Connector mounting receptacles

• US 5,766,034 A
• Filed: 02/14/1997
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Original Assignee: Panduit Corporation
• Inventors: McGrath, Michael Joseph, Falkstrom, Karl Erik, Lindley, Kris B., Block, Dale Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US08/799,158
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/544, 439/545, 439/553
• US Class Current: 439/553
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/518 for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6582 with resilient means for engaging mating connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/659 with plural ports for distinct connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6596 the conductive member being a metal grounding panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/73 Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/745 separate from the housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle

Abstract

Connector mounting receptacles include either a mounting base or a wall plate having a spaced apart tooth and resilient latch disposed to engage mounting slots in a modular connector to releasably mount the connector to the receptacle. The connector includes corner mounting slots disposed to engage lateral stops formed in the wall plate. Steel wall plate receptacles are integrally formed of conductive metal with the connector latching features being configured to concurrently releasably latch and conductively ground a shielded connector mounted in the receptacle.

Claims

1. A connector receptacle, comprising:

a one piece conductive metal body with an aperture formed in a substantially planar face, the aperture including spaced apart first and second edges for receiving and mounting a connector, including a resilient cantilever connector engaging which projects, substantially perpendicular from the planar face adjacent the first edge of the aperture, and a connector engaging tooth formed in the second edge, wherein the latch has a hook shaped tooth disposed at a distal end which is adapted to interferingly engage a rear edge of the connector.

2. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1 including spaced apart lateral stops formed adjacent the latch in lateral corners of the aperture.

3. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector latch is a planar cantilever arm disposed perpendicular to a face of the receptacle having a barb formed out of the plane of the cantilever arm disposed to engage a rear edge of the connector.

4. A receptacle as set forth in claim 3, wherein the barb is hook shaped.

5. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector latch is a planar cantilever arm disposed perpendicular to a face of the receptacle having connector engagement barbs formed out of the plane of the cantilever arm on opposing lateral edges of the arm.

6. A receptacle as set forth in claim 5, wherein the receptacle has a c-shaped profile with a front face and first and second flanges and wherein the latch is formed in the first flange and the connector engaging tooth is formed in the second flange.

7. A receptacle as set forth in claim 6, wherein the connector engaging tooth is v-shaped and is formed at a distal end of a cantilever arm formed in the second flange such that a connector can be disengaged from the tooth merely by withdrawing the connector.

8. A receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector engaging latch includes a release tab means for facilitating the disengagement of the latch from the connector.