US5096436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing a cable connector assembly
Assignee: FCI USA LLC
•
Filing: 1991-01-09
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2011-01-09
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector for providing a snap-lock connection and automatic disconnection from a second connector. The electrical connector has a housing, a plurality of contacts, a snap-lock latch and a movable outer hood. The snap-lock latch can automatically mechanically connect and retain the housing to a second connector. The movable outer hood can be pulled by a user after connection which disconnects the latch and results in the disconnection of the electrical connector from the second connector.
Inventors
- 👤 Rocco J. Noschese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6275; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/722; H01R12/75; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of manufacturing a cable connector assembly for use in connecting a plurality of electrical wires in a cable to a second connector, the method comprising the steps of: connecting first ends of the wires to a multiple contact element; covering, at least partially, the wire first ends and contact element with an electrically insulative material and, at least partially forming a housing therewith; connecting a latch to the housing, the latch having at least one forward extending latch leg with a latch prong at a forward end thereof; and mounting a movable hood to the housing, the hood being longitudinally movable along the housing between a home position and a disconnect position and having a latch disconnect located in a forward portion of the hood, the step of mounting includes locating the latch disconnect proximate the forward end of the latch leg to be able to move the forward end of the latch leg such that when the hood is moved from its home position to its disconnect position the latch disconnect can disconnect the latch from a latch grip connected to a second connector.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of manufacturing a cable connector assembly for use in connecting a plurality of electrical wires in a cable to a second connector, the method comprising the steps of: connecting first ends of the wires to a multiple contact element; covering, at least partially, the wire first ends and contact element with an electrically insulative material and, at least partially forming a housing therewith; connecting a latch to the housing, the latch having at least one forward extending latch leg with a latch prong at a forward end thereof; and mounting a movable hood to the housing, the hood being longitudinally movable along the housing between a home position and a disconnect position and having a latch disconnect located in a forward portion of the hood, the step of mounting includes locating the latch disconnect proximate the forward end of the latch leg to be able to move the forward end of the latch leg such that when the hood is moved from its home position to its disconnect position the latch disconnect can disconnect the latch from a latch grip connected to a second connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of mounting the hood to the housing comprises the hood having at least two hood members that are connected together over the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of biasing the hood in a forward position by a spring located between a portion of the housing and a portion of hood.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of connecting the latch to the housing comprises the latch having a generally rectangular aperture for sliding the latch over a generally rectangular portion of the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
167 words
A method of disconnecting a plug connector having at least one row of contacts therein from a receptacle connector having at least one row of contacts therein, the method comprising the steps of: manufacturing a cable connector assembly as in claim 1 as the plug connector, the latch having two side legs; slidably moving the hood of the plug connector from a home position along the housing of the plug connector to a disconnect position, the hood substantially surrounding the housing and being fixedly but slidably mounted thereon in a direction along a center axis of the housing; laterally moving the two side legs of the latch connected to the plug connector housing and thereby displacing a latch prong on each side leg from a hole in a latch grip of the receptacle connector, the hood having a latch release that simultaneously moves the side legs as the hood is moved; and further pulling on the hood to remove the plug connector housing from the receptacle connector.
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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) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |