Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-21
2001-11-13
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Plural-contact coupling part
C439S352000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315619
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an electrical connector in which a sub-connector housing is installed inside a frame.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
A split connector is occasionally used as a multiple connector in order to allow terminal fittings to be inserted correctly into corresponding cavities, or in order to allow conductivity to be tested conveniently, etc. This split connector has a configuration whereby a plurality of housing chambers are partitioned within a frame. Sub-connector housings distributed within cavities are inserted from the posterior into each housing chamber and are housed therein. These sub-connector housings fit, from anterior faces thereof, with a corresponding connector housing.
A means to retain the sub-connector housing in a latched state within the housing chambers is described for example, in JP 10-229621. Outer faces of the sub-connector housings are provided with bendable locking arms, these engaging resiliently with stopping protrusions provided on inner faces of the housing chambers.
However, the latching configuration of the conventional example has the following problem. If, for example, excessive force is used on the sub-connector housings to pull them in a posterior direction, the locking arms may bend excessively and the sub-connector housings may separate from the frame
The present invention has taken the above problem into consideration, and aims to present a sub-connector housing which will not be separate inadvertently from the frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising a frame, a sub-connector latchable in said frame on a latching axis, and a mating connector latchable with said sub-connector also on said latching axis, the sub-connector having a resilient latching arm protruding in the direction of said latching axis, and bendable transversely of said axis for engagement with a latch member of said frame characterised in that said mating connector includes a recess adapted to receive said latching arm in close fitting engagement on connection of said sub-connector and mating connector, thereby to prevent transverse bending of said latching arm.
This arrangement ensures that the latching arm is immovable once the mating connector has been fitted to the sub-connector. Accordingly, resistance to a high separation force is increased.
Preferably the tip of the latching arm engages in an external groove of a hood of the mating connector. Such a groove can be conveniently formed in a protruding flange of the hood, and does not penetrate the wall of the hood itself.
The frame preferably includes a latching portion for the latching projection, this portion being defined in the preferred embodiment by wall members extending in the direction of said axis.
A protrusion of said wall and a projection of said latch member may define the latch between said sub-connector and frame.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5876252 (1999-03-01), Hahn et al.
patent: 10-229621 (1998-08-01), None
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Bradley Paula
McCamey Ann
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd.
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