US6659796B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-function mounting/latch component for electrical connectors
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 2002-06-21
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Granted: 2003-12-09
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Expires: 2022-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly is provided for mounting to a first side of a panel and through an opening in the panel. A connector housing is adapted for mounting through the opening in the panel and carries a plurality of terminals. A multi-function mounting/latch component includes at least one mounting boss for mounting the connector housing on a circuit board. The multi-function component includes at least one mounting aperture for receiving a mounting post of the connector housing for mounting the connector housing at the first side of the panel and through the opening in the panel. The multi-function component includes at least one latch arm projecting through the opening to a second side of the panel. A locking plate is engageable with the latch arm at the second side of the panel to hold the connector in assembly through the panel. The latch arm includes a latching aperture to facilitate latching the connector assembly to a complementary mating connector at the second side of the panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent D. Waddell
- 👤 Denise Brennan
- 👤 Eugene Folan
- 👤 John M. Horgan
- 👤 Enda Kelly
- 👤 Joseph McCarthy
- 👤 Brian Murphy
- 👤 John Wallace
- 👤 Jay H. Neer
- 👤 John Meaney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/73; H01R13/74; H01R13/741; H01R13/745; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7005; H01R12/7011; H01R12/7047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An electrical connector assembly for mounting to a first side of a panel and through an opening in the panel, comprising: a connector housing, a portion of which mounts through the opening in the panel, and carrying a plurality of terminals; a multi-function mounting/latch component having first means for mounting the connector housing on a circuit board, second means for mounting the connector housing to said multi-function component at said first side of the panel; and third means for mounting the connector assembly to the panel extending through the opening to a second side of the panel comprising a latch arm projecting from the multi-function component through the opening and engageable with means for locking at said second side of the panel to hold the connector assembly to the panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electrical connector assembly for mounting to a first side of a panel and through an opening in the panel, comprising: a connector housing, a portion of which mounts through the opening in the panel, and carrying a plurality of terminals; a multi-function mounting/latch component having first means for mounting the connector housing on a circuit board, second means for mounting the connector housing to said multi-function component at said first side of the panel; and third means for mounting the connector assembly to the panel extending through the opening to a second side of the panel comprising a latch arm projecting from the multi-function component through the opening and engageable with means for locking at said second side of the panel to hold the connector assembly to the panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said first means for mounting comprise at least one mounting boss for receiving a appropriate fastener for securing the connector assembly to the circuit board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said latch arm includes a plurality of latching serrations engageable by said means for locking to accommodate panels of varying thicknesses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said multi-function component is elongated and includes a pair of said latch arms at opposite ends thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said second means for mounting comprise at least one mounting post on the housing insertable into a mounting aperture in the multi-function component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 5 wherein said second means comprise a plurality of said mounting posts on the housing insertable into a corresponding plurality of mounting apertures in the multi-function component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said latch means include a thin locking plate engageable with the latch arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 7 wherein said latch arm includes a plurality of latching serrations engageable by edges of said latching plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 8 wherein said multi-function component is elongated and includes a pair of said latch arms at opposite ends thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said third means for mounting include means for latching the connector assembly to a complementary mating connector at said second side of the panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 10 wherein said third means for mounting comprise a latch arm projecting from the multi-function component through the panel, said means for locking being engageable with the latch arm, and said means for latching comprising a latching aperture through the latch arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electrical connector assembly for mounting to a first side of a panel and through an opening in the panel, comprising; a connector housing adapted for mounting through the opening in the panel and carrying a plurality of terminals; a multi-function mounting/latch component having first means for mounting the connector housing on a circuit board, second means for mounting the connector housing to the multi-function component, and third means for mounting extending through the opening to a second side of the panel, the third means comprising a latch arm projecting from the multi-function component through the panel; and means for locking the connector assembly to the panel engageable with said latch arm at said second side of the panel to hold the connector assembly to the panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electrical connector assembly for mounting to a first side of a panel and through an opening in the panel, comprising; a connector housing adapted for mounting through the opening in the panel and carrying a plurality of terminals; a multi-function mounting/latch component having first means for mounting the connector housing on a circuit board, second means for mounting the connector housing to the multi-function component, and third means for mounting extending through the opening to a second side of the panel, the third means comprising a latch arm projecting from the multi-function component through the panel; and means for locking the connector assembly to the panel engageable with said latch arm at said second side of the panel to hold the connector assembly to the panel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 12 wherein said first means comprise at least one mounting boss for receiving an appropriate fastener for securing the connector assembly to the circuit board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 12 wherein said latch arm includes a plurality of latching serrations engageable by said latch means to accommodate panels of varying thicknesses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 12 wherein said multi-function component is elongated and includes a pair of said latch arms at opposite ends thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 12 wherein said latch means include a thin locking plate engageable with the latch arm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 16 wherein said latch arm includes a plurality of latching serrations engageable by edges of said latching plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 12 wherein said second means includes means for latching the connector assembly to a complementary mating connector at said second side of the panel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 18 wherein said second means comprise a latch arm projecting from the multi-function component through the panel, said means for latching being engageable with the latch arm, and said means for locking comprising a latching aperture in the latch arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
147 words
An electrical connector assembly for mounting to a first side of a panel and through an opening in the panel, comprising; a connector housing adapted for mounting through the opening in the panel and carrying a plurality of terminals; and a multi-function mounting/latch component having first means for mounting the connector housing to said multi-function component at said first side of the panel and through the opening in the panel, second means for mounting the connector housing to said multi-function component, and third means for mounting extending through the opening to a second side of the panel, and engageable with means for locking the connector assembly to the panel at said second side of the panel to hold the connector assembly to the panel, the third means further including means for latching the connector assembly to a complementary mating connector at said second side of the panel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
147 words
An electrical connector assembly for mounting to a first side of a panel and through an opening in the panel, comprising; a connector housing adapted for mounting through the opening in the panel and carrying a plurality of terminals; and a multi-function mounting/latch component having first means for mounting the connector housing to said multi-function component at said first side of the panel and through the opening in the panel, second means for mounting the connector housing to said multi-function component, and third means for mounting extending through the opening to a second side of the panel, and engageable with means for locking the connector assembly to the panel at said second side of the panel to hold the connector assembly to the panel, the third means further including means for latching the connector assembly to a complementary mating connector at said second side of the panel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 20 wherein said second means for mounting comprise a latch arm projecting from the multi-function component through the panel, said means for locking being engageable with the latch arm, and said means for latching comprise a latching aperture in the latch arm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 20 wherein said first means for mounting comprise at least one mounting post on the housing insertable into a mounting aperture in the multi-function component.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 22 wherein said first means for mounting comprise a plurality of said mounting posts on the housing insertable into a corresponding plurality of mounting apertures in the multi-function component.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 20 wherein said second means for mounting comprise a latch arm projecting from the multi-function component through the panel, said means for locking being engageable with the latch arm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 24 wherein said latch arm includes a plurality of latching serrations engageable by said means for locking to accommodate panels of varying thicknesses.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 24 wherein said multi-function component is elongated and includes a pair of said latch arms at opposite ends thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 24 wherein said means for locking include a thin locking plate engageable with the latch arm.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical connector assembly of claim 27 wherein said latch arm includes a plurality of latching serrations engageable by edges of said locking plate.
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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) | 2006-12-08 | 2007-06-09 | 2007-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-08 | 2011-06-09 | 2011-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-08 | 2015-06-09 | 2015-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |