Polarizing and/or floating panel mount for electrical connectors

Abstract

A panel mount system includes a pair of hermaphroditic electrical connectors mounted in apertures in a respective pair of panels. Each connector includes a mounting flange for interfacing with the panel and a pair of cantilevered latch structures. Each latch structure includes a base arm projecting from the mounting flange and a pair of locking arms deflectably cantilevered from an end of the base arm. The maximum cross-sectional dimension defined by each pair of locking arms is greater than respective adjacent portions of the respective mounting aperture whereby the locking arms of each latch structure are deflectable to pass through the respective mounting aperture and then to an undeflected condition to mount the connector to the panel. The maximum cross-sectional dimension defined by the base arm is less than the respective adjacent portion of the mounting aperture to permit floating of the connector relative to the panel. The dimension of one of the latch structures and its adjacent portion of the mounting aperture is different from the dimension of the other latch structure and its adjacent portion of the mounting aperture to provide polarization for the connector relative to the panel. The locking arms are provided with beam-like bosses on the insides thereof to perform the dual function of providing stability for the locking arms as well as anti-overstress portions for the locking arms.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.