Connector system with polarization and latching features
AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation
InventorsGalen M Martin, Matthew F Foriska
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical connector assembly includes an inner housing, where the inner housing includes a rib which is alignable with the slot in an outer housing to polarize the inner and outer housings together. The rib includes an interruption providing a gap in the rib defining a forward rib portion and an aft rib portion. Alternatively, the inner housing can be received directly in a mating low profile housing where a flexible arm containing an aperture is received over the forward rib portion to latch the two housings together.
Claims11
An electrical connector assembly, comprising an inner housing, said inner housing comprising a rib positioned on an exterior thereof and being elongate in the longitudinal direction, wherein said rib can perform multiple functions;
- wherein said rib can align the inner housing with an outer housing being cooperable with said inner housing, where the outer housing has a profile including a slot, said rib being interrupted along its length to define a gap intermediate said elongate rib, creating a forward and aft rib portion, whereby said rib is receivable therein to polarize said inner and outer housings;
- and said rib has a latching portion, whereby said latching portion can be cooperably latched to a mating connector.
An electrical connector housing, comprising an inner housing and an outer housing, said inner housing comprising a rib positioned on an exterior thereof, said rib defining an elongate and rigid aligning portion, and said rib defining a latching surface with a complementary latch, said rib being interrupted intermediate its length, said outer housing profiled to include a slot, whereby said rib is receivable therein to polarize said inner and outer housings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.