Connector

• US 5,279,506 A
• Filed: 10/21/1992
• Issued: 01/18/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Kawase, Hajime, Watanabe, Kaoru
• Primary Examiner(s): MCGLYNN, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US07/964,442
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 439/152-160
• US Class Current: 439/157
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62938 Pivoting lever comprising own camming means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only

Abstract

A connector with a lever for reducing the force required for connection between the first and second interlocking connectors. The second connector includes a freely-pivoting lever with a pair of connector guide holes. The first connector includes a pair of guide pins. A connector box secured at any given location includes a connector cavity, with an opening on the mating member side, for the first and second connectors. Guide rails are provided in the connector box housing for guiding the first and second connectors. A lever guide is further provided in the housing for guiding the lever according to the movement of second connector. When the first connector member is pressed against the second connector member housed in the housing, the guide holes engage with the guide pins and the force pulls the first connector member to the second connector member according to the moving position of thereof.

Claims

1. A lever type connector which is used to connect one pair of first and second terminals, comprising:

a first connector member for accommodating said first terminal therein and provided with a first engaging means, a second engaging means, and a first guide means;

a second connector member for accommodating said second terminal therein and provided with a third engaging means engageable with said first engaging means, a second guide means and a lever means pivotally provided thereon, said lever means provided with a fourth engaging means engageable with said second engaging means; and

a stationary connecting box fixedly secured at a predetermined location and for accommodating said first and second connector members and provided with an opening at one end surface thereof, said stationary connecting box comprising;

a guide means engageable with said first and second guide means for guiding said first and second connector members in a direction perpendicular to said one end surface; and

a fifth engaging means engageable with said lever means such that said lever means can rotate according to the position of said second connector member housed in said stationary connecting box, whereby when said first connector member is pressed through said opening against said second connector member, said fourth engaging means engages with said second engaging means to force said first and third engaging means into a firmly engaged state.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stationary connecting box further comprises a fixing means for securing said stationary connecting box at a given location on a support panel.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a first positioning means provided on said second connector member and

a second positioning means provided in said stationary connecting box for engaging with said first positioning means and securing said second connector member thereon temporarily.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

a third positioning means provided in said first connector member and

a fourth positioning means provided in said stationary connecting box for engaging with said third positioning means and for securing said first connector member temporarily.