Patent · US Expired

Dual lock for multi-row electrical connector system

US6071153A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 1999
Grant dateJun 6, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 18, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/62922
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electrical connector system including a terminal retainer having a plurality of terminal receiving cavities formed therein and aligned in a rectilinear pattern of rows and columns. The terminal retainer preferably has a block like configuration including a front face and opposite rear face and a plurality of terminal cavities extending from the rear to the front face. Each terminal cavity is constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a terminal, wherein the terminal has an annular abutment. A plurality of flexible locking fingers are provided which extend from the front face of the female terminal retainer, each being positioned to straddle two adjacent terminal cavities. Each flexible locking finger includes a pair of spaced apart locking shoulders, one for each straddled terminal cavity, each locking shoulder having a terminus. When the female terminal is passed into a terminal cavity from the rear face, the terminus of the locking shoulder thereat interferingly abuts the terminal abutment, thereby preventing rearward withdrawal of the female terminal through the rear face of the female terminal retainer. A secondary lock system is provided wherein at least one arm is po…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.