Panel mount bracket for electrical connector

• US 5,772,471 A
• Filed: 04/30/1997
• Issued: 06/30/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Original Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Buck, Jonathan Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US08/846,604
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 439/607, 439/609, 439/939, 439/527, 439/533, 439/569, 439/573
• US Class Current: 439/607.28
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6582 with resilient means for engaging mating connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/745 separate from the housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/939 with grounding to metal mounting panel

Abstract

Bracket (10,80) adapted to be mounted to a conductive panel for mounting a shielded connector (50) thereto, where the connector is of a design intended for mounting to a circuit board but is instead terminated to a cable (70). Upper and lower wall sections (20,22) extend rearwardly from bracket body section (12) each having at least one locking tab (24,26,80) extending forwardly and inwardly almost to body section (12). Connector (50) is urged forwardly against body section (12) until locking tabs (24,26,80) seat behind flanges (62) of connector shield (60) and press against shield (60) to establish ground connections therewith.

Claims

1. A bracket for securing a shielded electrical connector to a panel at an input/output port of an electronic apparatus where the connector shield includes rearwardly facing surfaces at least along upper and lower surfaces at least proximate leading ends thereof, comprising:

an integral member having a panel mount body through which extends a cutout for aligning with the input/output port and having flanges on either side of said cutout with fastener-receiving apertures therethrough for aligning with mounting apertures of said panel; and

said integral member further having upper and lower wall sections extending rearwardly from edges of said panel mounting body defining therebetween a connector-receiving region, each said upper and lower wall section including at least one stiffly resilient locking tab extending forwardly and inwardly from a rearward edge thereof,

whereby a shielded connector is affixable to said bracket by urging the connector forwardly against the bracket body until the locking tabs latch behind the rearwardly facing surfaces of the connector shield.

2. The bracket as set forth in claim 1 wherein leading ends of opposed ones of said locking tabs are spaced closer together than a height of said connector shield, whereby said locking tabs press against said shield upon assembly.

3. The bracket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower walls extend rearwardly and are angled inwardly to rearwardmost edges thereof.

4. The bracket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower walls each include a pair of said locking tabs.

5. The bracket as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower walls each include only a single said locking tab.