US6386924B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector assembly with stabilized modules
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
•
Filing: 2000-03-31
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Granted: 2002-05-14
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Expires: 2020-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A connector assembly ( 100 ) includes a housing ( 200 ) receiving electrical terminals ( 300 ) that accompany insulating modules ( 400 ). The housing includes a shroud ( 210 ) projecting in a rearward direction from the housing ( 200 ), the shroud ( 210 ) engaging the modules ( 400 ). The shroud ( 210 ) has flat portions ( 212 A) and notches ( 212 B) in spaced-apart rear edges ( 212 ) that interfit with flat surfaces ( 404 A) and projecting wedges ( 404 B) on the modules ( 400 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Michael D. Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7005; H01R13/658; H01R13/6581; H01R13/6585; H01R13/6586; H01R13/6587; H01R12/7011; H01R12/7064; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/716; H01R12/72; H01R12/722; H01R12/724
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A connector assembly comprising: electrical terminals accompanying insulating modules, a housing having a front mating end and a rear, and cavities receiving mating ends of the terminals through the rear of the housing, the housing having a first shroud projecting in a rearward direction, the first shroud having a rear edge and notches along the rear edge, each of the modules having a forwardly projecting wedge that is interfitted with a respective one of the notches, whereby the first shroud holds the modules in straight alignments relative to the housing, and positions the terminals along precise centerline spacings for connection with a corresponding precise pattern of terminal locations on a circuit board, each of the modules having a rearwardly projecting latch, and shield members each disposed beside a respective one of the modules, each of the shield members having a clip at a rear end thereof, each of the clips being formed as a loop with an opening therethrough, the clips extending laterally along rears of the modules, wherein the clips are engaged with the latches to hold the shield members to the modules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A connector assembly comprising: electrical terminals accompanying insulating modules, a housing having a front mating end and a rear, and cavities receiving mating ends of the terminals through the rear of the housing, the housing having a first shroud projecting in a rearward direction, the first shroud having a rear edge and notches along the rear edge, each of the modules having a forwardly projecting wedge that is interfitted with a respective one of the notches, whereby the first shroud holds the modules in straight alignments relative to the housing, and positions the terminals along precise centerline spacings for connection with a corresponding precise pattern of terminal locations on a circuit board, each of the modules having a rearwardly projecting latch, and shield members each disposed beside a respective one of the modules, each of the shield members having a clip at a rear end thereof, each of the clips being formed as a loop with an opening therethrough, the clips extending laterally along rears of the modules, wherein the clips are engaged with the latches to hold the shield members to the modules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a second shroud projecting in the rearward direction, the second shroud has a rear edge and notches along the rear edge, and each of the modules has a forwardly projecting wedge that is interfitted in a respective one of the notches along the rear edge of the second shroud.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the rear edges of the first and the second shrouds are spaced-apart from each other in a direction transverse to the rearward direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the rear edges of the first and the second shrouds are offset from each other in the rearward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 2 , wherein the rear edges of the first and the second shrouds are offset from each other in the rearward direction, and are spaced-apart from each other in a direction that is transverse to the rearward direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the rear edge of the first shroud has flat portions disposed in an alternating series with the notches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of the modules includes an alignment block, and the wedge of each said module projects forwardly from the alignment block of each said module.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 7 , wherein the alignment blocks on the modules laterally abut one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
158 words
A connector assembly comprising: electrical terminals accompanying insulating modules, a housing having a front mating end and a rear, and cavities receiving mating ends of the terminals through the rear of the housing, the modules projecting from the rear of the housing, the housing having a first shroud projecting in a rearward direction from the housing, the first shroud having a rear edge that is interfitted with the modules to hold the modules in straight alignments relative to the housing, and shield members each disposed beside a respective one of the modules, the shield members having clips at rear ends thereof, each of the clips being formed as a loop with an opening therethrough, the clips extending laterally along rears of the modules, each of the modules having a rearwardly projecting latch that extends through the opening of a respective said clip, wherein the clips are engaged with the latches to hold the shield members to the modules.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
A connector assembly comprising: electrical terminals accompanying insulating modules, a housing having a front mating end and a rear, and cavities receiving mating ends of the terminals through the rear of the housing, the modules projecting from the rear of the housing, the housing having a first shroud projecting in a rearward direction from the housing, the first shroud having a rear edge that is interfitted with the modules to hold the modules in straight alignments relative to the housing, and shield members each disposed beside a respective one of the modules, the shield members having clips at rear ends thereof, each of the clips being formed as a loop with an opening therethrough, the clips extending laterally along rears of the modules, each of the modules having a rearwardly projecting latch that extends through the opening of a respective said clip, wherein the clips are engaged with the latches to hold the shield members to the modules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the housing includes a second shroud projecting in the rearward direction, and the second shroud has a rear edge that is interfitted with the modules.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein each of the rear edges of the first and the second shrouds has notches that interfit with projecting wedges on the modules.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the rear edges of the first and the second shrouds are spaced-apart from each other in a direction that is transverse to the rearward direction, and the edges are offset from each other in the rearward direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
A connector assembly comprising: electrical terminals accompanying insulating modules, a housing having a front mating end and a rear, and cavities receiving mating ends of the terminals through the rear of the housing, each of the modules having a rearwardly projecting latch, and shield members each disposed beside a respective one of the modules, the shield members having clips at rear ends thereof, each of the clips being formed as a loop with an opening therethrough, the clips extending laterally along rears of the modules, wherein the clips are engaged with the latches to hold the shield members to the modules.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
A connector assembly comprising: electrical terminals accompanying insulating modules, a housing having a front mating end and a rear, and cavities receiving mating ends of the terminals through the rear of the housing, each of the modules having a rearwardly projecting latch, and shield members each disposed beside a respective one of the modules, the shield members having clips at rear ends thereof, each of the clips being formed as a loop with an opening therethrough, the clips extending laterally along rears of the modules, wherein the clips are engaged with the latches to hold the shield members to the modules.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 13 , wherein the housing has a first shroud projecting in a rearward direction, the first shroud has a rear edge and notches along the rear edge, and each of the modules has a forwardly projecting wedge that is interfitted with a respective one of the notches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the housing has a second shroud projecting in the rearward direction, the second shroud has a rear edge and notches along the rear edge, and each of the modules has a forwardly projecting wedge that is interfitted in a respective one of the notches along the rear edge of the second shroud.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 15 , wherein the rear edges of the first and the second shrouds are spaced-apart from each other in a direction transverse to the rearward direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector assembly as recited in claim 15 , wherein the rear edges of the first and the second shrouds are offset from each other in the rearward direction.
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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) | 2005-05-13 | 2005-11-12 | 2006-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-13 | 2009-11-12 | 2010-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-13 | 2013-11-12 | 2014-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |