Connector latching mechanism

Claim 2

A latching mechanism for securing a pair of electrical connector members together in a mated condition, said latching mechanism being operable by one hand acting upon only one end of the connector members, said latching mechanism characterised by: a latching member (18); latching means (20, 22) on one of said connector members (12) holding said latching member (18) thereon while allowing limited relative movement therebetween; actuating means (16) mounted on one end of said one connector member (12) and connected to said latching member (18) to effect said movement; and latching means (24, 26) on the other of said connector members (10) engageable by said latching member (18), whereby upon mating of said connector members (10, 12) said mechanism is actuated to secure said connector members (10, 12) together by engaging said latching means (20, 22, 24, 26) of both said connector members (10, 12).

Claim 3

A latching system for securing a pair of mating electrical connector members together in a mated condition and operable by one hand acting on only one end of the connector members, said connector members each being formed of insulative material defining terminal passages opening on mating faces and with a plurality of contacts each terminating a respective conductor and received in a respective passage, said latching system characterised by: at least two first abutment members (20, 22) mounted in spaced relationship on one of said pair of connector members (12); at least two second abutment members (24, 26) each mounted on the other connector member (10) and aligned. to abut a respective first abutment member (20, 22) ; a latching member (18) defining a profiled opening (52) similar to but larger in one dimension than mating portions (58) of said connector members (10, 12), oppositely directed first slots (54, 56) at each end of said profiled opening (52), an extension (66, 68) at each end of said profiled opening (52), an extension (66, 68) at each end of said latching member (18) overlying each said first slot (54, 56), a second slot (70, 72) formed in each said overlying portion (66, 68) parallel to and spaced from the first slot (54, 56), said latching member (18) being mounted on one of said connector members (12) with said first abutment members (20, 22) engaging in said first slots (54, 56) and said mating portion (58) of said connector member (12) being exposed in said opening (52); actuating means (16) mounted on one end of said one connector member (12) and connected to drive said latching member (18) transversely with respect to the mating portion (58) of said connector member (12); whereby upon mating of said connector members (10, 12) and actuation of said latching member (18) said second abutment members (24, 26) are engaged by said second slots (70, 72) to secure said connector members (10, 12) together in a mated condition.

Claim 4

A latching system for securing a pair of mating electrical connector members together in a mated condition and operable by one hand acting on only one end of the connector members, said connector members each being formed of insulative material defining terminal passages opening on mating faces and with a plurality of contacts each terminating a respective conductor and received in a respective passage, said latching system characterised by: at least two first abutment members (20, 22) mounted in spaced relationship on one of said pair of connector members (12); at least two second abutment members (24, 26) each mounted on the other connector member (10) and aligned. to abut a respective first abutment member (20, 22) ; a latching member (18) defining a profiled opening (52) similar to but larger in one dimension than mating portions (58) of said connector members (10, 12), oppositely directed first slots (54, 56) at each end of said profiled opening (52), an extension (66, 68) at each end of said profiled opening (52), an extension (66, 68) at each end of said latching member (18) overlying each said first slot (54, 56), a second slot (70, 72) formed in each said overlying portion (66, 68) parallel to and spaced from the first slot (54, 56), said latching member (18) being mounted on one of said connector members (12) with said first abutment members (20, 22) engaging in said first slots (54, 56) and said mating portion (58) of said connector member (12) being exposed in said opening (52); actuating means (16) mounted on one end of said one connector member (12) and connected to drive said latching member (18) transversely with respect to the mating portion (58) of said connector member (12); whereby upon mating of said connector members (10, 12) and actuation of said latching member (18) said second abutment members (24, 26) are engaged by said second slots (70, 72) to secure said connector members (10, 12) together in a mated condition.

Claim 5

A latching system according to Claim 2 wherein: each said first and said second abutment members (20, 22, 24, 26) are elongated members having mounting means on one end, an abutting surface on the opposite end, and an annular groove (62, 64, 74, 76) therein spaced from said abutting surface.

Claim 6

A latching system according to Claim 2 wherein said actuating means comprises: a pivot member (36) secured to said one end of said one connector member (12); and a lever (38) pivotally mounted on said pivot member (36) with one end connected to said latching member (18).

Claim 7

A latching mechanism for securing a pair of electrical connector members together in a mated condition and operable by one hand acting on only one end of the connector, said system comprising: at least two spaced abutment members (20, 22, 24, 26) on each of said connector members (10, 12) each aligned to abut with a respective abutment member on the mating connector member; an elongated latching member (18) having a profiled opening (52) with oppositely directed first slots (54, 56) at each end of said opening, an extension (66, 68) at each end of said member (18) overlying each said first slot (54, 56) and with a second slot (70, 72) formed in each said overlying extension (66, 68) parallel to and spaced from the respective first slot (54, 56), said latching member (18) being mounted on one of said connector member (12) with said abutment members (20, 22) of said one connector member (12) engaging in said first slots (54, 56) providing guided relative movemement of said latching member (18) with respect to said one connector member (12), a mating face (58) of said connector member (12) being accessible through said opening (52); and an actuating lever (38) pivotally mounted on one end of said one connector member (12) and connected to drive said latching member (18) transversely with respect to the mating face (58) thereof with said abutment members (24, 26) of the mating connector member (10) being received in and engaged by said second slots (70, 72) whereby said connector members are secured together.

Claim 8

A latching mechanism for securing a pair of electrical connector members together in a mated condition and operable by one hand acting on only one end of the connector, said system comprising: at least two spaced abutment members (20, 22, 24, 26) on each of said connector members (10, 12) each aligned to abut with a respective abutment member on the mating connector member; an elongated latching member (18) having a profiled opening (52) with oppositely directed first slots (54, 56) at each end of said opening, an extension (66, 68) at each end of said member (18) overlying each said first slot (54, 56) and with a second slot (70, 72) formed in each said overlying extension (66, 68) parallel to and spaced from the respective first slot (54, 56), said latching member (18) being mounted on one of said connector member (12) with said abutment members (20, 22) of said one connector member (12) engaging in said first slots (54, 56) providing guided relative movemement of said latching member (18) with respect to said one connector member (12), a mating face (58) of said connector member (12) being accessible through said opening (52); and an actuating lever (38) pivotally mounted on one end of said one connector member (12) and connected to drive said latching member (18) transversely with respect to the mating face (58) thereof with said abutment members (24, 26) of the mating connector member (10) being received in and engaged by said second slots (70, 72) whereby said connector members are secured together.

Claim 9

A latching mechanism according to Claim 5, wherein at least one of said second slots (70, 72) has a keyhole shaped profile whereby said second abutment member (24, 26) is received through the enlarged portion and engaged by the narrow neck.

Claim 10

A latching mechanism according to Claim 5 wherein said first slots (54, 56) are so dimensioned as to allow limited relative movement of said latching member (18) without disengagement from said abutment members (20, 22) of said one connector member (12).

Claim 11

A latching mechanism according to Claim 5 wherein each said abutment member comprises: an elongated member having mounting means on one end, an abutment surface on the opposite end and a profiled intermediate portion (62, 64, 74, 76) engageable by said latching member (18).