Latch and release mechanism for an electrical connector
US6358082B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/62933
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical connector assembly includes a headshell with a first connector for terminating a plurality of electrical leads intended for mechanical and electrical connection with a mating second connector. An elongated latch member is freely received within a passage which extends between front and rear faces of the headshell and has first and second lateral sidewalls, the latch member being simultaneously movable by an external actuator longitudinally and laterally between a first retracted position interfering with connection of the first and second mating connectors and a second advanced position enabling connection of the first and second connectors. When returned to the first position, a grapnel blade on the latch member becomes lockingly engaged with a housing for the second connector. In this condition, the first and second connectors are mechanically and electrically connected. In the first position, the latch member lies proximate the second side wall and in the second position, it lies proximate the first side wall.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.