Cable connector retainer for angled cable assembly
AssigneeADC Telecommunications, Inc.
InventorsJason Piehl, Jennifer L. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retainer for retaining a mating connector in conductive contact with its corresponding mating connector. The retainer includes a base which defines a hole therethrough. A post extends from the base in a direction away from the base. Disposed on the post is a tapered ledge. The ledge is tapered in a direction away from the base so that the ledge has a first surface at an angle relative to the base. The base may also include a cleat to prevent rotation of the retainer relative to the mating connectors. The cleat is preferably a linear strip extending from and along an edge of the base. The retainer may be used in an assembly including a connector, a mounting bracket and a mating connector.
Claims20
A retainer for securing a mating cable connector to its corresponding mating cable connector, the retainer comprising:
- a base having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the base defining a hole between the first and second faces;
- a post extending from the base;
- a tapered ledge disposed on the post, the ledge being tapered in a direction away from the base so that the ledge has a first ramp surface at an angle relative to and facing away from the base, the ledge having a second surface facing the base to retain the corresponding mating connector.
A cable connector assembly comprising:
- a connector having a first end defining a receptacle sized for receiving a mating connector, the connector defining first and second connector holes which are spaced apart and separated by the receptacle;
- a mounting bracket defining a bracket window receiving the first end of the connector, the mounting bracket defining first and second bracket holes sized and spaced to overlap the first and second connector holes in the connector respectively;
- a retainer including:
- a base defining a retainer hole;
- a post extending from the base;
- a ledge disposed on the post, the ledge having a first ramp surface at an angle relative to and facing away from the base, the ledge having a second surface facing the base to retain the corresponding mating connector;
- wherein the retainer is oriented relative to the mounting bracket and connector such that the retainer hole overlaps the first bracket hole and the first connector hole;
- and
- a fastener disposed through the retainer hole, through the first bracket hole, and into the first connector hole, thereby securing the retainer to the mounting bracket from a first side of the mounting bracket and securing the connector to the mounting bracket from a second side of the mounting bracket opposite the first side.
A retainer for securing a mating cable connector to its corresponding mating cable connector, the retainer comprising:
- a base having a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the base defining a hole between the first and second faces, the base having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
- a post extending from the first face adjacent to the second end of the base;
- a tapered ledge disposed on a distal end of the post, the ledge being recessed from the second end of the base and positioned above the first end of the base, the ledge being tapered in a direction away from the base so that the ledge has a first ramp surface at an angle relative to and facing away from the base, the ledge having a second surface facing the base to retain the corresponding mating connector;
- a cleat extending from the second face adjacent to the second end of the base.
A method for retaining a first connector to a second connector, each connector having first and second mounting tabs, each mounting tab defining a mounting hole, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a retainer including:
- a base, the base defining a hole;
- a post extending from the base;
- a tapered ledge disposed on the post, the ledge being tapered in a direction away from the base so that the ledge has a first ramped surface at an angle relative to and facing away from the base, and a second retaining surface facing the base;
- securing the retainer to the first mounting tab of the first connector with a fastener through the hole in the base of the retainer and through the mounting hole in the first tab of the first connector;
- connecting the second connector to the first connector such that the first tab of the second connector is captured between the second retaining surface of the ledge of the retainer and the base of the retainer;
- securing the second tab of the second connector to the second tab of the first connector with a fastener inserted through the hole of the second tab of the second connector and through the hole of the second tab of the first connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.