Patent · US Expired

Structure for interlocking connectors

US6383011B2 · kind B2 · utility

45Cited by
10References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 26, 2001
Grant dateMay 7, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/627
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A structure for interlocking connectors improves rigidity of a push lever as well as mutual retention and mechanical strength to a proper extent, and increases the feeling of click when they are engaged with each other, further protecting the lever to be caught by foreign wire ends. The connectors are a male connector (1) and a female connector (2) to be fitted on the male connector, and a lockable lug (7) is formed on the outer surface of one of connector housings (3). A lock arm (15) integral with a pawl (16) engaging with the lockable lug (7) is secured above the outer surface of the other connector housing (4), by a pair of elastically deformable hinge-shaped feet (17). The push lever (18) is disposed on a rear end of the lock arm (15) extending rearwards beyond the feet (17). The lever (18) and a pair of bridging members (19) continuing from opposite lateral ends of the lever and integrally fixed on side walls of the housing (4) serve as an arch-shaped guard for the interlocking structure.

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