Shielded connector having a shell with integral latch arms

• US 5,660,558 A
• Filed: 04/02/1996
• Issued: 08/26/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Original Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Inventors: Osanai, Yutaka, Ohtani, Hideyuki, Hayashi, Yasufumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Yong Ki
• Application Number:
  US08/626,539
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 439/352, 439/353, 439/357, 439/358, 439/347, 439/607, 439/610
• US Class Current: 439/353
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/508 assembled by a separate clip or spring
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6582 with resilient means for engaging mating connector

Abstract

In a shielded connector for being connected to a mating connector in a first direction, a metal shell (41) has a shielding portion (51) and a coupling portion (53) whichis formed integral with the shielding portion. The shielding portion covers an insulator (43) to electromagnetically shield contact members which are conductive. The coupling portion is for being mechanically coupled to the mating connector in the first direction. The dontact members are held to the insulator to be arranged in a second direction perpendicularto the first direction. The coupling portion is movable substantially in a third direction perpendicular to said first and said second directions.

Claims

1. A shielded connector for being connected to a matinq connector responsive to a motion in a first direction, said connector including an insulator, a plurality of conductive contact members held to said insulator to be arranged in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and a shell made of a metal plate and held to said insulator, said shell comprising:

a shielding portion coverinq said insulator to electromaqnetically shield said contact members, said shielding portion having a principal portion extendinq in said first and said second directions; and

a coupling portion formed inteqrally with said shielding portion for being mechanically coupled to said mating connector by acting in said first direction, said coupling portion being movable in substantially a third direction perpendicular to said first and said second directions;

said coupling portion comprising;

a spring portion extending from said principal portion in said first direction to provide a spring-extended end, said spring portion being elastically bendable in a first plane extending in said first direction and a third direction which is perpendicular to said first and said second directions; and

an engaging portion formed integrally with said spring-extended end for being brought into engagement with said mating connector responsive to motion in said first direction;

said engaging portion comprising;

an arm portion extending from said spring-extended end in said second direction to have an arm-extended end;

a hook portion extending from said arm-extended end in said first direction; and

an engaging nail protruded form said hook portion in said third direction.

2. A shielded connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insulator has a groove which extends in said first direction and is provided for receiving said hook portion in order to prevent said hook portion from being moved in said second direction.

3. A shielded connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shell further comprises a shielding member which is formed independently of said shielding and said coupling portions and is coupled to said insulator in order to electromagnetically shield said contact members in cooperation with said shielding and said coupling portions.

4. A shielded connector as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a hood which is made of insulating material and covers said shell.