US5997362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector
Assignee: Yazaki Corp
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Filing: 1998-03-19
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2018-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Upper and lower connector housings are respectively formed substantially in a box shape having upper and lower walls. The upper and lower connector housings are connected to each other by overlapping an upper wall of the lower connector housing and a lower wall of the upper connector housing in an opposing state. Engaging holes are respectively formed on the lower wall of the upper connector housing and the upper wall of the lower connector housing. The engaging hole of the upper connector housing is closed by the upper wall of the lower connector housing. The engaging hole of the lower connector housing is closed by the lower wall of the upper connector housing. Accordingly, the terminal can be securely prevented from coming out from the terminal receiving chamber and the adjacent terminals can be securely prevented from being shorted.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuji Hatagishi
- 👤 Kimihiro Abe
- 👤 Kouichi Shirouzo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/514; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/502; H01R13/506
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A connector comprising: first and second connector housings separably overlapped with each other and maintained in an overlapped state; first and second opposing walls respectively provided in the first and second connector housings and opposed to each other in the overlapped state of the first and second connector housings; first and second receiving chambers respectively provided in the first and second connector housings, each of the receiving chambers receiving a terminal; a first engaging hole formed in the first opposing wall for providing an opening to the first receiving chamber, the first engaging hole being in engagement with the terminal in the first receiving chamber and being closed by the second opposing wall in the overlapped state of the first and second connector housings; and a second engaging hole formed in the second opposing wall for providing an opening to the second receiving chamber, the second engaging hole being in engagement with the terminal in the second receiving chamber and being closed by the first opposing wall in the overlapped state of the first and second connector housings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A connector comprising: first and second connector housings separably overlapped with each other and maintained in an overlapped state; first and second opposing walls respectively provided in the first and second connector housings and opposed to each other in the overlapped state of the first and second connector housings; first and second receiving chambers respectively provided in the first and second connector housings, each of the receiving chambers receiving a terminal; a first engaging hole formed in the first opposing wall for providing an opening to the first receiving chamber, the first engaging hole being in engagement with the terminal in the first receiving chamber and being closed by the second opposing wall in the overlapped state of the first and second connector housings; and a second engaging hole formed in the second opposing wall for providing an opening to the second receiving chamber, the second engaging hole being in engagement with the terminal in the second receiving chamber and being closed by the first opposing wall in the overlapped state of the first and second connector housings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the second engaging hole is deviated from the first engaging hole in the overlapped state of both connector housings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein: the first terminal received in the first receiving chamber has a first engaging portion being in engagement with the first engaging hole; and the second terminal received in the second receiving chamber has a second engaging portion being in engagement with the second engaging hole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A connector as recited in claim 3, wherein the first engaging portion is a first indent opposing the first engaging hole and projecting from a surface of the terminal that is received in the first receiving chamber, and the second engaging portion is a second indent opposing the first engaging hole and projecting from a surface of the terminal that is received in the second receiving chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the terminals received in the first and second receiving chambers has a first engaging portion being in engagement with the first engaging hole and a second engaging portion being in engagement with the second engagement hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A connector as recited in claim 5, wherein each of the terminals has two surfaces each facing opposing directions, the first engaging portion is a first indent projecting from one of the two surfaces, and the second engaging portion is a second indent projecting from the other of the two surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector as recited in claim 6, wherein the first connector housing has a first groove in which the second indent is received, and the second connector housing has a second groove in which the first indent is received.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second connector housings is formed substantially in a box shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second connector housings has a connecting mechanism for maintaining the overlapped state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
A connector housing as recited in claim 6, wherein the first engaging portion comprises a first indent projecting into the first engaging hole from a surface of the terminal when a terminal is received within the first connector housing, the second engaging portion comprises a second indent projecting into the second engaging hole from a surface of the second terminal when a terminal is received within the second connector housing, the engagement between the first engaging portion and the first engaging hole comprises operative contact between the first indent and the first engaging hole when a terminal is received within the first connector housing, and the engagement between the second engaging portion and the second engaging hole comprises operative contact between the second indent and the second engaging hole when a terminal is received within the second connector housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
A connector structure comprising: a first housing having an upper wall and a lower wall for receiving a first terminal, the lower wall of the first housing having a first housing engaging hole for engaging a first terminal engagement portion of a terminal that is received within the first housing; a second housing having an upper wall and a lower wall for receiving a second terminal, the upper wall of the second housing having a second housing engaging hole for engaging a second terminal engagement portion of a terminal that is received within the second housing; and wherein the first and second housings are separably overlapped with each other and maintained in an overlapped state, the lower wall of the first housing covers the second housing engaging hole, and the upper wall of the second housing covers the first housing engaging hole.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
142 words
A connector structure comprising: a first housing having an upper wall and a lower wall for receiving a first terminal, the lower wall of the first housing having a first housing engaging hole for engaging a first terminal engagement portion of a terminal that is received within the first housing; a second housing having an upper wall and a lower wall for receiving a second terminal, the upper wall of the second housing having a second housing engaging hole for engaging a second terminal engagement portion of a terminal that is received within the second housing; and wherein the first and second housings are separably overlapped with each other and maintained in an overlapped state, the lower wall of the first housing covers the second housing engaging hole, and the upper wall of the second housing covers the first housing engaging hole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A connector structure as recited in claim 11, wherein the second housing engaging hole is deviated from the first housing engaging hole when the first and second housings are in the overlapped state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
A connector structure as recited in claim 11, wherein the first terminal engagement portion comprises a first terminal indent opposing the first housing engaging hole and projecting from a lower surface of the terminal that is received within the first housing: the second terminal engagement portion comprises a second terminal indent opposing the second housing engaging hole and projecting from an upper surface of the second terminal that is received within the second housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
A connector structure as recited in claim 11, wherein the first terminal engagement portion comprises a first terminal indent projecting into the first housing engaging hole when the terminal is received within the first housing and when the first and second housings are in the overlapped state, and the second terminal engagement portion comprises a second terminal indent projecting into the second housing engaging hole when the terminal is received within the second housing and when the first and second housings are in the overlapped state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector structure as recited in claim 11, wherein each of the first and second housings is formed substantially in a box shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector structure as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second housings has a connecting mechanism for maintaining the overlapped state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
148 words
A connector structure comprising: a first housing having an upper wall and a lower wall for receiving a first terminal, the lower wall of the first housing having a first housing engaging hole for engaging a lower first terminal engagement portion when the first terminal is received within the first housing; a second housing having an upper wall and a lower wall for receiving a second terminal, the upper wall of the second housing having a second housing engaging hole for engaging an upper second terminal engagement portion of the second terminal when the second terminal is received within the second housing; and wherein the first and second housings are separably overlapped with each other and maintained in an overlapped state, the lower wall of the first housing covers the second housing engaging hole, and the upper wall of the second housing covers the first housing engaging hole.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
148 words
A connector structure comprising: a first housing having an upper wall and a lower wall for receiving a first terminal, the lower wall of the first housing having a first housing engaging hole for engaging a lower first terminal engagement portion when the first terminal is received within the first housing; a second housing having an upper wall and a lower wall for receiving a second terminal, the upper wall of the second housing having a second housing engaging hole for engaging an upper second terminal engagement portion of the second terminal when the second terminal is received within the second housing; and wherein the first and second housings are separably overlapped with each other and maintained in an overlapped state, the lower wall of the first housing covers the second housing engaging hole, and the upper wall of the second housing covers the first housing engaging hole.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
68 words
A connector structure as recited in claim 17, wherein the lower first terminal engagement portion comprises a lower first terminal indent projecting into the first housing engaging hole when the first terminal is received within the first housing, and the upper second terminal engagement portion comprises an upper second terminal indent projecting into the second housing engaging hole when the second terminal is received within the second housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
A connector structure as recited in claim 18, wherein the upper wall of the first housing has a first housing groove in which an upper first terminal indent of the first terminal is received when the first terminal is inserted within the first housing, and the lower wall of the second housing has a second housing groove in which a lower second terminal indent of the second terminal is received when the second terminal is inserted within the second housing.
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) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |