Connector for airbag gas generator

A connector assembly having a male plug connector and a female socket connector. The male plug connector includes an elongate housing and a dependent housing shaft. An elongate first electrical contact is supported in the housing and has a first cable terminating end and an opposed interconnection end extending into said shaft. A latch is rotatably supported by the housing about the shaft. The socket connector includes a female connector housing having a central cavity therein for insertable connection with the housing shaft. A second electrical contact is supported in the cavity of the female connector housing for electrical engagement with the interconnection end of the first contact upon insertable engagement between the housing shaft of and the female connector housing. A mating latch receiving element is formed on the female connector housing for matingly receiving said latch of the male connector so that the latch is rotatably movable into locking engagement with said the receiving element under the bias of a spring upon insertable engagement between the shaft and the female connector housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an electrical connection assembly. More 
specifically, the present invention relates to a connector for an airbag 
gas generator assembly. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Airbag gas generators cause automobile airbags to inflate during 
sufficiently extreme impact environments. A gas generator is an 
electro-explosive device (EED), or squib, initiated by an electrical 
signal generated by a control device that senses impact forces and 
determines if the forces fall within the parameters indicating the need 
for airbag inflation. Once the squib has received a firing signal from the 
control device, the explosive gases produced by the squib inflate the 
airbag quickly. The control system is connected to the airbag by means of 
a wiring harness which typically includes an electrical plug and socket 
connector arrangement to permit an easy method of electrically joining the 
airbag assembly and the control system after they have been separately 
installed. As the airbag is a critical safety device that is relied upon 
to help protect occupants of a vehicle in an accident, its proper 
operation is of paramount importance. 
Proper operation of the system requires that the signal for firing the 
airbag be transmitted to the airbag gas generator. Towards this end, 
connectors for airbag gas generators have been developed with a goal of 
providing a secure and reliable connection for relaying a fire signal to 
the airbag gas generator during an accident. A typical design for a 
connector in this field as known in the prior art is depicted in FIG. 16 
which shows a connector that is retained in the mated position by means of 
a groove around a male part engaging a rib in the female socket. A 
drawback of this connection assembly is that it requires the assembly 
operator to fully push the locking piece into place but gives no 
indication that full engagement has occurred. It is possible for the 
operator to fail to fully insert the connector while giving the operator 
an appearance of locking engagement between the components. 
Manufacturers are now seeking to improve the retention of the connector by 
employing a means for positively retaining the connector within the catch. 
An example of a prior art connector employing a positive latching 
mechanism is shown in FIG. 17. The connector of FIG. 17 incorporates a 
separate locking piece having latching legs for insertion into the mated 
connector. The reliability of this configuration also suffers due to the 
possibility that an assembly operator may altogether forget to insert the 
locking piece into the mated connector or may likewise not fully insert 
the locking piece into a locking position. 
There is therefore a need in the art for an electrical connection assembly 
for an airbag gas generator assembly that provides a positive latching 
mechanism with a two-piece connection assembly. The connection assembly 
should work automatically without requiring additional effort on the part 
of the assembly operator. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide an 
electrical connection assembly that tends to force the mating components 
apart until the fully mated position is reached. It is also desirable to 
provide an electrical connection assembly that requires a separate tool 
and two independent releasing forces to attain disconnection. 
Additionally, it is desirable to provide an electrical connection assembly 
for an airbag gas generator assembly that utilizes a minimum number of 
parts to ensure reliable assembly of the connector assembly constituent 
elements. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a positive retention 
latch feature for an electrical connection assembly for an airbag gas 
generator assembly. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical 
connection assembly employing a split ferrite shield. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an 
electrical connection assembly for an airbag gas generator assembly having 
an automatic retention latch assembly that requires no additional actions 
by an assembly operator to positively connect. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical 
connection assembly for an airbag gas generator assembly that requires a 
single force to positively connect and requires multiple independent 
simultaneously applied forces to disconnect. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical 
connection assembly for an airbag gas generator assembly that forces the 
connecting components apart until the fully mated position is reached. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an electrical 
connection assembly for an airbag gas generator assembly having an 
automatic positive retention latch feature that requires the application 
of multiple independent release forces for disconnection. 
In the efficient attainment of these and other objects the present 
invention provides an electrical connection assembly for an airbag gas 
generator. The connection assembly includes a connector having an 
independently rotatable latch, the prongs of which arcuately rotate about 
an elongate connector shaft that defines an expanse in which are supported 
a number of electrical contacts. Each prong is deflected under the bias of 
a spring projecting in like directions about the shaft from each prong. 
The free end of each prong also includes a hook projecting in like 
directions about the shaft opposite the longitudinal axis of the prong 
from the corresponding cantilever spring. Each hook includes a tapering 
undersurface contiguous with the free end of the prong and forming an 
acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the prong. Each tapering 
undersurface is contiguous with a hookface that runs substantially 
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the prong. The latch is 
spring-biased towards an undeflected position about the shaft. The socket 
connector includes a perimetrical wall defining a flag-shaped aperture for 
insertably receiving each prong of the latch. Each flag-shaped aperture 
includes a tab extending thereinto in flush alignment with the rim of the 
socket connector. The underside of each tab is a hookface in substantially 
uniform opposition to the hookface of the inserted latch. 
When the connector shaft is inserted into the socket connector, each 
tapering undersurface engages the rim at the tab, and each cantilever 
spring engages the rim at the opposing extent of the gap. As the connector 
is forced into the socket connector in an axial direction, the force of 
the tab against the tapering undersurface causes the latch to deflect away 
from the tab. Continued insertion of the connector causes the tab to ride 
along the tapered undersurface. Meanwhile, the cantilever spring is 
deflected towards its latch prong and allows the latch prong to be 
inserted further into the gap in the socket connector. Once the latch hook 
is inserted clear of the tab, the cantilever spring is free to decompress 
and forces the latch to rotate in a locking direction opposite to the 
insertion deflection direction. Rotation of the latch in the locking 
direction positions the hookface of the latch opposite the hookface of the 
tab. The plug connector is thereby positively retained within the socket 
connector due to the interfering engagement between the hookfaces. The 
connectors cannot be disconnected by simply pulling the plug connector in 
a direction opposite to the insertion direction. First a tool is required 
to engage and rotate the latch in the deflection direction until latch 
hookface is no longer opposite the tab hookface and then the connector may 
be removed by pulling the connector in a direction opposite to the 
insertion direction. 
One embodiment of the present invention also provides a split ferrite 
shield within the body of the connector. Each of the leads of the 
connector are contiguous with the contacts of the connector shaft through 
an elongate channel formed between the two ferrite halves. 
An alternate embodiment of the present invention employs a conventional 
induction coil for shielding the connector. 
The present invention achieves the above-stated objectives utilizing a 
minimum of parts to facilitate the assembly of the connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The present invention includes an electrical connector assembly 1 for 
providing connection between components of an airbag gas generator 
assembly. The connector assembly 1 comprises a male plug connector 10 and 
a female socket connector 12. 
With reference to FIG. 1B, plug connector 10 includes an electrically 
insulative housing 15 having a base 16, a cover 14, and a latch 18 for 
providing positive retentive interconnection with socket connector 12 of 
FIG. 1A. Base 16 includes stationary shaft 20 extending from the underside 
thereof which has an outer surface that conforms to the interior surface 
of socket connector 12. Plug connector 10 supports electrical contacts 
210, 211 therein. Electrical contacts 210, 211 are elongate right-angle 
contacts as are known in the art. Contacts 210, 211 include a cable 
terminating end 218, 219 providing a crimping wire connection for 
connecting to the conductors of a flat flexible cable leading to the 
airbag squib and an opposed interconnection end including a socket contact 
214, 215 for accepting the contact pins 234, 235 of socket connector 12. 
Housing 15 includes ferrite assembly 72 (shown in full detail in FIG. 5) 
formed of two symmetrical ferrites 74, 75 for shielding the electrical 
contacts 210, 211 passing therebetween in electrical isolation. Latch 18 
is movably supported in housing 15 with limited freedom to rotate about 
stationary housing shaft 20. Latch 18 includes a pair of prongs 160, 161 
which protrude through the underside of base 16 and provide for locking 
retention with socket connector 12. 
With additional reference to FIG. 12, socket connector 12 includes an 
insulative female connector housing 230 which supports a pair of contact 
pins 234, 235 designed for interconnection with contacts 210, 211 of 
connector 10. As also shown in FIG. 11, housing 230 includes a pair of 
flag-shaped apertures 242, 243 which provide locking interconnection with 
the prongs 160, 161 of latch 18 when plug connector 10 is fully mated to 
socket connector 12. 
As plug connector 10 is pushed into socket connector 12, physical contact 
between the prongs of latch 18 and tabs 244, 245 extending into the 
flag-shaped apertures 242, 243 of socket connector 12 cause the prongs 
160, 161 of latch 18 to rotate in the direction of arrow A against the 
urging of cantilever arms 176, 177. Once hooks 170, 171 of prongs 160, 161 
have cleared tabs 244, 245 of socket connector 12, cantilever arms 176, 
177 are free to decompress and rotate latch 18 in the direction of arrow 
B. Decompression of the cantilever arms 176, 177 thereby pushes hooks 170, 
171 of prongs 160, 161 underneath the hook members of socket connector 12 
to provide positive latching interconnection between plug connector 10 and 
socket connector 12. 
Disconnection of plug connector 10 from socket connector 12 requires that a 
tool, such as a screwdriver, be inserted into latch slot 24 and rotated in 
the direction of arrow A against the urging of cantilever arms 176, 177. 
Once hooks 170, 171 of prongs 160, 161 have been rotated clear of tabs 
244, 245, plug connector 10 may be withdrawn from socket connector 12. 
Connection of the connector assembly therefore only requires plug 
connector 10 to be pushed into socket connector 12 in a single insertion 
direction. Disconnection of the connector assembly, however, requires, 
first, a tool to rotate latch 18 out of engagement with tabs 244, 245 of 
socket connector 12, and second, the withdrawal of plug connector 10 from 
socket connector 12 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. 
Description of the Components of the Connector Assembly 
Having provided a general overview of connector assembly 1 of the present 
invention, a more detailed description of the components of the preferred 
embodiment of the present invention follows. 
FIG. 2 shows a rear view of plug connector 10. The interface between cover 
14 and base 16 is seen to define a termination aperture 26 which provides 
access to termination end 218, 219 of contacts 210, 211. Behind 
termination ends 218, 219 is upper ferrite 74 and lower ferrite 75. Upper 
ferrite 74 and lower ferrite 75 provide a shielding function for plug 
connector 10 so as to prevent false signal generation associated with 
electromagnetic fields. FIG. 2 also shows the longitudinal ridge 34 which 
provides a keying function with socket connector 12 to prevent malassembly 
of the connector assembly. 
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of plug connector 10 and more clearly illustrates 
keying surfaces 32a, 32b, and longitudinal ridge 34 of housing shaft 20. 
The keying function is contemplated to be provided by any of the methods 
known in the electrical connector art for ensuring assembly of two 
components in a single orientation. Housing shaft 20 defines shaft expanse 
35 in which first socket 214 and second socket 215 are supported by base 
16. Disposed along the exterior surface of shaft 20 can be seen first 
prong aperture 36 and second prong aperture 37 through which the prongs 
160, 161 of latch 18 extend from base 16. Also visible in FIG. 3 is first 
lower ferrite clip 46 and second lower ferrite clip 47 which are disposed 
within the interior of plug connector 10 and which are accessible through 
first lower clip aperture 48 and second lower clip aperture 49, 
respectively. As will be seen later, lower ferrite clips 46 and 47 engage 
and hold lower ferrite 75 in the base 16. 
FIG. 4 shows an internal view of cover 14. Cover 14 includes a cover floor 
50 which is parametrically bounded by cover wall 52. Cover wall 52 
includes first and second bowed surfaces 53a and 53b for accommodating 
latch 18 when plug connector 10 is assembled. Cover wall 52 terminates in 
cover rim 54. Cover wall 52 defines cover expanse 56 or the interior 
volume of cover 14. Cover 14 partially defines termination aperture 26 due 
to the provision of recessed rim 58 spanning between upper aperture 
extents 59a and 59b. The opposite end of cover 14 includes latch keyhole 
60 which accommodates latch summit 22 as is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. 
Latch keyhole 60 is positioned to be concentric with the arcs of rotation 
through which prongs 160, 161 of latch 18 deflect. 
Cover expanse 56 includes successive pairs of downstands projecting from 
cover floor 50. As viewed from the position of the latch at keyhole 60, 
these downstands are seen to be first and second proximal downstand, 62, 
63, first and second medial downstand, 64, 65, and first and second distal 
downstand, 66, 67 respectively. FIG. 4 also shows second upper ferrite 
clip 69 which projects over second upper ferrite clip aperture 71 defined 
by wall 52 and floor 50. First upper ferrite clip 68 and first upper 
ferrite clip aperture 70 are hidden from view in FIG. 4 and are located 
transversely across cover expanse 56 on cover wall 52. 
FIG. 5 shows ferrite assembly 72 which comprises upper ferrite 74 and lower 
ferrite 75 positioned in registry with each other. Ferrite assembly 72 
includes first medial passage 76 and second medial passage 78 extending 
therethrough. Passages 76 and 78 correspond to the dimensions of first and 
second medial downstands 64 and 65. Ferrite assembly 72 also includes 
first lead channel 80 and second lead channel 82 extending longitudinally 
therethrough. Preferably, longitudinal indentations are formed in upper 
ferrite 74 and lower ferrite 75 and are placed in registry so as to form 
channels 80 and 82. 
FIG. 6 shows lower ferrite 75. In the preferred embodiment, upper ferrite 
74 and lower ferrite 75 are formed to be interchangeable and thereby 
facilitating the assembly of connector 10. As seen in FIG. 6, lower 
ferrite 75 is simply characterized as a ferrite block having a pair of 
longitudinal grooves formed therein and a pair of through holes formed 
perpendicularly through the grooves. Each ferrite 74 and 75 is preferably 
formed to be symmetrical about a longitudinal and lateral axis so as to 
minimize the likelihood of improper assembly of connector 10. Each ferrite 
would therefore include apertures 76 and 78 for accommodating the first 
and second medial downstands of cover 14 or the corresponding first and 
second medial upstands of base 16, shown in FIG. 7. Ferrite interface 
surfaces 88a, 88b, and 88c are coplanar and engage counterpart surfaces on 
upper ferrite 74. Lead channels 80 and 82 are partially defined by 
recessed surfaces 80a-c and 82a-c, respectively. Furthermore, ferrite 75 
includes transversely spaced lower clip engagement surfaces 86 and 87 
which are engaged by lower clips 46 and 47 respectively to hold lower 
ferrite 75 within the base 16. Surfaces 86 and 87 are equally capable of 
being retained by first and second upper ferrite clips 68, 69 of cover 14. 
FIGS. 7 and 8 depict the base 16 of the present invention. Base 16 includes 
base floor 100 which is parametrically bounded by base wall 102. Base wall 
102 includes first and second bowed surfaces 103a and 103b for 
accommodating the arcuate movement of latch 18 thereadjacent. Base wall 
102 terminates in base rim 104 to thereby define base expanse 106. As is 
seen, base wall 102 also includes recessed rim 108 spanning between lower 
aperture extents 109a and 109b to form the lower portion of termination 
aperture 26. FIGS. 7 and 8 show another view of first and second lower 
ferrite clips 46 and 47 and the first and second ferrite clip apertures 48 
and 49 located along base wall 102. 
Towards the opposing longitudinal end of base 16, base floor 100 defines 
first prong aperture 36 and second prong aperture 37. First prong aperture 
36 is defined adjacent to first bowed surface 103a of base wall 102 and 
convex rail surface 124. Latch rail 120 projects upward from base floor 
100 adjacent prong apertures 36, 37. Latch rail 120 includes concave rail 
surface 122 and a convex rail surface 124 extending between first proximal 
upstand 112 and second proximal upstand 113. Similarly, the second prong 
aperture 37 is defined between the second bowed surface 103b and convex 
rail surface 124. Latch rail 120 terminates at a rail rim surface 126 
which supports latch 18 thereon. Rail 120 also defines rail notch 130 
adjacent recessed rail rim 128. The first cantilevered spring stop 132 and 
the second cantilevered spring stop 134 project radially outward from 
latch rail 120 adjacent latch apertures 36, 37, respectively. Concave rail 
surface 122 defines contact expanse 123 and communicates with first socket 
aperture 144 and second socket aperture 146 defined by base floor 100. 
From the perspective of contact expanse 123 can seen successive pairs of 
upstands projecting from base floor 100 and include first and second 
proximal upstands 112 and 113, first and second medial upstands 114 and 
115, and first and second distal upstands 116 and 117, respectively. The 
uppermost surfaces of first proximal medial and distal upstands 112, 114 
and 116 define aligned coplanar first contact strut support 150a, 150b and 
150c, respectively. Similarly, the upper extents of the second proximal 
medial and distal upstands 113, 115 and 117 define an aligned coplanar 
second contact strut support 151a, 151b and 151c, respectively. The strut 
supports 150a-c are longitudinally aligned between first socket aperture 
144 and termination aperture 26 of the assembled plug connector 10. 
Likewise, the second contract strut supports 151a-c are positioned between 
the second socket aperture 146 and termination aperture 26 of the 
assembled connector 10. Socket aperture 144 is also defined by socket rim 
145. Socket aperture 146 is likewise partially defined by socket rim 147. 
FIG. 8 more clearly shows the projection of first and second lower ferrite 
clips 46, 47 into base expanse 106 and the relation to first and second 
clip apertures 48, 49 respectively, defined by base floor 100 and base 
wall 102. 
FIG. 9 shows latch 18 of the present invention. In its preferred 
embodiment, latch 18 includes first and second latch prongs 160 and 161 
positioned at opposing ends of latch brim 164. Latch brim 164 is seen to 
extend proximately halfway around the cylindrical outer surface of latch 
drum 166. Latch prongs 160, 161 are positioned in flush end relationship 
with the opposing ends of latch brim 164. Latch prongs 160, 161 are also 
positioned in flush edge relationship with latch brim 164 to define latch 
shoulder 168. Latch drum 166 is formed to have a diameter to allow it to 
extend through keyhole aperture 60 of cover 14 to thereby making latch 
slot 24 accessible through cover 14. 
Latch tooth 190 depends from latch brim 164 and has an circumferential 
shape in conformance with brim 164. In the assembled condition, latch 
tooth 190 will be disposed in notch 130 of latch rail 120 and prevent 
over-rotation of latch 18. Each latch prong 160, 161 includes a latch hook 
170, 171 rotationally aligned to one side of each prong and a cantilever 
spring arm 176, 177 rotationally aligned in opposition to latch hook 170, 
171. Each hook 170, 171 includes a respective hookface 172, 173 and an 
opposed tapering undersurface 174, 175. Each latch cantilevered spring arm 
176, 177 extends substantially along the length of their respective latch 
prongs 160,162 to form an elongate groove between each spring arm and its 
prong. Each spring arm terminates at a free end which is able to deflect 
towards its respective latch prong. 
FIG. 10 shows first contact 210 and second contact 211 to be contained 
within connector 10. Contact 210 and contact 211 are preferably 
identically proportioned so as to enhance commonality during manufacture. 
It can been that contacts 210 and 211 include, respectively, an elongate 
contact strut 212, 213 with a socket contact 214, 215 depending downward 
therefrom at one end and termination end 218, 219 depending from the 
opposing end. It is contemplated that each contact 210, 211 will include a 
flange 222, 223 projecting laterally outward therefrom in order to engage 
a surface of an upstand on which the contacts will be placed. Each socket 
contact 214, 215 is formed to receive the contact pins 234, 235 of socket 
connector 12 as is shown in FIG. 1A. Furthermore, each termination end 
218, 219 includes a plurality of upwardly projecting teeth 220, 221 to 
enhance the ability to engage the conductors of a flat flexible cable 
positioned therein. The manner of termination shown in FIG. 10 is 
specifically employed in terminating flat flexible cable. It is also 
contemplated by the present invention that the particular manner of 
termination provided by termination end 218, 219 may be tailored to the 
particular type of cable to which connector 12 is to be mated. For 
example, a standard crimp design could be employed for connecting to 
conventional round stranded wire, whereas an insulation displacement 
termination such as is shown in FIG. 14 could also be employed for round 
wire. 
FIGS. 11 and 12 shows socket connector 12 in detail. Generally, socket 
connector 12 includes a female connector housing 230 having an open end 
231 and defining a cavity 232. Housing 230 supports first and second 
electrical contact pins 234, 235 which extend into cavity 232 and which 
matingly electrically engage first and second socket contacts 210, 211 
supported in housing shaft 20. Female connector housing 230 includes an 
internal cavity wall 238 having a shape conforming to the exterior surface 
of housing shaft 20. Contact pins 234, 235 are in electrical contiguity 
with other circuit components. 
Female connector housing 230 defines first and second flag-shaped apertures 
242, 243 for insertably engaging and retaining first and second prongs 
160, 161 of latch 18. Each flag-shaped aperture includes a tab 244, 245, 
respectively, protruding therein to define a first portion 246, 247 of 
flag-shaped aperture 242, 243 being proximal open end 231 and having a 
smaller circumferential expanse than a second portion 248, 249 of 
flag-shaped aperture 242, 243 distal from open end 231 of female connector 
housing 230. Tabs 244, 245 include a prong deflection element 250, 251 
which engages the tapering undersurface 174, 175 of latch prong 160, 161 
during insertion of housing shaft 20 into housing 230. Each tab 244, 245 
also includes a hookface surface 254, 255 for opposing hookface surface 
172, 173 of the prong 160, 161 once the connector housing 15 has been 
fully mated with female connection housing 230 and each prong has been 
deflected into the locked position. 
FIGS. 13A-F depict a sequence for assembling plug connector 10 of the 
present invention. In FIG. 13A upper ferrite 74 is positioned within cover 
14. First and second medial downstands 64, 65 are seen projecting through 
apertures 76, 78 of upper ferrite 74. Note that the exposed faces of 
proximal downstands 62, 63, medial downstands 64, 65 and distal downstands 
66, 67 extend to a height between that of interface surfaces 88a-c and 
channel surfaces 80b and 82b. Furthermore, clip 69 is shown to extend out 
over clip engagement surface 86. Due to the elastomeric characteristics of 
cover 14, upper ferrite 74 may be pushed past upper ferrite clips 68, 69 
so that ferrite 74 snaps into place within cover 14. Similarly, FIG. 13B 
shows ferrite 75 assembled within base 16. As is seen in FIG. 13B, first 
strut support surfaces 150a-c and second strut support surfaces 151a-c 
rise above channels 80b and 82b respectively, yet both remain below the 
level of interface surfaces 88a-c of ferrite 75. However, here it is seen 
that each of the upstands includes longitudinal tabs 154 extending above 
the plane of interface surface 88a-c. These longitudinal tabs 154 extend 
only so far above interface surface 88 so as to come into contact with the 
respective downstands of cover 14 while still allowing interface surfaces 
88a-c of upper ferrite 74 and lower ferrite 75 to come into engagement as 
well. 
FIG. 13C shows each contact 210, 211 as assembled into the base 16. Each 
elongate strut 212, 213 rests upon its respective strut support 150a-c, 
151a-c so as to be suspended above ferrite 75. When upper ferrite 74 is 
placed in registry above lower ferrite 75, each strut 212, 213 will 
likewise be suspended below upper ferrite 74 so as to prevent the 
possibility of short circuiting the contacts across the ferrite. Flanges 
222 and 223 respectively abut against the tabs of distal upstands 116 and 
117 oppositely from ferrite 72. Furthermore, socket contacts 214, 215 are 
disposed in their respective socket apertures 144 and 146 so as to be 
engagable by pins 234, 235 of socket connector 12. 
FIG. 13D shows latch 18 just prior to its insertion into base 16. Latch 
prongs 160 and 161 will be inserted through latch apertures 36 and 37 
respectively. Each prong includes a latch detent 192 which provides a 
tapering surface 194 as its being inserting into base 16 and a flat 
abutment surface 196 which interfaces with base 16 so as to prevent the 
easy withdrawal of latch 18 back out from base 16. Latch 18 is positioned 
so that latch brim 164 sits atop rail rim surface 126 and latch tooth 190 
is disposed within rail notch 130. Once latch 18 is inserted into base 16 
as shown in FIG. 13E, latch 18 will have limited freedom for arcuate 
movement about housing shaft 20. The movement of latch 18 will be limited 
by a combination of the amount of travel provided tooth 190 in notch 130 
and by the deflection of cantilevered spring arms 176 and 177 against 
spring stops 132 and 134 respectively. Cover 14, including upper ferrite 
74, may then be positioned over the assembly shown in FIG. 13E as is shown 
in FIG. 1A. 
FIG. 14 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention where the 
shielding of contacts 210, 211 is provided by a wound wire coil 260. Wound 
wire coils are known in the art for their shielding capabilities. FIG. 14 
also illustrates one possible means for attaching cover 14 to base 16 by 
providing deflectable clips 264 which may be inserted over bulges 266 when 
cover 14 is placed on base 16. It is contemplated by the present invention 
that cover 14 may be attached or adhered to base 16 by any means known in 
the art for joining two components together. 
Other particular embodiments are contemplated to fall within the scope of 
the present invention. For example, either pins or connectors may be 
mounted in either plug connector 10 or socket connector 12 or both so long 
as they provide mating electrical connection with the other component of 
the connector assembly of the present invention. Additionally, while 
prongs 160, 161 have been shown to reside exterior to shaft expanse 35, it 
is also contemplated by the present invention that the prongs may extend 
through expanse 35 and engage a female connector housing 230 that is 
insertably connected within shaft expanse 35. Such an embodiment provides 
a tamper-proof connection between housing 15 and socket connector 12 as 
prongs 160, 161 are not accessible to be deflected for disconnection 
except by a tool engaging latch slot 24 through cover 14. 
Operation of the Latching Mechanism 
Having provided a detailed description of possible embodiments of the 
present invention, a more detailed description of the operation of 
connector assembly 10 follows. As plug connector 10 is brought down upon 
socket connector 12, as shown in FIGS. 15A-C, tapering undersurface 174, 
175 of latch hook 170, 171 comes into contact with prong engagement member 
250, 251 of tab 244, 245. Housing shaft 20 is keyed to engage socket 
connector 12 in a single mating orientation. Continued insertion of plug 
connector 10 into socket connector 12 results in member 250, 251 pushing 
on latch hook undersurface 174, 175 so as to cause latch 18 to rotate 
about housing shaft 20 in the latch deflection direction represented by 
arrow A. Rotation of latch 18 in the direction of arrow A causes the 
deflection of cantilever arm 176, 177 which generates a locking force 
opposing the latch deflection force as represented by arrow B. As shown in 
FIG. 15D, once latch hook 170, 171 is inserted clear of tab 244, 245, 
cantilever arm 176, 177 will be free to decompress causing latch 18 to 
move in the direction of arrow B causing hookface 172, 173 to be placed in 
opposition to socket connector hookface 254 which defines a connected and 
locked position between plug connector 10 and socket connector 12. Plug 
connector 10 is thereby positively retained within socket connector 12 due 
to the interfering engagement between the hookfaces of the latch and the 
socket connector. 
As can be seen in FIG. 1B, latch 18 includes latch summit 22 which is 
accessible through cover 14. Latch summit 22 defines latch slot 24 which 
may be engaged by a tool such as a screwdriver, not shown, and turned in 
the deflection direction of arrow A so as to deflect cantilever spring arm 
176, 177 until latch hook 170, 171 is clear of tab 240. Using the tool to 
hold the latch in its fully deflected position, the worker may grab hold 
of plug connector 10 and withdraw it away from socket connector 12 to 
achieve disconnection. 
While the particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from the teachings of the 
invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and 
accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a 
limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in 
the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the 
prior art.