Connector having a slide rail latch release

Claim 2

A latch release for engaging an operative portion of a latching mechanism of a connector so as to switch said latching mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position comprising: a housing cooperatively associated with said connector and having a passageway therethrough defining a first open end and a second open end wherein said second open end is positioned adjacent to an operative portion of a latching mechanism; and a rail slidably positioned within said passageway and comprising a front end that projects outwardly from said second open end adjacent to said operative portion of said latching mechanism and a rear end that projects outwardly from said first open end so that when said rail is slid through said passageway toward said latching mechanism said front end of said rail engages said operative portion of said latching mechanism.

Claim 3

A latch release according to claim 1 wherein said rail includes an elongate substantially flat beam and wherein said front end includes a cam that projects radially outwardly from a bottom surface, said cam having a chamfered front surface that is shaped and sized for sliding and actuating engagement with said operative portion of said latching mechanism.

Claim 4

A latch release according to claim 2 wherein said rear end has a tapered recess that extends into said rail and is sized so as to accept the working end of a push tool.

Claim 5

A latch release according to claim 2 wherein said rail defines an opening in a portion of said rear end and within which a catch comprising a cantilevered beam projects upwardly and outwardly from an edge of said opening.

Claim 6

A latch release according to claim 4 wherein said catch is fixed to said edge of said opening by a living hinge.

Claim 7

A latch release according to claim 5 wherein said catch includes a free end positioned above said opening and a recessed notch defined on an outer surface of said catch adjacent to said free end.

Claim 8

A latch release according to claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a top shell and a bottom shell each having a concavely shaped body portion including a pair of parallel spaced arms that project outwardly from a front end and a cable exit opening defined at a rear end.

Claim 9

A latch release according to claim 7 wherein said body portions of said top and bottom shells mate along a peripheral edge to form a partially enclosed void space or cavity that is sized and shaped to contain and cooperate with a portion of said connector.

Claim 10

A latch release according to claim 8 wherein said body portions of said top and bottom shells include an annular stud that projects inwardly from an inner surface adjacent to said cable exit opening.

Claim 11

A latch release according to claim 9 wherein said body portion of said top shell includes an outer wall and an inner wall that are spaced apart so as to define said passageway and wherein said outer wall includes a front edge and a rear edge and has a recessed notch defined within an inner surface, adjacent to said rear edge and said inner wall includes a front edge and a rear edge with said rear edge spaced away from a rear opening of said passageway, adjacent to said cable exit opening at said rear end so as to provide a rail support surface.

Claim 12

A latch release according to claim 10 wherein said passageway comprises a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, having a somewhat larger cross-sectional size than said rail.

Claim 13

A latch release for engaging an operative portion of a latching mechanism of a connector so as to switch said latching mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position comprising: a housing cooperatively associated with said connector and having a passageway therethrough defining a first open end and a second open end wherein said second open end is positioned adjacent to an operative portion of a latching mechanism; and a rail slidably positioned within said passageway and comprising a front end that projects outwardly from said second open end adjacent to said operative portion of said latching mechanism and a rear end that projects outwardly from said first open end, wherein said rail defines an opening in a portion of said rear end within which a catch comprising a cantilevered beam projects upwardly and outwardly from an edge of said opening and is fixed to said edge of said opening by a living hinge so that when said rail is slid through said passageway toward said latching mechanism said front end of said rail engages said operative portion of said latching mechanism and said catch engages a portion of said housing so as to maintain said rail in engagement with said operative portion.

Claim 14

A latch release for engaging an operative portion of a latching mechanism of a connector so as to switch said latching mechanism between a latched position and an unlatched position comprising: a housing cooperatively associated with said connector and having a passageway therethrough defining a first open end and a second open end wherein said second open end is positioned adjacent to an operative portion of a latching mechanism; and a rail slidably positioned within said passageway and comprising a front end that projects outwardly from said second open end adjacent to said operative portion of said latching mechanism and a rear end that projects outwardly from said first open end, wherein said rail defines an opening in a portion of said rear end within which a catch comprising a cantilevered beam projects upwardly and outwardly from an edge of said opening and is fixed to said edge of said opening by a living hinge so that when said rail is slid through said passageway toward said latching mechanism said front end of said rail engages said operative portion of said latching mechanism and said catch engages a portion of said housing so as to maintain said rail in engagement with said operative portion.

Claim 15

A latch release according to claim 12 wherein said catch includes a free end positioned above said opening and a recessed notch defined on an outer surface of said catch adjacent to said free end such that when said rail fully engages said operative portion so as to unlatch said latching mechanism, said recessed notch of said catch engages a recessed notch defined on an inner surface of said housing defining said passageway.

Claim 16

A latch release according to claim 13 wherein said rail includes an elongate substantially flat beam wherein said front end include a cam that projects radially outwardly from a bottom surface, said cam having a chamfered front surface that is shaped and sized for sliding engagement with said operative portion of said latching mechanism.

Claim 17

A latch release according to claim 14 wherein said rear end has a tapered recess that extends into said rail, and is sized so as to accept the working end of a push tool.