Floating panel mounting system for electrical connectors

• US 5,772,469 A
• Filed: 05/02/1996
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Molex Incorporated (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Molex Incorporated (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Polgar, Gary E., Fry, Rupert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): Byrd, Eugene G.
• Application Number:
  US08/642,007
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 439/546, 439/247, 439/248, 439/571, 439/557, 439/348
• US Class Current: 439/546
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel

Abstract

An electrical connector panel mounting system includes a panel having a given thickness between two surfaces and including a first opening formed with at least one radially extending locating portion and a second opening spaced from the first opening. A connector includes a dielectric housing inserted from one surface of the panel along an axis to an insertion position into the first opening in the panel. The housing has at least one radially extending locating flange for passing through the locating portion of the first opening as the housing is inserted thereinto. At least one radially extending stop flange is spaced axially and angularly from the locating flange for abutting the one surface of the panel when the locating flange clears the opposite surface of the panel. The housing is rotatable about the axis from its insertion position to a mounted position whereat the locating flange can abut the opposite surface of the panel to prevent axial removal of the housing back out of the first opening. The cross-sectional configuration of the housing is smaller than the first opening when in the mounted position to provide radial floating of the connector relative to the panel. A locking arm projects radially of the housing and includes a locking protrusion for engagement in the second opening when the housing is in its mounted position and for preventing rotation of the connector from the mounted position back to the insertion position. The second opening is larger than the locking protrusion to allow for the radial floating of the connector relative to the panel.

Claims

1. An electrical connector panel mounting system, comprising:

a panel having a given thickness between two surfaces and including a first opening formed with at least one radially extending locating portion and a second opening spaced from the first opening;

a connector having a dielectric housing insertable from one surface of the panel along an axis to an insertion position into the first opening in the panel, the housing having at least one radially extending locating flange for passing through the locating portion of the first opening as the housing is inserted thereinto and at least one radially extending stop flange spaced axially and angularly from the locating flange for abutting the one surface of the panel when the locating flange clears the opposite surface of the panel, the housing being rotatable about said axis from its insertion position to a mounted position whereat the locating flange can abut the opposite surface of the panel to prevent axial removal of the housing back out of the first opening, and the cross-sectional configuration of the housing being smaller than the first opening and when in the mounted position to provide rotational and lateral floating of the connector relative to the panel;

the locating flange being slightly less in angular circumferential direction than the radially extending locating portion of the panel first opening, the stop flange being greater in angular circumferential direction than the locating flange, and the locating and stop flanges positioned so that one does not overlap the other in the direction of the insertion axis; and

a locking arm projecting radially of the housing and including a locking protrusion for engagement in the second opening in the panel when the housing is in its mounted position and for preventing rotation of the connector from the mounted position back to the insertion position, the second opening being larger than the locking protrusion to allow for said rotational and lateral floating of the connector relative to the panel.

2. In an electrical connector panel mounting system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second opening in the panel is circular to facilitate omni-directional rotational and lateral floating action of the connector.

3. In an electrical connector panel mounting system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said locking protrusion is generally cylindrical.

4. In an electrical connector panel mounting system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing is molded of plastic material and said locking arm is molded integrally therewith.

5. In an electrical connector panel mounting system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking arm is flexible such that said locking protrusion comprises a detent adapted for snapping into the second opening in the panel automatically when the housing is rotated to its mounted position to lock the housing thereat.

6. In an electrical connector panel mounting system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said housing is molded of plastic material and said locking arm is molded integrally therewith.

7. An electrical connector panel mounting system, comprising:

a panel having a given thickness between two surfaces and including a first opening formed with at least one radially extending locating portion and a second circular opening spaced from the first opening;

a connector having a dielectric housing insertable from one surface of the panel along an axis to an insertion position into the first opening in the panel, the housing having at least one radially extending locating flange for passing through the locating portion of the first opening as the housing is inserted thereinto and at least one radially extending stop flange spaced axially and angularly from the locating flange for abutting the one surface of the panel when the locating flange clears the opposite surface of the panel, the housing being rotatable about said axis from its insertion position to a mounted position whereat the locating flange can abut the opposite surface of the panel to prevent axial removal of the housing back out of the first opening, the cross-sectional configuration of the housing being smaller than the first opening and when in the mounted position to provide rotational and lateral floating of the connector relative to the panel, the housing being molded of plastic material;

the locating flange being slightly less in angular circumferential direction than the radially extending locating portion of the panel first opening, the stop flange being greater in angular circumferential direction than the locating flange, and the locating and stop flanges positioned so that one does not overlap the other in the direction of the insertion axis; and

a locking arm projecting radially of the housing and including a locking protrusion for engagement in the second opening in the panel when the housing is in its mounted position and for preventing rotation of the connector from the mounted position back to the insertion position, the second opening being larger than the locking protrusion to allow for said rotational and lateral floating of the connector relative to the panel, the locking arm being molded integrally with the housing so that the locking arm is flexible and the locking protrusion is adapted for snapping into the second opening in the panel automatically when the housing is rotated to its mounted position to lock the housing thereat.

8. In an electrical connector panel mounting system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said locking protrusion is generally cylindrical.

9. In an electrical connector panel mounting system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first opening in the panel is circular.

10. For use in an electrical connector panel mounting system which includes a panel having a given thickness between two surfaces, a first opening formed with at least one radially extending locating portion and a second opening spaced from the first opening, an electrical connector comprising:

a dielectric housing insertable from one surface of the panel along an axis to an insertion position into the first opening in the panel, the housing having at least one radially extending locating flange for passing through the locating portion of the first opening as the housing is inserted thereinto and at least one radially extending stop flange spaced axially and angularly from the locating flange for abutting the one surface of the panel when the locating flange clears the opposite surface of the panel, the housing being rotatable about said axis from its insertion position to a mounted position whereat the locating flange can abut the opposite surface of the panel to prevent axial removal of the housing back out of the first opening, and the cross-sectional configuration of the housing being smaller than the first opening and when in the mounted position to provide rotational and lateral floating of the connector relative to the panel;

the locating flange being slightly less in angular circumferential direction than the radially extending locating portion of the panel first opening, the stop flange being greater in angular circumferential direction than the locating flange, and the locating and stop flanges positioned so that one does not overlap the other in the direction of the insertion axis; and

a locking arm projecting radially of the housing and including a locking protrusion for engagement in the second opening in the panel when the housing is in its mounted position and for preventing rotation of the connector from the mounted position back to the insertion position, the second opening being larger than the locking protrusion to allow for said rotational and lateral floating of the connector relative to the panel.

11. The electrical connector of claim 10 wherein said second opening in the panel is circular to facilitate omni-directional rotational and lateral floating action of the connector.

12. The electrical connector of claim 11 wherein said locking protrusion is generally cylindrical.

13. The electrical connector of claim 10 wherein said housing is molded of plastic material and said locking arm is molded integrally therewith.

14. The electrical connector of claim 10 wherein said locking arm is flexible such that said locking protrusion comprises a detent adapted for snapping into the second opening in the panel automatically when the housing is rotated to its mounted position to lock the housing thereat.

15. The electrical connector of claim 14 wherein said housing is molded of plastic material and said locking arm is molded integrally therewith.