Patent ID: 6475006
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: B60R,H01R

Abstract:
A rotary connector comprising a first and a second housings coupled in a freely rotational relation, a flexible cable for establishing electrical connection between the first and second housings, a lock member which is detachably mounted on the first and second housings and which blocks free rotation between the first and second housings when the lock member is mounted thereon, whereinthe first housing has a ring-like outer cylindrical portion and a locking portion provided in the outer cylindrical portion, the second housing has a top surface closing the outer cylindrical portion of the first housing and a rotation restraint portion provided in the top surface, the lock member integrally comprising an arm portion, a finger-hook portion continuously extending to one end of the arm portion and extending in a direction orthogonal to the arm portion, a coupling portion provided in the other end of the arm portion, and a fixing portion extending between the coupling portion and the finger-hook portion in the same direction as that of the finger-hook portion, the fixing portion having a thin portion and a fixing remaining portion continuously extending to the thin portion, wherein, when the first and second housings are in a locked state to block free rotation therebetween, the fixing remaining portion of the lock member is held at the locking portion of the first housing, the coupling portion is engaged with the rotation restraint portion of the second housing, the arm portion is provided along the top surface of the second housing, and the finger-hook portion is protruded outwardly of the outer cylindrical portion of the first housing, and when the first and second housings are put into an unlocked state to permit free rotation therebetween, the finger-hook portion is folded so as to be close to the outer cylindrical portion, thereby separating the arm portion from the thin portion while the fixing remaining portion remains held in the locking portion of the first housing.