Electrical connectors – Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-14
2001-01-16
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Connector movable between accessible and inaccessible positions
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174178
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to placement of signal connectors on measurement test instruments and more particularly to a retractable connector mechanism for signal connectors for field use measurement test instruments.
Measurement test instruments have various type of electrical and optical signal connectors for coupling test signals to the test instrument. Field use measurement test instruments require some type of protection for the signal connectors. Generally this entails recessing the connectors into the outer shell of the instrument so that if the instrument is dropped the connectors will not be damaged or destroyed. The TFS3031 Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), manufactured and sold by Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton Oreg., has optical connectors that are recessed into the outer plastic shell of the instrument. The recess for the connectors are large enough for an operator to hand connect various optical adapters onto the optical connectors. The TV220 Metallic Time Domain Reflectometer Cable Tester, manufactured and sold by Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton Oreg., has a threaded RF connector extending from the side of the instrument. Bumper guards are molded into the top and bottom of the cable tester shell that extend outward from the sides past the RF connector to provide partial protection. The cable tester is provided with a heavy nylon carrying case that has protective padding disposed within the case to provide additional drop protection up to two meters.
Measurement test instrument manufacturers are developing smaller and lighter field test equipment for customer use. At the same time, customer requirements dictate that signal connector be accessible for easy manual connection without the use of tools. The smaller size of field test equipment limits the accessability of recessed signal connectors to manual connection. Extending the connectors past the shell of the instrument is possible, as in the TV200, but requires a specially padded carrying case. Such a carrying case adds cost to the instrument.
What is needed is a connector mechanism for signal connectors that protects the signal connectors during normal transportation and handling while at the same time provides easy access for connecting cables and adapters to without the use of tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present inventions is to a retractable connector mechanism for a signal connector having a recessed tub housing. A signal connector carrier disposed within the recessed tub and rotatable from a first stored position to a second angled position extending outward from the housing. First and second guide surfaces are disposed within the housing adjacent to the signal connector carrier and a biased carrier latch is rotatably connected to the signal connector carrier that rotates from a first position to a second locked position. The biased carrier latch has a cam surface that travels on the first and second guide surfaces such that rotating the signal connector carrier from the stored position to the angled position causes the cam surface to travel on the first guide surface and the biased carrier latch to rotate to the second locked position on the second guide surface to latch the signal connector carrier in the angled position.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the recessed tube housing is an injected molded part having side and end walls and a base with the side walls being longer than the end walls forming a rectangular shaped recessed tub. The guide surfaces are integrally formed in the side walls of the recessed tub as part of the molding process with the first guide surface having a first radius of curvature and the second guide surface having a second radius of curvature. The sidewalls have apertures formed therein that receive a signal connector carrier pin which is inserted through a bore in one end of the signal connector carrier for securing the carrier to the housing. The recessed tub housing also has an aperture formed therein for receiving a signal cable. The signal connector carrier has a tab extending from the opposite end of the carrier from the pin bore that raises the carrier from the first stored position to the second angled position with upward pressure on the tab. The signal connector carrier further has a downward extending member positioned at the opposite end of the carrier from the pin bore with a bore formed there through that receives the signal connector which may be an electrical or optical connector. The recessed tube also has a stop tab disposed in at least one side wall for engaging the downward extending member of the signal connector carrier for impeding the upward rotational movement of the carrier. The biased carrier latch preferably has a biasing spring that rotates the carrier latch from the first position to the second position. The objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention are apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended claims and attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4986762 (1991-01-01), Keith
Abrams Neil
Bucher William K.
Nasri Javaid
Tektronix Inc.
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