Elastic locking device for locking two components together

Details Elastic locking device for locking two components together Elastic locking device for locking two components together

2000-06-21

2001-10-09

Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Comprising or for use with supporting panel

Reexamination Certificate

active

06299478

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an elastic locking device, and particularly to a locking device consisting of two components which lock together by compressingly fitting one component into another component to lock two devices together.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,611 discloses an electrical connector assembly which includes a first connector
120
, a pair of first connector locking devices
122
, a second connector
220
, and a pair of second connector locking devices
222
. The first and second connector locking devices
122
,
222
can mount and secure the first and second electrical connectors
120
,
220
to a printed circuit board
24
. The printed circuit board
24
has a first surface
146
, a second surface
246
and a pair of receiving apertures
56
defined through the printed circuit board
24
from the first surface
146
to the second surface
246
. The first connector
120
is mounted to the first surface
146
of the printed circuit board
24
and includes a dielectric housing
26
having a pair of locking device receiving recesses
154
aligned with the corresponding apertures
56
. The second connector
220
is mounted to the second surface
246
of the printed circuit board
24
and includes a dielectric housing
26
having a pair of locking device receiving recesses
254
also aligned with the corresponding apertures
56
. The first and second locking devices
122
,
222
each have a pair of spaced springs
72
,
74
with barbs
84
formed thereon. The first and second connector locking devices
122
,
222
are inserted into the respective locking device receiving recesses
154
,
254
so that, when they are assembled, they will be perpendicular to each other. The springs
72
,
74
of the first and second connector locking devices
122
,
222
enter corresponding apertures
56
of the printed circuit board
24
with the barbs
84
biting into inner walls of the corresponding apertures
56
. Thus, the first and second connectors
120
,
220
are assembled to the circuit board
24
. However, said electrical connector assembly requires extra locking devices
122
,
222
to lock the two connectors
120
,
220
to the printed circuit board
24
. This increases material and assembly costs. In addition, the retaining force provided by the barbs
84
of the connector locking devices
122
,
222
interferentially fitting with the corresponding apertures
56
is relatively small and the connectors
120
,
220
may detach from the circuit board
24
. U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,016 discloses another type securement used in the same application. Anyhow, an economical and reliable locking device is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an elastic locking device integrally formed with two components which is easy to manufacture and assemble.
An electrical connector assembly of the present invention comprises a first connector and a second connector. A locking device comprises a plug portion formed on an end of the first connector and a receptacle portion formed on a corresponding end of the second connector. The plug portion comprises a cylindrical body defining a central cavity. A plurality of ribs radially project from an outer periphery of the body. Each rib has an interface at a free edge thereof distant from the cavity. The receptacle portion comprises an outer wall defining a circular chamber therein. A protrusion protrudes upwardly from a bottom of the chamber to an opening thereof. A blind hole is defined in the protrusion and does not extend through an upper free end portion of the protrusion. A distance between the interfaces of two opposite ribs is slightly larger than a bore diameter of the chamber. The cavity has a bore diameter the same as an outer diameter of the protrusion. In assembly, the plug portion of the first connector is inserted from one side of a printed circuit board through hole in the printed circuit board and into the receptacle portion of the second connector located on an opposite side of the printed circuit board, whereby the protrusion enters into the cavity and the ribs enter into the chamber. A side wall of the protrusion is clamped by the body of the plug portion and compressed toward the blind hole, whereby the protrusion is securely retained in the cavity of the plug portion. The plug portion of the first connector is locked with the receptacle portion of the second connector.
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: 4173387 (1979-11-01), Zell
patent: 5080611 (1992-01-01), Hypes
patent: 5254016 (1993-10-01), Ganthier
patent: 6056596 (2000-05-01), Etiembre
patent: 6183285 (2001-02-01), Szu

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