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US6383011B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Structure for interlocking connectors

Assignee: JST Mfg Co Ltd
•
Filing: 2001-02-26
•
Granted: 2002-05-07
•
Expires: 2021-02-26
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Abstract

Abstract A structure for interlocking connectors improves rigidity of a push lever as well as mutual retention and mechanical strength to a proper extent, and increases the feeling of click when they are engaged with each other, further protecting the lever to be caught by foreign wire ends. The connectors are a male connector ( 1 ) and a female connector ( 2 ) to be fitted on the male connector, and a lockable lug ( 7 ) is formed on the outer surface of one of connector housings ( 3 ). A lock arm ( 15 ) integral with a pawl ( 16 ) engaging with the lockable lug ( 7 ) is secured above the outer surface of the other connector housing ( 4 ), by a pair of elastically deformable hinge-shaped feet ( 17 ). The push lever ( 18 ) is disposed on a rear end of the lock arm ( 15 ) extending rearwards beyond the feet ( 17 ). The lever ( 18 ) and a pair of bridging members ( 19 ) continuing from opposite lateral ends of the lever and integrally fixed on side walls of the housing ( 4 ) serve as an arch-shaped guard for the interlocking structure.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ping Chen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 19:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/627; H01R13/6271; H01R13/639; H01R13/6272

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 174 words
A structure for interlocking connectors with each other, the connectors being a male connector and a female connector to be fitted thereon, the structure comprising: a housing of one of the connectors; a lockable lug formed on an outer surface of the one connector; a housing of the other connector; a lock arm integral with a pawl corresponding to and engageable with the lockable lug, the lock arm being formed on an outer surface of the other connector housing; a pair of elastically deformable hinge-shaped feet each having one end integral with the other connector housing and another end continuing from the lock arm; and a push lever having lateral ends formed integral with a rear end of the lock arm extending rearwardly beyond the hinge-shaped feet, the structure further comprising: a pair of bridging members that continue from opposite side walls of the other connector housing so as to be integral with the lateral ends of the push lever such that an arch-shaped lock guard portion is provided above the other connector housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 174 words
A structure for interlocking connectors with each other, the connectors being a male connector and a female connector to be fitted thereon, the structure comprising: a housing of one of the connectors; a lockable lug formed on an outer surface of the one connector; a housing of the other connector; a lock arm integral with a pawl corresponding to and engageable with the lockable lug, the lock arm being formed on an outer surface of the other connector housing; a pair of elastically deformable hinge-shaped feet each having one end integral with the other connector housing and another end continuing from the lock arm; and a push lever having lateral ends formed integral with a rear end of the lock arm extending rearwardly beyond the hinge-shaped feet, the structure further comprising: a pair of bridging members that continue from opposite side walls of the other connector housing so as to be integral with the lateral ends of the push lever such that an arch-shaped lock guard portion is provided above the other connector housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
A structure for interlocking connectors as defined in claim 1 , wherein each bridging member is of a curved shape.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US5112246A Cited
US5254014A Cited
US5378168A Cited
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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) 2005-05-06 2005-11-05 2006-05-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2009-05-06 2009-11-05 2010-05-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2013-05-06 2013-11-05 2014-05-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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