Panel mount connector
AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation
InventorsRichard Elof Hamner, Matthew Richard McAlonis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connector for mounting to a panel is provided that includes a housing that has a front edge configured to be located proximate an opening in the panel. The connector also includes a tab that extends from the front edge of the housing where the tab is oriented to engage an outer surface of the panel. A spring member also extends from the front edge of the housing and is positioned to engage an inner surface of the panel. The spring member is flexible toward and away from the tab.
Claims20
An electrical connector for mounting to a panel having a panel opening, the connector comprising:
- a housing having a front edge configured to be located proximate to the panel opening, the housing having a cavity that is sized and shaped to receive an electronic module;
- a receptacle assembly coupled to the housing, the receptacle assembly configured to electrically engage the electronic module when the electronic module is advanced through the panel opening and inserted into the cavity;
- a tab extending from the front edge of the housing, the tab being oriented to engage an outer surface of the panel;
- and
- a spring member extending from the front edge of the housing, the spring member being positioned to engage an inner surface of the panel, the spring member being flexible toward and away from the tab;
- wherein the inner and outer surfaces of the panel face in opposite directions and have a thickness of the panel extending therebetween, the tab pressing against the outer surface of the panel when the housing is mounted thereto, wherein the tab and the spring member provide opposing forces to grip the panel.
A connector assembly for connecting an electronic module to an electronic device, the assembly comprising:
- an interconnecting element configured to be coupled to the electronic device;
- and
- a connector coupled to the interconnecting element, the connector comprising:
- a housing having a front edge configured to be located proximate an opening in a panel, the housing having a cavity that is sized and shaped to receive an electronic module, the interconnecting element being coupled to the housing, the interconnecting element configured to electrically engage the electronic module when the electronic module is advanced through the panel opening and inserted into the cavity;
- a tab extending from the front edge of the housing, the tab being oriented to engage an outer surface of the panel;
- and
- a spring member extending from the front edge of the housing, the spring member being positioned to engage an inner surface of the panel, the spring member being flexible toward and away from the tab;
- wherein the inner and outer surfaces of the panel face in opposite directions and have a thickness of the panel extending therebetween, the tab pressing against the outer surface of the panel when the housing is mounted thereto, wherein the tab and the spring member provide opposing forces to grip the panel.
An electrical connector for mounting to a panel having a panel opening, the connector comprising:
- a housing having a front edge configured to be located proximate to the panel opening, the housing having a cavity that is sized and shaped to receive an electronic module;
- a receptacle assembly coupled to the housing, the receptacle assembly configured to electrically engage the electronic module when the electronic module is advanced through the panel opening and inserted into the cavity;
- a tab extending from the front edge of the housing, the tab being oriented to engage an outer surface of the panel;
- and
- a spring member extending from the front edge of the housing, the spring member being positioned to engage an inner surface of the panel, the spring member being flexible toward and away from the tab;
- wherein the front edge at least partially defines a cavity opening that provides access to the cavity, the panel and cavity openings aligning with each other when the housing is mounted to the panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.