Method for mounting a connector on a panel and a connector assembly

• US 20010002344A1
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Published: 05/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Yokoi, Kenichi
• Granted Patent: US 6,346,007 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/247
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/748 using one or more screws H01R13/746 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of mounting a connector of a pair of connectors that are respectively mounted on a stationary panel and a movable panel, and that engage with one another. A first connector of the pair of connectors is movably mounted on one of the stationary panel and the movable panel via a spring. The first connector has a flange portion that extends outwardly from an outer periphery of the first connector and has a first through hole. A base plate has a second through hole that is aligned with the first through hole. The method of mounting the connector includes integrating the second connector and the base plate into an assembly by inserting a bolt having the spring into the first and the second through holes prior to the second connector being mounted on one of the stationary panel and the movable panel, and then fixing the base plate of the assembly on the one of the stationary panel and the movable panel so as to movably mount the second connector on the one of the stationary panel and the movable panel. The spring can extend between the flange portion and an end of the bolt extending from the flange portion. Thus, the connector mounting operation becomes easier.

Claims

1. A method of mounting a connector of a pair of connectors that are respectively mounted on a stationary panel and a movable panel, and that engage with one another, a first connector of the pair of connectors being directly fixed to one of the stationary panel and the movable panel, a second connector of the pair of the connectors being movably mounted on the other of the stationary panel and the movable panel via a spring, said method comprising:

integrating said second connector with a base plate to form an assembly by using a bolt provided with said spring prior to mounting said second connector on the one of the stationary panel and the movable panel, said base plate being provided between said second connector and one of the stationary panel and the movable panel, said assembly comprising;

said second connector having a flange portion that extends from an outer periphery of said second connector, said flange portion having a first through hole,

said base plate having a second through hole that is aligned with said first through hole, and

said bolt having the spring, being inserted into said first and second through holes; and

fixing said base plate of said assembly to the one of the stationary panel and the movable panel so as to movably mount said second connector on the one of the stationary panel and the movable panel.

2. The method of mounting a connector according to

claim 1

, wherein said second connector is movably mounted on the stationary panel via said spring, and said first connector is fixedly mounted on the movable panel.

3. The method of mounting a connector according to

claim 1

, wherein said second connector is movably mounted on the movable panel via said spring, and said first connector is fixedly mounted on the stationary panel.

4. The method of mounting a connector according to

claim 1

, wherein said first connector comprises a plurality of first connectors and said second connector comprises a plurality of second connectors, each plurality of first connectors engaging with each plurality of second connectors, and

wherein said plurality of second connectors are mounted on a single base plate.

5. The method of mounting a connector according to

claim 1

, wherein said spring extends between said flange portion of said second connector and an end of said bolt extending from said flange portion of said second connector, and a nut threaded onto said end of said bolt to secure said base plate to said one of the stationary panel and the movable panel.

6. The method of mounting a connector according to

claim 1

, wherein said spring extends between a head portion of said bolt and said flange portion of said second connector, and wherein a nut is threaded onto an end of said bolt extending from said base plate to secure said base plate to said one of the stationary panel and the movable panel.

7. A method of mounting a connector of a pair of connectors that are respectively mounted on a stationary panel and a movable panel, and that engage with one another, a first connector of the pair of connectors being directly fixed on one of the stationary panel and the movable panel, a second connector of the pair of the connectors being movably mounted on the other of the stationary panel and the movable panel via a spring, said method comprising:

aligning a first through hole provided in a flange portion extending from an outer periphery of said second connector, with a second through hole provided in a base plate provided between said second connector and one of the stationary plate and the movable plate;

inserting a bolt having said spring into said first and second through holes aligned each other so that said spring extends between an end of said bolt extending from said flange portion and the flange portion; and

fixing said base plate on the one of the stationary panel and the movable panel.

8. The connector mounting method according to

claim 7

, wherein said base plate is fixed on the stationary panel to movably mount said second connector on the stationary panel via said spring, and said first connector is fixedly mounted on the movable panel.

9. A connector assembly comprising:

a connector having a flange portion extends outwardly from an outer periphery of said connector, said flange having a first through hole;

a separate base plate having a second through hole aligned with said first through hole;

an elongate member inserted into said first and second through holes aligned each other; and

a spring provided around said elongate member to press said connector between said base plate so that said base plate and said flange portion contact each other.

10. The connector assembly according to

claim 9

, wherein said elongate member include a first abutment member at a first end thereof and a second abutment member at a second end thereof.

11. The connector assembly according to

claim 10

, wherein said spring extends between said flange portion and the first abutment member of said elongate member.

12. The connector assembly according to

claim 10

, wherein said spring extends between said flange portion and the second abutment member of said elongate member.

13. The connector assembly according to

claim 10

, wherein said elongate member comprises a bolt, and said first abutment member is formed as a head of the bolt, and said second abutment member is formed as a nut threaded on said second end.