Cable connector having a pull tab lock release

• US 7,163,413 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2006
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Japan GK (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP K.K. (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Murayama, Ryusuke
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US11/352,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20060189198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 337 Days
• Field of Search: 439/258, 439/352, 439/357, 439/483, 439/484, 439/152, 439/160, 439/923
• US Class Current: 439/258
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/59 for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6335 comprising a handle

Abstract

A cable connector which enables high-density mounting while reducing the risk of the locking arm being damaged or deformed is disclosed. The cable connector (1) comprises housings (10 and 30) that support a cable (C) and that have a locking arm (14) to be locked with a mating connector (50). A pull-tab (40) is connected to the locking arm (14). The pull-tab (40) is inserted into holes (18 and 19) that are respectively formed in the upper section (12) of the housings (10 and 30) and in the upper section (17) of the locking arm (14). When the pull-tab (40) is pulled in direction approximately opposite from the mating direction (i.e., in the direction of arrow A), the pull-tab (40) causes an approaching motion between the upper section (12) of the housings (10) and (30) and the section (17) of the locking arm (14), thus releasing the locking arm (14) from the mating connector (50).

Claims

1. A cable connector comprising:

a housing that supports a cable;

a locking arm in the housing to be locked with a mating connector; and

a pull-tab being connected to the locking arm, the pull-tab being inserted into holes that are respectively formed in an upper section of the housing and an upper section of the locking arm such that when the pull-tab is pulled in an approximately opposite direction from the mating direction, the pull-tab causes an approaching motion between the upper section of the housing and the upper section of the locking arm to release the locking arm from the mating connector wherein rounded surfaces which the pull-tab contacts during the pull operation of the pull-tab are respectively formed on the upper section of the housing and the upper section of the locking arm.

2. The cable connector according to claim 1, further comprising linking parts located between the housing and the locking arm.

3. The cable connector according to claim 2, wherein the linking parts act as a pivot point when the pull-tab is pulled.

4. The cable connector according to claim 3, wherein the locking arm has a locking projection located at a bottom of the locking arm opposite the upper section.

5. The cable connector according to claim 4, wherein the locking projection engages a complementary locking projection on a mating housing and is released therefrom when the pull-tab is pulled causing the upper section to move toward each other about the linking parts.

6. The cable connector according to claim 1, wherein a wall that extends in a direction approximately perpendicular to the mating direction is provided at the upper section of the housing, and the cable is oriented by this wall in a direction crossing the mating direction.

7. The cable connector according to claim 6, wherein the wall has corner edges around which a belt portion of the pull-tab passes.

8. The cable connector according to claim 7, wherein the wall has an angled surface located opposite the corner edges for providing a clearance to the upper section of the locking arm on the approaching motion.