US6638108B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector with plural housings accommodated in a casing
Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
•
Filing: 2001-11-27
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Granted: 2003-10-28
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Expires: 2021-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A connector has an auxiliary housing ( 10 ) with cavities ( 11 ) and locks ( 14 ) cantilevered into the cavities ( 11 ). The locks ( 14 ) deform into deformation permitting spaces (S) during insertion of terminal fittings ( 12 ) into the cavities ( 11 ). The locks ( 14 ) resiliently return to an undeflected condition to engage locking holes ( 12 a ) in terminal fittings ( 12 ) after insertion to proper depth. Deformation restricting portions ( 58 ) are integrally provided in an accommodation recess ( 53 ) of a housing main body ( 50 ) for accommodating the auxiliary housing ( 10 ). The deformation restricting portions ( 58 ) enter the deformation permitting spaces (S) for the locks ( 14 ) as the auxiliary housing ( 10 ) is accommodated into the accommodation recess ( 53 ), thereby preventing the locks ( 14 ) from inadvertently undergoing an elastic deformation.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideshi Tachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/422; H01R13/4223; H01R13/436; H01R13/4364
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A connector, comprising; a plurality of separate housings, each said housing having opposite front and rear ends and being formed with a plurality cavities, extending between the front and rear ends, locks cantilevered forwardly into the respective cavities, each said lock being resiliently deflectable into a deformation permitting space open at the front end in the respective housing, a plurality of terminal fittings disposed respectively in the cavities of each of said separate housings and being locked in the respective cavities by the lock in the respective cavity, and a single casing having a main body and a plurality of inner tubular bodies, each said inner tubular body having opposite front and rear ends and an accommodation recess extending between the ends, each of the accommodation recesses being configured for receiving one of said separate housings such that the front end of the respective housing is in proximity to the front end of the inner tubular body and such that the rear end of the respective housing is in proximity to the rear end of the corresponding inner tubular body, the casing further comprising deformation restricting portions extending rearwardly from the front end of each said inner tubular body to a location between the front and rear ends of the inner tubular body, the deformation restricting portions extending into the deformation permitting spaces for restricting the deformation of the locks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A connector, comprising; a plurality of separate housings, each said housing having opposite front and rear ends and being formed with a plurality cavities, extending between the front and rear ends, locks cantilevered forwardly into the respective cavities, each said lock being resiliently deflectable into a deformation permitting space open at the front end in the respective housing, a plurality of terminal fittings disposed respectively in the cavities of each of said separate housings and being locked in the respective cavities by the lock in the respective cavity, and a single casing having a main body and a plurality of inner tubular bodies, each said inner tubular body having opposite front and rear ends and an accommodation recess extending between the ends, each of the accommodation recesses being configured for receiving one of said separate housings such that the front end of the respective housing is in proximity to the front end of the inner tubular body and such that the rear end of the respective housing is in proximity to the rear end of the corresponding inner tubular body, the casing further comprising deformation restricting portions extending rearwardly from the front end of each said inner tubular body to a location between the front and rear ends of the inner tubular body, the deformation restricting portions extending into the deformation permitting spaces for restricting the deformation of the locks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector of claim 1 , wherein the deformation restricting portions are integrally or unitarily formed with the casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The connector of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the cavities are arranged substantially side by side in the housing and wherein the deformation restricting portions are provided substantially side by side in the casing to correspond to the deformation permitting spaces in the respective cavities, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of deformation restricting portions are coupled to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The connector of claim 1 , wherein each said deformation restricting portion is provided with a receiving groove for receiving the corresponding lock to restrict a deformation of the lock towards the deformation permitting space and in widthwise directions of the lock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The connector of claim 1 , wherein a rectangular groove array is formed in a front surface of each said housing to separate a front part of the housing into groups of several cavities, the deformation restricting portions including a rectangular array of ribs being provided in the casing and being insertable into corresponding portions of the groove array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The connector of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of rubber plugs mounted respectively to the rear end of the housing and configured for sealed engagement with the accommodating recess of the respective inner tubular body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The connector of claim 4 , wherein a base of the lock can be received in the receiving groove so that upper and opposite side surfaces of the base are in contact with the circumferential surfaces of the corresponding receiving groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector of claim 5 , wherein the deformation restricting portions are unitarily provided on the ribs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector of claim 5 , wherein the deformation permitting spaces of each said housing are formed in part of said rectangular groove array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector of claim 9 , wherein the rectangular groove array extends continuously across the front end of each said housing in at least one direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector of claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of holders mounted respectively to the rear ends of the respective housings for holding the respective rubber plug in a specified position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The connector of claim 11 , wherein each said holder comprises locking means for lock engagement with a portion of the respective inner tubular body adjacent the rear end of the respective inner tubular body.
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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) | 2006-10-27 | 2007-04-28 | 2007-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-27 | 2011-04-28 | 2011-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-27 | 2015-04-28 | 2015-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |