Quick-release connector

• US 20070232115A1
• Filed: 03/29/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fluke Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fluke Corporation (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Burke, William, Vettleson, Corey, Janky, Sena
• Granted Patent: US 7,470,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/344
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm

Abstract

A connector includes a locking mechanism that locks the connector in a socket but allows removal of the connector without a manual operation that relies on depressing the locking mechanism. The connector is released from the socket when a sufficient pulling force is applied to the connector. The connector includes a spring-loaded detent that flexes during the insertion process. The detent snaps into a locking position. The detent can be released from the socket when sufficient tension is applied on the connector such that inadvertent tension will not result in breaking the connector.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for a connector, comprising:

(a) a flexible tang; and

(b) a detent located on a surface of the tang that locks into a corresponding feature of a socket, such that the detent can be released from the socket without a manual operation.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the detent is located on a flat, planar surface of the tang.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the detent has a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the detent has a pyramidical profile with an apex having a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface that slopes from the apex with a step on the rear sloping surface that limits the amount of upward flexing against a socket.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the detent comprises a first and a second tooth separated by a gap, wherein each tooth has an apex and a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface.

6. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the connector is an RJ-45 connector.

7. The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the tang is attached to a base at a proximal side but detached from the base at a distal side, and the tang is elevated above the surface of the base that creates a cavity below the tang such that the tang can flex downwards.

8. An electrical connector, comprising:

(a) a housing attached to a cable;

(b) electrical contact pins that electrically connect the connector to a device via the cable; and

(c) a locking mechanism comprising;

(i) a flexible tang; and

(ii) a detent located on a surface of the tang that locks into a corresponding feature of a socket, such that the detent can be released from the socket without a manual operation.

9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the detent is located on a flat, planar surface of the tang.

10. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the detent has a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface.

11. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the detent has a pyramidical profile with an apex having a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface that slopes from the apex with a step on the rear sloping surface that limits the amount of upward flexing against a socket.

12. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the detent comprises a first and a second tooth separated by a gap, wherein each tooth has an apex and a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface.

13. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the connector is an RJ-45 connector.

14. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein the tang is attached to a base at a proximal side but detached from the base at a distal side, and the tang is elevated above the surface of the base that creates a cavity below the tang such that the tang can flex downwards.

15. A locking mechanism for a connector, comprising:

(a) a flexible tang; and

(b) a detent located on a surface of the tang that locks into a corresponding feature of a socket, such that the detent is released from the socket by a pulling force.

16. The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein the detent is located on a flat, planar surface of the tang.

17. The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein the detent has a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface.

18. The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein the detent has a pyramidical profile with an apex having a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface that slopes from the apex with a step on the rear sloping surface that limits the amount of upward flexing against a socket.

19. The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein the detent comprises a first and a second tooth separated by a gap, wherein each tooth has an apex and a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface.

20. The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein the connector is an RJ-45 connector.

21. The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein the tang is attached to a base at a proximal side but detached from the base at a distal side, and the tang is elevated above the surface of the base that creates a cavity below the tang such that the tang can flex downwards.

22. An electrical connector, comprising:

(a) a housing attached to a cable;

(b) electrical contact pins that electrically connect the connector to a device via the cable; and

(c) a locking mechanism comprising;

(i) a flexible tang; and

(ii) a detent located on a surface of the tang that locks into a corresponding feature of a socket, such that the detent is released from the socket by a pulling force.

23. The electrical connector of claim 22, wherein the detent is located on a flat, planar surface of the tang.

24. The electrical connector of claim 22, wherein the detent has a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface.

25. The electrical connector of claim 22, wherein the detent has a pyramidical profile with an apex having a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface that slopes from the apex with a step on the rear sloping surface that limits the amount of upward flexing against a socket.

26. The electrical connector of claim 22, wherein the detent comprises a first and a second tooth separated by a gap, wherein each tooth has an apex and a front sloping surface and a rear sloping surface.

27. The electrical connector of claim 22, wherein the connector is an RJ-45 connector.

28. The electrical connector of claim 22, wherein the tang is attached to a base at a proximal side but detached from the base at a distal side, and the tang is elevated above the surface of the base that creates a cavity below the tang such that the tang can flex downwards.

29. A connector, comprising:

(a) a housing that attaches to a terminal end of a cable, wherein the connector includes electrical contact pins that provide electrical connections leading to the cable;

(b) a male connector portion attached to the housing, wherein the male connector portion is insertable into a socket and has an opening;

(c) a flexible tang that is accessible via the opening of the male connector portion, wherein the tang includes a detent located on a surface of the tang;

(d) a first printed circuit board that provides electrical continuity between the electrical contact pins and an internal, intermediate connector; and

(e) a second printed circuit board that provides electrical continuity between the internal, intermediate connector and the cable.

30. The connector of claim 29, wherein the internal, intermediate connector is detachable from the first and the second printed circuit boards.