Patent US6347952B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6347952B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector with locking member and audible indication of complete locking
Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
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Filing: 2000-09-15
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Granted: 2002-02-19
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Expires: 2020-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A connector includes first and second housings ( 10; 20 ). A lock arm ( 27 ) is formed on the second housing ( 20 ) and includes a lock ( 30 ) and striking portions ( 31 ). The lock ( 30 ) moves onto a locking projection ( 13 ) of the first housing ( 10 ) during a connecting operation and engages the locking projection ( 13 ) when the housings ( 10; 20 ) are connected properly. The striking portions ( 31 ) are formed separately from the lock ( 30 ) and produce a sound upon striking upon the first housing ( 10 ) when the housings ( 10; 20 ) are connected properly with each other. Since the striking portions ( 31 ) or producing a striking sound and the lock ( 30 ) for locking are separately formed, a vertical dimension of an engaging area of the lock ( 30 ) with the locking projection ( 13 ) can be reduced to suppress a degree of elastic deformation of the lock arm ( 27 ) while securely producing the striking sound.
Inventors
- 👤 Teruaki Hasegawa
- 👤 Kiyotaka Kawase
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6271; H01R13/6272; H01R13/629; H01R13/633; H01R13/635; H01R13/639
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A connector, comprising: first and second housings that are connectable with each other; a locking projection formed on the first housing; an elastically deformable lock arm formed on the second housing; a lock projecting from the lock arm a selected projecting distance and disposed for interfering with and moving on the locking projection during connection of the housings, such that movement of the lock on the locking projection resiliently deflects the lock arm, the lock arm being elastically restored when the housings are connected properly with each other, such that the lock engages the locking projection to lock the housings together; and at least one striking portion disposed in a position on the lock arm to avoid interference with the locking projection, the striking portion projecting from the lock arm a distance greater than the projecting distance of the lock, such that elastic restoring forces of the lock arm cause the striking portion to strike the first housing when the housings are connected properly with each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A connector, comprising: first and second housings that are connectable with each other; a locking projection formed on the first housing; an elastically deformable lock arm formed on the second housing; a lock projecting from the lock arm a selected projecting distance and disposed for interfering with and moving on the locking projection during connection of the housings, such that movement of the lock on the locking projection resiliently deflects the lock arm, the lock arm being elastically restored when the housings are connected properly with each other, such that the lock engages the locking projection to lock the housings together; and at least one striking portion disposed in a position on the lock arm to avoid interference with the locking projection, the striking portion projecting from the lock arm a distance greater than the projecting distance of the lock, such that elastic restoring forces of the lock arm cause the striking portion to strike the first housing when the housings are connected properly with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one striking portion is formed in a position different from the lock.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector according to claim 1 , wherein two striking portions are formed substantially symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the lock arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A connector according to claim 1 , wherein the striking portion is substantially continuous with the lock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A connector according to claim 1 , wherein the projecting distance of the lock is set such that the lock arm interacts only with an upper portion of the locking projection thereby reducing a degree of inclination of the lock arm when the lock interacts with the locking projection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A connector according to claim 1 , further comprising a slider movably disposed in the second housing for restricting a movement of the lock arm when the slider is in a displacement restricting position, the slider allowing movement of the lock arm when the slider is in a displacement permitting position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A connector according to claim 6 , wherein the slider has a flexible wall for contacting the lock arm and effecting an unlocking of the lock arm, when the slider is in the displacement permitting position and when the housings are connected properly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector according to claim 7 , further comprising biasing means for biasing the housings in a disengaging direction with respect to each other.
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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) | 2005-02-18 | 2005-08-20 | 2006-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-18 | 2009-08-20 | 2010-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-18 | 2013-08-20 | 2014-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |