Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A connector comprising a front member and a connector housing, said connector housing having a plurality of terminal containers for accommodating female terminal metal fittings, and comprising an upper wall defining a portion of each of the plurality of terminal containers, each of the plurality of terminal containers being arranged in parallel with each other within said connector housing, each terminal container having a front opening facing said front member, wherein each front opening has a periphery including a first side thereof, and resilient locking pieces provided on the upper wall for reversibly locking the female terminal fittings to the connector, each of the resilient locking pieces being arranged in parallel with each other, said front member coupled with said connector housing and defining a through-hole portion and jig-insertion recesses, the jig-insertion recesses being in communication with the through-hole portion, tapered guide surfaces provided on opposite sides of and adjacent to each jig-insertion recess, wherein each tapered guide surface at least partially overlaps the first side of the periphery of each front opening of each of the plurality of terminal containers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A connector comprising a front member and a connector housing, said connector housing having a plurality of terminal containers for accommodating female terminal metal fittings, and comprising an upper wall defining a portion of each of the plurality of terminal containers, each of the plurality of terminal containers being arranged in parallel with each other within said connector housing, each terminal container having a front opening facing said front member, wherein each front opening has a periphery including a first side thereof, and resilient locking pieces provided on the upper wall for reversibly locking the female terminal fittings to the connector, each of the resilient locking pieces being arranged in parallel with each other, said front member coupled with said connector housing and defining a through-hole portion and jig-insertion recesses, the jig-insertion recesses being in communication with the through-hole portion, tapered guide surfaces provided on opposite sides of and adjacent to each jig-insertion recess, wherein each tapered guide surface at least partially overlaps the first side of the periphery of each front opening of each of the plurality of terminal containers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein said front member is coupled with said connector housing at a provisional locking position and a real locking position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector according to claim 1, wherein the periphery of each front opening of each of the plurality of terminal containers further includes a second side, a third side and a fourth side, tapered guide surfaces provided on each of said second side, third side and fourth side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A connector according to claim 1, further comprising a jig means for unlocking the female terminal fittings from the connector by releasing the female terminal fittings from said resilient locking pieces, by insertion of said jig means into the terminal container through one of the jig-insertion recesses.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
248 words
A method for unlocking female terminal fittings from a connector, said method comprising providing a connector comprising a front member and a connector housing, said connector housing having a plurality of terminal containers for accommodating the female terminal metal fittings, and comprising an upper wall defining a portion of each of the plurality of terminal containers, each of the plurality of terminal containers being arranged in parallel with each other within said connector housing, each terminal container having a front opening facing said front member, wherein each front opening has a periphery including a first side thereof, and resilient locking pieces provided on the upper wall for reversibly locking the female terminal fittings to the connector, each of the resilient locking pieces being arranged in parallel with each other, said front member coupled with said connector housing and defining a through-hole portion and jig-insertion recesses, the jig-insertion recesses being in communication with the through-hole portion, tapered guide surfaces provided on opposite sides of and adjacent to each jig-insertion recess, wherein each tapered guide surface at least partially overlaps the first side of the periphery of each front opening of each of the plurality of terminal containers; disengaging one of said resilient locking pieces from one of the female terminal fittings reversibly locked thereto by inserting a jig into one of the plurality of terminal containers through one of the jig-insertion recesses, to produce a disengaged female terminal fitting; and removing the disengaged female terminal fitting from the connector.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
248 words
A method for unlocking female terminal fittings from a connector, said method comprising providing a connector comprising a front member and a connector housing, said connector housing having a plurality of terminal containers for accommodating the female terminal metal fittings, and comprising an upper wall defining a portion of each of the plurality of terminal containers, each of the plurality of terminal containers being arranged in parallel with each other within said connector housing, each terminal container having a front opening facing said front member, wherein each front opening has a periphery including a first side thereof, and resilient locking pieces provided on the upper wall for reversibly locking the female terminal fittings to the connector, each of the resilient locking pieces being arranged in parallel with each other, said front member coupled with said connector housing and defining a through-hole portion and jig-insertion recesses, the jig-insertion recesses being in communication with the through-hole portion, tapered guide surfaces provided on opposite sides of and adjacent to each jig-insertion recess, wherein each tapered guide surface at least partially overlaps the first side of the periphery of each front opening of each of the plurality of terminal containers; disengaging one of said resilient locking pieces from one of the female terminal fittings reversibly locked thereto by inserting a jig into one of the plurality of terminal containers through one of the jig-insertion recesses, to produce a disengaged female terminal fitting; and removing the disengaged female terminal fitting from the connector.