Patent US2546560A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4296989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-conductor flat cable connector
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1980-03-24
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Granted: 1981-10-27
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Expires: 2000-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A multi-conductor flat cable connector having a base carrying insulation stripping contact elements, a cover and a pair of metal latching legs retained on the cover. The base has cover guides at its ends which slidably mate with the ends of the cover and the latching legs latch the cover to the base in an open position to accept the flat cable and a closed position where conductors of the cable are connected by the contact elements. A pair of shearable latch stops, one at each end of the base, are contacted by portions of the latching legs when the connector is in an open position to hold the connector in the open position. The latch stops are sheared by the latching legs as the base and cover are forced together to connect a flat cable between them.
Inventors
- 👤 Roderick W. Larson
- 👤 Ralph D. Whaley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/65; H01R12/67; H01R12/675; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/502; H01R13/508; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A multi-conductor flat cable connector comprising: a base carrying a plurality of insulation stripping contact elements which extend from one surface of said base for making electrical connection to conductors of a said flat cable, said base being formed centrally at each end with a generally rectangular cover guide extending perpendicularly from said one surface, a cover on said base formed at its ends to slidably mate with said cover guides on said base, latching means on said cover including a pair of resilient metal latching legs, one extending from each end of said cover, means for latching said latching legs to said base in an open position permitting a said flat cable to be inserted between said cover and said contact elements and for latching said latching legs to said base in a closed position whereat conductors of a said cable are connected by said contact elements, and a pair of shearable latch stops, one at each end of said base, positioned to be contacted by portions of said latching legs when said connector is in an open position and shearable by said latching legs when said base and cover are forced together to move them to their closed position carrying the conductors of a said cable into said contact elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A multi-conductor flat cable connector comprising: a base carrying a plurality of insulation stripping contact elements which extend from one surface of said base for making electrical connection to conductors of a said flat cable, said base being formed centrally at each end with a generally rectangular cover guide extending perpendicularly from said one surface, a cover on said base formed at its ends to slidably mate with said cover guides on said base, latching means on said cover including a pair of resilient metal latching legs, one extending from each end of said cover, means for latching said latching legs to said base in an open position permitting a said flat cable to be inserted between said cover and said contact elements and for latching said latching legs to said base in a closed position whereat conductors of a said cable are connected by said contact elements, and a pair of shearable latch stops, one at each end of said base, positioned to be contacted by portions of said latching legs when said connector is in an open position and shearable by said latching legs when said base and cover are forced together to move them to their closed position carrying the conductors of a said cable into said contact elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said latching legs are part of a generally U-shaped metal latching clip which extends over said cover from end to end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein said cover is recessed centrally at its ends to receive said rectangular cover guides of said base, said latching legs extend over the exterior of said cover guides and said latch stops are positioned one on the exterior of each said cover guide to be contacted by the ends of said latching legs when said connector is in an open position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The connector of claim 3 wherein said cover guides are each externally formed with a slot extending from top to bottom to define guides for the legs of said latching clip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein said latching means comprises wedge shaped teeth on said cover guides within said slots at the lateral edges thereof and edge tabs on each leg of said latching clip mating with said teeth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The connector of claim 5 wherein there are two pairs of said teeth on each of said cover guides, each pair of teeth being laterally aligned at opposite edges of a said slot in a said cover guide, and wherein there are two pairs of said edge tabs on each leg of said latching clip, each pair of tabs being laterally aligned at opposite edges of a leg of said clip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein each said latching leg is formed with a longitudinally extending aperture into which a pair of opposed shearing ears extend from the longitudinal edges thereof and wherein said latch stops each comprise a pair of knobs which said ears contact to hold said connector in an open position and through which said ears shear when said base and cover are forced together to move them to their closed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The connector of claim 7 wherein said means for latching said latching legs to said base comprises the end of the aperture in each said latching leg farthest from said cover engaging a first lobe on said base in said open position and a second lobe on said base in said closed position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-10-26 | 1985-04-27 | 1985-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-26 | 1989-04-27 | 1989-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-26 | 1993-04-27 | 1993-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |