US4693533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ribbon cable connector with improved cover latch
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1986-06-26
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Granted: 1987-09-15
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Expires: 2006-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Ribbon cable connector has latch members fixed to cover at opposite ends thereof. Each latch member is U-shaped, having first and second latch arms and a formed bight therebetween. The first arm has projections cooperable with web means on the end of the connector housing and cover which permits the cover to be moved between a first and second position and secured therein. The second arm at its distal end is formed with an outwardly directed hook cooperable with a complementary connector.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Szczesny
- 👤 John A. Root
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/502; H01R13/508; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/65; H01R12/67; H01R12/675
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
A ribbon cable connector of the type comprising a housing with insulation displacing contacts projecting from a top surface thereof, a cover having aperture means therein for receiving the contacts, and latch means at opposite ends of the connector effective to fix the cover in first and second latched positions relative to the housing, the cover being spaced from the top surface in the first position to permit alignment of the cable for termination, the cover being movable from the first position toward the top surface to terminate the cable, the cover securing the cable in terminated condition at the second position, the latch means comprises a pair of latch members fixed to the cover at respective opposite ends thereof, each latch member having a first latch arm cooperable with respective ends of the housing to effect latching at the first and second positions, each latch member further comprising a second latch arm adjacent the first latch arm and spaced from the housing, the second latch arms being cooperable with a complementary connector to retain the ribbon cable connector thereto, the connector being characterized in that: first means are provided by the cover and the latch members securing the cover and latch members together, and as the cover is moved between the first position and the second position, the latch members move accordingly, the cover and the latch members being secured together by the first means; and second means are provided by the first latch arms and the housing such that as the cover is moved between the first position and the second position, the latch member is permitted to move accordingly, as the second position is reached the second means secures the cover in the second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
288 words
A ribbon cable connector of the type comprising a housing with insulation displacing contacts projecting from a top surface thereof, a cover having aperture means therein for receiving the contacts, and latch means at opposite ends of the connector effective to fix the cover in first and second latched positions relative to the housing, the cover being spaced from the top surface in the first position to permit alignment of the cable for termination, the cover being movable from the first position toward the top surface to terminate the cable, the cover securing the cable in terminated condition at the second position, the latch means comprises a pair of latch members fixed to the cover at respective opposite ends thereof, each latch member having a first latch arm cooperable with respective ends of the housing to effect latching at the first and second positions, each latch member further comprising a second latch arm adjacent the first latch arm and spaced from the housing, the second latch arms being cooperable with a complementary connector to retain the ribbon cable connector thereto, the connector being characterized in that: first means are provided by the cover and the latch members securing the cover and latch members together, and as the cover is moved between the first position and the second position, the latch members move accordingly, the cover and the latch members being secured together by the first means; and second means are provided by the first latch arms and the housing such that as the cover is moved between the first position and the second position, the latch member is permitted to move accordingly, as the second position is reached the second means secures the cover in the second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A ribbon cable connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein each latch member is formed with a bight where the latch member is formed through about one hundred eighty degrees between the first and second latch arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A ribbon cable connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first means are provided adjacent each bight and comprise a pair of extensions extending from the cover, a web extending transversely therebetween and a resilient first projection on the first latch arm, the bight and the first projection are positioned on opposed sides of the web and cooperate to secure the cover to the latch member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
118 words
A ribbon cable connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second means comprises a pair of extensions extending from each end of the housing, a web extending transversely therebetween, an embossment and resilient first and second projections on the first latch arm, the first projection and embossment are positioned on opposed sides of the web with the cover disposed in the first position, and with the cover disposed in the second position, the first projection and the embossment are positioned on the same side of the web with the second projection positioned on the opposite side of the web, the first and second projections engage the respective sides of the web securing the cover to the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A ribbon cable connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein each second latch arm has an outwardly formed hook remote from said cover, said complementary connector having a web at each end, each hook latching to a respective web when the ribbon cable connector is mated to the complementary connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A ribbon cable connector as claimed in claim 5 wherein each second latch arm is formed with a bow between the cover and the hook, each bow being depressed toward the housing to release the hook from the respective web on the complementary connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A ribbon cable connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second latch arms are stamped with holes adjacent said cover, said holes serving to anchor a wire strain relief clip for holding the ribbon cable against the cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electrical connector for electrical connection to electrical conductors of a ribbon cable and for latchable engagement with a complementary electrical connector, comprising: a dielectric housing member having electrical terminals secured therein, said electrical terminals having terminating sections extending above an upper surface of said housing member; a cover member; latching members having first latch arm means and second latch arm means; first means provided by said cover member and said latching members securing said latching members to respective ends of said cover member; second means provided by said housing member and said second latch arm means of said latching members maintaining said cover member in an upper position spaced from said upper surface of said housing member so that the ribbon cable can be positioned between the cover member and the upper surface of the housing member; and third means provided by said housing member and said second latch arm means of said latching members maintaining said cover member in a down position in engagement with the ribbon cable after the cover member and housing member have been moved toward each other with the terminating sections of the electrical terminals terminated to respective electrical conductors of the ribbon cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electrical connector for electrical connection to electrical conductors of a ribbon cable and for latchable engagement with a complementary electrical connector, comprising: a dielectric housing member having electrical terminals secured therein, said electrical terminals having terminating sections extending above an upper surface of said housing member; a cover member; latching members having first latch arm means and second latch arm means; first means provided by said cover member and said latching members securing said latching members to respective ends of said cover member; second means provided by said housing member and said second latch arm means of said latching members maintaining said cover member in an upper position spaced from said upper surface of said housing member so that the ribbon cable can be positioned between the cover member and the upper surface of the housing member; and third means provided by said housing member and said second latch arm means of said latching members maintaining said cover member in a down position in engagement with the ribbon cable after the cover member and housing member have been moved toward each other with the terminating sections of the electrical terminals terminated to respective electrical conductors of the ribbon cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 8 wherein each latch member is formed with a bight where the latch member is formed through about one hundred eighty degrees between the first and second latch arms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 9 wherein the first means are provided adjacent each bight and comprise a pair of extensions extending from the cover, a web extending transversely therebetween and a resilient first projection on the first latch arm, the bight and the first projection being positioned on opposed sides of the web and cooperate to secure the cover to the latch member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 8 wherein the second means comprises a pair of extensions extending from each end of the housing, a web extending transversely therebetween, a resilient first projection on the first latch arm and an embossment on the first latch arm, the projection and embossment are positioned on opposed sides of the web in the upper position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 11 further comprising a second resilient projection on the first latch arm wherein the third means has the first projection and the embossment positioned on the same side of the web with the second projection positioned on the opposite side of the web in the down position, the first and second projections engage the respective side of the web securing the cover to the housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 8 wherein each second latch arm means has an outwardly formed hook remote from said cover, said complementary electrical connector having a web at each end, each hook latching to a respective web when the electrical connector is mated to the complementary electrical connector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 13 wherein each second latch arm means is formed with a bow between the cover and the hook, each bow being depressed toward the housing to release the hook from the respective web on the complementary electrical connector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 8 wherein said second latch arms are stamped with holes adjacent said cover, said holes serving to anchor a wire strain relief clip for holding the ribbon cable against the cover.
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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) | 1990-09-14 | 1991-03-16 | 1991-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-14 | 1995-03-16 | 1995-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-14 | 1999-03-16 | 1999-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |