Connector clip and method
AssigneeInternational Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
InventorsJeffrey Drye, Matthew Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes a female connector (106) having a first shell (302), at least one pot (318), and a latching tab (310) having an opening (314). A male connector (104) has a second shell (214) that fits within the first shell (302), at least one pin (226) located within the second shell (214) and in the at least one pot (318), and a locking tab (310) that is located within the opening (314) in the latching tab (310) and that has a tapered surface (224). A clip (500) has a body (502), at least two legs (504) disposed on the body (502), and a head opening (514) disposed adjacent to the body (502). When the male connector (104) is connected to the female connector (106) the clip (500) is disposed on the female connector (106).
Claims19
An apparatus, comprising:
- a female connector having a first shell, at least one pot, and a latching tab having an opening;
- a male connector having a second shell that fits within the first shell, at least one pin disposed within the second shell and in the at least one pot, and a locking tab that is disposed within the opening in the latching tab and that has a tapered surface;
- a clip having a body, at least two legs disposed on the body, and a head opening disposed adjacent to the body;
- wherein when the male connector is connected to the female connector the clip is disposed on the female connector, and wherein the clip prohibits excessive deformation of the latching tab.
A clip for an electrical connector, comprising:
- a body;
- a first leg disposed on a first side of the body, the first leg having a first foot;
- a second leg disposed on the first side of the body, the second leg having a second foot;
- a head disposed on a second side of the body, wherein a closed wall connected to the body is disposed around the head opening;
- wherein the first leg and the second leg each have a curved contour;
- wherein a central opening is disposed between the first leg and the second leg;
- wherein the clip prohibits excessive deformation of a latching tab of the electrical connector when the clip is disposed on the electrical connector;
- and
- wherein an entrance is disposed between the first foot and the second foot.
A method for assuring a position of an electrical connector, comprising the steps of:
- installing an electrical component on an engine;
- routing an electrical harness adjacent to the electrical component;
- latching a female connector to a male connector;
- inserting a clip on an outer surface of the female connector;
- preventing deformation of a latching tab, thereby preventing a release of the female connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.