Patent ID: 6249960
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: H01R,Y10T

Abstract:
In combination, an electrical connector and a tool for manipulation of an element of an electrical connector comprising:(a) the electrical connector comprised of:(i) an elongated receptacle having an insulative base with first and second ends and an insulative peripheral wall recessed from said first and second ends and projecting from said insulative base to form a central opening; and(ii) an elongated shroudless header having an insulative base with first and second ends and an insulative projection having first and second ends spaced respectively from said first and second ends of said insulative base, and said insulative projection depending from said insulative base of said elongated shroudless header to engage said central opening of said receptacle such that the first and second ends of the insulative base of the header are superimposed respectively over the first and second ends of the insulative base of the receptacle so as to form respectively first and second lateral recesses between said first and second ends of the insulative bases of the receptacle and the header, and first and second metallic hold downs are positioned on the insulative base of the header respectively between said first and second ends of the insulative base of the header and receptacle; and(b) the tool having a longitudinal axis comprised of:(i) an elongated axial handle disposed in transverse relation to said electrical connector and having a griping end and a forward distal end;(ii) first and second opposed arms extending laterally from the elongated axial handle adjacent said forward distal end; and(iii) laterally spaced first and second fingers extending respectively from said first and second opposite arms to be engaged with the electrical connector respectively in said first and second lateral recesses, wherein the first and second fingers respectively comprise first and second tips, and said first and second tips both extend forwardly and laterally inwardly, relative to said longitudinal axis of said tool and in opposed relation to each other, respectively from the first and second fingers, and said first and second fingers each have upper convex surfaces which curve inwardly and downwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the tool to facilitate pivoting of the tool against the header so as to disengage the header from the receptacle, and wherein the tool is positioned relative to the electric connector such that the first and second tips are positioned respectively in the first and second lateral recesses between the first and second ends of the insulative bases of the receptacle and the header, such that the first and second tips underlie respectively the first and second metal inserts on the elongated header, wherein when the tool is rotated about its longitudinal axis the first end of the projection of the header is initially disengaged by the first tip of the tool which bears against the first metallic hold down, after which the first and second tips bear respectively against the first and second metallic hold downs to lift the first and second ends of the projection of the header and fully disengage the header from the receptacle.