Fiber optic connector with sliding tab release
First Claim
1. An improved connector assembly of the type having a receptacle for receiving a connector body in locking relation therewith, the receptacle having at least one flexible locking tab means extending axially toward the connector body, the connector body having locking detent means for cooperation with the locking tab means whereby when the connector body is inserted into one end of the receptacle, a projection on the flexible locking tab means engages and locks with the detent means thereby effecting a positive lock which maintains said connector body in mating relation with the receptacle, the improvement comprising, in combination, manually operable sliding release means carried on said connector body, said sliding release means having at least one locking tab release means thereon extending axially toward said receptacle, said sliding release means being manually slidable toward said receptacle to a release position where said locking tab release means engages and deflects said flexible locking tab means to a release position and being manually slidable away from said receptacle to an inoperative position when it is desired to maintain said receptacle and connector body locked in mating relation.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved connector assembly of the type having a receptacle for receiving a connector body in locking relation therewith, the receptacle having one or more flexible locking tab members which cooperate with corresponding steps or detent members formed on one or more sides of the connector body for positive locking of the connector in the receptacle, and a sliding release member which is carried on the connector body and is manually slidable toward the connector to move one or more tab release members so they engage and deflect the flexible locking tabs to release positions.
305 Citations
10 Claims
- 1. An improved connector assembly of the type having a receptacle for receiving a connector body in locking relation therewith, the receptacle having at least one flexible locking tab means extending axially toward the connector body, the connector body having locking detent means for cooperation with the locking tab means whereby when the connector body is inserted into one end of the receptacle, a projection on the flexible locking tab means engages and locks with the detent means thereby effecting a positive lock which maintains said connector body in mating relation with the receptacle, the improvement comprising, in combination, manually operable sliding release means carried on said connector body, said sliding release means having at least one locking tab release means thereon extending axially toward said receptacle, said sliding release means being manually slidable toward said receptacle to a release position where said locking tab release means engages and deflects said flexible locking tab means to a release position and being manually slidable away from said receptacle to an inoperative position when it is desired to maintain said receptacle and connector body locked in mating relation.
- 9. An improved connector assembly of the type having a receptacle for receiving a connector body in locking relation therewith, the receptacle having a pair of opposed flexible locking tab means extending axially toward the connector body, the connector body having a pair of opposed locking detent means on opposite sides of said connector body for cooperation with corresponding ones of said locking tab means whereby when the connector body is inserted into one end of the receptacle, an inward projection on each flexible locking tab means engages and locks with a corresponding detent means thereby effecting a positive lock which maintains said connector body in mating relation with the receptacle, the improvement comprising, in combination, manually operable sliding release means carried on said connector body, said sliding release means including a slidable body portion and a pair of locking tab release means carried by said body portion, said pair of locking tab release means being parallel to one another and spaced apart less than the distance between said pair of opposed flexible locking tab means on said receptacle, said body portion of said sliding release means being manually slidable toward said receptacle to a release position whereby each locking tab release means engages inside the end of a corresponding locking tab means and deflects the latter outwardly to a release position.
Specification