CONNECTOR WITH TPA
First Claim
1. A connector, the connector comprising:
- a housing with a base, the base including a first side and a second side and having a top surface that extends between the first and second side, the base including a channel; and
a terminal position assurance (TPA) member which is operatively associated with the housing, the TPA member having at least one hinge which extends from the top surface of the base, the at least one hinge having top and bottom portions, the bottom portion being provided proximate to the base, the top portion having a portion thereof cutout to provide a weakened portion of the at least one hinge, the TPA member including a rearwardly extending L-shaped feature,wherein upon a force being applied to the TPA member, the at least one hinge is configured to first rotate about the weakened portion and, thereafter, is configured to rotate about the bottom portion, thereby allowing the L-shaped feature to be inserted into the channel.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector has a housing and a TPA member. The housing has a base which includes a first and second sides and a top surface that extends between the sides. The base further includes a channel. The TPA member is operatively associated with the housing and has at least one hinge which extends from the top surface. The at least one hinge has top and bottom portions. The bottom portion is provided proximate to the base and the top portion has a portion thereof cutout to provide a weakened portion of the at least one hinge. The TPA member further includes a rearwardly extending L-shaped feature. Upon a force being applied to the TPA member, the at least one hinge is configured to first rotate about the weakened portion and, thereafter, is configured to rotate about the bottom portion, thereby allowing the L-shaped feature to be inserted into the channel.
38 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A connector, the connector comprising:
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a housing with a base, the base including a first side and a second side and having a top surface that extends between the first and second side, the base including a channel; and a terminal position assurance (TPA) member which is operatively associated with the housing, the TPA member having at least one hinge which extends from the top surface of the base, the at least one hinge having top and bottom portions, the bottom portion being provided proximate to the base, the top portion having a portion thereof cutout to provide a weakened portion of the at least one hinge, the TPA member including a rearwardly extending L-shaped feature, wherein upon a force being applied to the TPA member, the at least one hinge is configured to first rotate about the weakened portion and, thereafter, is configured to rotate about the bottom portion, thereby allowing the L-shaped feature to be inserted into the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A connector, the connector comprising:
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a housing with a base, the base having a generally planar top surface, the base including a channel; and a terminal position assurance (TPA) member which is configured to be secured within the channel of the base, the TPA member having at least one hinge which extends from the top surface of the base, wherein when the TPA member is secured within the channel of the base, the at least one hinge has a middle portion which is generally planar and which is generally parallel to the top surface of the base of the housing.
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22. A connector, the connector comprising:
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a housing with a base, the base having a top surface, the base including a channel; and a terminal position assurance (TPA) member which is configured to be secured within the channel of the base, the TPA member having at least one hinge which extends from the top surface of the base, wherein when the TPA member is secured within the channel of the base, a gap having a rectangular cross-section gap is formed between the at least one hinge, the base and the TPA member.
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Specification