Miniature audio connector

• US 4,316,647 A
• Filed: 11/30/1979
• Issued: 02/23/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Switchcraft Incorporated (Heico Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Switchcraft Incorporated (Heico Corporation)
• Inventors: Bailey, James R., Herron, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desmond, Eugene F.
• Application Number:
  US06/099,046
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 339/14 R, 339/75 P, 339/89 C, 339/90 C, 339/91 R, 339/177 R, 339/177 A, 339/184 RM, 339/180 RM
• US Class Current: 439/354
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/627 Snap or like fastening
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling

Abstract

An audio connector comprising the combination of a pair of detachable members, one of such members including a hollow sleeve-like conductive housing and a plurality of male conductive contact pins, the other one of such members having a post-like conductive housing and a plurality of female conductive pin receptacles adapted to mate with the male contact pins. A mechanical latching system including a unitary resilient latch having an elongated tongue-like conductive portion and a pair of conductive wing-like members offset from the elongated conductive portion is mounted on one of the pair of conductive housings. A manually actuated release means is mounted on the latch. The elongated tongue-like portion of the latch is adapted to slide within a polarization groove formed within the other one of the pair of conductive housings, such groove being cut through a lip formed on the inner periphery of the hollow sleeve-like conductive housing. The wing-like members engage the lip to lock the members together until the release means is actuated to disengage the wing-like members from the lip. The tongue-like conductive portion provides electrical continuity between the conductive housings, reduces mechanical vibrations between the pair of members, and provides a keying mechanism for the connector.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising:

(a) a first connector member comprising a sleeve-like housing having at least one electrical conductor, the housing having a lip and a polarization groove, the lip being disposed laterally adjacent the groove;

(b) a second connector member comprising a post-like housing having at least one electrical conductor and having a longitudinal portion to interfit in coaxial alignment with the sleeve-like housing of said first connector member; and

(c) a mechanical latching system carried by said longitudinal portion of the post-like housing including a resilient latch member having a wing-like projection extending laterally outward from an edge portion of said latch member,

(d) said latch member being adapted to be slidably disposed within said polarization groove when said second member is mated with said first member, with said wing-like projection engaging the lip of the sleeve-like housing to interlock the first and second connector members.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said wing-like projection has a raised arcuate shaped section adapted to slidably engage and be compressed by an inner wall of said sleeve-like housing adjacent to walls forming said polarization groove when said latch member is mechanically keyed within said polarization groove.

6. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said sleeve-like housing of said first connector member and said post-like housing of said second connector member are electrically conductive and electrically connected to one another through said tongue-like member and said wing-like projection of said latching system.

2. An electrical connector comprising:

(a) a first connector member comprising a sleeve-like housing having at least one electrical conductor;

such housing having a lip and a polarization groove passing through a portion of the groove;

(b) a second connector member comprising a post-like housing having at least one electrical conductor and having a longitudinal portion to interfit in coaxial alignment with the sleeve-like housing of said first connector member;

(c) a mechanical latching system carried by said longitudinal portion of the post-like housing including a unitary elongated resilient tongue-like latch member with offset wing-like members;

(d) said elongated tongue-like member being adapted to be slidably disposed within said polarization groove when said second connector member is mated with said first member, the wing-like members engaging the lip of the sleeve-like housing to interlock said first and second connector members; and

,

(e) said unitary member is substantially U-shaped with a substantially flattened section adjacent a bight portion of the U-shaped member followed by an upturned section, said upturned section being adapted to slidably engage and be compressed by an upper wall forming said polarization groove;

said flattened section being adapted to mechanically key the introduction of said second member when said first and second connector members are interfitted.

4. An audio connector comprising:

(a) a first connector member comprising a hollow sleeve-like housing having at least one electrical conductor and having a lip portion and a polarization groove passing through a portion of the lip;

(b) a second connector member comprising a post-like housing having at least one electrical conductor and having a longitudinal portion to interfit in coaxial alignment with the hollow sleeve-like housing of said first connector member;

(c) a mechanical latching system carried by said second connector member including a unitary resilient tongue-like latch member with offset wing-like members;

said latch member being slidably disposable within said polarization groove with said wing-like members engaging said lip of the sleeve-like housing to interlock the first and second connector members;

(d) a pair of cables, each one having an electrical lead and a shielding braid adapted to enter a nonmating end of one of said connector members;

(e) cable attachment means disposed within said first and second connector members adjacent to a point of cable entry;

(f) said cable attachment means comprising split wall portions with flared end walls, an ear portion, and projecting nib portions;

(g) said ear portion being adapted to be connected to said shielding braid of said cable;

(h) said electrical leads being connected to said electrical conductors;

(i) said flared end walls being adapted to engage and be press fitted in electrical contact with an inner wall of said housings; and

(j) said projecting-nib portions being adapted to be positioned within a notch provided in an end of said housings.

5. An audio connector comprising:

(a) a first connector member comprising a hollow sleeve-like housing having at least one electrical conductor and wall structure having a lip portion and an elongated polarization groove passing through the lip;

(b) a second connector member comprising a post-like housing having at least one electrical conductor and having a longitudinal portion to interfit in coaxial alignment with the hollow sleeve-like housing of said first connector member; and

(c) a mechanical latching system carried by said longitudinal portion of the post-like housing including a unitary elongated resilient tongue-like latch member with offset wing-like members;

(d) said latch member being slidably disposable within said polarization groove with said wing-like members engaging the lip of the sleeve-like housing to interlock the first and second connector members;

(e) the width of said polarization groove being slightly larger than the width of the elongated tongue-like latch member to receive such latch member within the groove when said second connector member is engaged with said first member; and

(f) the width of said polarization groove being smaller than the distance across said offset wing-like members, the latter such wing-like members engaging an inner wall of such housing adjacent to the polarization groove when said second connector member is engaged with said first connector member.