Pull tab for extracting electrical connector

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a pull tab, and more particularly, to a pull tab for extracting an electrical connector from an electrical device which mates with the electrical connector.

#2. Description of Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pull tab according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the pull tab shown in FIG. 1 and an electrical connector, in which the pull tab is retained to a cable.

#FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the pull tab in a free state ready to be used to extract the connector.

#As shown in FIGS. 1-2, a pull tab 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention has an elongate and strip-like configuration.

#The pull tab 1 is provided to extract an electrical connector 2 from an electrical device (not shown) which mates with the connector 2. In this preferred embodiment, the connector 2 is an RF (Radio Frequency) cable connector having an L-shaped configuration. The RF cable connector 2 is the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,312 B1, invented by the same inventor of the present application and assigned to the same assignee. The whole disclosure of the '312 B1 patent is incorporated herein by reference. The RF cable connector 2 comprises an upright mating portion 20 and a cable-retaining portion 21 for retaining a cable 4. The cable-retaining portion 21 extends horizontally and rearwardly from an upper section of the mating portion 20. The mating portion 20 defines a mating mouth 23 in a bottom thereof for mating with a complementary portion of the electrical device. The mating portion 20 has a shell 22 covering thereon. The shell 22 has a tubular portion 221 enclosing a circular periphery of the mating portion 20 and a planar portion 222 covering an upper surface of the mating portion 20. The planar portion 222 forms a pair of wings 24 extending downwardly from opposite sides thereof for engaging with an outer periphery of the tubular portion 221.

#The pull tab 1 is made of resilient material. The pull tab 1 has an upright engaging panel 11 in a front thereof and a handling panel 12 extending rearwardly and upwardly from an upper edge of the upright panel 11 substantially at a right angle. The engaging panel 11 defines a substantially rectangular opening 111 in a central portion thereof and forms a rectangular peripheral portion 112 around the opening 111. The profile of the opening 111 is properly configured corresponding to an outer profile of a front portion of the cable-retaining portion 21. Thus, the engaging panel 11 is firmly engaged with the cable-retaining portion 21. A patch 113 projects into the opening 111 for abutting against the cable-retaining portion 21. The handling panel 12 defines a retaining aperture 121 in a rear end thereof distant from the engaging panel 11. The retaining aperture 121 is surrounded by a peripheral margin 123. The aperture 121 engages with the cable 4 for retaining the handling panel 12 to the cable 4, thereby preventing the handling panel 12 from extending above the connector 2 when the pull tab 1 is not used. A break 122 is axially defined through the rear end of the handling panel 12 and communicates with the aperture 121. The break 122 allows for an extension of the cable 4 through the rear end of the handling panel 12 to be retained in the aperture 121.