US5372518A — Electrical connector with improved latch mechanism

Claim 1

Independent Claim 126 words

A circuit board latching device for use with an insulative connector housing which includes a retaining wall and a circuit board support post, the board support post positioned opposite the retaining wall, said latching device comprising: a main body portion; a mounting member for mounting said main body portion to the housing between the retaining wall and the board support post; a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion; and a stress reducing member remote and independent from said mounting member, and including a resilient arm projecting angularly away from said main body portion toward and engaging the retaining wall.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 126 words

A circuit board latching device for use with an insulative connector housing which includes a retaining wall and a circuit board support post, the board support post positioned opposite the retaining wall, said latching device comprising: a main body portion; a mounting member for mounting said main body portion to the housing between the retaining wall and the board support post; a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion; and a stress reducing member remote and independent from said mounting member, and including a resilient arm projecting angularly away from said main body portion toward and engaging the retaining wall.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said resilient arm projects downwardly from proximate an upper portion of said main body portion to urge said upper portion toward the support post upon contact with the retaining wall.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said arm more forcibly contacts the retaining wall when said main body portion is deflected away from the board support post.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein, the distal end of said resilient arm is curved toward said main body portion.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said stress reducing arm urges said main body portion against said board support post.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said mounting members comprises an upstanding sleeve mounting member extending from said main body portion.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said mounting members comprises at least two upstanding sleeve mounting members adjacently respectively coupled to said main body portion.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 60 words

The device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said mounting numbers comprises a mounting platform including a plate extending from said main body portion, a first finger extending substantially downward from one end of said plate, and a second finger extending substantially downward from the opposite end of said plate, each respective first and second finger includes finger mounting means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device as defined in claim 1 further including: a latch lever coupled to a top portion of said main body and projecting angularly outward from said main body to form a cantilever projection therefrom.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 119 words

A metal latch for an electrical connector, the connector comprising an insulative housing including a front side wall defining a front side cavity, an oppositely disposed rear side wall defining a rear side cavity, said latch comprising: a mounting plate including a first side and an oppositely disposed second side; a flexible main body portion resiliently secured to the first side of said plate and extending upward therefrom; a support secured to the second side of said plate and extending upward therefrom; and a backstop secured to said support and extending therefrom toward said main body portion such that said main body portion can abut against the backstop when said main body portion is resiliently displaced toward said support.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 119 words

A metal latch for an electrical connector, the connector comprising an insulative housing including a front side wall defining a front side cavity, an oppositely disposed rear side wall defining a rear side cavity, said latch comprising: a mounting plate including a first side and an oppositely disposed second side; a flexible main body portion resiliently secured to the first side of said plate and extending upward therefrom; a support secured to the second side of said plate and extending upward therefrom; and a backstop secured to said support and extending therefrom toward said main body portion such that said main body portion can abut against the backstop when said main body portion is resiliently displaced toward said support.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

The latch device as defined in claim 10 further including: a latch lever projecting angularly outward from a top portion of said main body portion to form a cantilever projection therefrom.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 44 words

The latch device as defined in claim 10 further including: a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 66 words

The latch device as defined in claim 10 further including: a latch lever projecting angularly outward from a top portion of said main body portion to form a cantilever projection therefrom; and a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 23 words

The latch device as defined in claim 10 further including: a guidance latch plate extending from said main body away from said support.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 79 words

The latch device as defined in claim 10 further including: a latch lever projecting angularly outward from a top portion of said main body portion to form a cantilever projection therefrom; a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion; and a guidance latch plate extending from said main body away from said support.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 17 words

The latch device as defined in claim 10 wherein, said backstop is inclined relative to the plate.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 19 words

The latch device as defined in claim 10 wherein, said backstop is inclined angularly downward relative to the plate.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The latch device as defined in claim 10 wherein, said backstop can abut the plate when said main body abuts the backstop.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

The metal latch as defined in claim 10 wherein, said mounting plate includes mounting means for securely engaging the front side cavity and the second rear side cavity.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 40 words

The latch device as defined in claim 19 wherein, said mounting means includes a first finger extending downward from a third side of the plate, and a second finger extending downward from an oppositely disposed fourth side of the plate.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 44 words

The latch device as defined in claim 20 wherein, said first finger includes a first distal end formed to be skewed into the front side cavity, and said second finger includes a second distal end formed to be skewed into the rear side cavity.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 42 words

The latch device as defined in claim 21 wherein, said first finger includes a first mounting barb dimensioned to securely engage the front side cavity, and said second finger includes a second mounting barb dimensioned to securely engage the rear side cavity.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 86 words

The latch device as defined in claim 10 further including: mounting means coupled to said mounting plate for securely engaging the front side cavity and the second rear side cavity; a latch lever projecting angularly outward from a top portion of said main body portion to form a cantilever protection therefrom; and a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 40 words

The latch device as defined in claim 23 wherein, said mounting means includes a first finger extending downward from a third side of the plate, and a second finger extending downward from an oppositely disposed fourth side of the plate.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 46 words

The latch device as defined in claim 24 wherein, said first finger includes a first deformable distal end formed to be bent into the front side cavity, and said second finger includes a second deformable distal end formed to be bent into the rear side cavity.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 42 words

The latch device as defined in claim 24 wherein, said first finger includes a first mounting barb dimensioned to securely engage the front side cavity, and said second finger includes a second mounting barb dimensioned to securely engage the rear side cavity.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 23 words

The latch device as defined in claim 24 further including: a guidance latch plate extending from said main body away from said support.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 178 words

A metal latch for an electrical connector, the connector comprising an insulative housing including a top side defining an elongated slot, a first side wall defining a first side cavity, an oppositely disposed second side wall defining a second side cavity, said latch comprising: a generally planar mounting plate formed for substantial abutting support against the housing topside, and including a front side facing the elongated slot and an oppositely disposed rear side, and a first side and an oppositely disposed second side; a flexible main body portion including a substantially vertical top portion and a bottom portion resiliently secured to and angled away from the front side of the plate; a first finger secured to the first side of the plate and extending downward therefrom, said first finger including a first mounting means for securely engaging the first side cavity of the housing; and a second finger secured to the second side of the plate and extending downward therefrom, said second finger including a second mounting means for securely engaging the second side cavity of the housing.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 178 words

A metal latch for an electrical connector, the connector comprising an insulative housing including a top side defining an elongated slot, a first side wall defining a first side cavity, an oppositely disposed second side wall defining a second side cavity, said latch comprising: a generally planar mounting plate formed for substantial abutting support against the housing topside, and including a front side facing the elongated slot and an oppositely disposed rear side, and a first side and an oppositely disposed second side; a flexible main body portion including a substantially vertical top portion and a bottom portion resiliently secured to and angled away from the front side of the plate; a first finger secured to the first side of the plate and extending downward therefrom, said first finger including a first mounting means for securely engaging the first side cavity of the housing; and a second finger secured to the second side of the plate and extending downward therefrom, said second finger including a second mounting means for securely engaging the second side cavity of the housing.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 46 words

The latch device as defined in claim 28 wherein, said first mounting means comprises a first deformable end formed to be bent into said first side cavity, and said second mounting means comprises a second deformable end formed to be bent into said second side cavity.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 44 words

The latch device as defined in claim 28 wherein, said first mounting means comprises a first mounting barb dimensioned to securely engage said first side cavity, and said second mounting means comprises a second mounting barb dimensioned to securely engage said second side cavity.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 31 words

The latch device as defined in claim 28 further including: a latch lever projecting angularly outward from a top portion of said main body portion to form a cantilever projection therefrom.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 46 words

The latch device as defined in claim 28 further including: a latch lug extending from the top portion of said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said top portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said top portion.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 68 words

The latch device as defined in claim 28 further including: a latch lever projecting angularly outward from the top portion of said main body portion to form a cantilever projection therefrom; and a latch lug extending from the top portion of said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said top portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said top portion.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 107 words

The latch device as defined in claim 28 further including: a latch lever projecting angularly outward from the top portion of said main body portion to form a cantilever projection therefrom; and a latch lug extending from the top portion of said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said top portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said top portion; wherein said first mounting means comprises a first deformable end formed to be skewed into said first side cavity; and wherein said second mounting means comprises a second deformable end formed to be skewed into said second side cavity.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 28 words

The latch device as defined in claim 28 further including: a guidance latch plate extending from the top port; on of said main body toward the elongated slot.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 132 words

A circuit board latching device for use with an insulative connector housing which includes a retaining wall and a circuit board support post, the board support post positioned opposite the retaining wall, said latching device comprising: a main body portion; a mounting member having at least two upstanding sleeve mounting portions each adjacently coupled to said main body portion for mounting said main body portion to the housing between the retaining wall and the board support post; a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion; and a stress reducing member including a resilient arm projecting angularly away from said main body portion toward the retaining wall.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 132 words

A circuit board latching device for use with an insulative connector housing which includes a retaining wall and a circuit board support post, the board support post positioned opposite the retaining wall, said latching device comprising: a main body portion; a mounting member having at least two upstanding sleeve mounting portions each adjacently coupled to said main body portion for mounting said main body portion to the housing between the retaining wall and the board support post; a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion; and a stress reducing member including a resilient arm projecting angularly away from said main body portion toward the retaining wall.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 146 words

A circuit board latching device for use with an insulative connector housing, said latching device comprising: a main body portion; a mounting member for mounting said main body portion to the housing including a generally horizontal support plate extending angularly outward from said main body portion, a first finger extending substantially downward from one end of said plate, and a second finger extending substantially downward from the opposite end of said plate, each respective first and second finger includes finger mounting portions; a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion; and a stress reducing member remote and independent from said mounting member, and including a resilient arm projecting angularly downward from proximate an upper portion of said main body portion.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 146 words

A circuit board latching device for use with an insulative connector housing, said latching device comprising: a main body portion; a mounting member for mounting said main body portion to the housing including a generally horizontal support plate extending angularly outward from said main body portion, a first finger extending substantially downward from one end of said plate, and a second finger extending substantially downward from the opposite end of said plate, each respective first and second finger includes finger mounting portions; a latch lug extending from said main body portion, said latch lug including a cam surface inclined relative to said main body portion and a lock surface substantially perpendicular to said main body portion; and a stress reducing member remote and independent from said mounting member, and including a resilient arm projecting angularly downward from proximate an upper portion of said main body portion.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-12-12	1998-06-13	1998-12-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-12-12	2002-06-13	2002-12-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-12-12	2006-06-13	2006-12-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electrical connector with improved latch mechanism

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