Locking device for coupling two mating electrical connectors together
First Claim
1. A locking device for securing first and second electrical connectors together, comprising:
- a pair of first members each having a mounting post secured in the first connector and a head extending from the mounting post; and
a pair of second members each having a retention portion secured in the second connector and a spring arm extending from the retention portion, each spring arm resiliently abutting against a periphery of associated head in opposite directions to securely engage the first members with the second members;
wherein the spring arm of each second member forms an engaging portion at a free end thereof, the engaging portion defining a chamber for receiving the head of each first member;
wherein the head is spherical and the engaging portion of each spring arm has a shape adapted for engaging with the head;
wherein the engaging portion of each spring arm comprises a semi-bowl shaped portion;
wherein the engaging portion of each spring arm spans an angle of approximately 100 to 130 degrees in a plane containing the two second members and the head comprises a front portion and a rear portion, the engaging portion bearing against at least the rear portion to prevent the head from disengaging from the engaging portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A locking device for securing first and second electrical connectors together comprises a first member and a second member. The first member comprises a mounting post received in the first connector and a spherical head extending beyond the first connector. The second member comprises a retention portion secured in the second connector and a spring arm having an engaging portion. The engaging portion is semi-bowl shaped to adapt for engaging with the head. When the first and second connectors are mated together, the head engages the engaging portion with at least a rear portion thereof abutting against a free edge of the engaging portion thereby establishing reliable engagement between the head and the engaging portion.
40 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A locking device for securing first and second electrical connectors together, comprising:
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a pair of first members each having a mounting post secured in the first connector and a head extending from the mounting post; and a pair of second members each having a retention portion secured in the second connector and a spring arm extending from the retention portion, each spring arm resiliently abutting against a periphery of associated head in opposite directions to securely engage the first members with the second members; wherein the spring arm of each second member forms an engaging portion at a free end thereof, the engaging portion defining a chamber for receiving the head of each first member; wherein the head is spherical and the engaging portion of each spring arm has a shape adapted for engaging with the head; wherein the engaging portion of each spring arm comprises a semi-bowl shaped portion; wherein the engaging portion of each spring arm spans an angle of approximately 100 to 130 degrees in a plane containing the two second members and the head comprises a front portion and a rear portion, the engaging portion bearing against at least the rear portion to prevent the head from disengaging from the engaging portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A connector assembly comprising:
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a first connector and a second connector face to face assembled together; a pair of first members each having a spherical head extending forward on either side of the first connector; and a pair of second members each having a spring arm with a bowl type engagement portion at the distal end and extending forward on either side of the second connector;
whereinwhen assembled, the engagement portion of each of the second members covers more than one fourth area of a surface of the engaged spherical head of the corresponding first member.
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Specification