US4952175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key retention system
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1989-02-28
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Granted: 1990-08-28
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Expires: 2009-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A key retention system for electrical connectors which includes a connector (12) including a lower backshell (42) having at least one generally T-shaped slot (51) extending therein from a side face (52) thereof for receiving a generally T-shaped key (61). Slot (51) and key (61) are configured to permit key (61) to be easily inserted into slot (51) in the correct orientation and to prevent key (61) from rotating or from moving laterally or longitudinally within slot (51) to any appreciable extent. Locking means comprising a projection (81) extending inwardly from the cover (43) for the lower backshell (42) is positioned to extend into the slot when cover (43) is mounted to lower backshell (42) to lock key (61) in position within slot (51).
Inventors
- 👤 Mark H. Waters
- 👤 Robert N. Whiteman, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:07
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/64; H01R13/645; H01R13/6453; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/901; Y10S439/904; Y10S439/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing having a slot extending thereinto, said slot having a wider first region and a narrower second region, said narrower second region opening onto the wider first region and an exterior surface of the housing; and a key having a body section adapted to be received within said slot and a keying section adapted to extend out of said slot beyond said exterior surface of said housing, said body section including a wider first body portion adapted to be received in the wider first region of said slot and a narrower second body portion adapted to be received in the narrower second region of said slot, at least one of said regions of said slot having opposed side walls which are adapted to cooperate with the body portion of said key which is adapted to be received within said at least one region of said slot to prevent rotation of said key when said key is received within said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing having a slot extending thereinto, said slot having a wider first region and a narrower second region, said narrower second region opening onto the wider first region and an exterior surface of the housing; and a key having a body section adapted to be received within said slot and a keying section adapted to extend out of said slot beyond said exterior surface of said housing, said body section including a wider first body portion adapted to be received in the wider first region of said slot and a narrower second body portion adapted to be received in the narrower second region of said slot, at least one of said regions of said slot having opposed side walls which are adapted to cooperate with the body portion of said key which is adapted to be received within said at least one region of said slot to prevent rotation of said key when said key is received within said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said wider first region further comprises opposed side walls which are adapted to cooperate with said wider first body portion to prevent rotation of said key within said slot, thereby retaining said key in a predetermined orientation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said slot includes curved surface portions for assisting in positioning said key in said slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second slot regions include upper side wall portions which are tapered inwardly from said first exterior surface to assist in inserting said key into said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one region of said slot comprises said first wider slot region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a cable terminating connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the slot extends into said housing from a first exterior surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 7 wherein said narrower second region of the slot opens onto a second exterior surface of the housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 further comprising locking means adapted to extend into said slot for locking said key in said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 9 wherein said locking means extends into said slot from said first exterior surface of said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 9 wherein said projection is adapted to extend into said narrower second region of said slot for cooperating with said narrower second body portion of said key for locking said key in said slot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 9 wherein said locking means comprises a projection on a cover for said housing, said projection adapted to extend into said slot from said first exterior surface to prevent said key from being removed therefrom when said cover is mounted on said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 12 and further including means for releasably connecting said cover to said housing for releasably locking said key in said slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 12 wherein said housing has a pair of spaced slots extending thereinto from said first exterior surface thereof and a key is adapted to be received within each of said pair of slots, and wherein said locking means includes a pair of spaced projections on said cover adapted to extend into said pair of slots form said first exterior surface to prevent said first exterior surface to prevent said keys from being removed therefrom when said cover is mounted on said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 9 wherein said opposed side walls of said at least one region of said slot includes lower side wall portions which are substantially parallel to one another.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 15 wherein said body portion of said key which is adapted to be received within said at least one region of said slot is of polygonal cross-section, and wherein said lower side wall portions are adapted to cooperate with opposite sides of said body portion of polygonal cross-section to prevent rotation of said key when said key is received within said slot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1993-08-27 | 1994-02-26 | 1994-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-27 | 1998-02-26 | 1998-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-27 | 2002-02-26 | 2002-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |