Structure for locking two workpieces

• US 6,669,510 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Yamawaki, Takanori, Kohata, Takeo
• Primary Examiner(s): PAUMEN, GARY F
• Application Number:
  US10/207,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20030027456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 439/595, 439/752, 439/350-358
• US Class Current: 439/595
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4365 comprising a temporary and a final locking position
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap

Abstract

A structure for locking two workpieces includes: a first workpiece 1 provided with a provisional locking arm 3 and a complete locking arm 4 which are in parallel; a second workpiece 2 provided with an arm receiving portion 5 having a provisional engaging area 15 and a complete engaging area 12 which are to be engaged with the provisional locking portion and the complete locking portion, respectively and a pair of arm guiding portions 6 and 7 on both sides of the arm receiving portion, the arm receiving portion being to advance in between the provisional locking arm and the complete locking arm. One of the arm guiding portions is provided with a slope 21 for slidably supporting a tip of the complete locking arm when the complete locking arm climbs over the complete engaging portion. In such a configuration, inadvertent complete-locking or release thereof of two workpieces can be prevented.

Claims

1. A structure for locking two workpieces comprising:

a first workpiece provided with a provisional locking arm and a complete locking arm which are in parallel; and

a second workpiece provided with an arm receiving portion having a provisional engaging area and a complete engaging area which are to be engaged with said provisional locking arm and said complete locking arm, respectively and a pair of arm guiding portions on both sides of the arm receiving portion, said arm receiving portion being to advance in between said provisional locking arm and said complete locking arm, wherein one of said arm guiding portions is provided with a slope for slidably supporting a tip of said complete locking arm when said complete locking arm climbs over the complete engaging portion.

2. A locking structure according to claim 1, wherein said provisional locking arm has a provisional locking area at its tip, said complete locking arm has a complete locking area at its middle position in he longitudinal direction, said arm receiving portion has said provisional engaging area at its tip and said complete engaging area behind said provisional engaging area.

3. A locking structure according to claim 2, wherein said provisional locking arm and said arm guiding portion have releasing slopes at their tips, respectively.

4. A locking structure according to claim 1, wherein said provisional locking area and said complete locking area are formed as projections.

5. A locking structure according to claim 1, wherein said first workpiece is a connector housing and said second workpiece is a front holder which defines a terminal chamber in said connector housing.