US6062893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adapter frame for an electrical connector
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1998-06-04
•
Granted: 2000-05-16
•
Expires: 2018-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A stamped and formed metal adapter frame is provided for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel. The frame includes a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector. Supporting wall portions project from the receptacle portion. At least one first stiffening rib is formed in at least one of the wall portions and includes a stop for abutting the panel. At least one second stiffening rib is formed in at least one of the wall portions and defines a guide rail for the electrical connector inserted through the receptacle portion. Integral flexible gasket fingers are formed about the periphery of the receptacle portion. At least one mounting peg is insertable into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board and includes at least two levels of engaging surfaces for engaging at least two printed circuit boards of different thicknesses. A door closes the receptacle portion and is biased toward a closed position by cam ramps on the side wall portions of the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Miskin
- 👤 Jay H. Neer
- 👤 Kenneth Stanevich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/722; H01R12/7005; H01R12/7011; H01R12/7017; H01R12/7023; H01R12/7047; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/502; H01R13/512; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H01R13/6581; H01R13/6582; H01R13/6583; H01R13/6584; H01R13/6591; H01R13/6594; H01R31/00; H01R31/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A stamped and formed metal adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel, comprising: a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector; supporting wall portions projecting from the receptacle portion; and at least one stiffening rib formed in at least one of the wall portions, the stiffening rib including a stop for abutting the panel to define a preferred position of the adapter frame relative to the panel and wherein said stiffening rib is semi-cylindrical in cross-section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A stamped and formed metal adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel, comprising: a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector; supporting wall portions projecting from the receptacle portion; and at least one stiffening rib formed in at least one of the wall portions, the stiffening rib including a stop for abutting the panel to define a preferred position of the adapter frame relative to the panel and wherein said stiffening rib is semi-cylindrical in cross-section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 1 wherein the frame, including the receptacle portion, the wall portions and the stiffening rib, is a one-piece sheet metal structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 1, including a second stiffening rib formed in at least one of the wall portions and projecting inwardly therefrom to define a guide rail for the electrical connector inserted through said receptacle portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 3 wherein said second stiffening rib is semi-cylindrical in cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 3 wherein said stiffening rib with said stop defines a first stiffening rib forwardly of said second stiffening rib.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 5 wherein said supporting wall portions include a pair of side walls projecting rearwardly from opposite sides of the receptacle portion, with one of said first and said second stiffening ribs on each side wall to define a pair of stops on opposite sides of the frame and a pair of guide rails for opposite sides of the electrical connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 1 wherein said receptacle portion includes integral, flexible gasket means for engaging the interior of the aperture in the panel and the exterior of the electrical connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 7 wherein said gasket means comprise alternatingly inwardly and outwardly deformed flexible fingers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
A stamped and formed metal adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel, comprising: a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector; supporting wall portions projecting from the receptacle portion; and at least one stiffening rib formed in at least one of the wall portions and projecting inwardly therefrom to define a guide rail for the electrical connector inserted through said receptacle portion and wherein said stiffening rib is semi-cylindrical in cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
A stamped and formed metal adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel, comprising: a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector; supporting wall portions projecting from the receptacle portion; and at least one stiffening rib formed in at least one of the wall portions and projecting inwardly therefrom to define a guide rail for the electrical connector inserted through said receptacle portion and wherein said stiffening rib is semi-cylindrical in cross-section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 9 wherein the frame, including the receptacle portion, the wall portions and the stiffening rib, is a one-piece sheet metal structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 9 wherein said supporting wall portions include a pair of side walls projecting rearwardly from opposite sides of the receptacle portion, with one of said stiffening ribs on each side wall to define a pair of guide rails for opposite sides of the electrical connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 9 wherein said receptacle portion includes integral, flexible gasket means for engaging the interior of the aperture in the panel and the exterior of the electrical connector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 12 wherein said gasket means comprise alternatingly inwardly and outwardly deformed flexible fingers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
88 words
An adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector, comprising: a receptacle for receiving the electrical connector; side walls at opposite sides of the receptacle; a door pivotally mounted between the side walls for pivotal movement between a closed position closing the receptacle and an open position when the connector is inserted into the receptacle; and complementary interengaging cam means between the door and at least one of the side walls for automatically biasing the door to its closed position in response to removing the connector from the receptacle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
88 words
An adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector, comprising: a receptacle for receiving the electrical connector; side walls at opposite sides of the receptacle; a door pivotally mounted between the side walls for pivotal movement between a closed position closing the receptacle and an open position when the connector is inserted into the receptacle; and complementary interengaging cam means between the door and at least one of the side walls for automatically biasing the door to its closed position in response to removing the connector from the receptacle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The adapter frame of claim 14 wherein said complementary interengaging cam means comprise a cam ramp on the at least one side wall engageable by a cam follower on the door.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The adapter frame of claim 15, including one of said cam ramps on each side wall and a pair of cam followers at opposite sides of the door.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The adapter frame of claim 14, including auxiliary spring means on the frame engageable with the door to facilitate biasing the door toward its closed position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The adapter frame of claim 17 wherein the frame is stamped and formed of sheet metal material, and said auxiliary spring means comprises at least one integral leaf spring.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
75 words
An adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector, comprising: a receptacle for receiving the electrical connector; side walls at opposite sides of the receptacle; a door pivotally mounted between the side walls for pivotal movement between a closed position closing the receptacle and an open position when the connector is inserted into the receptacle; and a leaf spring projecting from the receptacle and engageable with the door for biasing the door toward its closed position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
An adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector, comprising: a receptacle for receiving the electrical connector; side walls at opposite sides of the receptacle; a door pivotally mounted between the side walls for pivotal movement between a closed position closing the receptacle and an open position when the connector is inserted into the receptacle; and a leaf spring projecting from the receptacle and engageable with the door for biasing the door toward its closed position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The adapter frame of claim 19 wherein said frame, including said receptacle, is stamped and formed of sheet metal material and said leaf spring is an integral part thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
176 words
A one-piece stamped and formed metal adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel, comprising: a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector; supporting wall portions projecting from the receptacle portion; at least one first stiffening rib formed in at least one of the wall portions, the stiffening rib including a stop for abutting the panel to define a preferred position of the adapter frame relative to the panel wherein said first stiffening rib is semi-cylindrical in cross-section; a second stiffening rib formed in at least one of the wall portions and projecting inwardly therefrom to define a guide rail for the electrical connector inserted through said receptacle portion; an integral, flexible gasket means about a portion of the receptacle for engaging the interior of the aperture in the panel and the exterior of the electrical connector; and at least one mounting peg depending from at least one of the wall portions for insertion into an appropriate mounting hole in a printed circuit board.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
176 words
A one-piece stamped and formed metal adapter frame for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel, comprising: a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector; supporting wall portions projecting from the receptacle portion; at least one first stiffening rib formed in at least one of the wall portions, the stiffening rib including a stop for abutting the panel to define a preferred position of the adapter frame relative to the panel wherein said first stiffening rib is semi-cylindrical in cross-section; a second stiffening rib formed in at least one of the wall portions and projecting inwardly therefrom to define a guide rail for the electrical connector inserted through said receptacle portion; an integral, flexible gasket means about a portion of the receptacle for engaging the interior of the aperture in the panel and the exterior of the electrical connector; and at least one mounting peg depending from at least one of the wall portions for insertion into an appropriate mounting hole in a printed circuit board.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The one-piece stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 21 wherein said second stiffening rib is semi-cylindrical in cross-section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The one-piece stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 21 wherein said gasket means comprise alternatingly inwardly and outwardly deformed flexible fingers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The one-piece stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 21 wherein said mounting peg has at least two levels of engaging surfaces for engaging at least two printed circuit boards of different thicknesses.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The one-piece stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 21 wherein said first stiffening rib is forwardly of said second stiffening rib.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
The one-piece stamped and formed metal adapter frame of claim 25 wherein said supporting wall portions include a pair of side walls projecting rearwardly from opposite sides of the receptacle portion, with one of said first and said second stiffening ribs on each side wall to define a pair of stops on opposite sides of the frame and a pair of guide rails for opposite sides of the electrical 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) | 2003-05-16 | 2003-11-15 | 2004-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-16 | 2007-11-15 | 2008-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-16 | 2011-11-15 | 2012-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |