Structure for interlocking connectors

• US 6,383,011 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2001
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: JST Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: JST Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Chen, Ping
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gushi, Ross
• Application Number:
  US09/791,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20010021603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 439/358, 439/357, 439/352, 439/353, 439/354, 439/350, 439/488, 439/489, 439/351, 439/355
• US Class Current: 439/358
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/627 Snap or like fastening
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6271 Latching means integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm

Abstract

A structure for interlocking connectors improves rigidity of a push lever as well as mutual retention and mechanical strength to a proper extent, and increases the feeling of click when they are engaged with each other, further protecting the lever to be caught by foreign wire ends. The connectors are a male connector (1) and a female connector (2) to be fitted on the male connector, and a lockable lug (7) is formed on the outer surface of one of connector housings (3). A lock arm (15) integral with a pawl (16) engaging with the lockable lug (7) is secured above the outer surface of the other connector housing (4), by a pair of elastically deformable hinge-shaped feet (17). The push lever (18) is disposed on a rear end of the lock arm (15) extending rearwards beyond the feet (17). The lever (18) and a pair of bridging members (19) continuing from opposite lateral ends of the lever and integrally fixed on side walls of the housing (4) serve as an arch-shaped guard for the interlocking structure.

Claims

1. A structure for interlocking connectors with each other, the connectors being a male connector and a female connector to be fitted thereon, the structure comprising:

a housing of one of the connectors;

a lockable lug formed on an outer surface of the one connector;

a housing of the other connector;

a lock arm integral with a pawl corresponding to and engageable with the lockable lug, the lock arm being formed on an outer surface of the other connector housing;

a pair of elastically deformable hinge-shaped feet each having one end integral with the other connector housing and another end continuing from the lock arm; and

a push lever having lateral ends formed integral with a rear end of the lock arm extending rearwardly beyond the hinge-shaped feet,

the structure further comprising;

a pair of bridging members that continue from opposite side walls of the other connector housing so as to be integral with the lateral ends of the push lever such that an arch-shaped lock guard portion is provided above the other connector housing.

2. A structure for interlocking connectors as defined in claim 1, wherein each bridging member is of a curved shape.