US6012949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector assembly and boardlocks thereof
Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1998-12-09
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2018-12-09
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly includes a plug received in a slot defined in a receptacle which is mounted to a PC board by means of boardlocks received in passageways thereof. Each boardlock includes a main body having a plate perpendicularly extending from a bottom of an intermediate portion thereof for being soldered to the PC board. A pair of engaging wings perpendicularly project from opposite sides of the intermediate portion of the main body into the slot for engaging with apertures defined in side portions of the plug to firmly secure the plug therein. One distal end of the main body is bent to perpendicularly extend therefrom, and the other distal end of the main body is curved whereby a tail end thereof projects in a direction parallel to the main body. Thus, a force acting on the plate is effectively absorbed by the distal ends of the boardlock when the plug is withdrawn from the receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon Lok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7005; H01R12/7011; H01R12/707
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An electrical connector assembly including: a receptacle comprising an insulative housing defining a longitudinal slot in a front face thereof and at least a passageway in a bottom face thereof in communication with the slot; a plug received in the slot of the housing; and at least one boardlock received in the corresponding passageway of the housing, each boardlock including a main body having a plate extending perpendicularly from a bottom of an intermediate portion thereof for being soldered to the PC board and an engaging wing perpendicularly projecting from the intermediate portion of the main body into the slot for engaging with a latch of the plug whereby inadvertent disengagement of the plug from the receptacle due to an external force is effectively resisted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An electrical connector assembly including: a receptacle comprising an insulative housing defining a longitudinal slot in a front face thereof and at least a passageway in a bottom face thereof in communication with the slot; a plug received in the slot of the housing; and at least one boardlock received in the corresponding passageway of the housing, each boardlock including a main body having a plate extending perpendicularly from a bottom of an intermediate portion thereof for being soldered to the PC board and an engaging wing perpendicularly projecting from the intermediate portion of the main body into the slot for engaging with a latch of the plug whereby inadvertent disengagement of the plug from the receptacle due to an external force is effectively resisted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the plate defines an opening therethrough for facilitating soldering to the PC board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the plate projects from a distal end of the housing substantially coplanar to a bottom surface thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the engaging wing and the plate extend from the main body in different directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The connector assembly as described in claim 1, wherein one distal end of the main body of each boardlock is bent to perpendicularly extend therefrom, and the other distal end of the main body thereof is curved whereby a tail end projects in a direction parallel to the main body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector as described in claim 1, wherein a post downwardly projects from the main body for insertion into a positioning hole defined in the PC board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The connector as described in claim 1, wherein a positioning protrusion is formed on the main body of each boardlock for engaging with a corresponding recess defined within the passageway of the housing for properly aligning the boardlock therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
An electrical connector assembly including: a receptacle comprising an insulative housing defining a longitudinal slot in a front face thereof and at least are passageway in a bottom face thereof in communication with the slot; a plug received in the slot of the housing; and a boardlock received in each corresponding passageway of the housing from the bottom face there of, each boardlock including a main body having a curved distal end and a plate perpendicularly extending from a bottom of an intermediate portion of the main body for being soldered to the PC board, whereby the curved distal end can effectively absorb a force acting on the plate when the plug is withdrawn from the receptacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
An electrical connector assembly including: a receptacle comprising an insulative housing defining a longitudinal slot in a front face thereof and at least are passageway in a bottom face thereof in communication with the slot; a plug received in the slot of the housing; and a boardlock received in each corresponding passageway of the housing from the bottom face there of, each boardlock including a main body having a curved distal end and a plate perpendicularly extending from a bottom of an intermediate portion of the main body for being soldered to the PC board, whereby the curved distal end can effectively absorb a force acting on the plate when the plug is withdrawn from the receptacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
A boardlock received in a corresponding passageway of an electrical connector from a bottom face thereof and for mounting the connector to a PC board, comprising: a main body having a plate perpendicularly extending from a bottom of an intermediate portion thereof for being soldered to the PC board; and at least an engaging wing perpendicularly projecting from the intermediate portion of the main body for latching to a mating plug; wherein the engaging wing and the plate extend from the main body in different directions; and wherein a post projects downwardly from the main body for insertion into a positioning hole defined in the PC board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A boardlock received in a corresponding passageway of an electrical connector from a bottom face thereof and for mounting the connector to a PC board, comprising: a main body having a plate perpendicularly extending from a bottom of an intermediate portion thereof for being soldered to the PC board; and at least an engaging wing perpendicularly projecting from the intermediate portion of the main body for latching to a mating plug; wherein the engaging wing and the plate extend from the main body in different directions; and wherein a post projects downwardly from the main body for insertion into a positioning hole defined in the PC board.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The boardlock as described in claim 9, wherein the main body includes a curved distal end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The boardlock as described in claim 10, wherein one distal end of the main body of the boardlock extends perpendicularly therefrom and another distal end has a tail end projecting in a direction parallel to the main body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The boardlock as described in claim 9, wherein the plate defines an opening therethrough for facilitating soldering to the PC board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
A receptacle connector comprising: an insulative housing defining a longitudinal slot in a front face thereof and at least one passageway in a bottom face thereof in communication with the slot; and a boardlock assembled into the passageway from a bottom of the housing, said boardlock including first means for securing to a PC board on which the receptacle connector is seated, and second means for latchable engagement with latches of a complementary plug connector; wherein said first means is exposed to an exterior of the housing and said second means extends into the slot of the housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
98 words
A receptacle connector comprising: an insulative housing defining a longitudinal slot in a front face thereof and at least one passageway in a bottom face thereof in communication with the slot; and a boardlock assembled into the passageway from a bottom of the housing, said boardlock including first means for securing to a PC board on which the receptacle connector is seated, and second means for latchable engagement with latches of a complementary plug connector; wherein said first means is exposed to an exterior of the housing and said second means extends into the slot of the housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The receptacle connector as defined in claim 13, wherein a configuration of the passageway is snugly compliant with the boardlock for efficiently resisting a horizontal withdrawal force applied to the second means of the boardlock.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The receptacle connector as described in claim 13, wherein said first means is either a horizontal mounting plate or a vertical post.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The receptacle connector as described in claim 13, wherein said second means is an engaging wing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5688143A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-10 | 2003-07-12 | 2004-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-10 | 2007-07-12 | 2008-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-10 | 2011-07-12 | 2012-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |