Panel-mount attachment with guiding device

Details Panel-mount attachment with guiding device Panel-mount attachment with guiding device

2000-06-20

2001-11-13

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening

C439S378000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06315607

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a panel-mount attachment, and more particularly to a panel-mount attachment with a guiding device thereby facilitating correct and easy coupling with a complimentary connector.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Many prior art connectors have been provided with means for attaching the connector to a panel. Even the prior art panel mounted connector may readily be assembled to the panel, the backward movement of the connector during mating with a complimentary connector still need to be solved. In general, the panel mounted connector is assembled to the panel from a rear face. One of the typical example is the computer enclosure in which connectors are attached to the panel from inner side of the enclosure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,308 discloses a panel mount having spiral vanes extending helically along the length of a support post. However, free ends of the spiral vanes are vulnerable to deflect or be damaged when excess mating force is exerted thereto.
On the other hand, there is a need to provide a guiding device between two mated connectors to ensure correct and smooth connection therebetween. In the existing structure, the support and vanes thereof are arranged in one side, while the guiding device is arranged at the other side. As a result, the connector should be assembled from outside instead of inside of the computer enclosure. Furthermore, when the connector is assembled to the panel from outside, the overall height or length of the connector exposed outside of the panel is inevitably increased. This is not acceptable. Furthermore, when attaching the cable assembly to the panel, the cable shall be directed through the opening firstly before the cable assembly is assembled to the panel, this is really laborious.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of this present invention to provide a panel-mount attachment with a guiding device thereby facilitating correct and easy coupling with a complimentary connector.
In order to achieve the objective set forth, an electrical system comprises a panel defining at least an opening and a retaining hole therein. A first connector is adapted to be attached to the panel. A panel-mount attachment is engageable with the retaining hole for attaching the electrical connector to the panel. The panel-mount attachment includes a base plate in which a housing of the connector is integrally formed therewith, and a supporting post extending from the base plate. At least a deflectable van sector extends outward and downward from an top portion of the post toward the base plate and a gap defined between a free end of the vane sector and the base plate for receiving the panel therebetween. The attachment further includes a guiding device formed in the supporting post.
These and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4988308 (1991-01-01), Toedtman
patent: 5017151 (1991-05-01), Peterson
patent: 5286222 (1994-02-01), Yagi et al.
patent: 5391091 (1995-02-01), Nations
patent: 5535100 (1996-07-01), Lubahn et al.
patent: 6113423 (1991-01-01), Hwang

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