned in a desired location by inserting a tool to remove the keying member from an aperture, manually turning the key member to a desired orientation and reinserting the member in the new orientation.
Other keying systems include hermaphroditic mating members, each having an essentially one-half of a post and a corresponding recess adapted to receive the cooperating portions of the other member. One example of this type may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,305. Again, these members must be removed from respective apertures of the mating connectors and manually reinserted into the apertures.
It is desirable, however, to have a keying system that does not require either partial or full removal of a member from an aperture of a housing to change the keying orientation, thereby saving assembly time.
It is further desirable to have a keying system that provides audible and tactile assurance that the desired orientation has been reached.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a programmable keying system that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art. The system includes a key receiving member configured to be received and secured within an aperture of a housing, such that the member may be rotated within the aperture to a desired orientation by means of a simple tool. The member furthermore provides both a tactile feel and an audible sound as the member is rotated within the aperture to the desired orientation.
The system includes at least a key receiving member for an electrical connector having a housing with an aperture dimensioned to receive said member. The programmable key receiving member includes a body having a key receiving slot adapted to receive a key of a mating connector on one side thereof; and a plurality of compliant beams extending downwardly from an opposite side of the body. At least one of the beams includes a retention projection extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to engage a retention ledge within the housing aperture upon insertion of the member into the aperture. At least one of the retention projections includes a locking protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. The retention ledge of the housing aperture further includes a plurality of detents spaced therearound and configured to receive the at least one locking protrusion therein. Upon inserting the key receiving member into the housing aperture from the mating face, the beams are compressed inwardly and resile outwardly upon full insertion such that the retention projections engage the ledge and the at least one locking protrusion is received in one of the detents. The key receiving member may be rotated to a desired keying position while remaining fully inserted in the housing aperture.
An embodiment of the key receiving member will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 5125849 (1992-06-01), Briggs et al.
patent: 5178561 (1993-01-01), Lindeberg et al.
patent: 5273462 (1993-12-01), Huser et al.
patent: 5357243 (1994-10-01), Tice
patent: 5402320 (1995-03-01), Kielstra et al.
patent: 5449302 (1995-09-01), Yarbrough et al.
patent: 0 033 286 A2 (1981-08-01), None
patent: 1066672A (1967-04-01), None
patent: WO89/02169 (1989-03-01), None
Fabian David J.
Landis John M.
Le Thanh-Tam
Sircus Brian
The Whitaker Corporation
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