Hermaphroditic connector

• US 7,395,584 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2007
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Trim Supply
• Original Assignee: Universal Trim Supply
• Inventors: Yang, Shih-Sheng, Khalifa, Aly
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams; Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/656,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20070178732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 439288-290, 245/901, 245/861.1, 24D/IG.38, 24D/IG.53, 24D/IG.54, 24D/IG.56
• US Class Current: 24/590.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/28 Contacts for sliding cooperation with identically-shaped contact, e.g. for hermaphroditic coupling devices H01R24/84 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/84 Hermaphroditic coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4522 Sliding or rotating element

Abstract

A connection system for securing two articles to each other having two connectors, each of connectors includes a base plate with a center point and identical inter-engaging sections with at least one male component and at least one female component. Also provided is a connection region for securing the connector to an article. Male and female components are radially disposed equidistant around the center point of the base plate and the connection region is disposed circumferentially around the male and female components. The connectors are engaged by rotating each connector such that the male and female components of each connector interlock with each other.

Claims

1. A connection system for securing two articles to each other comprising:

two connectors, each having;

a base plate with a center point;

substantially identical inter-engaging sections with at least one male component and at least one female component; and

a connection region for securing to an article,

wherein each of the connectors further comprises an outer connection tab disposed around a portion of the base plate, the outer connection tab includes a pre-cut slot and a release flange, the pre-cut slot of each of the connectors align when the connectors are locked, and the release flange extends beyond the tab of the other connector to facilitate disengagement of the connectors.

2. The connection system according to claim 1, wherein the male and female components are radially disposed equidistant round the center of the base plate and the connection region is disposed circumferentially around the male and female components.

3. The connection system of claim 2, wherein the male component comprises a curved ramp member having an interior surface and the ramp having a radially inwardly oriented section towards a center of the connector;

and the female component comprises a curved ramp member having an interior surface and the ramp terminating at the end of the arc of the ramp.

4. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the release flange includes at lease on elongated raised hatching region.

5. The connection system of claim 4, wherein the connection tab includes a ramp having a lower engagement end and a raised locking end for connecting to the other connector.

6. The connection system of claim 4, wherein the connection tab includes a lip disposed in the area of the lower engagement end for releasable locking with the raised locking end such that when the connectors are rotated the raised locking end snaps into place at the lower engagement end with the lip.

7. The connection system of claim 3, wherein the male component further comprises a positive locking element.

8. The connection system of claim 3, wherein the female component further comprises a positive locking element.

9. The connection system of claim 7, wherein the female component further comprising a negative locking element for engagement with the positive locking element on the male component.

10. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the inter-engaging section further comprises at least on ramp for facilitating connection of the connectors.