Electrical connector with externally applied radial lock
US4988316A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/4361
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A subminiature electrical connector for use particularly in the automotive industry including an insulating plastic body (3) housing an exemplary three terminal pins (1A-C), which are initially locked into place by resilient internal fingers (6) having outwardly directed locking tabs (6A), which are lockingly engaged into inner openings (19) in the terminal pins. After the terminal pins have been inserted and seated, a resilient, exteriorly applied radial locking ring (4) is applied about the body, laterally straddling it, providing a second, double lock for the terminal pins. The locking rings include three, inwardly directed, radial tabs (42A-C) which extend through external body openings (3A) and which lockingly extend into outer, mating openings (18) in the terminal pins. The radial finger tabs and the radial ring tabs are oppositely positioned and conjunctively provide a double lock on each of the pins seated within the connector body. Circumferentially extending guide rails (11) properly longitudinally locate the radial lock on the exterior of the body. The body (16) of the terminal pin in its central, mechanical load bearing area (16) is preferably rectangular in its lateral…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.