Self sacrificing latching system

• US 5,558,534 A
• Filed: 11/22/1994
• Issued: 09/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Original Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Fetterolf, James R. Sr., Sarkady, Michael D., Connell, James E. Jr., Reisinger, Jason M., Pauza, William V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US08/344,038
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 439/350, 439/351, 439/352, 439/353, 439/354, 439/355, 439/356, 439/357, 439/358
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence

Abstract

A self-sacrificing latching system for a pair of intermatable electrical connectors, such as a plug and receptacle, which incorporates a mechanism for unlatching same by the application of a maximum predetermined separating force, such as may be the result of an accident to the plug and receptacle. A first electrical connector includes a pair of flexible arms projecting axially therefrom, where the free end includes a bifurcated portion, while the second electrical connector includes a forward ramp surface against which the flexible arms initially ride to effect mating of the connectors. Further, there is a rearward surface slightly angled, i.e. on the order of about 4° to 10°, from a base toward the ramp surface, and a metal spring arm mounted within the second electrical connector in close proximity to the base of the rearward surface. To effect unmating under a maximum predetermined separating force, the bifurcated end will deform or separate allowing the respective connectors to freely unmate.

Claims

1. An electrical connector having a latching system to maintain a latched relationship with a complementary electrical connector where said connectors are in latching relationship during periods of operability, and may be unlatched by exerting a maximum predetermined separating force on the respective connectors, said latching system comprising a pair of flexible metal arms disposed along opposite sides of the electrical connector, where free ends of said metal arms each includes an opening of a size to be received on one of complementary members of the complementary connector, each of said free ends further characterized by a small slot extending from said opening to an outer edge of the respective arm defines a pair of complementary fingers, said complementary electrical connector including a forward ramp surface against which said flexible arms initially ride to effect mating of said connectors, and a rear, laterally disposed surface, so that in the mated condition said complementary member engages said opening, whereby applying the maximum predetermined separating force between the electrical connectors causes a localized force on said fingers, to spread said fingers and free said openings from said complementary members, thereby releasing the connectors from each other.

2. The latching system according to claim 1 wherein said slot is at an end of said flexible metal arms and between said fingers.

3. The latching system according to claim 2 wherein a distance between the fingers is smaller in an area of the slot than a distance between the fingers in an area of the opening.

4. The latching system according to claim 3 wherein said fingers are L-shaped.

5. The latching system according to claim 1, wherein a pair of opposing operating members, each operating on the respective flexible arm, to effect manual disengagement of said electrical connectors.

6. The latching system according to claim 1 wherein a metal support member of the complementary connector is provided adjacent to said rear laterally disposed surface.

7. An electrical connector having a latching system to maintain a latched relationship with a complementary electrical connector where said connectors are in latching relationship during periods of operability, and may be unlatched by exerting a maximum predetermined separating force on the respective connectors, said system comprising a pair of flexible metal arms disposed along opposite sides of the electrical connector and having free ends proximate a mating end of said electrical connector, where the free ends of said metal arms each includes an opening of a size to be received on one of a complementary members within said complementary electrical connector, each of said free ends further characterized by a small slot extending from said opening to an outer edge of the respective flexible metal arm to define a pair of complementary fingers, each of said complementary members including a forward ramp surface against which said respective flexible metal arm initially rides to effect mating of said electrical connectors, a slightly angled wall opposite said ramp surface, and a metal spring arm mounted within said complementary electrical connector in close proximity to said slightly angled wall and in engagement with the respective opening of each of said flexible metal arm, whereby applying the maximum predetermined separating force between the electrical connectors causes a localized force on said fingers, to spread fingers and free said openings from said complementary members, thereby releasing the connectors from each other.

8. The latching system according to claim 7 wherein said slot is at an end of said flexible metal arms and between said fingers.

9. The electrical connector having a latching system according to claim 8 wherein a distance between the fingers is smaller in an area of the slot than a distance between the fingers in an area of the opening.

10. The latching system according to claim 9 wherein said fingers are L-shaped.

11. The latching system according to claim 7, wherein a pair of opposing operating members, each operating on the respective flexible arm, to effect manual disengagement of said electrical connectors.

12. An electrical connector having a latching system to maintain a latched relationship with a complementary electrical connector having a pair of projections, each of the projections having a forwardly facing ramp surface and a rearwardly facing shoulder, the latching system comprising:

a pair of flexible cantilevered metal latching arms disposed along opposite sides of the electrical connector, the latching arms being secured to the electrical connector and having free ends which are latchable with projections of the complementary electrical connector, each of said latching arms having a pair of fingers disposed at each of the free ends to define an opening therebetween and a small slot extending from the opening to an outer edge of the latching arm, the fingers of each of the latching arm being profiled to spread and release from the respective projections of the complementary connector when a pulling force greater than a predetermined pulling force is applied opposite a mating direction between the connectors releasing them from each other.

13. The latching system according to claim 12 wherein said slot is at an end of said flexible metal arms and between said fingers.

14. The latching system according to claim 13 wherein a distance between the fingers is smaller in an area of the slot than a distance between the fingers in an area of the opening.

15. The latching system according to claim 14 wherein said finger are L-shaped.

16. The latching system according to claim 12, wherein a pair of opposing operating members, each operating on the respective flexible arm to effect manual disengagement of said electrical connectors.

17. The latching system according to claim 12 wherein a metal support member of the complementary connector is provided adjacent to said rear laterally disposed surface.