US5613882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector latch and polarizing structure
Assignee: Whitaker LLC
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Filing: 1996-06-10
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Granted: 1997-03-25
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Expires: 2016-06-10
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly (6) comprises, a header (7) through which conductive pins (3) extend, a series of parallel keyways (23) in the header (7), an electrical connector (12) for connection to some of the pins (7), at least one external key (24) on the connector (12) being received along one of the keyways (23) to align the connector (12), and a pivotable hook (30) adapted to impinge a ledge (22) of the connector (12).
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Hnatuck
- 👤 John R. Shuey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7005; H01R12/71; H01R12/75; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/502; H01R13/506; H01R13/514
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: a header with side walls and a bottom through which conductive pins extend, a series of parallel keyways in at least one of the walls of the header, an electrical connector for connection to some of the pins, at least one external key on the connector being received along one of the keyways to align the connector for connection with selected pins, hinge knuckles along the header, a hook pivotable along a hinge pin extending through the knuckles, the hook extending parallel to the hinge pin and transversely of multiple rows of pins and being adapted to impinge a first connector covering only one row of pins, or to impinge a second connector covering more than one row of pins, and at least one connector and electrical contacts in the connector connected to wires, the contacts being connected with respective pins, and a ledge along said connector onto which the hook is impinged to retain said connector in the header, the hook being divided into a series of hook teeth corresponding in number to the number of rows of pins covered by said connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: a header with side walls and a bottom through which conductive pins extend, a series of parallel keyways in at least one of the walls of the header, an electrical connector for connection to some of the pins, at least one external key on the connector being received along one of the keyways to align the connector for connection with selected pins, hinge knuckles along the header, a hook pivotable along a hinge pin extending through the knuckles, the hook extending parallel to the hinge pin and transversely of multiple rows of pins and being adapted to impinge a first connector covering only one row of pins, or to impinge a second connector covering more than one row of pins, and at least one connector and electrical contacts in the connector connected to wires, the contacts being connected with respective pins, and a ledge along said connector onto which the hook is impinged to retain said connector in the header, the hook being divided into a series of hook teeth corresponding in number to the number of rows of pins covered by said connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein, each of the hook teeth is opposite a row of the pins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein, at least one of the hook teeth impinges the legde of the connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: a header with side walls and a bottom through which conductive pins extend, keying elements in at least one of the walls of the header, an insulating housing having at least one external key received by at least one of the keying elements to align the connector, hinge knuckles along the header, a hook pivotable along a hinge pin extending through the knuckles, a first connector having a width covering one row of pins, and a second connector having a width covering more than one row of pins, each said connector having a ledge, and the hook extending transverse to multiple rows of pins, the hook being pivotable about the hinge pin to bridge the width of either of said connectors, and to impinge the ledge of either of said connectors, the hook being divided into a series of hook teeth corresponding in number to the number of rows of pins covered by said connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electrical connector assembly comprising: a header with side walls and a bottom through which conductive pins extend, keying elements in at least one of the walls of the header, an insulating housing having at least one external key received by at least one of the keying elements to align the connector, hinge knuckles along the header, a hook pivotable along a hinge pin extending through the knuckles, a first connector having a width covering one row of pins, and a second connector having a width covering more than one row of pins, each said connector having a ledge, and the hook extending transverse to multiple rows of pins, the hook being pivotable about the hinge pin to bridge the width of either of said connectors, and to impinge the ledge of either of said connectors, the hook being divided into a series of hook teeth corresponding in number to the number of rows of pins covered by said connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein, each of the hook teeth is opposite a row of the pins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein, at least one of the hook teeth impinges the legde of the connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 4, comprising: a lever projecting from the hook.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electrical connector assembly, comprising: a header with side walls and a bottom through which conductive pins extend, keying elements in at least one of the walls of the header, an electrical connector for connection to some of the pins, at least one external key being received by portions of the keying elements to align the connector for connection with selected pins, hinge knuckles along the header, a hook pivotable along a hinge pin extending through the knuckles, the hook extending parallel to the hinge pin and transversely of multiple rows of pins and being adapted to impinge a first connector covering only one row of pins, or to impinge a second connector covering more than one row of pins, the hook being divided into a series of hook teeth corresponding in number to the number of rows of pins covered by said connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electrical connector assembly, comprising: a header with side walls and a bottom through which conductive pins extend, keying elements in at least one of the walls of the header, an electrical connector for connection to some of the pins, at least one external key being received by portions of the keying elements to align the connector for connection with selected pins, hinge knuckles along the header, a hook pivotable along a hinge pin extending through the knuckles, the hook extending parallel to the hinge pin and transversely of multiple rows of pins and being adapted to impinge a first connector covering only one row of pins, or to impinge a second connector covering more than one row of pins, the hook being divided into a series of hook teeth corresponding in number to the number of rows of pins covered by said connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein, each of the hook teeth is opposite a row of pins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein, at least one of the hook teeth impinges a ledge on the connector.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-24 | 2000-09-23 | 2001-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-24 | 2004-09-23 | 2005-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-24 | 2008-09-23 | 2009-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |