Latching connector assembly
US7083459B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 2005 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/6275
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In some embodiments, an electrical cable connector includes a latching spring having a user-pressable top plate coupled to a fixed base through a frontal U-shaped hinge. The top plate includes bi-directionally (front and back) sloped latching protrusions which fit into matching openings defined in a complementary connector. A connector pair can be separated by pressing the top plate to lower the latching protrusions, and/or by applying a pulling force lower than a cable-damaging threshold to cause the connectors to self-release. The hinge structure can include a pair of laterally-spaced hinges separated by a central notch. The width of the central notch can be chosen to yield desired spring properties.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.