Locking device for a connector
First Claim
1. An electrical connector system that includes first and second connectors (1, 2) that can be mated by moving said second connector in a forward direction (F) relative to said first connector and that can be unmated by moving said second connector in a rearward direction (R), wherein said first and second connector have first and second housings (32, 34) that each have a pair of opposite sides (40, 42) spaced in first and second lateral directions (L) that are perpendicular to said forward direction, with said second connector having sheet metal locking hooks (9) at said second housing opposite sides and with said first connector having first housing portions (7) at said first housing opposite sides, with each of said first housing portions (7) being constructed to be held by one of said looking hooks when said connectors are mated, wherein:
- each of said locking hooks comprises a mount portion (11) integrally formed from a corresponding one of said second housing sides, and each locking hook comprises a spring portion (12) having a rear end (66) integral with said mount portion, said spring portion having a free front end (18) with said spring portion being bent to form a rear curved arch (15) that projects in said first lateral direction and to form a front curved arch (14) that projects in said second lateral direction which is opposite to said first lateral direction, with said arches together forming an approximately S-shape;
each of said first housing portions (7) is in the form of a sheet metal plate that lies approximately in a plane P1 that is normal to said lateral direction, said plate having a cutout (8) that receives said front curved arch of said spring portion with said cutout lying forward of an elongated rear wall (64) of said housing portion that is elongated in said forward and rearward directions;
said plate of said first housing portion (7) having a front wall (62) lying forward of said cutout and said free front end (18) of said spring portion rests against said front wall.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A locking device is provided for an electrical connector system to hold two connectors, (1, 2) together. The locking device includes S-shaped sheet metal locking hooks (9) on a second connector that lock into cutouts (8) on a plate (7) of the first connector. One curved arch (14) of the S-shaped sheet metal hook snaps into the cutout and resists unmating.
31 Citations
3 Claims
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1. An electrical connector system that includes first and second connectors (1, 2) that can be mated by moving said second connector in a forward direction (F) relative to said first connector and that can be unmated by moving said second connector in a rearward direction (R), wherein said first and second connector have first and second housings (32, 34) that each have a pair of opposite sides (40, 42) spaced in first and second lateral directions (L) that are perpendicular to said forward direction, with said second connector having sheet metal locking hooks (9) at said second housing opposite sides and with said first connector having first housing portions (7) at said first housing opposite sides, with each of said first housing portions (7) being constructed to be held by one of said looking hooks when said connectors are mated, wherein:
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each of said locking hooks comprises a mount portion (11) integrally formed from a corresponding one of said second housing sides, and each locking hook comprises a spring portion (12) having a rear end (66) integral with said mount portion, said spring portion having a free front end (18) with said spring portion being bent to form a rear curved arch (15) that projects in said first lateral direction and to form a front curved arch (14) that projects in said second lateral direction which is opposite to said first lateral direction, with said arches together forming an approximately S-shape; each of said first housing portions (7) is in the form of a sheet metal plate that lies approximately in a plane P1 that is normal to said lateral direction, said plate having a cutout (8) that receives said front curved arch of said spring portion with said cutout lying forward of an elongated rear wall (64) of said housing portion that is elongated in said forward and rearward directions; said plate of said first housing portion (7) having a front wall (62) lying forward of said cutout and said free front end (18) of said spring portion rests against said front wall. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A locking hook for mounting on a second electrical connector to lock the second connector to a first electrical connector that has a side plate with a cutout, so the first connector can mate with the second electrical connector, comprising:
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a sheet metal plate-like mount that lies approximately in a plane (P2) and that has a web with a middle and with opposite sides; a strip-shaped sheet metal spring portion having a rear end that is integrally formed with said middle of said web, said spring portion being bent to form a rear curved arch (15) projecting in a first upward lateral direction beyond said plane end to form a front curved arch (14) lying forward of said rear arch with said front arch projecting in a second downward lateral direction opposite to said first lateral direction, beyond said plane to enter said cutout of said side plate, said arches together forming an approximately S shape; said plate-like mount having a pair of legs extending forwardly from said web on said opposite sides thereof and lying on opposite ides of said spring portion; said spring portion having a front end (18) lying laterally between said rear and front arches, so said front end can rest against said side plate.
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Specification