Connecting device having a locking mechanism

• US 7,588,459 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harada Industry Company Limited, Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Original Assignee: Harada Industry Company Limited, Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
• Inventors: Sugii, Yoshihiro, Ishibayashi, Katsushiro, Hayashi, Makoto, Maeda, Hiroyuki, Furukatsu, Kazuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Hyeon; Hae Moon
• Application Number:
  US11/881,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20080214046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 439/567, 439/557, 439/565, 439/544, 439/555, 439/560, 439/575, 439/562, 439/357, 439/474, 343/715, 343/711
• US Class Current: 439/567
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/743 integral with the housing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles

Abstract

A connecting device has a locking mechanism for locking fitting between a first connecting member and a mating side. The locking mechanism has a first elastic body and a second elastic body. The first elastic body has a first contact portion adapted to contact the mating side. The second elastic body has a second contact portion adapted to contact the mating side. At least one of the first elastic body and the second elastic body has a locking portion adapted to lock fitting to the mating side.

Claims

1. A connecting device including a locking mechanism for locking fitting between a first connecting member and a panel, wherein said locking mechanism comprises:

a pair of first elastic bodies being arranged opposite to each other; and

a pair of second elastic bodies being arranged opposite to each other;

wherein each of said first elastic bodies includes a first contact portion adapted to contact said panel;

wherein each of said second elastic bodies includes a second contact portion adapted to contact said panel;

wherein said first contact portion comprises;

a first inclined surface coming in contact with said panel to elastically deform said first elastic body; and

a locking portion engaging with said panel and being fitted to said panel after elastically deforming said first elastic body;

wherein said second contact portion comprises;

a second inclined surface coming in contact with said panel to elastically deform said second elastic body; and

a flat surface coming in contact with said panel to elastically deform said second elastic body, thereby pressing said panel; and

wherein said second elastic body is deformed by said second inclined surface after said first elastic body is deformed by said first inclined surface.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said first contact portion contacts with said panel to elastically deform said first elastic body when said first connecting member fits to said panel, and then, said second contact portion contacts with said panel to elastically deform said second elastic body.

3. The connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a second connecting member for connection to said first connecting member, wherein said second connecting member comprises a second housing, and said second housing has a limiting portion adapted to limit deformation of at least one of said first elastic body and said second elastic body when said second connecting member is connected to said first connecting member.

4. The connecting device according to claim 3, wherein said first connecting member has a first housing, said first housing is provided with a first contact and said second housing is provided with a second contact adapted to be connected to said first contact when said second connecting member is fitted to said first connecting member.

5. The connecting device according to claim 4, wherein said first contact and said second contact are connected together after said first connecting member and said second connecting member are fitted together.

6. The connecting device according to claim 5, wherein said first housing has an additional elastic body, said additional elastic body has a first additional locking portion, and said second housing has a second additional locking portion adapted to engage with said first additional locking portion so as to temporarily attach said second connecting member to said first connecting member in the middle of inserting and fitting said second connecting member into said first connecting member.