Panel-mount connector

Details Panel-mount connector Panel-mount connector

2000-06-19

2001-05-29

Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening

C439S557000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06238242

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a panel-mount connector with is incorporated with interlocking device to facilitate quick engagement and disengagement to a panel of a computer enclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Many conventional connector assemblies mounted to a panel of an electric instrument like a computer chassis have been introduced to the market. One typical one is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,820,180; 4,988,308; 5,017,151; 5,049,092; 5,249,982; 5,514,000; 5,525,074; 5,575,673; 5,632,648; 5,766,041; 5,895,289; 5,931,688 and RE 34,430. The connector utilizes a claw-like or sealed securing structure to facilitate the attachment of the connector to the panel. Most of the sealed securing structures are additionally incorporated to interpose between the corresponding connector and the panel, beside several complementary structures formed in both the connector and panel. However, many different parts have been involved and thereby complicating the fabrication and the assembly to have the mass manufacture difficult and costly. Further, this first typical connector basically lacks an efficient and convenient releasing structure with regard to the panel. A permanent deformation/damage usually happens in such a securing structure, i.e. a claw-like structure, during the process of forcedly releasing the connector form the panel.
Another typical connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,678,259; 5,228,865; 5,254,010; 5,709,569; 5,733,142; 5,772,471; 5,924,877 and Des. 415,106. The second typical connector includes a direct-screwed attachment of the connector to the panel for enhancing the retention. However, manual alignments are required when attaching the connector to the panel and which requires laborious and costly job.
A third typical connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,035 and which includes two lugs 8a, 8b for aligning the connector with the panel before engagement. However, the corresponding mating connector must be specially incorporated with two screws. The standard connectors without additional screws are not suitable for mating with the third type connector. Also, the screws are possibly lost during delivery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a cable assembly which can be quickly and efficiently engaged and disengaged to a panel.
In order to achieve the object set forth, an electrical system comprises a computer enclosure having at least a panel thereof and which defines an opening with a pair of retaining lugs extending from edges of the opening. A connector is adapted to be assembled to the panel and includes a housing with a mating portion aligned to the opening. The housing includes a front flange portion engaged with the retaining lugs when the connector is assembled to the panel. An interlocking device arranged between the panel and the housing includes a locking arm extending from the housing toward the panel, and a cutout formed on the retaining lug for engagement with a free end of the locking arm.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the retaining lugs extends in parallel to a plane defined by the panel thereby defining a gap for fixedly receiving the front flange of the housing therein.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the retaining lugs extends rearward from edges of the opening and extending through passages defined in the front flange of the housing.
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: 5830008 (1998-11-01), Broschard, III
patent: 5895289 (1999-04-01), Smith
patent: 5980313 (1999-11-01), Kunishi et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Panel-mount connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Panel-mount connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Panel-mount connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2550388