Mounting system for electrical connectors

• US 5,354,216 A
• Filed: 02/03/1994
• Issued: 10/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Inventors: Cruise, Tom, Wilhite, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US08/191,447
• Time in Patent Office: 250 Days
• Field of Search: 248/222.1, 248/222.2, 439/553, 439/554, 439/557, 439/558
• US Class Current: 439/553
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0216 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/929 Connecting base plate or shelf type holder

Abstract

A mounting system is provided for readily mounting an electrical connector in an opening in a panel for interconnecting an electrical device on one side of the panel with an electrical component on the other side of the panel. A complementary interengaging pivot arrangement is provided between a nose of the connector and the panel, near the opening in the panel, whereby the connector can be rotated to an operative position in the opening. Complementary interengaging latches are provided between the connector and the panel, near the opening and remote from the pivot means, for holding the connector in its operative position. Interengaging stops are provided for preventing disengagement of the pivot arrangement when the connector is in its operative position.

Claims

1. In a mounting system for readily mounting an electrical connector in an opening in a panel for interconnecting an electrical component on one side of the panel with an electrical component on the other side of the panel, said connector including a dielectric housing having a nose at one end with side walls extending therefrom, said mounting system including complementary interengaging pivot means between the nose of the connector and the panel near the opening whereby the pivot means can be interengaged and the connector can be rotated to an operative position in the opening in the panel, wherein the improvement comprises complementary interengaging latch means integral with the connector and the opening on at least one side of the connector and on at least one portion of the opening between the connector and the panel near the opening remote from the pivot means for holding the connector in its operative position, said interengaging latch means including a cam latch member extending on and parallel to each said connector housing side wall and a resilient latch arm on the panel extending perpendicular from the panel near the opening for snap lock receiving the cam latch member, and abutment means integral with the cam latch members projecting outwardly away from the connector housing sidewalls adapted to contact a side of said resilient latch arm for preventing disengagement of said connector from said pivot means in a direction parallel to the plane of the panel.

2. In a mounting system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said abutment means comprise a stop surface on the connector for engaging the resilient latch arm to prevent the connector from moving away from and disengaging the pivot means.

3. In a mounting system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said complementary interengaging pivot means include a tongue at the nose of the connector insertable into a slot in the panel.

4. In a mounting system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrical connector includes a unitary housing having an integral socket on one side thereof for receiving a coaxial cable component.