# US 2019/0377140 A1 · Connector with latching mechanism

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2019/0377140 A1
- Document ID: US20190377140A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/546,987
- Filed: 2019-08-21
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2015-10-12
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190377140A1

## CPC

- G02B 6/3898: {Tools, e.g. handheld; Tuning wrenches; Jigs used with connectors, e.g. for extracting, removing or inserting in a panel, for engaging or coupling connectors, for assembling or disassembling components within the connector, for applying clips to hold two connectors together or for crimping (tools for cleaning, G02B6/3866; tools in general B25B)}
- G02B 6/383: {Hermaphroditic connectors, i.e. two identical plugs mating with one another, each plug having both male and female diametrically opposed engaging parts; (electric hermaphroditic coupling H01R24/84, H01R13/28)}
- H01R 13/28: Contacts for sliding cooperation with identically-shaped contact, e.g. for hermaphroditic coupling devices {(H01R24/84 takes precedence)}
- H01R 13/6273: {comprising two latching arms}
- H01R 13/633: for disengagement only {(in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132)}
- H01R 24/84: Hermaphroditic coupling devices
- G02B 6/3893: {Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on}
- H01R 13/6271: {Latching means integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence)}
- H01R 13/6275: {Latching arms not integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence)}
- H01R 13/629: Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure {electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances (separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26)}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

A connector includes a latching mechanism configured to mechanically unlatch the connector and a mating connector. The latching mechanism of the connector, when actuated to unlatch the connector and the mating connector, disengages both a retention feature of the connector and a retention feature of the mating connector.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device comprising:
a hermaphroditic connector configured to mate with a mating hermaphroditic connector, the connector comprising a latching mechanism configured to mechanically unlatch the connector and the mating connector, and an actuator mechanism configured to cause the latching mechanism to disengage a retention feature from a corresponding retention feature of the mating connector.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism further comprises a disengagement feature configured to disengage the retention feature of the connector from the corresponding retention feature of the mating connector.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises moveable first and second arms operated by a lever of the actuator mechanism configured to cause movement of the disengagement feature.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the connector connects both electrical and optical paths.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the connector includes alignment features configured to engage with complementary alignment features of the mating connector.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device of claim 5, wherein the alignment features comprise a T-pin on the first side of the connector and a T-slot on the second side of the connector.

### Claim 7

A method of unlatching a connector from a mating connector, comprising:
operating an actuating lever coupled to a first retention feature and a second retention feature of the connector;
translationally moving the first and second retention features in opposite directions in response to operating the actuating lever;
disengaging the second retention feature of the connector from a first retention feature of a mating connector in response to movement of the second retention feature; and
disengaging a second retention feature of the mating connector from the first retention feature of the connector in response to movement of the first retention feature.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the first retention feature comprises one or more catches, and wherein the second retention feature comprises one or more latches.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein moving the first and second retention features is achieved by moving first and second disengagement features coupled to the first and second retention features, respectively.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the actuating lever comprises moveable first and second arms coupled to and configured to cause movement of the first and second disengagement features.