Lock-spring and lock-equipped connector

• US 5,197,901 A
• Filed: 10/29/1991
• Issued: 03/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Original Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Inventors: Hashiguchi, Osamu
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US07/784,248
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 439/345, 439/350, 439/351, 439/352, 439/353, 439/354, 439/355, 439/357, 439/358, 439/607
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence

Abstract

A lock spring is disposed in a lock-equipped connector and is for connecting the lock-equipped connector with a counterpart connector having a hook-shaped section by locking said hook-shaped section. A lock body has a shape of plate comprising a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion, successively. A spring member on the rear portion energizes the rear portion against a movable operating section of the connector. A pivot member on the middle portion is operable as a fulcrum in cooperation with the spring member. A lock member on the front portion and has a hole defined with at least one linear edge to be hooked by the hook-shaped section. The lock-equipped connector may comprise a connector body for connecting a one electric wire, and a pair of hood members for hooding the connector body therebetween. Each hood member has a movable operating section for operating the lock spring to release the hook-shaped section from the lock member.

Claims

1. A lock spring which is disposed in a lock-equipped connector and which is for connecting said lock-equipped connector with a counterpart connector having a hook section which is to be engaged by said lock spring, said lock spring comprising:

a lock body shaped like a plate comprising a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion, successively,

a spring member disposed on said rear portion for energizing said rear portion against said lock-equipped connector towards one direction;

a pivot member disposed on said middle portion for operating as a fulcrum in cooperation with said spring member;

a lock member disposed on said front portion and having a hole defined with at least one linear edge to be hooked by said hook section; and

a guide member disposed at an end of said front portion for guiding said hook section into said hole.

2. A lock spring as in claim 1, wherein said hole is rectangular with four linear edges.

3. A lock spring as claimed in claim 2, wherein said guide member is shaped to curve toward said one direction for energizing said hook section against said front portion.

4. A lock-equipped connector which has a lock spring to engage a counterpart connector having a hook section comprising:

a connector body for connecting one electric wire with another electric wire via said counterpart connector;

a pair of hood members for hooding said connector body therebetween, each of said hood member comprising a movable operating section for operating said lock spring to release said hook section from said lock spring, said lock spring comprising a lock body shaped like a plate, said lock body comprising a front portion, a middle portion, and rear portion, successively;

said lock spring comprising;

a spring member disposed on said rear portion for biasing said rear portion against said movable operating section towards one direction;

a pivot member disposed on said middle portion for operating as a fulcrum in cooperation with said spring member; and

a lock member disposed on said front portion and having a hole defined by at least one linear edge to be hooked by said hook section.

5. A lock-equipped connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said hole is a rectangle with four linear edges.

6. A lock-equipped connector as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a guide member disposed at an end of said front portion for guiding said hook section to said hole.

7. A lock-equipped connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said guide member curves toward said one direction for energizing said hook section against said front portion.