I/O connector with lock-release mechanism

• US 6,957,976 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Zhang, Hongbo
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phuongchi
• Application Number:
  US10/951,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20050070148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 439/358, 439/327, 439/353, 439/357, 439/350, 439/540.1
• US Class Current: 439/358
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2428 using meander springs
• 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 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence

Abstract

A connector (100) includes a cover defining a receiving space for receiving a terminal module (3). A notch (15) is defined through a side wall of the cover. A concaved stop portion (151) is defined in the side wall of the cover and communicating with the notch. The terminal module has a number of terminals (33) held therein and includes a forwardly projecting mating portion (32) beyond the cover. A lock member (34) is received in the housing for mating with a mating connector. A lock-release button (24) is received in the notch for urging the lock member into a release position and includes a fixing end fixed to the cover and a free operating base (240) swinging about the fixing end. A stop plate (241) projects from the free operating base to engage with the stop portion of the cover for preventing the lock-release button disengaging the notch.

Claims

1. An I/O connector, comprising:

a cover defining a receiving space, a notch communicating with the receiving space and a stop portion adjacent to the notch;

a terminal module received in the receiving space, the terminal module including a dielectric housing and a plurality of terminals held in the housing;

a lock member assembled in the housing; and

a lock-release button received in the notch for urging the lock member into a released position, the button including a fixing end fixed to the cover and a free operating base swinging about the fixing end, a stop plate projecting from the free operating base for preventing the lock-release button from disengaging the notch;

wherein the cover includes a top cover and a bottom cover interlocked with the top cover, the receiving space being defined between the top and the bottom covers;

wherein the top cover comprises a side wall, the notch being defined through the side wall of the top cover;

wherein the stop portion is recessed from an inner surface of the side wall of the top cover and communicating with the notch, the stop portion engaging with the stop plate of the lock-release button;

wherein the lock member includes a retention portion, a press portion bent from the retention portion, a resilient arm flexibly extending from the press portion and a hook portion projecting outwardly from a distal end of the resilient arm;

wherein the terminal module defines a groove receiving the lock member, the press portion projecting beyond the groove for being depressed by the lock-release button, the hook portion being exposed to an outside;

wherein the terminal module has an internal printed circuit board electrically connecting with the terminals.

2. An I/O connector, comprising:

a cover;

a terminal module received in the receiving space, the terminal module including a dielectric housing and a plurality of terminals held in the housing for mating with a complementary connector along a lengthwise direction, said housing defining a groove with at least a rear partition walls aside for being not directly outwardly exposed to an exterior in a lateral direction perpendicular to said lengthwise direction; and

a lock member including a retention and pressing portion commonly defining a U-shaped structure, a resilient arm extending from the pressing portion with a hook at a free end;

wherein

the resilient arm of the lock member is initially inserted into the groove in another lateral direction opposite to said lateral direction, and successively the whole lock member is moved forwardly in the lengthwise direction until the U-shaped structure engaged with the rear partition;

wherein the pressing portion projects beyond the groove for being depressed by a lock-release button, the hook being exposed to an outside.

3. The I/O connector according to claim 2, further including a front partition wall for blocking the resilient arm from the exterior in said lateral direction.