Reinforced connector latch

• US 5,004,431 A
• Filed: 10/27/1989
• Issued: 04/02/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Inventors: Martucci, Roberto, Previato, Mario, Barbieri, Silvio
• Primary Examiner(s): Bilinsky, Z. R.
• Application Number:
  US07/428,080
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 439/353, 439/357, 439/358, 439/351, 439/352, 439/371, 439/372, 439/376, 439/592, 439/594, 439/596, 439/347, 439/629, 439/630, 439/635
• US Class Current: 439/358
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6278 comprising a pin snapping into a recess

Abstract

A reinforced latch structure for electrical connectors is provided. The latch structure comprises at least one latch on one connector in a mateable pair which is resiliently deflectable about a first axis and which is disposed to contact a cam on the opposed connector during mating. The deflectable latch and/or the cam on the opposed connector define a leading ramp surface, a trailing ramp surface and a locking surface. The leading ramp surface is disposed to resiliently deflect the latch arm and develop stored energy therein. The trailing ramp surface employs the stored energy developed in the latch arm to urge the connectors toward a fully mated condition. The latch arm includes a spring steel wire insert for reinforcement, such that the plastic latch arm does not become permanently deformed. The connectors may be disengaged from one another by biasing the latch arm about a second axis away from the associated connector a sufficient amount to clear the cam and enable disengagement of the connectors.

Claims

1. An improved latching means for assisting the mating of a connector assembly having first and second connectors adapted to be mated along a longitudinal mating axis, said latching means comprising:

at least one deflectable cantilevered latch arm constructed from a first material, said latch arm coupled to said first connector;

spring means, constructed from a second material comprising a steel wire insert running substantially throughout the length of said latch arm, for developing and releasing stored energy during the mating of said connectors, said second material being more resilient than said first material; and

catch means, coupled to said second connector, for engaging and deflecting said latch arm during the mating of said connectors, whereby said latching means employs said stored energy in urging said connector to remain in a fully mated configuration.

2. The latching means according to claim 1, wherein said latch arm is constructed of plastic.

3. The latching means according to claim 1, wherein said catch means is constructed in the shape of a cam projecting from said second connector.

4. The latching means according to claim 1, wherein said latching means includes at least one pair of deflectable latch arms.

5. The latching means according to claim 1, wherein said latch arm is deflectable about a first axis of deflection lying substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal mating axis.

6. The latching means according to claim 5, wherein said latching means includes a leading ramp surface for deflecting said latch arm about said first axis and for developing stored energy in said spring means during at least an initial portion of the mating of said connectors.

7. The latching means according to claim 6, wherein said latching means includes a trailing ramp surface for releasing said stored energy of said spring means during at least a final portion of the mating of said connectors.

8. The latching means according to claim 7, wherein said leading and trailing ramp surfaces are disposed on said latch arm.

9. The latching means according to claim 7, wherein said leading ramp surface is disposed on said catch means, and said trailing ramp surface is disposed on said latch arm.

10. The latching means according to claim 5, wherein said latch arm is alternatively deflectable about a second axis of deflection angularly aligned with said first axis.

11. The latching means according to claim 10, wherein said second axis of deflection is generally orthogonal to said first axis of deflection and is generally orthogonal to said longitudinal mating axis.

12. The latching means according to claim 10, wherein said latch arm is coupled to said first connector by a root, said second axis of deflection lying substantially in said root, such that said latch arm is deflectable about said root to enable disengagement of said latch arm from said catch means for unmating said connectors.

13. The latching means according to claim 1, wherein said catch means is a cam of generally prismatic configuration and of generally triangular cross-section.

14. A pair of matable electrical connectors having a positive pull-in force in a fully mated condition of said connectors, said pair comprising first and second connectors, the first connector comprising at least one cantilevered latch resiliently and alternatively deflectable about a first axis of deflection, the second connector comprising a cam disposed for engagement with said latch during mating of said connectors, at least one of said latch and said cam comprising a leading ramp surface for deflecting said resilient cantilevered latch about said first axis of deflection thereof and for developing stored energy in said resilient latch, a trailing ramp surface for employing the stored energy of the resiliently deflected cantilevered latch and urging said connectors into a fully mated condition, said latch including resilient metallic spring means for providing reinforcement, whereby the resiliency of said latch is maintained over adverse conditions and wherein said latch is alternatively deflectable about a second axis of deflection to enable disengagement of said latch from said cam for facilitating unmating of said connectors.

15. The pair of matable electrical connectors according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said latch and said cam further comprises a locking surface for lockingly retaining said connectors in a fully mated condition.

16. A pair of mateable electrical connectors comprising a first connector and a second connector, the first connector comprising a pair of latch arms, each said latch arm being resiliently deflectable about a first axis towards and away from the other latch arm, said latch arms being alternatively deflectable about a second axis extending generally orthogonal to the first axis and lying substantially in a root which unitarily connects said latch arms to said first connector, each said latch arm including a spring steel reinforcement extending generally throughout said latch arm, the second connector in said pair comprising a generally prismatically configured cam, said cam comprising a pair of leading ramp surfaces for deflecting said latch arms about said first axis and for developing stored energy in said latch arms, said pair of latch arms comprising a pair of trailing ramp surfaces for employing the stored energy of the resiliently deflected latch arms and for urging said connectors into a fully mated condition, the leading ramp surfaces and the trailing ramp surfaces being aligned generally parallel to the first axes of said latch arms, whereby the resilient deflection of said latch arms about said second axis enables disengagement of said latch arms from said cam for enabling unmating of said connectors.