Connector

• US 5,330,369 A
• Filed: 03/24/1993
• Issued: 07/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Nozaki, Takao, Chishima, Masamitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Daniel W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US08/036,234
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 439/350-358, 439/489, 439/488
• US Class Current: 439/489
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

Abstract

A connector is constructed such that the front half portions of a pair of connector housings each accommodating a terminal are coupled with each other, and are locked and connected together by means of a pair of locking members. This connector comprises a detecting spacer locked and connected to one of the pair of connector housings by means of another pair of locking members and a lock-releasing portion provided on the other connector housing for releasing locking between the detecting spacer and the one of the pair of connector housings when the other connector housing is properly coupled with the one of the pair of connector housings.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a pair of connector housings each including a front half portion for accommodating a terminal and which are coupled with each other;

a locking mechanism including a cantilever-like resilient locking member having a leading end and disposed on one of said pair of connector housings, and a locking portion disposed on the other connector housing, in which the leading end of said cantilever-like resilient locking member of the one of said pair of connector housings interferes with said locking portion of the other connector housing so as to be flexed away from a normal state and is then restored to its normal state after a lapse of predetermined time so as to be brought into engagement with said locking portion; and

a detecting spacer which is operative to be locked and connected to one of said pair of connector housings by means of another locking member, a lock-releasing portion being provided on the other connector housing for releasing locking between said detecting spacer and said one of said pair of connector housings when said other connector housing is properly coupled with said one of said pair of connector housings, and a second locking portion being provided on said detecting spacer so as to interfere with said cantilever-like resilient locking member of said locking mechanism when said cantilever-like resilient locking member is in a flexed posture which is away from its normal state, to thereby prevent the withdrawal of said detecting spacer when said locking mechanism for said pair of connector housings is in a lock-error condition.