Locking construction

• US 5,558,535 A
• Filed: 06/07/1994
• Issued: 09/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Saka, Yuuji, Shirouzu, Kouichi, Shiraki, Kazuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US08/255,736
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 439/345, 439/350-352, 439/357, 439/358
• US Class Current: 439/357
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm

Abstract

A locking projection is provided on a first electrical component. A locking portion is provided on a second electrical component. The locking portion includes an elastically deflectable flexible portion and a hook portion formed at a distal end of the flexible portion and engageable with the locking projection. A spring portion is provided on the second electrical component so as to be spaced a predetermined distance from the locking portion. When deflection of the flexible portion has reached a predetermined amount or more, the spring portion is depressed by the locking portion so as to be elastically deflected.

Claims

1. A locking construction for holding first and second electrical components into electrical connection with each other, the locking construction comprising:

a locking projection being provided on the first electrical component;

a locking portion being provided on the second electrical component, the locking portion including an elastically deflectable flexible portion and a hook portion formed at a distal end of the flexible portion and engageable with the locking projection; and

a spring portion being provided on the second electrical component so as to be spaced a predetermined distance from the locking portion;

wherein when deflection of the flexible portion by the locking projection has reached at least a predetermined amount, the spring portion is depressed by the locking portion so as to be elastically deflected, the predetermined amount being before the first and second electrical components are held in electrical connection with each other, the flexible portion being returned to an undeflected position and the hook portion contacting the first electrical component when the first and second electrical components are in electrical connection with each other.

2. A locking construction for holding first and second electrical components accommodating male and female terminals, respectively, and being engaged with each other so as to connect a male terminal of the first electrical component and a female terminal of the second electrical component to each other, the locking construction comprising:

a locking projection being provided on a side wall of the first electrical component;

a locking portion being provided on a side wall of the second electrical component, the locking portion including a base portion projecting from a lower end of the second electrical component in a lateral direction, a pair of flexible portions projecting upwardly from the base portion and a hook portion coupling ends of respective flexible portions with each other;

a spring portion including a coupling portion projecting from the flexible portions substantially in a lateral direction, and a main body portion in parallel with the flexible portions;

wherein when deflection of the flexible portions by the locking projection has reached at least a predetermined amount, the spring portion is depressed by the locking portion so as to be elastically deflected, the predetermined amount being before the first and second electrical components are completely engaged with each other, the flexible portions being returned to an undeflected position and the hook portion contacting the side wall of the first electrical component when the first and second electrical components are completely engaged with each other.

3. The locking construction as defined in claim 2, wherein a taper portion is provided at a distal end of the main body portion of the spring portion.

4. A locking construction for holding an engaging portion of a relay fitted around a housing of a relay box such that a male terminal accommodated in the relay and a female terminal accommodated in the relay box are connected to each others the locking construction comprising:

a locking projection being provided at an outside of the engaging portion of the relay;

a locking portion being provided in a side wall of the housing, the locking portion including a base portion projection from a lower end of the side wall of the housing in a lateral direction, a pair of flexible portions projecting upwardly from the base portion, and a hook portion coupling respective ends of the flexible portions with each other; and

a spring portion including a coupling portion projecting from the flexible portions substantially in a lateral direction, and a main body portion projecting upwardly from an end of the coupling portion in parallel with the flexible portions;

wherein when deflection of the flexible portions by the locking projection has reached at least a predetermined amount, the spring portion is depressed by the locking portion so as to be elastically deflected, the predetermined amount being before the engaging portion of the relay and the housing are completely engaged with each other, the flexible portions being returned to an undeflected position and the hook portion contacting the side wall of the housing when the engaging portion of the relay and the housing are completely engaged with each other.

5. The locking construction as defined in claim 4, wherein a taper portion is provided at a distal end of the main body portion of the spring portion.