Locking mechanism for an electrical connector
US5893772A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 27, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/627
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A female connector having a locking mechanism which can be selectively applied to permit the removal or insertion of the blades of a male plug into the female connector or retain such blades within the female connector. The female connector has two pairs of contacts each having a first end at which two contact arms are located. A projection on one of the arms is dimensioned and positioned to engage a mating hole in a plug blade. The position of the one arm with projection is controlled by an actuator assembly which is accessible from outside the female connector. When the push button of the actuator assembly is pushed, the projection is removed from the associated contact arm to permit a plug blade to be removed or enter between the contact arms. In the reset position the projections grip the plug blades making withdrawal from the female connector of the male blades difficult.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.