US5389014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector having secondary locking mechanism
Assignee: AMP Deutschland GmbH
•
Filing: 1993-08-04
•
Granted: 1995-02-14
•
Expires: 2013-08-04
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector includes passageways for receiving electrical terminal contacts. The electrical terminals are primarily locked in their cavities by way of locking lances on electrical terminals engaging with locking shoulders in respective passageways. The electrical terminals are secondarily locked in their passageways by way of a locking member which has first and second latching elements positioned along straps, the latching elements providing a first latching position on rails and the second elements providing a second fully locked position. The locking member is axially slidable rearwardly to a position where locking members are positioned above respective openings and the secondary lock member can be pushed downwardly such that the locking members are positioned behind the electrical terminals for secondary locking.
Inventors
- 👤 Dietrich W. Kumpel
- 👤 Rolf Jetter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/436; H01R13/4361; H01R13/4362
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In an electrical connector comprising an insulating housing body and at least one passageway for receiving an electrical terminal, and a locking member for positively retaining said terminal in said one passageway, said housing body having at least one transverse channel in communication with said one passageway where said locking member is moveable transversely of said terminal into said one transverse channel where said locking member can be positioned behind a locking shoulder of said terminal, said connector being characterized in that said locking member is captively supported by said housing body, and said locking member is moveable longitudinally of said housing body from a first position where said terminal can be inserted, to a second position where said locking member is in alignment with said transverse passageway, said locking member being movable transversely into said transverse channel to a locked position to retain said terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In an electrical connector comprising an insulating housing body and at least one passageway for receiving an electrical terminal, and a locking member for positively retaining said terminal in said one passageway, said housing body having at least one transverse channel in communication with said one passageway where said locking member is moveable transversely of said terminal into said one transverse channel where said locking member can be positioned behind a locking shoulder of said terminal, said connector being characterized in that said locking member is captively supported by said housing body, and said locking member is moveable longitudinally of said housing body from a first position where said terminal can be inserted, to a second position where said locking member is in alignment with said transverse passageway, said locking member being movable transversely into said transverse channel to a locked position to retain said terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrical connector of claim 1, characterized in that said housing body has longitudinally extending rails along the sides thereof, and said locking member has latches which grip said rails for captive movement of said locking member longitudinally along said housing body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electrical connector of claim 2, characterized in that said housing body includes an extension bar beneath said rails, preventing transverse movement of said locking member, and said extension bar having an opening adjacent said transverse channel allowing transverse movement of said locking member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical connector of claim 1, characterized in that said locking member has two pairs of latching shoulders, a first pair allowing said first position, and said second pair allowing said locked position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electrical connector of claim 1, characterized in that said housing body has at least three passageways, two passageways in an upper row, and a third lower passageway intermediate said two upper passageways, said locking member comprising an elongate locking member extending between said two upper passageways, and two locking members positioned above said two upper passageways.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electrical connector of claim 5, characterized in that said housing body includes an elongate channel intermediate said two upper passageways, for receiving said elongate locking member and allowing longitudinal movement of said locking member when in the prelocked position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical connector of claim 6, characterized in that said transverse passageway is laterally staggered from said elongate channel, said locking member being laterally shifted upon moving into said finally locked position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
172 words
An electrical connector comprising an insulating housing body and at least one passageway for receiving an electrical terminal, and a locking member for positively retaining said terminal in said one passageway, said housing body having at least one transverse channel in communication with said one passageway where said locking member is moveable transversely of said terminal into said one transverse channel where said locking member can be positioned behind a locking shoulder of said terminal, said connector being characterized in that said locking member is captively supported by said housing body, said housing body having longitudinally extending rails along the sides thereof, and said locking member having latching shoulders which grip said rails for captive movement of said locking member longitudinally along said housing body from a first position where said terminal can be inserted, to a second position where said locking member is in alignment with said transverse passageway for locking said terminal, said locking member being movable transversely into said transverse channel into a locked position to retain said terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
172 words
An electrical connector comprising an insulating housing body and at least one passageway for receiving an electrical terminal, and a locking member for positively retaining said terminal in said one passageway, said housing body having at least one transverse channel in communication with said one passageway where said locking member is moveable transversely of said terminal into said one transverse channel where said locking member can be positioned behind a locking shoulder of said terminal, said connector being characterized in that said locking member is captively supported by said housing body, said housing body having longitudinally extending rails along the sides thereof, and said locking member having latching shoulders which grip said rails for captive movement of said locking member longitudinally along said housing body from a first position where said terminal can be inserted, to a second position where said locking member is in alignment with said transverse passageway for locking said terminal, said locking member being movable transversely into said transverse channel into a locked position to retain said terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electrical connector of claim 8, characterized in that said housing body includes an extension bar beneath said rails, preventing transverse movement of said locking member, and said extension bar having an opening adjacent said transverse channel allowing transverse movement of said locking member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical connector of claim 8, characterized in that said locking member has two pairs of latching shoulders, a first pair allowing said first position, and said second pair allowing said locked position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electrical connector of claim 8, characterized in that said housing body has at least three passageways, two passageways in an upper row, and a third lower passageway intermediate said two upper passageways, said locking member comprising an elongate locking member extending between said two upper passageways, and two locking members positioned above said two upper passageways.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electrical connector of claim 11, characterized in that said housing body includes an elongate channel intermediate said two upper passageways, for receiving said elongate locking member and allowing longitudinal movement of said locking member when in the prelocked position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical connector of claim 12, characterized in that said transverse passageway is laterally staggered from said elongate channel, said locking member being laterally shifted upon moving into said finally locked position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-02-13 | 1998-08-15 | 1999-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-13 | 2002-08-15 | 2003-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-13 | 2006-08-15 | 2007-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |