Plug connector with latch mechanism

• US 6,457,987 B1
• Filed: 09/14/2001
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yeh, Joel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAUMEN, GARY F
• Application Number:
  US09/952,910
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 439/352, 439/358, 439/357, 439/76.1
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5845 the strain relief being achieved by molding parts around cable and connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/701 the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member

Abstract

A plug connector (8) includes a top cover (1), a latch mechanism (2), a strain relief (3) securing a cable (31), a terminal module (4) have a plurality of terminals (40) therein, a push button switch (5), a printed circuit board (6), and a bottom cover (7). The top cover has a latch release button (16). The latch mechanism includes a spring plate (20) and a latch portion (22) extending downwardly and outwardly from a front end of the spring plate. When the latch release button is pressed, the spring plate gets pressed, and the latch portion is moved downwardly and released from a mating connector. The plug connector is thus unlatched from the mating connector.

Claims

1. A plug connector, comprising:

a housing including a top cover and a bottom cover, the bottom cover engaging with the top cover, and the top cover having a latch release button;

a printed circuit board located in the housing;

a terminal module located in the housing and having a plurality of terminals therein, the terminals connecting with the printed circuit board;

a latch mechanism located in the housing, the latch mechanism having a spring plate and a latch portion extending downwardly and outwardly from a front end of the spring plate, the spring plate having a support portion, an elastic portion and a neck connecting the elastic portion with the support portion, the elastic portion aligning with the latch release button of the top cover and moving downwardly relative to the support portion when the latch release button is pressed, to thereby release the latch portion from a mating connector;

wherein the latch mechanism further has at least one positioning hole defined in the support portion thereof, the top cover forms at least one positioning pole, and each positioning pole engages within a corresponding positioning hole;

wherein the latch portion of the latch mechanism extends perpendicularly downwardly from a front end of the elastic portion of the spring plate;

wherein the latch portion of the latch mechanism comprises an inverted U-shaped appendage extending perpendicularly downwardly from a front end of the spring plate;

wherein a latch arm extends perpendicularly outwardly from each of two free ends of the appendage, and a hook is formed at a distal end of each latch arm for latching with the mating connector;

wherein the latch mechanism further includes a crimping tail extending outwardly from a rear end of the spring plate, the crimping tail comprising a ring for securing a cable extending therethrough;

further comprising a push button switch mounted on the printed circuit board, and wherein the top cover has a push button extending downwardly from a lower face thereof and aligning with the switch, and the push button extends through a through hole of the latch mechanism to abut against the switch;

further comprising a strain relief securing a cable, the strain relief engaging with an end of the housing.

2. A plug connector, comprising:

a housing including a top cover and a bottom cover, the bottom cover engaging with the top cover, and the top cover having a latch release button;

a printed circuit board located in the housing;

a terminal module mounted in the housing and having a plurality of terminals therein, the terminals connecting with the printed circuit board; and

a latch mechanism located in the housing, the latch mechanism having a spring plate and a latch portion extending outwardly from a front end of the spring plate, the spring plate having a support portion, an elastic portion and a neck connecting the support portion with the elastic portion, the latch portion having at least one hook at a front end thereof for engaging with a mating connector, the elastic portion aligning with the latch release button of the top cover and moving downwardly relative to the support portion when the latch release button is pressed, to thereby release each hook from the mating connector;

wherein the latch mechanism further defines at least one positioning hole, the top cover forms at least one positioning pole, and each positioning pole engages within a corresponding positioning hole;

wherein the latch portion of the latch mechanism extends downwardly from a front end of the elastic portion of the spring plate;

wherein the latch portion of the latch mechanism comprises an inverted U-shaped appendage extending downwardly from a front end of the spring plate;

wherein a latch arm extends perpendicularly outwardly from each of two free ends of the appendage, and one hook is formed at a front end of each latch arm;

wherein the latch mechanism further includes a crimping tail extending outwardly from a rear end of the spring plate, the crimping tail comprising a ring for securing a cable extending therethrough;

further comprising a push button switch mounted on the printed circuit board, and wherein the top cover has a push button extending downwardly from a lower face thereof and aligning with the switch, and the push button extends through a through hole of the latch mechanism to abut against the switch;

further comprising a strain relief securing a cable, the strain relief engaging with an end of the housing.