Connector module
First Claim
1. A connector module, comprising:
- a first connector housing extending from a first end portion to an opposite second end portion and comprising a lug extending from a first connector housing wall;
a second connector housing extending from one end portion to an opposite end portion and comprising a resilient locking tongue, said locking tongue comprising a first tongue portion extending from a fixed attached to a second connector housing wall to a first free end and a second tongue portion extending from said first free end to an opposite second free end, said second free end comprising an engagement member, said second connector housing being slidably engagable with said first connector housing in the direction of a longitudinal axis, to fully engage and disengage said lug and said engagement member in an engaged and disengaged mode, respectively, said resilient locking tongue being structured and arranged such that movement of said first tongue portion towards said longitudinal axis causes movement of said engagement member away from said longitudinal axis in a disengaged mode, and release of said first tongue portion permits said engagement member to resile towards said longitudinal axis, in an engaged mode;
said second connector housing wall comprising an outer surface with a rib which extends from one end portion toward said another end portion, said rib extending alone an outer surface of said first tongue portion; and
a positive assurance member movably attached to said second connector housing and structured and arranged such that in said engaged mode, movement of said positive assurance member in a locking direction positions said positive assurance member in relation to said locking tongue to sufficiently resist said movement of said first tongue portion towards, and said engagement member away from, said longitudinal axis to lock engagement of said lug and said engagement member in a locked mode.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector module is provided that includes a first connector housing, a second connector housing and a connector positive assurance member. Insertion of the first housing into the second housing will cause a latching mechanism located within the assembled first and second housings to latch the housings together so that they can not be readily disengaged. When the first and second housings are fully engaged in this manner, the connector positive assurance member may be moved from a first position to a second position to assure complete engagement has been effected and to lock the housings together. If the first and second housings are not filly engaged, the connector positive assurance member can not be moved from such first position to such second position.
51 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A connector module, comprising:
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a first connector housing extending from a first end portion to an opposite second end portion and comprising a lug extending from a first connector housing wall;
a second connector housing extending from one end portion to an opposite end portion and comprising a resilient locking tongue, said locking tongue comprising a first tongue portion extending from a fixed attached to a second connector housing wall to a first free end and a second tongue portion extending from said first free end to an opposite second free end, said second free end comprising an engagement member, said second connector housing being slidably engagable with said first connector housing in the direction of a longitudinal axis, to fully engage and disengage said lug and said engagement member in an engaged and disengaged mode, respectively, said resilient locking tongue being structured and arranged such that movement of said first tongue portion towards said longitudinal axis causes movement of said engagement member away from said longitudinal axis in a disengaged mode, and release of said first tongue portion permits said engagement member to resile towards said longitudinal axis, in an engaged mode;
said second connector housing wall comprising an outer surface with a rib which extends from one end portion toward said another end portion, said rib extending alone an outer surface of said first tongue portion; and
a positive assurance member movably attached to said second connector housing and structured and arranged such that in said engaged mode, movement of said positive assurance member in a locking direction positions said positive assurance member in relation to said locking tongue to sufficiently resist said movement of said first tongue portion towards, and said engagement member away from, said longitudinal axis to lock engagement of said lug and said engagement member in a locked mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A connector module, comprising:
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a first connector housing extending from a first end portion to an opposite second end portion and comprising a lug extending from a first connector housing wall;
a second connector housing extending from one end portion to an opposite end portion and comprising a resilient locking tongue, said locking tongue comprising a first tongue portion extending from a fixed attached to a second connector housing wall to a first free end and a second tongue portion extending from said first free end to an opposite second free end, said second free end comprising an engagement member, said second connector housing being slidably engagable with said first connector housing in the direction of a longitudinal axis, to fully engage and disengage said lug and said engagement member in an engaged and disengaged mode, respectively, said resilient locking tongue being structured and arranged such that movement of said first tongue portion towards said longitudinal axis causes movement of said engagement member away from said longitudinal axis in a disengaged mode, and release of said first tongue portion permits said engagement member to resile towards said longitudinal axis, in an engaged mode; and
a positive assurance member movably attached to said second connector housing having a first detent and a second detent, each detent comprise a first detent surface and an opposite second detent surface extending from a detent base, first and second detent abutment members provided on the second connector housing extending between respective first and second detent surfaces in a pre-locked mode, said first detent surface extending from a detent base a first distance and at a first angle that are sufficient to substantially permanently attach said positive assurance member to said second connector housing in said pre-locked mode, and structured and arranged such that in said engaged mode, movement of said positive assurance member in a locking direction positions said positive assurance member in relation to said locking tongue to sufficiently resist said movement of said first tongue portion towards, and said engagement member away from, said longitudinal axis to lock engagement of said lug and said engagement member in a locked mode, and said second detent surface extending from said detent base a second distance and at a second angle that are sufficient to permit movement of said positive assurance member in said locking direction in said engaged mode. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification