Electrical connector with locking mechanism and metal spring
US6280227A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/641
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A plug connector is provided having a mechanism to lock with a mated socket connector and to enhance grounding. The plug connector includes a movable latch having a retractable claw. The claw is received within a corresponding recess in the socket connector in an inserted condition to prevent unintentional removal. The latch is movably mounted within a rigid conductive shell of the plug connector. The latch has a pressing portion that is accessible through a first aperture in the shell, and the claw projects through a second aperture. A latch spring is disposed in the shell to bias the latch outwardly. In an embodiment, the spring is unitarily formed with two free ends that are normally slightly offset from one another. The free ends pass over each other with a slight "click" interference when the latch spring is deflected. At an opposite side of the plug connector, a grounding spring projects outwardly from a recess in the shell for also contacting a recess in the mated socket connector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.