# US 5,699,608 A · Connector holding device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,699,608 A - Document ID: US5699608A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/606,403 - Filed: 1996-02-23 - Granted: 1997-12-23 - Earliest claimed: 1995-02-27 - Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. - Inventors: Tokuji Nakamura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5699608A ## CPC - H01R 13/4361: {Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion} - H01R 43/20: for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve - Y10T 29/5193: Electrical connector or terminal - Y10T 29/53209: Terminal or connector - Y10T 29/53213: Assembled to wire-type conductor - Y10T 29/53265: with work-holder for assembly - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A connector holding device (A) is provided which is adapted to hold a connector (C) having a terminal insertion opening formed on a rear face (40) thereof and a retainer attachment opening (45) formed on an upper or lower face thereof. The connector holding device includes a pivot member (20) having a distal end portion (20b) which is to be engaged with the retainer attachment opening (45) with the connector C being held by a connector holding portion (14). The distal end portion (20b) is formed with an inclined face (22). With the connector (C) being set in position, the inclined face (22) is engaged with the retainer attachment opening (45) in such a manner that the engagement depth gradually becomes greater along a terminal insertion direction. Even if a terminal is liable to deviate outward and project from the retainer attachment opening (45) during the insertion of the terminal, the inclined face (22) corrects the terminal insertion direction, thereby allowing the terminal to be assuredly accommodated in a terminal chamber (42). The connector holding device is inexpensive with a simple construction, and can be readily applied to an automated apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector holding device for holding a connector having a rear face, an upper face, a lower face, a terminal insertion opening formed on the rear face, and a retainer attachment opening formed on at least one of the upper face and the lower face thereof for attachment of a retainer for preventing terminal withdrawal, the connector holding device comprising: a base; an upper support member projecting from the base; a lower support member projecting from the base; a pair of side support members connecting the upper and lower support members, the upper support member, the lower support member and the side support members defining a connector holding space; and terminal insertion guide means provided in association with the connector holding space and facing the retainer attachment opening when a connector is held by the connector holding device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A connector holding device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the terminal insertion guide means includes a pivot member pivotally connected with the upper support member or the lower support member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A connector holding device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the pivot member includes a guide face for guiding the terminal in a predetermined terminal insertion direction, the guide face being adapted to fit in the retainer attachment opening of the connector to prevent the terminal from advancing in an incorrect direction and projecting from the retainer attachment opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A connector holding device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the guide face includes an inclined face adapted to be engaged with the retainer attachment opening in such a manner that the depth of the engagement gradually becomes greater along the terminal insertion direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A connector holding device as set forth in claim 2, further comprising biasing means for constantly biasing the pivot member in a predetermined direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A connector holding device as set forth in claim 5, further comprising an operation lever for shifting the position of the pivot member in opposition to a biasing force of the biasing means. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A connector holding device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper support member, the lower support member, and the side support members define other connector holding spaces forming a plurality of connector holding spaces that are aligned along a predetermined direction at predetermined intervals; and wherein the terminal insertion guide means includes a single pivot member serving for the plurality of connector holding spaces, and a plurality of guide faces formed on the pivot member in correspondence to the respective connector holding spaces. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A connector holding device as set forth in claim 7, further comprising positioning means disposed in association with one of the connector holding spaces for positioning a connector held in the said one connector holding space. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A connector holding device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the positioning means is provided in the terminal insertion guide means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A connector holding device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the positioning means includes an abutting face adapted to abut against the retainer attachment opening of the connector.