ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR SUPPORT

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connector support system which utilizes an interlocking mechanism. More particularly, such connector support (58) has, along one surface thereof, a plurality of parallel ribs (60) which are adapted to slidably engage a plurality of parallel slots (42) in the side of a connector housing, and means (64) for latching same to the housing. This system allows for the flexibility of interchangeability between the connector housing and support (58). This system allows for the support (58) is identical for all embodiments thereof, while the opposite side is unique by means which permit joining of said support (58) to a board or other connection means.

Description: The present invention relates to an electrical connector and a support to which the connector is adapted to be secured. The electrical connector may, for example, comprise an electrical connector of the type as disclosed in UK Patent Specification 8726808. While the invention has broad application to a variety of electrical connectors, an exemplary connector is one in which a conductor can be terminated by forcible insertion transversely of its axis along a conductor receiving slot of a contact member. Such contact member is mounted in a cavity in an insulating housing body adjacent one end and retained in the slot by engagement with a cover member movable into latching engagement with the housing body to engage the conductor thereby to retain the conductor in the slot. In connectors of this type, the cover member is provided with latching projections engageable in eyes formed in the housing body adjacent a cover member receiving end to latch the cover member to the housing body, and by an internal latching mechanism which secures the cover to said contact member. Such connectors have become increasingly widely used, particularly in the automotive and appliance industries as they are well adapted for assembly by automated, mass production, techniques and yet ensure a very reliable, insulated, electrical connection to the conductor for use in adverse environments subject to vibration. Oft times, for an automobile or appliance, connector housings, after termination, must be secured therein. Rib and groove interlocking systems have been used in the past to join modular units to form a unitary body. Such a system is taught in U.S. Patent No. 3,537,061 wherein there is disclosed a plurality of telephone jack units which are slidably interconnected to each other to form a unitary telephone jack having a plurality of such units. FR-A-2 447 105 discloses an electrical connector and a support to which the connector is adapted to be secured. The connector comprises a housing having at least one major face and a contact member for terminating a conductor. The support has a side for slidably engaging the major face and flexible arms for engaging the housing. According to the present invention, an electrical connector and a support to which the connector is adapted to be secured are provided as claimed in Claim 1. An embodiment of this invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view illustrating details of a typical connector housing of an embodiment of this invention showing a typical contact member poised for entry into said housing. FIGURE 2A is a rear perspective view of the housing of Figure 1. FIGURE 2B is a perspective view similar to Figure 2Am but showing an electrical connector support of an embodiment of this invention prior to joining same to the housing. FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a typical assembled connector housing with connectors terminated and bent 90° as they exit the housing body. FIGURES 4A-4D are perspective views of electrical connector supports of embodiments of this invention. In the practice of this invention a typical electrical connector comprises a housing body 1 and cover member which may be molded in one piece of a plastic insulated-type material, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2A. The housing body 1 is formed with one or a row of elongate cavities 3 opening to opposite cover member receiving and mating ends 4 and 5, respectively, of the housing body, where each cavity 3 receives a contact member 6 of generally known form. Each contact member 6, as illustrated in Figure 1, may be stamped and formed in one piece from sheet metal strip and comprises a conductor connecting end 7, constituted by a pair of interconnected parallel plates 9 joined by a pair of transverse straps 11, to define a wire receiving mouth 10 converging to a pair of aligned wire receiving slots 12 and 13 in respective plates. The tab or board receiving end 15 is constituted by a pair of limbs 16 extending in opposed relation from an intermediate, waisted, portion 17 at which ears 18 extending from one strip portion are clinched around an opposite strip portion to secure the plates 9 and limbs 16 together. When a contact member 6 is inserted into a cavity 3, the straps 11 engage shoulders formed on opposed end walls of the cavities 3 thereby preventing further movement into the cavity and providing support for the contact during wire insertion, as described in UK Patent No. 1584909 (8971). At the opposite end of housing body 1, the mating end 5 thereof is formed with a printed circuit board or tab receiving slot 22 aligned with respective board or tab receiving ends 15 of the respective contact members 6. Externally, the housing body 1 comprises a front wall 30 having openings 32 between projecting arms 34 for engaging wires or conductors, particularly if such conductors are caused to be bent 90° and project vertically from said housing. The rear wall 36 thereof, as best seen in Figures 2A and 2B, joined to front wall 30 by side walls 38,38a, is characterized by a vertical face 40 having a plurality of tapered grooves 42 over a portion of the length of such face. In addition, along the top of face 40, a shoulder 44 is provided in which there is found a plurality of openings 46. The function of such openings and grooves 42 will become apparent hereinafter. A preferred cover member 48 for the housing hereof comprises a row of segments 50 interconnected by webs 52. Each segment 50 is shaped for receipt in the cavity 3 in the cover member receiving end 4, with the webs 52 then overlying the walls between adjacent cavities. Typically, the cover contains a plurality of segments 50, a number which is consistent with the number of cavities 3 and openings 46 in the housing body 1. By means taught in UK Patent Application 8726808, the cover member 48 may be firmly latched to housing body 1. Such latching, of course, occurs after wires or conductors have been suitably terminated in contact members 6, see Figure 3. In such terminated condition it is often necessary to secure the connector in a location that may not be readily accessible. The present invention provides for interchangeable supports 58 to which such connector may be joined. While the latching mechanism for the various supports may vary, three exemplary supports are illustrated in Figures 4A to 4C. They share common features illustrated in Figure 4D, in that each are characterized by a plurality of parallel, tapered ribs 60 extending over a portion of the side 62. Additionally, extending from the top edge 63 thereof, there are provided at least a pair of flexible arms 64 extending generally in a direction parallel to ribs 60, but slightly angled in a direction away from the plane formed by side 62. The remote ends 66 thereof are provided with an upturned latching projection 68, adapted to be latched in openings 46 around shoulder 44. In operation, the housing body 1 is brought into engagement with the support by sliding engagement of the ribs 60 into grooves 42. As the housing body 1 is moved along such ribs 60, the arms 64 come into contact with shoulder 44 and are flexed toward the plane of side 62 until the ends 66 are free of the shoulder 44. At this point, the latching projection 68 returns to its unflexed position in latching relation to the shoulder 44. The ribs 60 are of such a cross-section as to slidably engage the corresponding and complementary grooves 42. This interconnection, coupled with the latching of arms 64 within openings 46, around shoulder 44, ensure a secure connection between the housing body 1 and support 58, as shown in Figure 3. The reverse side 70 of each support 58 is characterized by some type of latching mechanism, as best seen in Figures 4A to 4C, by which such support may be secured to a suitable mounting board. The particular design of such latching mechanism does not form a part of this invention.

Claims: An electrical connector (1, 48) and a support (58) to which the connector (1, 48) is adapted to be secured, the connector (1,48) comprising a housing (1), having a cover receiving end (4) and a mating end (5), at least one row of cavities (3) in the housing (1) opening into said cover receiving end (4) and said mating end (5), the housing (1) having a rear major face (36) extending lengthwise of said row of cavities (3), and, for each of the cavities (3), a contact member (6) for terminating a conductor, the support (58) having a side (62) for slidably engaging said rear face (36) of the housing (1) and one or more flexible arms (64) for engaging the housing (1), wherein said rear face (36) of the housing (1) and said side (62) of the support (58) are provided with a plurality of grooves (42) and ribs (60), respectively, said ribs (60) being complementary with said grooves (42) for slidable receipt therein, said one or more flexible arms (64) being engageable along a portion of the rear face (36) of the housing (1) when said ribs (60) are received in said grooves (42). A connector and support as claimed in claim 1, characterised by said flexible arms (64) being engageable with a shoulder (44) of the housing (1) adjacent to the cover receiving end (4) thereof, said shoulder (44) having a plurality of openings (46) for receiving said arms (64) in latching engagement with said shoulder (44). A connector and support as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised by said one or more flexible arms (64) being angled in a direction away from said side (62) of the support (58). A connector and support as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised by a latching mechanism on the support (58) for securing it to a mounting board.

Inventors: CASAGRANDE, MARIO
Applicants: THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13