Connector housings and locking structures therefor

Claim 2

A locking structure for holding a pair of connector housing parts in assembled relation, said locking structure comprising a pair of interfacing rigid channel members each defining a slot and a pair of complementary rib members slidably receivable in said slots, a pair of resilient lock means for releasably retaining said rib members, in said channel members, each said lock means comprising a lock member normally obstructing the entrance end of one said slot, an integral resilient hinge interconnecting each said lock member and one said channel member for permitting said lock member to be moved relative to said rigid channel member in response to engagement by the corresponding rib member to a position wherein said rib member may enter said slot.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1 said integral resilient hinge interconnecting said lock member and said channel member.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 2, said lock member having an inclined surface directed outwardly of said slot to facilitate entrance of said rib member into said slot.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 3, said lock member having an additional inclined surface directed inwardly of said slot to permit withdrawal of said rib member from said slot.

Claim 6

The structure of claim 3, said rib having an inclined ramp surface at its leading end engageable with said inclined outwardly directed surface of said lock member upon entry of said rib member in said slot.

Claim 7

The structure of claim 5, further comprising additional inclined guiding surfaces formed at the entrance end of said channel member for guiding said rib member into said slot.

Claim 8

Locking structure for first and second discrete molded plastic housing parts adapted to be joined together to form a connector housing, said locking structure comprising: a channel member formed integrally and relatively rigidly on said first housing part; a rib member formed integrally and relatively rigidly on said second housing part and having a front and rear end; a slot defined in said channel member having an entrance end for receiving the front end of said rib member upon joining of said housing part; a loCk member; an integral hinge of small cross sectional area relative to said lock member, said hinge interconnecting said lock member and said channel member at said entrance end of said slot; said lock member normally being positioned to obstruct the entrance end of said slot; first surface means on said lock member and on the first portion of said rib member that enters said channel member for causing said lock member to pivot about said integral hinge and to permit movement of said rib member into said slot; and second surface means on said lock member and on the rear end of said rib member for resisting withdrawl of said rib member from said slot after movement of said rear end of said rib member past said lock member.

Claim 9

Locking structure for first and second discrete molded plastic housing parts adapted to be joined together to form a connector housing, said locking structure comprising: a channel member formed integrally and relatively rigidly on said first housing part; a rib member formed integrally and relatively rigidly on said second housing part and having a front and rear end; a slot defined in said channel member having an entrance end for receiving the front end of said rib member upon joining of said housing part; a loCk member; an integral hinge of small cross sectional area relative to said lock member, said hinge interconnecting said lock member and said channel member at said entrance end of said slot; said lock member normally being positioned to obstruct the entrance end of said slot; first surface means on said lock member and on the first portion of said rib member that enters said channel member for causing said lock member to pivot about said integral hinge and to permit movement of said rib member into said slot; and second surface means on said lock member and on the rear end of said rib member for resisting withdrawl of said rib member from said slot after movement of said rear end of said rib member past said lock member.

Claim 10

The housing of claim 7, said rib members and channel members being sized for a tight fit to hold said housing parts firmly together.

Claim 11

The housing of claim 7, said rib members and channel members being sized for a loose fit to permit limited movement of the interlocked housing parts relative to one another.

Claim 12

The housing of claim 7, further comprising tab and slot means for preventing over-insertion of said rib members into said channel members.

Claim 13

The housing of claim 7, said housing parts being substantially identical and each including both rib members and channel members and being interlockable with other similar housing parts.

Claim 14

The housing of claim 11, each said housing part including at least one terminal receiving cavity.