Device for interconnecting connectors

Claim 2

A connecting device for connecting a female connector, secured to a first panel, to a male connector, secured to a second panel, said connectors having respective contacts for electrically connecting said connectors together, said device comprising: retaining means for retaining said male and female connectors together in a provisionally-fitted condition in which the respective terminals of said male and female connectors do not contact one another, and for allowing said first and second panels to be mounted ton one another when said connectors are retained in said provisionally-fitted condition; and moving means for moving one of said connectors in an insertion direction from said provisionally-fitted condition to a completely-fitted condition in which the respective terminals of said connectors contact one another.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1, wherein said retaining means includes means for allowing said male and female connectors to move relative to one another in a direction transverse to said insertion direction in order to facilitate alignment thereof.

Claim 4

The device of claim 1, wherein said first panel is one of an instrument panel and a dashboard and said second panel is another one of said instrument and said dashboard.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprises a bracket secured to one of said first and second panels and a holder secured to said bracket, said one connector being slidably disposed in said holder so as to be moveable from a first position corresponding to said provisionally-fitted condition to a second position corresponding to said completely-fitted condition.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4, wherein said holder includes means for securing said one connector in said first and second positions.

Claim 7

The device of claim 4, wherein said holder includes a flange which abuts against said bracket to prevent said holder from moving in a direction associated with disconnecting said connectors from each other.

Claim 8

The device of claim 1, wherein said moving means comprises a cam member pivotally secured to the other connector and including a cam groove slidably engageable with said one connector, wherein said one connector is moved from said provisionally-fitted condition to said completely-fitted condition by pivoting said cam member.

Claim 9

The device of claim 7, further comprising means for fixing said cam member in a first position corresponding to said provisionally-fitted condition and a second position corresponding to said completely-fitted condition.

Claim 10

A connecting device for connecting a female connector, secured to a first member, to a male connector, secured to a second member, said connectors having respective contacts for electrically connecting said connectors together, said device comprising: PG,26 retaining means for retaining said male and female connectors together in a provisionally-fitted condition in which the respective terminals of said male and female connectors do not contact now another, and for allowing said first and second members to be mounted to one another when said connectors are retained in said provisionally-fitted condition; moving means for moving one of said connectors in an insertion direction from said provisionally-fitted condition to a completely-fitted condition in which the respective terminals of said connectors contact one another, said moving means including a cam member pivotally secured to the other connector and including a cam groove slidably engageable with said one connector, wherein said one connector is moved from said provisionally-fitted condition to said completely-fitted condition by pivoting said cam member; and means for fixing said cam member in a first position corresponding to said provisionally-fitted condition and a second position corresponding to said completely-fitted condition, wherein said fixing means comprises a flexible pawl protruding from said cam member which is engageable with first and second recesses in said one connector respectively corresponding to said provisionally-fitted condition and said completely-fitted condition.

Claim 11

A connecting device for connecting a female connector, secured to a first member, to a male connector, secured to a second member, said connectors having respective contacts for electrically connecting said connectors together, said device comprising: PG,26 retaining means for retaining said male and female connectors together in a provisionally-fitted condition in which the respective terminals of said male and female connectors do not contact now another, and for allowing said first and second members to be mounted to one another when said connectors are retained in said provisionally-fitted condition; moving means for moving one of said connectors in an insertion direction from said provisionally-fitted condition to a completely-fitted condition in which the respective terminals of said connectors contact one another, said moving means including a cam member pivotally secured to the other connector and including a cam groove slidably engageable with said one connector, wherein said one connector is moved from said provisionally-fitted condition to said completely-fitted condition by pivoting said cam member; and means for fixing said cam member in a first position corresponding to said provisionally-fitted condition and a second position corresponding to said completely-fitted condition, wherein said fixing means comprises a flexible pawl protruding from said cam member which is engageable with first and second recesses in said one connector respectively corresponding to said provisionally-fitted condition and said completely-fitted condition.

Claim 12

The device of claim 1, wherein said one connector includes a connector housing and a hood having an opening for slidably receiving said connector housing therein.

Claim 13

The device of claim 10, wherein said moving means comprises a cam member slidably disposed in said hood in a transverse direction with respect to an insertion direction of said connectors.

Claim 14

The device of claim 11, wherein said cam member is U-shaped including a pair of legs, each of said legs having a cam groove respectively engageable with pins protruding from said connector housing, said connector housing being moved in said insertion direction when said cam member is moved in said transverse direction.

Claim 15

The device of claim 12, further comprising means for retaining said cam member and said connector housing in a first position corresponding to said provisionally-fitted condition and a second position corresponding to said completely-fitted condition.

Claim 16

A device of claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprises a first bracket for securing the other of said connectors to a corresponding one of said panels and a second bracket which is integral with said one connector for securing said one connector to the corresponding other panel.

Claim 17

The device of claim 14, wherein the other connector includes a flange which abuts against said first bracket to prevent said holder from moving in a direction associated with disconnecting said connectors from each other.