US5238427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel mountable electrical connector
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1992-09-01
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2012-09-01
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector is provided for mounting in an opening in a panel or the like and includes a housing having a body portion positionable in the opening in the panel. A separate mounting device, independent of the connector housing, is positionable in a receptacle in the housing. The mounting device includes a panel stop projecting from the body portion of the housing for abutting one side of the panel at the opening. The mounting device further includes a flexible locking arm projecting from the body portion of the housing for passing through the opening when the body portion of the housing is positioned thereinto and for engaging an opposite side of the panel at the opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Rupert J. Fry
- 👤 John S. Luthy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/73; H01R13/74; H01R13/741; H01R13/745
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In an electrical connector for mounting in an opening in a panel or the like and including a housing having a body portion positionable in the opening in the panel, wherein the improvement comprises a separate mounting device independent of the housing and positionable in receptacle means in the housing, the mounting device including a panel stop projecting from said body portion of the housing for abutting one side of the panel at the opening and a flexible locking arm projecting from said body portion of the housing for passing through the opening when the body portion is positioned thereinto and for engaging an opposite side of the panel at the opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an electrical connector for mounting in an opening in a panel or the like and including a housing having a body portion positionable in the opening in the panel, wherein the improvement comprises a separate mounting device independent of the housing and positionable in receptacle means in the housing, the mounting device including a panel stop projecting from said body portion of the housing for abutting one side of the panel at the opening and a flexible locking arm projecting from said body portion of the housing for passing through the opening when the body portion is positioned thereinto and for engaging an opposite side of the panel at the opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim wherein said receptacle means comprise through slot means in the housing into which the mounting device is inserted, with the panel stop and the flexible locking arm projecting outwardly of the slot means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said mounting device includes a resilient latch arm insertable into the slot means for securing the mounting device on the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein said resilient latch arm is of a length to extend past the slot means and includes a latch hook portion for snapping behind an exiting face of the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein said slot means is of a given width defined by a pair of opposing sides, and including a pair of said resilient latch arms insertable into the slot means against the opposing sides of the slot means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein said resilient latch arms are of lengths to extend past the slot means and include respective latch hook portions for snapping behind an exiting face of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said flexible locking arm has surface means for engaging the panel at an edge of the opening, the surface means having a stepped configuration for accommodating panels of different thicknesses at the opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing has a pair of said receptacle means near opposite sides thereof, and including a pair of said separate mounting devices respectively positionable in the pair of receptacle means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3213189A
Cited
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Cited
US4235502A
Cited
GB2142080A
Cited
US4681389A
Cited
USD314942S
Cited
US5037325A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |