Twist lock panel-mounted connector
First Claim
1. A connector for mounting on a panel having opposite front and rear faces and defining a thickness extending from the front face to the rear face, a mounting aperture extending through the panel from the front face to the rear face, the mounting aperture including at least one keyway, the connector comprising a housing having opposite front and rear ends, a plurality of keys projecting out from the housing in proximity to the front end of the housing, at least one of the keys being dimensioned to pass through the keyway, a stop flange projecting out from the housing at a location rearward of the keys by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the panel, at least one resiliently deflectable locking finger projecting forward from the housing and into a position forward of the stop flange and rearward of the keys by a distance less than the thickness of the panel, the locking finger being dimensioned to pass through the keyway.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connector (10) is configured for mounting to a panel (12). The panel (12) has a mounting aperture (18) formed with a keyway (22). The connector (10) has a housing (24) with a front end (26) dimensioned to pass through the mounting aperture (18). However, keys (44, 46, 48) project out in proximity to the front end (26) of the housing (24). At least one of the keys (48) is dimensioned to pass through the keyway (22). A stop flange (50) projects out from the housing (24) rearward of the keys (44, 46, 48). A resiliently deflectable locking finger (60) projects forward of the stop flange (50) and is dimensioned to engage in the keyway (22).
28 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A connector for mounting on a panel having opposite front and rear faces and defining a thickness extending from the front face to the rear face, a mounting aperture extending through the panel from the front face to the rear face, the mounting aperture including at least one keyway, the connector comprising a housing having opposite front and rear ends, a plurality of keys projecting out from the housing in proximity to the front end of the housing, at least one of the keys being dimensioned to pass through the keyway, a stop flange projecting out from the housing at a location rearward of the keys by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the panel, at least one resiliently deflectable locking finger projecting forward from the housing and into a position forward of the stop flange and rearward of the keys by a distance less than the thickness of the panel, the locking finger being dimensioned to pass through the keyway.
- 8. A connector for mounting on a panel having opposite front and rear faces and defining a thickness extending from the front face to the rear face, a mounting aperture extending through the panel from the front face to the rear face, the mounting aperture including at least one keyway with a selected circumferential width dimension, the connector comprising a housing having opposite front and rear ends, a plurality of keys projecting out from the housing in proximity to the front end of the housing, at least one of the keys being dimensioned to pass through the keyway, a stop flange projecting out from the housing at a location rearward of the keys by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the panel, at least one resiliently deflectable locking finger projecting forward from the housing and into a position forward of the stop flange, the locking finger having a circumferential width dimension slightly less than the circumferential width dimension of the keyway so that the locking finger enters the keyway for preventing further relative rotation between the housing and the panel.
Specification