Polygonal connector, in particular a rectangular connector incorporating a central insulator

• US 5,352,135 A
• Filed: 03/10/1993
• Issued: 10/04/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
• Original Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
• Inventors: Lenoir, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US08/029,242
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 439/607-610, 439/903, 439/345, 439/347
• US Class Current: 439/607.4
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6581 Shield structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/903 Special latch for insert

Abstract

The invention concerns a rectangular connector comprising a casing (2) housing a central insulator (1) incorporating electric contact elements (16). One bar element (41) is positioned at each longitudinal end of central insulator (1), and a lug (50) is positioned on one transverse inner face (22) of the casing (2). The bar elements comprise a central part (41), each of whose ends is extended by an elastic central part (42, 43) so as to improve flexibility of the arm (41).

Claims

1. A polygonal connector comprising:

a casing;

a central insulator having front and rear parts and incorporating electrical contact elements disposed in said front part, said front part protruding from said rear part along an insertion axis and being insertable within said casing to a limited depth and said front part having an external polygonal contour which is smaller than an external contour of said rear part;

returning means for positioning said central insulator within and in locking engagement with at least one side of said casing said retaining means comprising at least one lug of said casing engageable and lockable with a corresponding bar element of said central insulator, said bar element having a central part spaced from said rear part of said central insulator in a direction laterally of said insertion axis and elastic arms connecting respective ends of said central part to said rear part so as to effect said locking engagement of said lug with said central part.

2. Connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector is rectangular.

3. Connector according to claim 2, wherein said connector comprises two said bar elements, each positioned at an opposite longitudinal end of said central insulator and two said lugs, each of which is positioned on an interior face of said casing.

4. Connector according to claim 1, wherein said central part of said bar element is inclined in relation to said insertion axis so as to facilitate sliding motion of the bar element along the corresponding lug.

5. Connector according to claim 1, wherein said lug is situated on said casing for engagement with only a median part of the corresponding bar element.

6. Connector according to claim 1, wherein said bar element is formed as an integral part of said central insulator.

7. Connector according to claim 1, and further comprising:

a sheathing cover housed between said central insulator and said casing.

8. Connector according to claim 7, wherein said sheathing cover comprises two longitudinal edges and said insulator rear part further comprises corresponding prepositioning lugs engageable with said upper and lower edges of said sheathing cover.

9. Connector according to claim 1, wherein said casing is made of a conductive material.

10. Connector according to claim 3, wherein said central part of said bar element is inclined in relation to said insertion axis so as to facilitate sliding motion of the bar element along the corresponding lug.

11. Connector according to claim 3, wherein said lug is situated on said casing for engagement with only a median part of the corresponding bar element.

12. Connector according to claim 3, wherein said bar element is formed as an integral part of said central insulator.

13. Connector according to claim 3, and further comprising:

a sheathing cover housed between said central insulator and said casing.

14. Connector according to claim 3, wherein said casing is made of a conductive material.

15. Connector according to claim 6, and further comprising:

a sheathing cover interposed between said central insulator and said casing.

16. A connector as in claim 1, and further comprising:

said rear part providing said insertable depth limit for said front part.

17. A connector as in claim 1, and further comprising:

said bar element being generally coplanar with said rear part.