Patent ID: 8894432
Filing Date: 2014-11-25
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
1. A connector assembly for fitment to a vehicle, the connector assembly comprising: a base unit for mounting to a vehicle and including a base connector face having at least two opposite edges and having therein a base connector; an expander unit including an expander connector face having at least two opposite edges and having therein an expander connector, the expander unit being configured to attach to and detach from the base unit and the expander connector being configured to connect with the base connector for communicating a signal therebetween when the expander unit is attached to the base unit; two pins protruding from one connector face of the base connector face and the expander connector face, the two pins having, at their respective distal ends, respective heads with cross sectional areas of increased magnitude; two latch plates mounted to the other connector face of the base connector face and the expander connector face, the two latch plates being rotatably mounted about respective axes substantially perpendicular to the other connector face, each of the latch plates having a respective inner surface facing the other connector face and a respective outer face for facing the one connector face and each of the latch plates having a arcuate lock opening with a respective first portion of sufficiently large cross section to allow passage of a head of a respective pin and with a respective second portion of cross section to receive the respective pin and prevent passage of the respective head therethrough; wherein: the pins and connector of the one connector face have relative positions matching the latch plates and connector of the other connector face such that, with the expander connector connected with the base connector, the pins pass through respective latch plates; each latch plate is rotatable about its respective axis between an open position protruding beyond a respective edge of the other connector face and a closed position flush with the respective edge of the other connector face; and with both latch plates in respective open positions, said one connector face is movable towards the other connector face whereby the pins pass through respective first portions of the lock openings of the latch plates and the expander connector connects with the base connector and, with both latch plates subsequently rotated to respective closed positions, the pins pass through respective second portions of the latch plates and the respective heads of the pins are held towards the inner surfaces of the latch plates beyond the respective second portions such that the expander unit is locked to the base unit with the expander connector connected with the base connector.