Abstract An electrical connector (16) includes a housing (18) having a plurality of terminal-receiving passages (50a-50c) extending between a forward mating end (34) of the housing and a rear end (36) thereof. A plurality of terminals (56-60) are received in the passages. A terminal position assurance device (26) is mounted on the housing for movement between first and second positions only when all of the terminals are properly positioned in their respective passages. A cover (38) is securable to the housing over at least a portion of the rear end thereof. The terminal position assurance device has a portion (46,80) which prevents securing the cover to the housing unless the terminal position assurance device is in its second position.
Electrical connector (16) which includes housing means (18) having a plurality of terminal-receiving passages (50a-50c) extending between a forward mating end (34) of the housing means and a rear end (36) thereof, a plurality of terminals (56-60) received in the passages, a terminal position assurance device (26) mounted on the housing means (18) for movement between first and second positions only when all of the terminals (56-60) are properly positioned in their respective passages (50a-50c), and a cover (38) for securing to the housing means over at least a portion of the rear end thereof, wherein the improvement comprises: means (46,80) on the terminal position assurance device (26) to prevent securing the cover (38) to the housing means (18) unless the terminal position assurance device is in said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
Electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said terminal position assurance device (26) includes a first portion (44) operatively associated with the terminals such that the device can move to its second position only when the terminals are properly positioned, and a second portion (46,80) operatively associated with the cover such that the cover can be secured to the housing means only when the device is in its second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Electrical connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first portion of the terminal position assurance device (26) comprises a plate (44) slidably mounted on the housing means, the plate having a plurality of apertures (48a-48c) through which the terminals extend.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
Electrical connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second portion of the terminal position assurance device (26) comprises an arm (46,80) projecting from said plate (44) into a path (D) of movement of the cover (38) into securing position on the housing means (18) when the device is in its first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
Electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cover (38) is secured to the housing means (18) by rib means (68,74) on the cover positionable into groove means (72) on the housing means, and said terminal position assurance device (26) includes means (80) for blocking the groove means when the device is in its first position.