US 4,787,860 AGranted

Connector system having combined latch and polarization member

AssigneeE. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company

InventorFrederick A. Bender

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A plug and receptacle combination having a compact configuration includes a plug having a slot for receiving a raised key-like projection on the receptacle to effect a polarization function and a flush-mount latch co-aligned with the slot to resiliently engage an opening in the projection to releasably latch the plug into engagement with the receptacle. The receptacle is designed to be telescopically received within the end of the plug to provide a high degree of shielding integrity. The plug is assembled from upper and lower half-shells that retain a connection block containing contacts of a first type, and the receptacle is defined by inter-engaging inner and outer shells which retain a connection block containing contacts of a second type for inter-engaging the contacts of the first type. A resilient spring is provided on the receptacle on the side opposite the raised key-like projection to assist in maintaining the plug and receptacle in mechanical and electrical engagement with one another.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An electrical connector system having combined latch and polarization means comprising:

a first connector member having a plurality of electrical contacts therein of a first type;
a second connector member having a plurality of electrical contacts therein of a second type of effecting electrical connection with the electrical contacts of the first type of said first connector member, said first and second connector members inter-engageable with one other to effect connection between said first and second contact types;
raised projection means associated with a one of said first and second connector members;
means associated with the other of said first and second connector members defining a slot for accepting said raised projection means and for polarizing the alignment of the first and second connector members in a preferred alignment;
and
latching means mounted on the other of said first and second connector members and co-aligned with said slot for releasably latching the first and second connector members together, said latching means engaging the raised projection means of the one connector member to latch the members together, whereby said raised projection means, said latching means and said slot provide said combined latch and polarization means.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/090,556Filed 28 Aug 1987
Granted: 29 Nov 1988
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

H01R 13/6275
Snap or like fastening: latching arms not integral with the housing
H01R 13/639
Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement: additional means for holding or locking…
H01R 13/64
Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00: means for preventing incorrect coupling
H01R 13/648
Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00: protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling…