Patent ID: 6146214
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A connector, comprising:a housing having opposed rearward and forward ends and a plurality of cavities extending through the housing from the rearward end to the forward end, a retainer insertion recess extending transversely into the housing at a location between the rearward and forward ends, a plurality of insertion openings extending from the retainer insertion recess into the respective cavities, and a forwardly facing locking surface formed in each said cavity at a location forwardly of the respective insertion openings,terminals for insertion into the respective cavities in the housing from the rearward end of the housing along an insertion direction, each said terminal having a cover with a selected width, each said cover having an engaging portion extending rearwardly and obliquely outwardly on the cover for engaging the locking surface of the housing, the engaging portion defining a width less than the width of the cover, a secondary locking hole extending into the cover and being substantially alignable with the insertion opening when the terminal is inserted into the respective cavity, andat least one retainer having a main body configured to at least partially enter the retainer insertion recess along a direction at an angle different from 0.degree. and 180.degree. with respect to the insertion direction of the terminals, the retainer having a plurality of locking struts projecting from the main body of the retainer and into the respective insertion openings, the retainer being selectively movable between a partial lock position and a full lock position, the locking struts being dimensioned for entering the cavities when the terminals are fully inserted and when the retainer is in the full lock position such that the locking struts pass into the secondary locking hole of the cover of each said terminal to lock the terminals so that the terminals do not come out of the cavities when the terminals are in proper insertion positions, the locking struts of the retainer being configured for contacting the covers of the respective terminals when the terminals are insufficiently inserted,at least one projection projecting inwardly at ends of the respective locking struts opposite the main body of the retainer, each said projection defining a width less than a difference between the width of the cover and the width of the respective engaging portion of the terminal inserted into the respective cavity, said projections further being disposed on the respective locking struts in such positions to avoid interference with the engaging portions of the respective terminals during insertion of the respective terminals into their proper insertion positions, said projections further being configured to contact portions of the cover adjacent the secondary locking hole for further locking the respective terminals in the cavities of the housing after full insertion of the respective terminals and insertion of the retainer to the full locked position.