Locking system for an electrical connector assembly
US5486117A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R2107/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A locking system is provided for an electrical connector assembly which includes first and second electrical connectors. The first connector includes a housing having a mating face and a latching surface facing in a direction generally opposite the mating face. The second connector includes a housing having a complementary mating face for interfacing with the mating face of the first connector and a metal spring latch arm cantilevered from the second connector, with a hook portion for latchingly engaging the latching surface of the first connector. The latch arm is located for manual deflection to move the hook portion out of engagement with the latching surface to allow unmating of the connectors with minimal force. The hook portion is radiused therefore deflecting the latch arm in response to an unmating force applied directly to the connectors, i.e. without manual deflection of the latch arm, that is greater than the minimal force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.