Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
An electric connector (2) of the type comprising
an insulating casing (5) having a number of cavities
(10) for respective electric terminals (4) extending in
a connection direction (A) of said connector (2) to a
complementary connector (3); and a lever device (14) for
reducing the force required for connection to said
complementary connector (3); said lever device (14)
comprising a slide (15) sliding with respect to said
casing (5) in a direction (B) perpendicular to said
connection direction (A) and having cam means (20)
interacting with said complementary connector (3) to
generate a force for mating said connectors (2, 3) in
response to translation of said slide (15); and an
activating lever (24) for activating said slide (15) and
connected to the slide (15) by first articulated
connecting means (27, 29), and to said casing (5) by
second articulated connecting means (35, 36); characterized in that both said first and said
second articulated connecting means comprise a pair of
hinge elements (27, 29; 35, 36) connected to each other
in sliding manner to impart a translatory component of
motion to said activating lever (24).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A connector as claimed in Claim 1, characterized
in that said hinge elements (27, 29) of said first
articulated connecting means comprise at least a first
pin (27) defining a first hinge axis (C) and engaging in
sliding manner a respective first slot (29) elongated in
a direction substantially parallel to said connection
direction (A); said hinge elements (35, 36) of said
second articulated connecting means comprising at least
a second pin (36) defining a second hinge axis (D) and
engaging in sliding manner a respective second slot
(35); said first and said second pin (27, 36)
respectively engaging said first and said second slot
(29, 35) in sliding manner to vary the distance between
said first and said second hinge axis (C, D) along the
path of said activating lever (24).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A connector as claimed in Claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that said activating lever (24) is a
first-class lever; said first and said second
articulated connecting means (27, 29; 35, 36) being
located respectively at an end portion (26) and an
intermediate portion (34) of said activating lever (24).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector as claimed in Claim 2 or 3,
characterized in that said second slot (35) is elongated
in a substantially radial direction with respect to said
first hinge axis (C).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A connector as claimed in Claim 3 or 4,
characterized in that said first pin (27) and said
second slot (35) are carried by said activating lever
(24); in that said first slot (29) is carried by said
slide (15); and in that said second pin (36) is carried
by said casing (5).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A connector as claimed in one of Claims 3 to 5,
characterized in that said activating lever (24)
comprises at least a third pin (37) located in an
intermediate position between said first and said second
articulated connecting means (27, 29; 35, 36) and
engaging in sliding manner a guide (40) defined by at
least said slide (15) or said casing (5).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector as claimed in Claim 6, characterized
in that said guide (40) is parallel to the traveling
direction (B) of said slide (15).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector as claimed in Claim 6 or 7,
characterized in that said guide (40) is defined by
respective parallel flanges (38, 39) of said casing (5)
and said slide (15).