Latch mechanism for engaging electrical connectors

• US 6,168,453 B1
• Filed: 10/14/1999
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Kuo, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US09/418,668
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 439/353, 439/357, 439/358
• US Class Current: 439/357
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence

Abstract

A latch mechanism for firmly engaging a first connector and a second connector includes a fixing plate with a linking portion perpendicularly extending therefrom, a pair of extending portions perpendicular to the fixing plate, and a locking portion downwardly extending from the linking portion. Grasp arms downwardly extend from ends of the extending portions for engaging the first connector. The locking portion is firmly inserted into the first connector to form a reliable connection therewith. The fixing plate is securely retained in the second connector whereby the first and second connectors are firmly engaged.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising:

a dielectric housing defining a plurality of terminal receiving passages therethrough and a pair of screw holes in opposite ends thereof;

a plurality of terminals received in said passages; and

two latch mechanisms each comprising a fixing plate with a linking portion extending therefrom, a pair of extending portions on opposite ends of the linking portion, and a locking portion in the respective hole of said housing, the extending portions firmly abutting a respective side of said dielectric housing;

wherein a length of each extending portion is substantially equal to a distance from a center line of the screw hole to the respective side of the housing;

wherein said fixing plate of the latch mechanism defines an aperture therein;

wherein said linking portion is perpendicular to said fixing plate;

wherein said locking portion comprises two resilient legs for facilitating engagement with the housing;

wherein each resilient leg has a plurality of barbs thereon.

2. A latch mechanism for engaging two mating connectors, comprising:

a fixing plate with a linking portion extending therefrom defining an aperture therein;

a pair of extending portions perpendicular to said fixing plate; and

a locking portion extending downwardly from said linking portion thereon,

said locking portion in interferece fit with a housing of one of the connectors and said extending portions engaging a lateral side of said housing of said connector cooperatively;

wherein said fixing plate has an inclined guiding face for facilitating engagement with the other of the connectors;

wherein said locking portion perpendicularly extends from said linking portion;

wherein said locking portion comprises two resilient legs for facilitating engagement with the housing;

wherein each resilient leg has a plurality of barbs thereon.

3. A pair of engaged connectors comprising:

a first connector including a dielectric housing defining a plurality of terminals receiving passages therethrough and a pair of screw holes in opposite end portions thereof;

a second connector including a dielectric housing defining a plurality of terminals receiving passages therethrough and forming a pair of bases on opposite sides thereof, each base having a forwardly extending elastic arm with a locking portion formed on an end thereof, the bases being positioned in opposition to the screw holes of the first connector; and

a latch mechanism being mounted in each screw hole of said first connector and further connected to the respective locking portion of said second connector, comprising a fixing plate with a linking portion extending therefrom, a pair of extending portions projecting from opposite ends of the linking portion and defining a gap therebetween, and a locking portion, the locking portion being inserted and retained in the respective screw hole of said housing and the extending portions firmly abutting a respective side of said dielectric housing;

wherein the length of the extending portions are substantially equal to the distance from the screw hole to the respective side of said housing of said first connector;

wherein the locking portion includes a pair of resilient legs having barbs formed on outer sides thereof;

wherein the pitch of adjacent barbs of said resilient legs is smaller than the screw pitch of said screw hole;

wherein an inverse V-shaped aperture is formed between the elastic legs for providing elasticity and facilitating a stable connection between said latch mechanism and the respective connector.