Connector locking structure

• US 6,155,864 A
• Filed: 06/10/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SMK Corporation
• Original Assignee: SMK Corporation
• Inventors: Yoshiura, Yasuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): NASRI, JAVAID H
• Application Number:
  US09/329,779
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 439/357, 439/358, 439/353
• US Class Current: 439/357
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms

Abstract

Lock arms on both sides of a connector have locking protuberances which lock into indentations of a mate connector. One side of the each of the lock arms as well as the sides along the indentation have tapered edges. The sides of the connector can be twisted with respect to each other. During twisting the tapered edges engage to raise the locking protuberances out of engagement with the indentations, thereby permitting easy disconnection of the connectors. The result is a connector locking structure which is easily disconnected but which positively resists unintended disconnection.

Claims

1. A connector locking structure comprising:

a connector;

said connector including an insulating housing;

a plurality of terminals partially exposed to an exterior of said insulating housing;

lock arms projecting from said insulating housing;

said lock arms being elastically deformable in a direction generally normal to a direction ol insertion of said connector;

locking protuberances arc integrally formed at ends of said lock arms;

said locking protuberances having a vertical locking surface projecting in a direction generally normal to said direction of insertion of said connector;

a connector tapered unlocking projection on each of said lock arms;

said connector tapered unlocking projection having a first width, at a proximal end of said connector tapered unlocking projection with respect to said lock arm, which tapers to a second width, at a distal end of said connector tapered unlocking projection with respect to said lock arm;

said first width being greater than said second width, whereby a connector tapered unlocking surface results;

a mate connector;

said mate connector including an insulating housing;

a plurality of terminals partially exposed to an exterior of said insulating housing;

at least one indentation positioned to receive and engage said vertical locking surface, whereby pulling in a direction opposite to insertion will not remove said connector from said mate connector when said at least one indentation receives and engages said locking protuberances;

a tapered unlocking surface on each of said at least one indentation;

said tapered unlocking surface being parallel to said direction of insertion of said connector in said mate connector;

said tapered unlocking surface tapering down in a direction perpendicular to said direction of insertion of said connector in said mate connector;

said terminals of said connector and said terminals of said mate connector are connected by insertion and engagement of said locking protuberance of said connector with said indentation ol said mate connector; and

said connector tapered unlocking surface slides over said tapered unlocking surface of said mate connector to displace said vertical locking surface out of locking engagement with said indentation when said connector is twisted with respect to said mate connector, whereby disengagement of said connector from said mate connector is enabled.

2. The connector locking structure according to claim 1, wherein said tapered unlocking surfaces of said indentations of said mate connector are tilted to the same angle as said tapered unlocking surfaces of said locking arms of said connector.

3. The connector locking structure according to claim 2, wherein said lock arms are integrally formed with said insulating housing of said connector.

4. The connector locking structure according to claim 2, wherein said lock arms are formed of a material differing from that of said insulating housing of said connector.

5. The connector locking structure according to claim 4, wherein said material differing from that of said insulating housing is a metallic material.

6. The connector locking structure according to claim 1, wherein said lock arms are integrally formed with said insulating housing of said connector.

7. The connector locking structure according to claim 1 wherein said lock arms are formed of a material differing from that of said insulating housing of said connector.

8. The connector locking structure according to claim 7, wherein said material differing from that of said insulating housing of said connector is a metallic material.

9. A connector system comprising:

a connector;

a mate connector mateable to said connector;

one of said mate connector and said connector including a lock arm extending toward the other of said mate connector and said connector;

said lock arm including a locking surface;

said other including an indentation into which said locking surface is resiliently urged when said connector and said mate connector are engaged;

at least a first tapered unlocking surface on said lock arm;

at least a corresponding second tapered unlocking surface on said other; and

twisting of said connector with respect to said mate connector engaging said first and second tapered unlocking surfaces to raise said locking surface out of engagement with said indentation, whereby unlocking and disconnection of said connector and said mate connector is enabled.