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US4188083A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Flat cable connector with strain relief and two-position latch

Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
•
Filing: 1978-06-01
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Granted: 1980-02-12
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Expires: 1998-06-01
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Abstract

Abstract A connector for terminating a flat cable comprises a contact support, a pressure member, and a strain relief. A metal clip on either end of the connector acts as a latch to maintain the three elements in a single package and to transmit the forces imposed by the strain relief directly to the contact support. A detent formed on the contact support provides a two-position catch for the latch. A protuberance formed on the clip bites into the end wall of the pressure member to prevent withdrawal of the clip from a slot formed in the pressure member and to allow displacement of the end wall in response to flexure of the clip.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert G. Knowles

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 22:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/65; H01R12/67; H01R12/675; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/502; H01R13/506; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/2445

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 197 words
In a connector for terminating flat multi-conductor cables including a lower contact support in which is mounted a plurality of insulation displacement contacts, a pressure member having a pair of end walls on opposite ends thereof, and a strain relief, the combination comprising: clip means for transmitting stress from said strain relief to said lower contact support, slot means at either end of said pressure member for receiving said clip means, means for holding said clip means in said slot means, a first latch portion formed on one end of each of said clip means and a second latch portion formed on another end of each of said clip means, first detents formed on opposite end surfaces of said lower contact support, second detents formed on opposite end surfaces of said strain relief, first catch means on each of said first detents for engaging said first latch portions, second catch means on each of said first detents for engaging said first latch portions, third catch means on each of said second detents for engaging said second latch portions, and support surfaces between said first catch means and said second catch means for supporting said first latch portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 197 words
In a connector for terminating flat multi-conductor cables including a lower contact support in which is mounted a plurality of insulation displacement contacts, a pressure member having a pair of end walls on opposite ends thereof, and a strain relief, the combination comprising: clip means for transmitting stress from said strain relief to said lower contact support, slot means at either end of said pressure member for receiving said clip means, means for holding said clip means in said slot means, a first latch portion formed on one end of each of said clip means and a second latch portion formed on another end of each of said clip means, first detents formed on opposite end surfaces of said lower contact support, second detents formed on opposite end surfaces of said strain relief, first catch means on each of said first detents for engaging said first latch portions, second catch means on each of said first detents for engaging said first latch portions, third catch means on each of said second detents for engaging said second latch portions, and support surfaces between said first catch means and said second catch means for supporting said first latch portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 39 words
The combination of claim 1 further comprising: a ledge formed in each of said slot means, and shoulder means on said clip means for abutting said ledges and limiting the travel of said clip means into said slot means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
The combination of claim 2 further comprising: bevel means on said first detents for providing a smooth transition between the end surfaces of said lower contact support and said first catch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The combination of claim 3 further comprising: barb-like protuberances comprising said means for holding, said barb-like protuberances bearing on the inside surface of said end walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
The combination of claim 4 further comprising: bevel means on said second detents for providing a smooth transition between the end surfaces of said strain relief and said third catch means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3702982A Cited
US4006957A Cited
US3994554A Cited
US4009921A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-02-11 1983-08-13 1984-02-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-02-11 1987-08-13 1988-02-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-02-11 1991-08-13 1992-02-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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