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EP0356157A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electrical connector having anti-overstress latch

Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1989-08-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-08-17
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Abstract

Abstract The connector housing (12) has a latch structure (30) releasably engageable with corresponding structure (28) on a mateable electrical connector housing (22). The latch structure (30) resiliently and deflectably extends from a base (34) moulded unitarily with the housing (12). Ribs (46,48) (see Fig. 2) extend from the surface (32) of the housing (12) adjacent the deflectable end of the latch structure (30) to prevent the entry of cables or the like into the space between the latch structure (30) and the housing (12) thus entangling and "fishhooking" the cables. The ribs (46,48) for preventing such fishhooking have arms (52,54) engageable with the latch structure (30) to prevent overstressing of the latch structure by bending in a direction away from the surface (32). Side walls (160,162) (see Fig. 5) disposed in spaced relationship to the latch structure (30) may further prevent overstressing of the latch structure (30) by side way deflection and also fishhooking of adjacent cables. In a still further embodiment the latch structure (30) is in the form of a deflectable beam (210) (see Fig. 8) having both ends fixed, the beam being formed integrally with anti-fishhooking ribs (226,228) at its end remote from its base (214).

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael John Miskin
  • 👤 Russel John Leonard
  • 👤 Ross E. Schroll

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 15:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6271; H01R13/6272

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 84 words
An electrical connector housing comprising a resilient deflectable latch having a base connected to said housing, at least one rib extending from said housing at a location thereon spaced from the base of said resilient deflectable latch, said rib being disposed relative to said latch to substantially prevent entry of extraneous materials intermediate said latch and portions of said electrical connector housing spaced from said latch, said housing further comprising means for limiting the deflection of said latch relative to said electrical connector housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 84 words
An electrical connector housing comprising a resilient deflectable latch having a base connected to said housing, at least one rib extending from said housing at a location thereon spaced from the base of said resilient deflectable latch, said rib being disposed relative to said latch to substantially prevent entry of extraneous materials intermediate said latch and portions of said electrical connector housing spaced from said latch, said housing further comprising means for limiting the deflection of said latch relative to said electrical connector housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 43 words
An electrical connector housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of said ribs is provided, said ribs extending from said housing on generally opposite sides of said latch and at locations on said housing remote from the base of said latch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 74 words
An electrical connector housing as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for limiting deflection of said latch comprises an anti-overstress arm or arms unitary with said rib or ribs extending from said electrical connector housing and disposed in spaced relationship to said latch such that an end of said latch spaced from the base thereof is disposed intermediate said anti-overstress arm or arms and the remainder of said electrical connector housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 57 words
An electrical connector housing as claimed in claim 3, wherein a single anti-overstress arm is provided in the form of an anti-overstress bar extending between the ribs and the anti-overstress bar is disposed in spaced relationship to said latch in the undeflected position of said latch, such that said latch is deflectable relative to said anti-overstress bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 62 words
An electrical connector housing as in claim 4 further comprising side walls extending from the respective ribs of said housing and disposed in spaced relationship to said latch on opposite sides thereof, said side walls limiting deflection of said latch and further preventing extraneous materials from being engaged intermediate said latch and surfaces of said electrical connector housing spaced from said latch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 69 words
An electrical connector housing as claimed in claim 4 or 5 further comprising a pair of side walls extending from the arms of said housing in spaced relationship to said latch and disposed generally on opposite sides thereof, said side walls limiting deflection of said latch and further preventing extraneous materials from entering the space between said latch and surfaces of said electrical connector housing spaced from said latch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 29 words
An electrical connector housing as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a locking protrusion on said latch at a location thereon spaced from the base of said latch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
An electrical connector housing as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said resilient deflectable latch is cantilevered relative to the base thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 30 words
An electrical connector housing as claimed in any preceding claim 1 to 7, wherein said anti-overstress means is unitary with an end of said latch remote from the base thereof.

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