Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Combined with or actuated by connector coupling – Multiple circuit control – selective
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-01-09
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Combined with or actuated by connector coupling
Multiple circuit control, selective
C200S051090, C200S275000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172310
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a switching device, and particularly to a switching device for an electrical connector.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,283 discloses an electrical connector with a switching device as shown in FIG.
6
. The switching device comprises a cover
60
, a base
62
, two slide components
64
, and two rows of contacting portions
66
. The slide components
64
can slidingly engage with the contacting portions
66
when it is pushed by the contacts
70
, thereby switching a signal transmission therebetween. However, a disadvantage of this prior art design is that either the slide components
64
or the contacting portions
66
are apt to be broken because of the wear therebetween. Another disadvantage is that the configuration of the contact
70
is complicated, thereby increasing the costs of manufacturing and of designing the die for forming the contact.
Hence, an improved switching device for an electrical connector is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a switching device for an electrical connector wherein the switching device has a structure capable of opening and closing without undue wear therebetween.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a switching device for an electrical connector wherein the switching terminals of the switching device has a simple structure to decrease the costs of manufacturing and of designing the die used with them.
To fulfill the above-mentioned objectives, a switching device for an electrical connector in accordance with the present invention comprises a cover and a base secured together. The base defines a plurality of receiving channels retaining a corresponding number of contacts, a stopper and a pair of securing grooves. Each contact comprises a first contact, a second contact and a third contact. A pair of switching terminals each includes a positioning portion and a first tab extending from an edge of the positioning portion. A second tab is formed on the same edge of the positioning portion of each switching terminal. A third tab extends from the distal end of the first tab and extends between the first tab and the second tab. The connecting section of the first tab and the third tab forms a pushing end adapted to be pushed laterally by the cover. Additionally, each tab forms a first contacting portion, a second contacting portion and a third contacting portion longitudinally spaced from each other for respectively contacting with a first contact, a second contact, and a third contact. Each first and second contacting portions engage with corresponding first contact and second contact when the pushing end is not being pushed laterally. When the pushing end is pushed laterally, the first contacting portion disengages from the first contact, and the third contacting portion moves to engage with the third contact, thereby switching a signal transmission therebetween.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4027131 (1977-05-01), Aidn et al.
patent: 4255634 (1981-03-01), Vonder
patent: 4278855 (1981-07-01), Rossi
patent: 4911650 (1990-03-01), Garcia Ramos
patent: 5513999 (1996-05-01), Fry et al.
patent: 5977497 (1999-11-01), Tsunematsu
Huang Nan Tsung
Tsai Hui Tze
Wu Kun-Tsan
Chung Wei Te
Friedhofer Michael
Hon Ahi Precision Ind. Co. Ltd.
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