Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-25
2001-11-06
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312285
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a system for mounting an electrical connector in an opening in a panel or other planar substrate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Panel mounted electrical connectors are known in the art, and such a connector generally includes a housing mounting a plurality of terminals for mating with a complementary connector. The housing may be mounted to a generally rigid panel for mating of the connector with the complementary connector through an opening in the panel, or the housing may be mounted on the panel simply for structural or support purposes within a circuit interconnection system.
Various means have been used to mount the connector to a panel, such as mounting clips or brackets operatively associated between the connector housing and the panel to mount and hold the connector to the panel. In other systems, the connector housing is inserted into the opening in the panel to an insertion position and then moved relative to the panel, within the opening, to a final mounted position whereat the connector is latched by latch means directly on the connector housing.
One of the problems with panel mounted connectors of the character described above is that separate latch means for holding the connector in the opening in the panel takes up valuable “real estate” on the panel and weakens the structure. In other words, if it is desirable to mount the connector close to another connector or any other structure, the latch means often requires the connector to be unnecessarily spaced from any surrounding component with a weakened panel. For instance, the latch means may include extraneous “outboard” latch openings in the panel. Engaging flanges or lugs often are used on one or more sides of the connector housing to hold the housing in the panel openings, and latches often project from still other sides of the connector housing to unnecessarily enlarge the connector envelope.
The present invention is directed to solving the problems discussed above in a panel mounting system for an electrical connector, and particularly in the latch means for holding the connector in its final mounted position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved system for mounting an electrical connector in a panel or other planar substrate.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a panel has first and second sides and an opening, with at least one locating slot extending radially from the opening. A connector has a housing insertable from the first side of the panel along an axis to an insertion position into the opening in the panel. The housing includes at least one radially extending locating flange at one side of the housing for passing through the locating slot of the opening as the housing is inserted thereinto. The housing also includes at least one radially extending stop flange spaced axially and transversely from the locating flange for abutting the first side of the panel when the locating flange clears the second side of the panel. The housing is movable generally parallel to the panel from the insertion position to a latched position. A latch arm projects from the one side of the connector housing and is engageable with a latch slot extending radially from the opening in the panel when the housing is in the latched position.
As disclosed herein, the locating slot performs a dual function and comprises the latch slot for the latch arm. In one embodiment of the invention, the latch arm comprises a flexible cantilevered latch arm extending generally parallel to the axis of insertion of the connector housing. In a second embodiment of the invention, the latch arm comprises a flexible cantilevered latch arm extending generally parallel to the panel.
Preferably, at least one locating flange and at least one stop flange are disposed on each of two opposite sides of the connector housing. As disclosed herein, a plurality of the locating flanges and a plurality of the stop flanges are disposed on each of the two opposite sides of the connector housing, with the locating flanges passing through a plurality of locating slots in the opening in the panel. In a third embodiment of the invention, the latch arm comprises a flexible latch bar extending between a pair of the stop flanges. The latch bar includes a tab supporting a projection, and the latch bar torsionally moves to urge the projection into engagement with the latch slot.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Berg Paul Christopher
Comerci Joseph D.
Polgar Gary E.
Rutter Julie Beyers
Bradley Paula
Caldwell Stacey E.
Harvey James
Molex Incorporated
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