Electric wire connector having a lock securing mechanism

• US 7,347,710 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2007
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Takahashi, Toshiharu, Ohtaka, Kazuto
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Tulsidas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel; Harshad C
• Application Number:
  US11/727,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20070275589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 439/352, 439/354, 439/357
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/518 for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/635 by mechanical pressure, e.g. spring force
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap

Abstract

A connector includes a male housing, a locking arm to be engaged with a locking projection of a mating connector, a lock securing member, and a lock releasing portion. The lock securing member is mounted movably on the connector. The lock releasing portion is mounted on the lock releasing portion. The lock releasing portion releases an engagement between the locking arm and the locking projection in conjunction with a movement of the lock securing member while the locking projection and the locking arm are completely engaged with each other.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

a connector housing for receiving terminal fittings;

a locking arm extended to the connector housing, an end of which is engaged with an engaging portion of a mating connector;

a lock securing member attached movably to the connector housing,

said lock securing member regulating a movement thereof until the engaging portion and the locking arm are fully engaged with each other when the connector is connected to the mating connector, and allowing the movement after the engaging portion and the locking arm are fully engaged with each other, and

a lock releasing portion mounted on an inner wall of the lock securing member for releasing the engagement between the locking arm and the engaging portion by moving only the lock securing member in a direction opposite to a direction of moving the locking arm and the engaging portion to be fully engaged with each other.

2. The connector as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the lock releasing portion includes a releasing portion disposed at a position invadable between an one end of the locking arm and the connector housing when the lock securing member is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of moving the locking arm and the engaging portion to be fully engaged with each other.

3. The connector as claimed in claim 2,

wherein the lock releasing portion includes a pair of the releasing portions disposed at a position where the locking arm is positioned between the releasing portions.

4. The connector as claimed in claim 3,

wherein the lock securing member includes a main body formed in a tube shape for receiving the connector housing and having notches for positioning the locking arm inside of the main body,

wherein the releasing portions are respectively disposed on inner walls facing each other of the notches.