ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND LATCHING APPARATUS THEREFOR

Abstract: An electrical connector for particular use in the data com­ munications industry includes an improved latching mech­ anism for engagement with a like electrical connector or with an apertured panel of a terminal box or the like. The latching mechanism includes a movable arm (26) pivotally mounted integrally with the housing of the connector. The arm com­ prises a latch (28) on the front end facing the mating end of the connector. A lever (36) captively supported on the hous­ ing includes a cam (88) for engagement in a first position with a cam surface on the back portion of the movable arm to dispose the arm in an inclined relation with the latch located closely adjacent the housing so that the latch may be placed for connection another component. When the lever is slid to a second position, a locking spacer (94) thereon engages the front portion fo the arm to move the latch away from the housing and cause engagement of the latch with the other component. In the second position, the locking spacer sub­ stantially prevents further movement of the latch thereby maintaining the latch in a locking disposition relative to the other component.

Description: The present invention relates to improvements in electrical connectors that are particularly useful in the data communications industry. With the ever increasing use of data communications equipment there is a growing need for electrical connectors for terminating electrical cables thereto and for connecting data equipment or components thereof to each other. Electrical connectors of this type are shown, for example, in US-A-4 449 778 (issued on May 22, 1984) and US-A-4 501 459 (issued on February 26 1985). These connectors include electrical shields for electromagnetic emission protection as well as for electrical and mechanical securement to a metallic braid of an electrically shielded cable. Additionally, these connectors provide for the cable to be able to exit the connector housing in different directions, such as in the axial or orthogonal directions. Another feature shown in these known connectors is the use of shunting or shorting bars to provide a closed-loop connection between selected contact terminals when the connector is in a non-connected condition. Such a feature is intended to protect the equipment from spurious and potentially damaging electrical signals which may be transmitted along a link-line to data equipment, as a result of misconnections or electrical strays. While those shielded type electrical connectors contain desirable features for data communications applications, they also have some disadvantages. For example, in order to achieve the desired shielding, closed-loop shorting and multiple cable exiting features, these known connectors require complex structure that are difficult to use and assembly, particularly in the field. In addition, the latching mechanisms adapted for attachment to equipment panels or to like connectors can result in a disconnection from either the equipment panel or the other electrical connector. In an effort to compensate for this problem, a separate, external wedge is provided for subsequent attachment to the electrical connector in a manner to prevent the latching mechanism from separating in use. EP-A-0026703 discloses an electrical connector having a housing and a plurality of electrical contacts therein, the housing having a mating end for engagement with a second, different electrical connector, and latching apparatus which includes an arm movably supported on the housing, the arm having a latch adjacent the housing mating end, and an actuator movably supported on the housing and operable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a cam on the actuator urges the arm into a non-latching position, and in the second position the cam moves out of engagement with the arm and a locking flange slides over the arm to lock the arm in a latched position. Accordingly, while it is advantageous to maintain some of the features of the known connectors, it is also desirable to provide improvements to overcome their various problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical connector. It is another object of the invention to provide an electrical connector having improved latching apparatus. In accordance with the invention, there is provided an hermaphroditic electrical connector having a housing including a plurality of electrical contacts, said housing having a mating end engageable with a second, identical hermaphroditic electrical connector, said second electrical connector including a latching portion for cooperative engagement with said mating end, and latching apparatus comprising: an elongate arm movably supported on said housing by a pivot, said arm including a latch adjacent one end thereof, said latch being disposed adjacent said housing mating end; an actuator captively supported for movement on said housing in a longitudinal direction and operable between a first position and a second position relative to said housing, said actuator in said first position including means engaging said arm to enable non-locking interaction of said latch with said latching portion of said second electrical connector, said actuator in said second position including means engaging said arm for substantially preventing movement of said latch to facilitate locking interaction with said latching portion of said second electrical connector. By way of example, two embodiments of a connector will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of two improved electrical connectors, one of which is shown in latched relation to a panel of an electrical component and the other in alignment for connection to the one connector. Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of an electrical connector. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector cover as seen along viewing lines III-III of Figure 2, with the sliding lever being eliminated to facilitate the description thereof. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view as seen along viewing lines IV-IV of Figure 1. Figure 5 is an exploded, perspective view of the connector cable termination sub-assembly, showing a shielded, electrical cable in position for termination thereto. Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the sub-assembly conductor holding block. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a shielded, electrical cable in preparation for termination in the connector cable termination sub-assembly. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector cable termination sub-assembly as seen along lines VIII-VIII of Figure 2 and showing details in phantom for purposes of illustration and description. Figures 9a, 9b, and 9c are perspective views of the electrical connector in partial assembly, showing the capability of the connector for different cable exiting directions. Figures 10a and 10b are schematic side elevational views of the connector, illustrating the operation of the connector latching mechanism for attachment to a panel of an electrical component. Figures 10c an 10d are schematic, side elevational views of the connector, illustrating the operation of the connector latching mechanism for attachment to a like electrical connector. Figures 11a and 11b are schematic side elevation views illustrating another embodiment of the connector latching mechanism. Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in Figure 1, a pair of electrical connectors disposed to be mechanically latched and electrically connected. Each connector generally designated by reference numeral 10 is of hermophroditic construction and is identical to the other. To effect connection of the pair of connectors, one of the connectors 10 is rotated about its central axis 180° relative to the other. As the connectors 10 are of identical construction, only the details of one of the connectors will be described hereinafter. Turning now to Figure 2, the connector 10 comprises an insulative housing including a cover 12 and a base 14, an upper electrically conductive shield 16, a lower electrically conductive shield 18 (shown in assembly with the base 14) and a cable termination sub-assembly 20, shown terminated to an electrical cable 22. Cover 12 includes an elongate, generally planar lid 24 and a relatively rigid, deflectable arm 26, pivotally mounted on the lid 24. The lid 24 and the arm 26 secured thereto are preferably formed integrally from plastic material. Toward the mating end of the cover 12, the arm 26 includes a latch portion 28 comprising a shoulder 30 facing toward the rear of the arm 26 and a pair of surfaces 32 sloping downwardly toward the front mating end of the arm 26. Disposed between sloping surfaces 32 is a latch opening 34, generally C-shaped and having a front throat 34a, the opening 34 and throat 34a adapted to receive a complementary T-bar latch located on the base of another like connector, as will be described. A separate, preferably plastic lever 36 is captively contained in the cover 12, the lever 36 being disposed between the lid 24 and the arm 26 for slidable movement in the longitudinal direction as indicated by arrow 38 in Figure 2 in manner, as will be detailed below, to effect locking and un-locking relation with another like electrical connector. Openings 24a and 24b are provided in both of the side walls of the lid 24 for cooperatively retaining the connector components in joined relation as will be set forth. Upper shield 16, formed preferably by stamping a flat strip of metal, comprises a generally flat portion 40 and a pair of tongues 42 projecting outwardly from the portion 40 in an offset plane substantially parallel therewith. A pair of tabs 44 (only one of which can be seen in Figure 2) depend downwardly from the flat portion 40 and substantially orthogonal thereto. Disposed on each of the tabs 44 is a protuberance 46 serving as a means for providing electrical engagement with the lower shield 18. On each side of the flat portion 40 there are downwardly projecting, resilient tines 48 defining a means for securing the shield 16 to a post (not shown) projecting from the undersurface of the lid 24. Base 14 comprises a floor 50 from which upstanding, transversely spaced sidewalls 52, 54 and rear wall 56 extend. Disposed transversely across the width of the base 14 is a partition 58 having an open slot 58a formed therein approximately centrally between the sidewalls 52 and 54. The partition defines generally a front compartment 14a adjacent the front, mating end of the base 14 and a rear compartment 14b adjacent the rear end of the base 14. Projecting upwardly from the floor 50 adjacent the respective side walls 52, 54 are locking tabs 60, 62 for resilient locking engagement with the openings 24b in the cover lid 24. Projecting upwardly from the rear wall 56 are further tabs 64 for additional engagement with the cover lid 24. Projecting upwardly from the floor 50 in front compartment 14a are a pair of posts 63 that are arranged to enter openings (now shown) in the underside of the cable termination sub-assembly 20, so as to provide a means of maintaining the position of the sub-assembly 20 relative to the base 14 in assembly. Openings 52a and 54a are provided in the respective side walls for engagement with locking elements in the termination sub-assembly 20. Disposed around the rear compartment 14b are replacedly removable gates 66a-66e. Gates 66a-66e are preferably slidably mounted in the base walls and provide accessible ports at five different locations for exiting of the electrical cable, as will be described. The ports are located to permit cable exiting in the axial direction (66c), orthogonal directions (66a and 66e) and in the 45° directions (66b and 66d). Although five ports are shown, it should be understood that any suitable number of accessible ports may be provided. In addition, while it is preferably to have slidable gates defining such accessible cable ports, it should be appreciated that other accessible ports such as conventional knock-outs may also be employed. Still referring to Figure 2 and also to Figure 1, the base 14 includes a relatively rigid, deflectable arm 68, similar to arm 26 in the cover. Arm 68 is pivotally mounted on the bottom surface of base floor 50. Toward the mating, front end of base 14, there is a projecting latch 70 in the form of a T-bar for complementary engagement with the latch portion 28 of the cover 12 of another identical connector. A separate, sliding lever 72 is captively contained in the base 14, the lever 72 being mounted between the deflectable arm 68 and the floor 50 of the base 14. The base 14, except for the removable gates 66a-66e and the lever 72 is preferably, integrally formed of plastic material. The gates 66a-66e are preferably formed of plastic as an integral member interconnected by severable webs for ease of fabrication and assembly. The lever 72 is also preferably formed of plastic. The lower shield 18 is formed preferably by stamping from a sheet of flat metal. The shield 18 comprises a generally flat portion 74 from which a pair of tongues 76 project substantially parallel to and offset from the flat portion 74. Upwardly extending tabs 78 project substantially orthogonally from the shield flat portion 74, one tab 78 being disposed adjacent to each of the locking tabs 60 and 62 of the base 14. An opening 78a is disposed in each of the tabs 78 for receipt and engagement with the protuberance 46 on the upper shield 16, such that upon assembly of the connector 10, the upper shield 16 and the lower shield 18 are in electrical connection. The lower shield 18 has suitable openings in the flat portion 74 to spacedly receive the posts 63 on the base floot 50, such that the posts 63 may extend upwardly therethrough. The shield 18 further includes an upstanding wall 75 disposed against base partition 58, the shield wall 75 having an open slot 75a formed therein in registry with partition slot 58a. Slot 75a has a dimension approximately equal to the dimension of slot 58a. The shield slot 75a and wall 75 serve as a means of electrically connecting a braided shield of an electrical cable and as a strain relief means for the cable. By reference now to Figures 3 and 4, the details of the connector latching mechanism and the sliding levers on the cover and base may be more fully understood. The sliding levers on the cover and base are preferably identical in construction and function, so that by describing the lever 36 on the cover 12, it will be appreciated that these details also apply to the lever 72 on the base 14. Figure 3 illustrates the cover 12 in cross-section, absent the lever 36. The deflectable arm 26 is attached to the cover lid 24 by a flexible web 80 such that the arm 26 is upwardly spaced from and pivotably movable on the lid 24. In the present form, the web is provided in two portions that are spaced transversely in the cover 12, defining an opening therebetween. The arm 26 includes adjacent an end facing the rearward end of the cover 12 a cam surface 82 sloping downwardly from the arm bottom surface 26a toward the rear end of the cover 12. The web 80 is disposed intermediate the cam surface 82 and the latch portion 28 so that the latch portion and cam surface 82 can pivot thereabout. With further reference to Figure 1 and also now to Figure 4, the lever 36 comprises a generally flat actuator plate 84 having a rear portion 84a and a narrower front portion 84b. At the rear portion of the plate 84, there is an upstanding handle 86 (Fig. 1) adapted to be manually grasped by the connector user. Also at the rear portion 84a, there is an opening 84c extending through the plate 84 and disposed at a location such that a bottom portion 26b of the arm 26 (Fig. 3) including the cam surface 82 may reside therein when the lever 36 is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 4, the arm bottom portion 26b contacting the upper surface of the lid 24. Adjacent the opening 84c on the rear portion 84a is an upstanding wall 88 serving as a cam for engaging the arm cam surface 82. At the distal end of the front portion 84b, there are a pair of defelectable tines 90 and 92 defined by a slot 93 extending therebetween. The slot 93 permits resilient deflection of the tines 90, 92 laterally toward each other. The front surfaces 90a and 92a of the tines are tapered to permit entry of the lever front portion 84b between the two transversely spaced portions of the web 80 on the cover. Upon insertion of the front portion 84b between the spaced webs 80, the tines 90 and 92 will deflect, upon engagement with the webs 80. Upon continued insertion and once passed the webs 80, the tines 90 and 92 will spring outwardly back, thereby captivating the lever 36 as the webs 80 are disposed between the lever rear portion 84b and the rearwardly facing shoulders 90b and 92b on the tines. Also located on the front portion 84b spacedly on each tine 90 and 92 is another upwardly extending wall 94 serving as a locking spacer for engaging the lower surface 26a of the arm 26. It should be noted that as captivated in the cover between the lid 24 and the arm 26, the lever 36 is slidably movable in the direction as shown by the arrow 96. Thus, the cam 88 is movable between the cam surface 82 and the web 80, while the spacer 94 is movable between the web 80 and the latch portion 28. Located on the upper surface of the cover lid 24 is a pair of transversely spaced bosses 98 and 100 for maintaining the lever 36 in a relatively straight line during its sliding inward and the outward movement on the cover 12. Referring again to Figure 2 and also now to Figure 5, the details of the cable termination sub-assembly 20 are described. The sub-assembly 20 comprises an electrically insulative contact holder 102 and an electrically insulative conductor holding block 104. Holder 102, peferably formed of a molded plastic material, comprises a bottom wall 106 and two transversely spaced, upstanding sidewalls 108 and 110. A plurality of spaced, substantially parallel channels 112 are provided in the bottom wall 106. Sidewalls 108 and 110 each have a recess 108a and 110a formed in their interior surfaces. A transverse wall 114 of height less than the sidewalls extends across the bottom wall 106 and has slots 114a provided therein. Upwardly extending latching elements 113 and 115 are provided on the sidewalls for retentive coupling with openings 24a in the cover lid 24 when the connector is assembled. In addition, openings 111 (only one of which can be seen in Fig. 5) are provided in the interior surface of each of the sidewalls for retentive engagement with the conductor holding block 104. A plurality of electrical contacts 116 are supported by the holder 102. The contacts 116 are formed of a suitable conductive material, such as phosphor bronze, and comprise a generally elongate base portion 116a, an insulation displacement contact (IDC) portion 116b, a folded-over, resiliently deflectable tongue portion 116c and an offset flat portion 116d disposed at the distal, free end of the folded-over-tongue portion 116c. The IDC portion 116b is of conventional, generally flat, blade-type configuration having two relatively sharp tines with a cable conductor receiving slot 116e provided therebetween. The contacts 116 are fixedly secured in the holder 102 with the contact base portions 116a each residing in a respective channel and an IDC portion 116b residing in a respective slot 114a, the IDC portions projecting above the top surface of transverse wall 114. While in the preferred arrangement there are four contacts 116 shown, it should be appreciated that any suitable number of contacts may be used. Still referring to Figures 2 and 5, the conductor holding block 104 comprises a generally flat body 118, preferably of molded plastic, with a pair of ribs 120 and 122 extending from two opposite ends thereof, ribs 120 and 122 adapted to be received in the slots 108a and 110a of the contact holder 102. Also, adjacent ribs 120, 122 on each end of the body 118 is a latching ledge 124 for resilient receipt into the openings 111 of the holder 102. Extending across the body 118 between the opposite ends thereof is a pair of spaced, elongate slots 126 end 128, each slot being of approximately the same length but offset relative to the other and extending only partially into the upper surface of body 118. As shown in Figure 6, at each longitudinal end of each slot there is an opening extending through the body 118, the openings being designated as 126a, 126b and 128a, 128b. Recesses communicating with the openings and extending only partially into the bottom surface of the body 118 are provided, the recesses being designated as 126c, 126d and 128c, 128d. As illustrated in Figure 5, a pair of shorting bars 130 and 132 are provided for retentive support in the block 104. The bars each comprise an elongate shaft 130a and 132a and a pair of extending terminals 130b, 130c and 132b, 132c, the terminals being formed as feet, extending in the same axial direction, but offset from and substantially parallel to the bar shafts. In the holding block 104, the bars 130 and 132 are supported such that the shafts 130a and 132a reside in the upper slots 126 and 128, respectively and the terminals 130b, 130c and 132b, 132c extend through openings 126a, 126b and 128a, 128b and reside in lower body surface recesses 126c, 126d and 128c, 128d, respectively. As the shorting bars 130 and 132, the function of which will be explained, are contained with their shafts and terminals in slots and recesses with the body insulation in substantial surrounding relation, these bars are supported in the block 104 with minimum exposure. The shorting bars 130 and 132 are preferably made of phosphor bronze wire, but any suitable metal may be used. Referring again to Figure 6, the bottom of the conductor holding block 104 comprises a plurality of conductor retainers, one for each cable conductor to be terminated to an IDC portion 116b on the contact holder 102. In the holding block 104 being described, there are four such retainers, each of substantially identical construction. The retainer includes a pair of spaced walls 134 and 136 defining a slot 138 therebetween. Slot 138 is of dimension to frictionally receive and hold an insulated conductor 140 (Fig. 5) therein. Adjacent the walls 134 and 136 and communicating with the slot 138 is a cradle 142, bisected by a deeper groove 144. The groove 144 is adapted to freely receive the IDC portion 116b of the electrical contacts 116 upon insulation displacement termination with the insulated conductor 140, the bottom walls of the cradle 142 providing support on either side of the conductor during termination. A back wall 145 provides a mechanical stop for the conductors 140 upon being dressed into the slot 138, the abutment of the free conductor end theregainst providing assurance that the conductor traverses the groove 144 that is to receive the IDC portion of the electrical contact. In terminating an electrical cable 22 preferably of the shielded type and assembling the connector 10, the cable 22 is prepared, as shown in Figure 7 by peeling back the outer cable insulative jacket 22a, exposing an extent a shielding braid 22b and exposing the insulated conductors 140. A flat metal washer 146 is slid over the braid 22b and, as shown in Figure 5, the braid 22b is folded back over the washer 146. Aluminized insulation 147 that may surround each pair of conductors 140, for example, is peeled back and removed from cable 22. The conductors 140 are retentively dressed in the respective slots 138 in the bottom of the holding block 104 and the contact holder 102 is then joined with the block 104. Upon joining the holder 102 and the block 104, the IDC portions 116b of the contacts, displace the insulation around the conductors 140 and make electrical engagement with conductors therein, the IDC portions being accommodated in the block grooves 144. In addition, the shorting bars 130 and 132 are in engagement with the electrical contacts 116. As illustrated in Figure 8, the terminal 130b is shown contacting the leftward-most electrical contact at its contact at its flat, deflectable portion 116d while terminal 130c is contacting the third contact from the left. Similarly, as shown in phantom, terminal 132b contacts the second contact from the left, while terminal 132c contacts the fourth contacts from the left. As such, through shorting bar 130 the first and third contacts are in electrically common connection and the second and fourth contacts are in electrically common connection. The second contact is bridged by the axial shaft 130a, while the third contact is bridged by the axial shaft 132a. In this manner, the first and third cable conductors, for example are releasably maintained in a closed-loop condition and the second and fourth cable conductors are also releasably maintained in a closed-loop condition in the termination sub-assembly 20 as will be explained. Referring now again to Figure 2, the cable termination sub-asembly 20 with cable 22 terminated thereto is then joined to the base 14 with the shield 18 assembled thereon. One of the gates to the accessible cable ports is removed depending upon which direction the cable 22 is to exit. For example, if the cable is to exit in the axial direction (see Fig. 9a) then gate 66c will be removed. Similarly, for cable exiting at the orthogonal direction (Fig. 9b), gates 66a or 66e will be removed or for cbale existing at the 45° direction (Fig. 9c), gates 66b or 66d will be removed. In joining the sub-assembly 20 to the shielded base 14, the washer 146 on the cable 22 is disposed in the front compartment 14a, with the folded-back braid 22b extending through the shield wall opening 75a and the partition opening 58a. Pulling the cable axially from the rear causes the washer 146 to compress the shielding braid 22b against the shield wall 75, transferring the pulling stresses to the braid 22b and thereby providing cable strain relief without radially compressing the cable 22. Engagement of the braid 22b with the shield wall 75 also provides a common electrical connection between the shield 18 and the cable shielding braid 22b. It can also be seen by reference to Figures 9a-9c, that compartment 14b is sized to accommodate bending of the electrical cable from the strain relief loction at the shield wall opening 75a to any of the selected ports. Furthermore, as the cable braid 22b electrically engages the shield wall 75 at the same interior strain relief location in the base 14 for cables exiting in any of the available directions, the compartment 14b, in the preferred embodiment, does not require shielding. In joining the cable termination sub-assembly 20 to the base 14, the latching elements 113 and 115 on the sub-assembly 20 are engaged with the base openings, 52a and 54b for securement therein. The cover 12, with the upper shield 16 attached thereto by tines 48 is then assembled to complete the connector 10. During assembly of the shielded cover to the shielded base, the protuberances 46 on tabs 44 engage the openings 78a in the lower shield tabs 78. As such, the upper shield 16 and the lower shield 18 are in electrically common connection. As depicted in Figure 1, the connectors 10 are constructed to be electrically and mechanically joined together and attached to a wall panel 148 or the like. Prior to assembling the pair of connectors 10, as described hereinabove with reference to Figure 8, alternating conductors, namely conductors one and three are terminated in a closed-loop condition through shorting bar 130. Similarly, conductors two and four are terminated in a closed-loop condition through shorting bar 132. Thus, when a connector 10 with terminated cable 22 is assembled, the closed-loop conditions prevent inadvertent shorting of pairs of conductors which could, by transmission of spurious signals, cause loss of data in equipment to which the cables are conducted. When a pair of connectors 10 as described herein are connected to each other, the folded over tongue portions 116c of the electrical contacts of opposing connectors engage each other and deflect thereby causing the contact flat portions 116d to be displaceably moved away from engagement with the shorting bar terminals 130b, 130c and 132b, 132c. The common connections between conductors one and three and between conductors two and four are thereby broken, permitting each conductor to be electrically connected individually to a conductor of the other connector. Also during connection of the connectors 10, the projecting tongues 42 of the upper shield on one connector engage the projecting tongues 76 of the lower shield of the inverted, other connector, thereby establishing electrical connection between the shields of the two electrical connectors. Mechanical latching and unlatching of the electrical connectors 10 to panel 148 of an electrical component, such as the wall of a data terminal are described with reference to the schematic representations shown in Figures 10a and 10b and to other like connectors by reference to Figures 10c and 10d. In Figure 10a, the connectors 10 are in an unlatched condition relative to the panel 148. In this condition, the slidable levers 36 and 72 are in a first position wherein they have been pulled axially away from the connector housing. In this position, the cam 88 on the actuator plate 84 is in engagement with the cam surface 82 on the arm 26. The spacer 94, in this position is adjacent the webs 80 and the latch portion 28 has been pivoted toward the connector housing. The arm 26 is thus disposed in an inclined position, pointing generally downwardly toward the connector mating front end. The front end of the latch portion 28 is spaced a distance S₁ relative to the front of the lid 24. The T-bar latch 70 on the base arm 68 has been likewise moved by lever 72 to a position similar to the latch portion 28. In this condition, the front end of the connector 10, shown on the left in Figure 10a, may be readily inserted through a clearance opening 148a in the panel 148 until the shoulders 30 on latch portion 28 and T-bar latch 70 pass through. through. The levers 36 and 72 are then moved, as indicated in Figure 10b axially toward the connector housing to a second position. During this movement, the cam 88 slides off the cam surface 82 and toward webs 80. The spacer 94 moves toward the latch portion 28 engaging the arm undersurface 26a and thus pivoting the latch portion 28 upward away from the connector to a generally horizontal position. In this second position, the arm is generally parallel to the lid 24 and the front end of the latch portion 28 is spaced a distance S₂ relative to the front of the lid 24, the spacing S₂ being greater than the spacing S₁. The upward movement of the arm 26 causes the shoulder 30 to engage the panel 148, providing a mechanical latch thereto. Locking is effected in the second position inasmuch as the spacer 94, positioned away from the flexible webs 80 and toward the latch portion 28, serves as a stop substantially preventing movement of the latch portion 28 toward the connector housing, and the arm bottom portion 26b, contacting the upper surface of the lid 24 through the opening 84c (Fig. 4) of the lower 36, substantially prevents downward movement of the rear portion of the arm 26. Inward movement of the lever 72 similarly moves arm 68 and locks the arm 68 to the panel 148. By reference now to Figures 10c and 10d, latching and unlatching of the connectors 10 to each other are shown. For example, connecting the connector (on the right) to another connector (on the left) that has already been latched to a panel 148 of an electrical component, is effectively accomplished in the same manner as the connector was attached to the panel. As such, the levers 36 and 72 are axially pulled out as in Figure 10c, pivotally deflecting the arms 26 and 68 about the webs 80 until the latch portion 28 and T-bar latch 70 are moved substantially transversely toward the connector housing. This permits electrically mating the two connectors in an unlocked relation with the latch portions 28 and the T-bar latches 70 in non-engaged juxtaposition. As shown in Figure 10d, axial movement of the levers 36 and 72 inward toward the connector housing, moves the arms 26 and 68 pivotally into a generally horizontal position and causes latching engagement between the respective T-bar latches 70 into the C-shaped openings of the latch portions 28. Locking is established as the arms 26 and 68 are substantially prevented from movement relative to the connector housings. Having described the preferred embodiments and improved features of the electrical connector herein, it should be appreciated that variations may be made thereto. For example, while each connector has been described as including two sliding levers in the latching mechanism, it should be appreciated that any suitable number may be used, depending upon the particular applications. Also, the connector may be utilized to receive multiple electrical cables through different ports in the second compartment thereof with conductors from each cable being terminated in the sub-assembly. In this instance, a large washer may be used to commonly surround the cables for engagement with the cable shielding braids and for strain relief. It should also be understood that while the latching mechanism for the connector described herein utilizes a "push to lock and pull to open" technique, locking and unlocking may be effected with the opposite technique. In this regard, by reference to Figures 11a and 11b there is schematically shown a connector comprising a latching mechanishm that utilizes a "push to open and pull to lock" technique. In this embodiment, connector 210 similar to connector 10 described hereinabove, comprises a cover including a lid 224 and a deflectable arm 226 integrally connected to each other by a flexible web 228. The flexible arm comprises a latching portion 230 at the front or mating end thereof. At the under surface 226a of the deflectable arm and disposed between the web 228 and the latching portion 230, there is a downwardly extending, inclined cam surface 232. At the opposite end of the deflectable arm 226 there is a downwardly projecting wall 234 serving as a rear locking spacer. A sliding lever 236 similar to the lever 36 described hereinabove is captively disposed between the deflectable arm 226 and the lid 224. The lever 236 has an opening 238 within which the flexible web 228 resides, the opening 238 permitting sliding movement of the lever 236 on the lid 224. Lever 236 also includes a recess 240 within which the rear locking spacer 234 rests while the lever 236 is in the "push" or open position as illustrated in Figure 11a. Lever 236 comprises a cam 242 disposed forward of the opening 238 for engaging the cam surface 232 of the deflectable arm 226. Forwardly spaced from cam 242 and projecting upwardly from the lever 236 is wall 244 which serves as a forward locking spacer. Lever 236 also includes a vertically projecting handle portion 246 for manually grasping the lever to effect locking and unlocking. As shown in Figure 11a, the latching mechanism is illustrated in the unlocking position. In this position, the cam 242 on the sliding lever is in engagement with the cam surface 232 of the deflectable arm thereby causing the front latching portion 230 to extend upwardly in an inclined manner. In this position, as the deflectable arm 226 is pivoted about the web 228, the rear wall 234 extends downwardly into the recess 240 in the sliding lever 236. To effect locking, reference is made to Figure 11b. The sliding lever 236 is pulled outwardly in a direction according to arrow 248. As a result of this movement, cam 242 and cam surface 232 on the arm 226 disengage thereby permitting the deflectable arm 226 to pivot such that the front latching portion 230 moves downwardly until the arm 226 is in a substantially horizontal position. In this position, the front locking spacer 244 engages the lower surface 226a of the deflectable arm. Similarly, the rear locking spacer 234 has been moved up from the recess 240 to the upper surface 236a of the sliding lever 236. At this point of contact, the surface 236a may be slightly raised adjacent the recess 240. In this position, both the front locking spacer 244 and the rear locking spacer 234 support the deflectable arm 226 on both sides of the web 228 thereby preventing the deflectable arm 226 from further pivotal movement. Thus, the front latching portion 230 of the connector can be locked to a complimentary latching portion of a mateable connector. To effect unlocking of this connector, the sliding lever 236 is pushed inwardly in the direction of arrow 250 as shown in Figure 11a. The embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative and not limiting, the true scope of the invention being set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Claims: An hermaphroditic electrical connector (10) having a housing (12 or 14) including a plurality of electrical contacts (116), said housing having a mating end engageable with a second, identical hermaphroditic electrical connector, said second electrical connector including a latching portion for cooperative engagement with said mating end, and latching apparatus comprising: an elongate arm (26) movably supported on said housing (12) by a pivot (80), said arm including a latch (28) adjacent one end thereof, said latch being disposed adjacent said housing mating end; an actuator (84) captively supported for movement on said housing in a longitudinal direction and operable between a first position and a second position relative to said housing, said actuator in said first position including means (88 or 94) engaging said arm to enable non-locking interaction of said latch (28) with said latching portion of said second electrical connector, said actuator in said second position including means (88 or 94) engaging said arm for substantially preventing movement of said latch (28) to facilitate locking interaction with said latching portion of said second electrical connector. A connector according to Claim 1, wherein said arm (26) is relatively rigid and is pivotally supported by a flexible web (80) that spaces said arm a distance from said housing. A connector according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said actuator (84) is captivated on said housing for sliding movement in the longitudinal direction of said elongate arm (26). A connector according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said arm (26) is disposed substantially parallel to said housing when said actuator (84) is in said second position and wherein said arm (26) may be disposed in an inclined position when said actuator is in said first position. A connector according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said actuator means includes a locking member (94) engaging a lower surface (26a) of said arm (26) adjacent the latch (28) when said actuator is in the second position. A connector according to Claim 5, wherein said actuator means includes an engagement member (88) spaced from said locking member (94) and disposed on the opposite side of said pivot (80). A connector according to Claim 6, wherein said engagement member (88) on said actuator comprises a cam (88) for slidable engagement with a cam surface (82) on said arm (26) when said actuator is in said first position.

Inventors: NOORILY, PETER
Applicants: THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION
Application year: 1986
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13