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US5830002A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Connector

Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
•
Filing: 1996-08-05
•
Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2016-08-05
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Abstract

Abstract A connector assembly (10,30;120,140;210,230) comprises a female connector and a male connector for insertion in the female connector. A latching arm (20,130,220) is provided on one of the female and male connectors, and a latching abutment (33,143,233) is provided on the other of the female and male connectors. Insertion resistance means (24,34;133,42;226,233) are effective only in the insertion direction to increase the latching force.

Inventors

  • 👤 Osamu Ito
  • 👤 Toshikazu Saba

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 12:06
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6271; H01R13/6272

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 107 words
A connector assembly comprising a female connector and a male connector for insertion in said female connector, wherein one of the male and female connectors has a latching arm and the other of the male and female connectors has a latching abutment for engagement by the latching arm, the latching arm and latching abutment having a latching force, and the latching arm engaging the latching abutment to releasably retain the male connector in the female connector, the assembly further including insertion resistance means on the male and female connectors, in use the insertion resistance means being effective only in the insertion direction to increase said latching force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 107 words
A connector assembly comprising a female connector and a male connector for insertion in said female connector, wherein one of the male and female connectors has a latching arm and the other of the male and female connectors has a latching abutment for engagement by the latching arm, the latching arm and latching abutment having a latching force, and the latching arm engaging the latching abutment to releasably retain the male connector in the female connector, the assembly further including insertion resistance means on the male and female connectors, in use the insertion resistance means being effective only in the insertion direction to increase said latching force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said insertion resistance means comprises a resilient insertion arm of one of said connectors and an insertion abutment of the other of said connectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein on engagement of the insertion arm with the insertion abutment, the insertion arm is deflected resiliently, thereby imparting resistance to insertion of the male connector into the female connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The assembly of claim 2 comprising two latching arms and an insertion arm, or two insertion arms and a latching arm, the two arms being either side of the one arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said insertion arm is stiffer than said latching arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein said insertion arm is shorter than said latching arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein said insertion arm and said latching arm are each mounted on a connector by a respective foot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein said insertion arm and said latching arm are mounted on the same connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein the foot of said latching arm is adjacent the foot of said insertion arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein the said insertion arm and said latching arm have a common foot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 15 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein said insertion arm forms part of said latching arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 64 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein the latching arm extends on either side of the respective foot, the foot being a fulcrum, one end of the latching arm being for engagement with the latching abutment, and the other end having a contact surface arranged such that on the application of pressure thereto, the latching arm bends about said foot to disengage said latching abutment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 13 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein the insertion arm is the latching arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 14 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein the latching arm is mounted on a foot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 63 words
The assembly of claim 14 wherein the latching arm extends on either side of the foot, the foot being a fulcrum, one end of the latching arm being for engagement with the latching abutment, and the other end having a contact surface arranged such that on the application of pressure thereto, the latching arm bends about said foot to disengage said latching abutment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 29 words
The assembly of claim 14 wherein the latching arm comprises a latching face for engagement with the latching abutment, and an insertion face for engagement with the insertion abutment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 18 words
The assembly of claim 16 wherein the insertion face is nearer the foot than is the latching face.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 19 words
The assembly of claim 16 comprising two insertion faces, the insertion faces being either side of the latching face.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 54 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein the latching arm is arranged to be deflected resiliently in a first plane in the insertion direction of the connectors, and in a second plane for disengagement of the connectors, the stiffness of the latching arm in the first plane being greater than that in the second plane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 14 words
The assembly of claim 19 wherein the first and second planes are mutually perpendicular.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 27 words
The assembly of claim 19 wherein the latching arm has a forked end arranged to be deflected apart in the first plane on insertion of the connectors.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPH0295174A Cited
JPH03196478A Cited
US4944693A Cited
US5382177A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-11-02 2002-05-04 2002-11-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-11-02 2006-05-04 2006-11-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-11-02 2010-05-04 2010-11-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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