Motion actuated connector apparatus

• US 4,795,358 A
• Filed: 08/07/1987
• Issued: 01/03/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Multi-Shifter, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Multi-Shifter, Inc.
• Inventors: Lyles, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weidenfeld, Gil
• Assistant Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US07/083,598
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2, 439/246-252, 439/296-298, 439/310, 439/338, 439/341-343, 439/376, 403/13, 403/14
• US Class Current: 439/247
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/1616 Position or guide means

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for aligning, mating and unmating connectors as a result of relative motion between apparatus operatively associated with the two parts of the connector is disclosed. Specifically, as the apparatus operatively associated with the two parts of the connector move with respect to each other, the parts of the connector move along at least first and second angularly displaced paths to align, mate and unmate the connector as a result of such motion.

Claims

1. Apparatus for moving at least first and second portions of an electrical connector with respect to each other such that the parts of the connector are selectively aligned, mated and unmated as a result of motion between the parts of the connector, comprising in combination:

(a) first means operatively associated with said connector for supporting at least said first portion of said connector;

(b) second means operatively associated with said connector for supporting at least said second portion of said connector;

(c) third push-pull means adapted to move said first and second portions of said connector between mated and unmated positions;

(d) fourth alignment means cooperating with said first, second and third means to at least selectively move said first and second means operatively associated with said first and second portions of said connector such that said first and second portions of said connector move, as required, with respect to each other along at least first, second, and third, angularly displaced axes to align said first and second portions of said connector as said push-pull means moves said first and second portions of said connector with respect to each other such that said first and second portions of said connector move between the unmated position and the mated positions as a result of such motion;

(e) wherein said second means includes a first bracket having a surface adapted to support said first portion of said connector, first and second substantially parallel jaws adapted to cooperate with said push-pull means to provide a first knuckle joint permitting said bracket to selectively rotate with respect to said push-pull means;

(f) wherein said push-pull means includes a second bracket adapted to be affixed to said means operatively associated with said first portion of said connector, said second bracket including at least a pair of opposed jaws cooperating with an eye in the end of a leaf spring an a pin to form a second knuckle joint with said second bracket, said first knuckle joint being joined to the other end of said leaf spring by means of a pin, whereby moving said means operatively associated with said first and second portions of said connector causes said first and second portions of said connector to move into alignment and into the mated position or into the unmated position, as desired, as a result of such motion.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first knuckle joint includes first restraining means for restraining the motion of said first knuckle joint to a predetermined range.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 further including second rotary restraining means adapted to restrain the motion of said second knuckle joint to a predetermined range.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said predetermined range is approximately 90°

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