Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A device for detachably coupling first and second connector halves of an electric connector comprising a leaf spring having: a fitting portion provided at a first end of said leaf spring, said fitting portion being secured to said first connector half, a locking aperture provided at a second end of said leaf spring, said locking aperture being engaged with a locking projection formed on said second connector half to couple said first and second connector halves with each other in a locking condition by means of said leaf spring, a bent portion formed adjacent to said fitting portion, an unlocking portion termed adjacent to said bent portion, an intermediate portion formed between said locking aperture and said unlocking portion, said intermediate portion being urged against a fulcrum formed on said first connector half, and a reinforcing portion having a first end connected to a junction between said bent portion and said unlocking portion and a second end urged against a side wall of said first connector half, said reinforcing portion being formed such that a side edge of said reinforcing portion abuts a projection formed in a surface of said first connector half viewed in a direction perpendicular to said side wall thereof, whereby said leaf spring is formed such that when said unlocking portion is pressed toward said side wall of said first connector half, said leaf spring is resiliently deformed such that said locking aperture is removed from said locking projection to release said locking condition of said first and second connector halves.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
255 words
A device for detachably coupling first and second connector halves of an electric connector comprising a leaf spring having: a fitting portion provided at a first end of said leaf spring, said fitting portion being secured to said first connector half, a locking aperture provided at a second end of said leaf spring, said locking aperture being engaged with a locking projection formed on said second connector half to couple said first and second connector halves with each other in a locking condition by means of said leaf spring, a bent portion formed adjacent to said fitting portion, an unlocking portion termed adjacent to said bent portion, an intermediate portion formed between said locking aperture and said unlocking portion, said intermediate portion being urged against a fulcrum formed on said first connector half, and a reinforcing portion having a first end connected to a junction between said bent portion and said unlocking portion and a second end urged against a side wall of said first connector half, said reinforcing portion being formed such that a side edge of said reinforcing portion abuts a projection formed in a surface of said first connector half viewed in a direction perpendicular to said side wall thereof, whereby said leaf spring is formed such that when said unlocking portion is pressed toward said side wall of said first connector half, said leaf spring is resiliently deformed such that said locking aperture is removed from said locking projection to release said locking condition of said first and second connector halves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein a front end of said second end of said leaf spring is bent in a direction away from said second connector half such that said front end of said second end can easily ride over said locking projection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein a front end of said second end of said reinforcing portion of said leaf spring is bent in a direction away from said first connector half.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said fitting portion of said leaf spring is bent substantially at a right angle such that said fitting portion is inserted into an L-shaped recess formed in said side wall of said first connector half and said intermediate portion and second end of said leaf spring have a structure permitting insertion thereof into a substantially linear recess of said first connector half.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion, unlocking portion, fitting portion and reinforcing portion of said leaf spring have ribs formed integrally therewith.