Patent EP0382344A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0382344A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reinforced connector latch
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1990-01-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-01-15
Abstract
Abstract The connector latch is intended to assist the mating of an electrical connector assembly (10) (see Fig. 1) comprising a socket connector (12) and a plug connector (14). The latch comprises a pair of latch arms (130, 131) on one connector (14) in a mateable pair each of which is resiliently deflectable about a first axis (Y1, Y2) and which is disposed to contact a cam (54) on the opposed connector (14) during mating. The deflectable latch (130, 131) and/or the cam (54) define leading ramp surfaces (56, 57, 36, 37), trailing ramp surfaces (58, 59) and locking surfaces (38, 39). The leading ramp surfaces (56, 57, 36) 37) are disposed to resiliently deflect the latch arms (130, 131) and develop stored energy therein. The trailing ramp surfaces (58, 59) employ the stored energy developed in the latch arms (130, 131) to urge the connectors (12, 14) toward a fully mated condition. The latch arms (130, 131) include spring steel wire inserts (134) for reinforcement, such that the plastics latch arms (130, 131) do not become permanently deformed. The connectors (12, 14) may be disengaged from one another by biasing the latch arms (130, 131) about a second axis (X) away from the associated connector (12, 14) a sufficient amount to clear the cam (54) and enable disengagement of the connectors (12, 14).
Inventors
- 👤 Mario Previato
- 👤 Lorenzo G. Manassero
- 👤 Silvio Barbieri
- 👤 Roberto Martucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6278
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A latching means for assisting the mating of a connector assembly having first and second connectors adapted to be mated along a longitudinal mating axis, said latching means comprising: at least one deflectable latch arm constructed from a first material, said latch arm being coupled to said first connector; spring means, constructed from a second material and coupled to said latch arm, for developing and releasing stored energy during the mating of said connectors, said second material being more resilient than said first material; and catch means, coupled to said second connector, for engaging and deflecting said latch arm during the mating of said connectors, whereby said latching means employs said stored energy in urging said connector to remain in a fully mated configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A latching means for assisting the mating of a connector assembly having first and second connectors adapted to be mated along a longitudinal mating axis, said latching means comprising: at least one deflectable latch arm constructed from a first material, said latch arm being coupled to said first connector; spring means, constructed from a second material and coupled to said latch arm, for developing and releasing stored energy during the mating of said connectors, said second material being more resilient than said first material; and catch means, coupled to said second connector, for engaging and deflecting said latch arm during the mating of said connectors, whereby said latching means employs said stored energy in urging said connector to remain in a fully mated configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A latching means according to claim 1, wherein said spring means is located substantially inside said latch arm and is constructed from e.g. spring steel, the latch arm being constructed e.g. from plastics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A latching means according to claim 1, wherein said catch means is constructed in the shape of a cam projecting from said second connector, the cam being e.g. of generally prismatic configuration and e.g. of generally triangular cross-section, and said latching means includes at least one pair of deflectable latch arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
A latching means according to any preceding claim wherein said latch arm or each of said latch arms is deflectable about a first axis of deflection lying substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal mating axis, said latching means including a leading ramp surface or surfaces for deflecting said latch arm or arms about its said first axis and for developing stored energy in said spring means during at least an initial portion of the mating of said connectors and a trailing ramp surface or surfaces for releasing said stored energy of said spring means during at least a final portion of the mating of said connectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A latching means according to claim 4, wherein said leading and trailing ramp surfaces are disposed on said latch arm or arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A latching means according to claim 4, wherein said leading ramp surface or surfaces is or are disposed on said catch means, and said trailing ramp surface or surfaces is or are disposed on said latch arm or arms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A latching means according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein said latch arm or arms is or are alternatively deflectable about a second axis of deflection angularly aligned with said first axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A latching means according to claim 7, wherein said latch arm or arms is or are coupled to said first connector by a root, said second axis of deflection lying substantially in said root, such that said latch arm or arms is or are deflectable about said root to enable disengagement of said latch arm or arms from said catch means for unmating said connectors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
A pair of matable electrical connectors having a positive pull-in force in a fully mated condition of said connectors, said pair comprising first and second connectors, the first connector comprising at least one latch resiliently and alternatively deflectable about a first axis of deflection, the second connector comprising a cam disposed for engagement with said latch during mating of said connectors, at least one of said latch and said cam comprising a leading ramp surface for deflecting said resilient latch about said first axis of deflection thereof and for developing stored energy in said resilient latch, a trailing ramp surface for employing the stored energy of the resiliently deflected latch and urging said connectors into a fully mated condition, said latch including resilient metallic spring means for providing reinforcement, whereby the resiliency of said latch is maintained over adverse conditions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
140 words
A pair of matable electrical connectors having a positive pull-in force in a fully mated condition of said connectors, said pair comprising first and second connectors, the first connector comprising at least one latch resiliently and alternatively deflectable about a first axis of deflection, the second connector comprising a cam disposed for engagement with said latch during mating of said connectors, at least one of said latch and said cam comprising a leading ramp surface for deflecting said resilient latch about said first axis of deflection thereof and for developing stored energy in said resilient latch, a trailing ramp surface for employing the stored energy of the resiliently deflected latch and urging said connectors into a fully mated condition, said latch including resilient metallic spring means for providing reinforcement, whereby the resiliency of said latch is maintained over adverse conditions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pair of matable electrical connectors according to claim 9, wherein said latch is alternatively deflectable about a second axis of deflection to enable disengagement of said latch from said cam for facilitating unmating of said connectors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pair of matable electrical connectors according to claim 9 or 10, wherein at least one of said latch and said cam further comprises a locking surface for lockingly retaining said connectors in a fully mated condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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