Low profile latching connector
DCFirst Claim
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1. A plug connector comprising:
- a plug connector body having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion including a first surface and said front portion being sized to fit within a mating receptacle connector, the rear portion having a second surface disposed at a level on the plug connector body that is above the first surface, the connector body further including a ramped surface disposed on said rear portion proximate to said front portion, the ramped surface being inclined at an angle relative to said front portion first surface and extending away from said front portion, said ramped surface having a length that extends at least part way between the level of said front portion first surface and said rear portion second surface;
a latching member including a first end attached to the rear portion and a second end that is cantilevered from the first end thereof, the latching member second end extending over a portion of said rear portion second surface and over a portion of said front portion first surface; and
,an actuator having a first end that protrudes beyond said rear portion and a second end that extends toward said front portion, the actuator second end being interposed between said latching member and said ramped surface, whereby movement of said actuator second end along said ramped surface rearwardly away from said front portion causes said latching member second end to be raised above said front portion first side surface.
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Abstract
A small, low-profile plug connector for use with electronic devices provides a latching member with a pair of hooks that engage mating holes in a guide frame, and which can be easily delatched from the guide frame or opposing connector or housing. The hooks lock the plug connector into engagement with the frame or housing, but are readily released by way of a simple ramp and lobe mechanism in the plug connector. The ramp and lobe mechanism converts horizontal movement of a pull tab-like actuator into vertical movement of a latching member such that the hooks are lifted upward and disengaged from the guide frame or housing.
112 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A plug connector comprising:
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a plug connector body having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion including a first surface and said front portion being sized to fit within a mating receptacle connector, the rear portion having a second surface disposed at a level on the plug connector body that is above the first surface, the connector body further including a ramped surface disposed on said rear portion proximate to said front portion, the ramped surface being inclined at an angle relative to said front portion first surface and extending away from said front portion, said ramped surface having a length that extends at least part way between the level of said front portion first surface and said rear portion second surface; a latching member including a first end attached to the rear portion and a second end that is cantilevered from the first end thereof, the latching member second end extending over a portion of said rear portion second surface and over a portion of said front portion first surface; and
,an actuator having a first end that protrudes beyond said rear portion and a second end that extends toward said front portion, the actuator second end being interposed between said latching member and said ramped surface, whereby movement of said actuator second end along said ramped surface rearwardly away from said front portion causes said latching member second end to be raised above said front portion first side surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A connector comprising:
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a connector body having a mating end for mating with an opposing connector and a rear end disposed opposite the mating end, the rear end defining an entry location for a cable containing electrical wires to enter into said connector body, said connector body further including distinct first and second portions. the first portion of the connector body being sized to fit within a receptacle portion of the opposing connector and the second portion of said connector body being larger than said connector body first portion, said connector body second portion including a channel disposed in a top surface thereof and extending in a longitudinal direction between said connector body first portion and said connector body rear end, the channel including an inclined cam surface proximate said connector body first portion; a latching member having opposing first and second ends interconnected by a longitudinal body portion, the first end including a free end defining an engagement portion that extends over said connector body first portion, the engagement portion including at least one engagement hook for engaging said opposing connector, the latching member second end being attached to the connector body second portion top surface, latching member second end to said connector body portion top surface the attachment permitting said latching member to move between first and second operative positions; and
,an actuator for moving said engagement member engagement portion between said first and second operative positions, the actuator having opposing first and second ends, the actuator first end being interposed between said latching member and said connector body member second portion, said actuator second end extending rearwardly of said connector second portion and including an enlarged section for grasping by a user, said actuator first end including a cam end disposed proximate to said connector body second portion cam surface and between said latching member body portion and said connector body second portion, whereby movement of said actuator by a user in a first direction moves said cam end along said connector body second portion inclined cam surface, and said cam end contacts said latching member, thereby raising said latching member engagement portion in said first direction. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A cable connector with mating with an opposing connector, comprising:
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a connector housing having a mating end for mating to the opposing connector and a rear end, the rear end having an opening disposed therein for receiving at least one electrical wire therein, said rear end being larger than the mating end, said rear end having a channel formed in a top surface thereof, the channel extending longitudinally in the top surface and including an inclined cam surface formed therein, a T-shaped latch member disposed on said rear end, the latch member including a body portion that is received in said channel and which extends between a latch member latching end and a latch member fixed end, the fixed end including two wing portions that are attached to said connector housing so that the latch member latching end is free to deflect in a vertical direction; and
,an actuator for deflecting said latch member latching member, the actuator including an enlarged free end and a pulling end, the actuator free end being disposed in said channel proximate to said ramped surface and interposed between said latch member and said connector housing, whereby when said actuator is pulled, said actuator free end moves against said an inclined cam surface and said actuator deflects said latch member latching end vertically. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification