Connector which is provided with an operation member for making the connector be connected to a connection member

• US 5,842,883 A
• Filed: 07/19/1996
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Original Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Inventors: Igarashi, Isao, Kato, Nobukazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Yong Ki
• Application Number:
  US08/690,229
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 439/492, 439/493, 439/495, 439/259, 439/260, 439/67, 439/77, 439/630, 439/329, 439/341
• US Class Current: 439/495
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/79 connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/88 acting manually by rotating or pivoting connector housing parts

Abstract

In a connector for use in connecting a connection member (33) of a sheet-like having first and second surfaces opposite to each other in a predetermined direction, a contact member (35) is provided with a first arm portion (53) extending to face the first surface and a second arm portion (54) connected to the first arm portion and extending to face the second surface. The first arm portion is for engaging with an operation member (39) to be moved by manual operation of the operation member in the predetermined direction. The second arm portion moves together with the first arm portion to become in contact with the second surface of the connection member. When the first arm portion is moved, bending is caused in a bendable portion (47) extending from a fixed portion (32) which is fixed to an insulator (31).

Claims

1. A connector for use in connecting a sheet-like connection member having first and second surfaces opposite to each other in a predetermined direction, said connector comprising an insulator for receiving said connection member, a contact member held by said insulator, and an operation member manually operable, said contact member comprising:

a fixed portion fixed to said insulator;

a bendable portion being bendable and extending from said fixed portion to have an extended end;

a first arm portion extending from said extended end to face said first surface and being for engaging with said operation member to be moved by manual operation of said operation member in said predetermined direction with bending of said bendable portion;

a second arm portion connected to said first arm portion and extending to face said second surface, said second arm being moved together with said first arm portion;

wherein said operation member is movable between a first position where said operation member is placed between said first arm portion and said first surface of the connection member and a second position displaced from said first position, and said operation member urging, when said operation member is at said first position, said first arm portion in said predetermined direction to make said second arm portion become into contact with said second surface of the connection member.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second arm portion comprises a contact portion which is brought into contact with said second surface of the connection member responsive to the movement of said first arm portion.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insulator has a contact fixing hole, said fixed portion being pressedly fitted into said contact fixing hole to thereby be fixed to said insulator.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operation member further comprises a holding portion for holding said connection member in cooperation with said insulator.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said insulator has a receiving surface which is opposite to said contact portion for receiving said first surface of the connection member.

6. A connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first arm portion has a pivot portion, said operation member engaging with said pivot portion to pivotally move around said pivot portion between said first and said second positions.

7. A connector as claimed in claim 6, further comprising supporting means connected to said operation member and said insulator for supporting said operation member to said insulator so as to pivotally move around an axis extending parallel to said first surface of the connection member.

8. A connector as claimed in claim 7, further comprising axis movement means connected to said supporting means for moving said axis in response to the movement of the first arm portion in the predetermined direction.

9. A connector comprising:

an insulator for receiving therein a connection member of a sheet-like having a first and a second surface opposite to each other in a predetermined direction;

a contact member fixedly held by said insulator, said contact member having a pivot portion facing said first surface and a contact portion connected to said pivot portion for abutment with said second surface; and

an operation member engaging with said pivot portion so as to be turnable about said pivot portion,

wherein said pivot portion is movable in said predetermined direction together with said contact portion.

10. A connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein said operation member is turnable between a first position where said connection member inserted in said insulator is held in pressed abutment with said contact member and a second position where said connection member is insertable into said insulator, and wherein, when said operation member is at said first position, said operation member pushes and moves said pivot portion, which movement of said pivot portion causes said contact portion to move so that said contact portion is pressed against said second surface of the connection member.

11. A connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein said operation member has end portions which are rotatably held at bearing portions formed on both sides of said insulator, respectively, and wherein said bearing portions are elastically deformable following movement of said end portions.

12. A connector as claimed in claim 9, wherein said operation member has end portions which are rotatably held at bearing portions formed on both sides of said insulator, respectively, and wherein each of said bearing portions is provided with an escape for said end portion while said operation member is turned.