Connector member including a locking element
AssigneeRemy Technologies, L.L.C.
InventorsBilly Forest Bingham, JR., Steven C. Burton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector member includes a coupler portion having a wall including a first end that extends to a second end that defines a connection zone. The wall includes an outer surface. A mounting portion is provided at the first end. The mounting portion includes one or more cantilevered beam elements that extend along the wall spaced from the outer surface. A locking member extends about the coupler portion between the one or more cantilevered beam elements and the outer surface of the wall. The locking member is configured and disposed to limit deflection of the one or more cantilevered beam elements to prevent removal of the connector member from a substrate.
Claims20
A connector member comprising:
- a coupler portion including a wall having a first end that extends to a second end that defines a connection zone, the wall including an outer surface;
- a mounting portion provided at the first end, the mounting portion including one or more cantilevered beam elements that extend along the wall spaced from the outer surface;
- and
- a locking member extending about the coupler portion between the one or more cantilevered beam elements and the outer surface of the wall, the locking member being configured and disposed to limit deflection of the one or more cantilevered beam elements to prevent removal of the connector member from a substrate.
A method of locking a connector member comprising:
- inserting a coupler portion of the connector member through an opening;
- passing the coupler portion through the opening partially compressing one or more cantilevered beam elements that extend along an outer surface of the coupler portion;
- guiding cantilevered beam elements through the opening;
- releasing the cantilevered beam elements;
- positioning a locking member about the coupler portion;
- and
- guiding the locking member between the outer surface and the cantilevered beam elements.
A system comprising:
- a housing including an outer surface and an inner surface, the housing including an opening that extends from the outer surface through the inner surface;
- and
- a connector member positioned in the opening of the housing, the connector member comprising:
- a coupler portion including a wall having a first end that extends to a second end that defines a connection zone, the wall including an outer surface;
- a mounting portion provided at the first end, the mounting portion including one or more cantilevered beam elements that extend along the wall spaced from the outer surface;
- and
- a locking member extending about the coupler portion between the one or more cantilevered beam elements and the outer surface of the wall, the locking member being configured and disposed to limit deflection of the one or more cantilevered beam elements to prevent removal of the connector member from a substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.