EP0791987A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector with push button locking mechanism
Assignee: Whitaker LLC
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Filing: 1997-02-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-02-11
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector 2, for example for automotive airbag applications, comprises a locking device 44 that has locking extensions 52,53 insertable behind resilient latches 26 of the connector to securely lock them when the connectors are coupled. A pivotly mounted catch 56 prevents precocious insertion of the push button locking member 48 by engaging a shoulder 81 thereof. Upon full mating of the connectors 2 and 3, a camming protrusion 65 of the catch 56 abuts the mating connector causing rotation of the catch which releases the push button 48. The push button can then be fully depressed into the fully locked position. The catch has a spring member 71 that ensures rotation of the catch into its initial position, when the locking device 48 is pulled up to uncouple the connectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Rupert Harry Stephen Hanak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:48
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A electrical connector (2) for mating in a mating direction to a complementary connector (3) having a cavity (6) and terminals (8) therein, comprising an insulative housing (10) and electrical terminals, the housing having a top wall (12), a bottom wall (14), and side and end walls 15,16 respectively extending therebetween, the housing further comprising a contact receiving section (18) extending in the mating direction to a mating end (20), the connector further comprising at least one biasable latch (26) for latching the connectors (2,3) together and a locking device (44) comprising an actuation member (46) having at least one locking extension (52,53) insertable from an unlocked position, to a locked position alongside the latch for locking the latch when the connector is coupled to the complementary connector, characterized in that the locking device (44) further comprises a catch (56) comprising a retention shoulder (61) engageable against a retention shoulder (81) of the actuation member when the connectors (2,3) are uncoupled to maintain the actuation member in the unlocked position, the catch further comprising a camming member (57) engageable with the complementary connector (3) upon full mating, the camming member linked to the retention shoulder (61) so as to disengage the shoulder from the actuation member shoulder (81) during camming engagement of the catch with the complementary connector, thereby releasing the actuation member for insertion thereof into the locked position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
30 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein the contact receiving section (18) extends below the bottom wall (12) of the housing, and the latches (26) extend alongside the contact receiving section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The connector of claim 1 or 2 wherein the latch (26) is in the shape of a cantilever beam, attached at one end to the housing proximate the bottom wall (14) and extending to a free end (30) positioned towards the mating end (20).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The connector of any preceding claim wherein the locking device (44) comprises a push button (48) extending above the top wall (12) in the unlocked state and attached to the locking extensions (52) for depressing the locking extensions into the locked state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein the push button (48) is substantially flush with, or below, the top wall (12) when pushed into the locked state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector of claim 4 or 5 wherein the push button is situated substantially in line with the contact receiving section (18), with respect to the mating direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of any preceding claim wherein the catch (56) has a spring member (71) for biasing the catch into engagement with the actuation member when the latter is in the unlocked position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector of any preceding claim wherein the catch is pivotly mounted in the housing (10), whereby engagement and disengagement of the retention shoulder (61) is effected by rotation movement of the catch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 8 wherein the catch rests slidingly on an arcuate hump (69) within the housing (10).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The connector of any preceding claim wherein the catch comprises a retention bar (59) on which the retention shoulder (61) is provided, the retention bar extending transversely to the mating direction and attached to the camming member that comprises a camming bar (57) extending from the retention bar to a camming protrusion (65).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The connector of claim 10 wherein the camming protrusion is accessible through a cut-out (75) in the bottom wall (14) for abutment with the complementary connector (31) upon full mating, whereupon the abutment moves the retention bar to disengage it from the actuation member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector of claim 10 or 11 wherein the camming bar (10) is arcuate and rests slidingly on the arcuate hump (69) within the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The connector of any one of the claims 10-12 wherein the catch spring member (71) extends from the retention bar (59) in an opposed direction to the camming bar (10).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The connector of any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking extensions (52,53) comprises a slot (79) extending in the mating direction for receiving a retention bar (59) of the catch (56), upon which the retention shoulder (61) is provided, and wherein the retention shoulder (81) of the actuation member projects into the slot (79).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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