Connector guide with latch and connectors therefor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A guide for guiding a connector plug into a circuit board-mounted connectors, the guide comprising:
- first and second planar sides, each planar side having top and bottom edges and front and back edges, each of said planar sides having a first height between its top and bottom edges and a first width between its front and back edges, said first and second upright sides being separated from each other by a first separation distance;
a planar top having first and second side edges and front and rear edges, the top first side edge being joined to the top edge of said first planar side, the top second side edge being joined to the top edge of said second planar side; and
, a plug connector catch extending away from said top rear edge, for contacting a plug connector inserted into said guide.
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Abstract
A connector guide mounted in front of a receptacle connector is provided with a latch that engages a connector mounted on a circuit board when a mating connector is inserted into the connector on the circuit board. The guide is separate from the plug connector and serves to align contact surfaces and provide strain relief to the receptacle connector.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A guide for guiding a connector plug into a circuit board-mounted connectors, the guide comprising:
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first and second planar sides, each planar side having top and bottom edges and front and back edges, each of said planar sides having a first height between its top and bottom edges and a first width between its front and back edges, said first and second upright sides being separated from each other by a first separation distance;
a planar top having first and second side edges and front and rear edges, the top first side edge being joined to the top edge of said first planar side, the top second side edge being joined to the top edge of said second planar side; and
,a plug connector catch extending away from said top rear edge, for contacting a plug connector inserted into said guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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5. The guide of 1, wherein said first and second planar sides include respective first and second plug connector engaging tabs formed by stamping said first and second planar sides inwardly of said guide, the first and second connector engaging tabs contacting corresponding detents in opposite sides of said plug connector when inserted into said guide.
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10. A connector assembly, comprising:
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a connector housing having first and second sides, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front side and a back side, said connector housing a plurality of electrical contacts that are accessible at the front side by extending an opposing mating connector through a first geometric plane that lies in front of the connector front side, the first geometric plane being orthogonal to but not extending beyond the first and second sides, top and bottom;
a connector guide including first and second sides, each side having top and bottom edges and front and back edges, each of said sides having a first height between its top and bottom edges and a first width between its front and back edges, said first and second sides being separated from each other by a first separation distance;
a top having first and second side edges and front and rear edges, the planar top first side edge being joined to said top edge of said first side, said planar top second side edge being joined to said top edge of said second side; and
,a press arm formed as part of the guide, the press arm extending away from said guide top rear edge for engaging the mating connector within said connector guide, said connector guide not contacting said connector receptacle and being located forward of the first geometric plane. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 15, 16)
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13. The connector of 10, further including a side locking latch, formed in the first planar side and extending toward the second planar side, the side locking latch engaging a corresponding plug connector side detent when a plug connector when a connector plug is within the guide and engaging said connector receptacle.
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14. The connector of 10, wherein said first side includes a connector engagement tab formed by stamping first planar side and cantilevered inwardly from said first side toward said second side, the connector engagement tab engaging a corresponding detent in a mating plug connector inserted into said guide thereby holding said mating plug connector within said guide when a mating plug connector is inserted within said guide.
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17. A shell for guiding a plug connector into engagement with an opposing mating connector mounted to a circuit board, the shell comprising:
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a body portion, the body portion including at least three walls interconnected to each other, the body portion including a mounting edge defined along on end thereof, the mounting edge including means for engaging a supporting circuit board; and
,a plug connector engagement portion disposed in one of said three walls, the plug connector engagement portion including a press arm formed with one of said walls, the press arm extending away from said one wall at an angle thereto, said press arm having a free end with a catch portion for contacting an opposing portion of said plug connector when said plug connector is inserted into said shell. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification