Latching medical patient parameter safety connector and method
First Claim
1. A socket for supporting an electrical plug coupled to a socket silo comprising:
- an inner surface operable to accept an outer surface of the plug when latches on the plug are in an at least partially retracted insertion position, the inner surface defining an opening permitting insertion of the plug and an insertion direction, at least a portion of the inner surface having a constant perimeter along the insertion direction;
a plurality of locking features on the inner surface of the socket operable to allow the latches to rebound away from the insertion position towards an extended position; and
a locking surface disposed in at least one of the locking features, the locking surface being in contact with a corresponding locking portion on the latch, the friction between the locking surface and the locking portion being used to restrict the latch from exiting the locking feature, the locking surface sloping inwardly from the inner surface with proximity to the opening, the locking surface at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the insertion direction.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a socket connector to couple electrical plugs to sockets mounted on circuit boards or cable ends. The socket connector includes a socket that receives an electrical plug and a socket silo. The silo may contain a beveled outer surface that receives a beveled face on the plug. The plug is held in the socket by latches disposed on the plug. The latches include pawls that fit within pawl receiving chambers in the socket and couple the plug to the socket. The latch and hinged section may rotate into a recessed section on the plug from an extended to a retracted position. A locking portion on the pawl and the receiving chamber may be angled to develop a desired pullout force.
69 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A socket for supporting an electrical plug coupled to a socket silo comprising:
-
an inner surface operable to accept an outer surface of the plug when latches on the plug are in an at least partially retracted insertion position, the inner surface defining an opening permitting insertion of the plug and an insertion direction, at least a portion of the inner surface having a constant perimeter along the insertion direction; a plurality of locking features on the inner surface of the socket operable to allow the latches to rebound away from the insertion position towards an extended position; and a locking surface disposed in at least one of the locking features, the locking surface being in contact with a corresponding locking portion on the latch, the friction between the locking surface and the locking portion being used to restrict the latch from exiting the locking feature, the locking surface sloping inwardly from the inner surface with proximity to the opening, the locking surface at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the insertion direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A connector system comprising:
-
a plug having a plurality of conductive pins; a socket defining a cavity sized to receive the plug and a plurality of conductive members positioned to engage the conductive pins upon insertion of the plug within the socket, the cavity defining an insertion direction, at least a portion of the cavity having a constant perimeter along the insertion direction; a latch resiliently secured to one of the plug and socket such that the latch is resiliently pivotable about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the insertion direction when the plug is inserted within the socket, the latch comprising a pawl offset from the axis of rotation and having a cambered surface sloping outwardly from the pawi with distance from the axis of rotation; and the other of the plug and socket defining a receiver sized to receive the pawl. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
Specification