Abstract:
A connector assembly has a slide mechanism for releasably securing and locking together a first connector body and a second connector body. To initially connect together the first and second connector bodies, mounting tabs and lock tabs of the second connector body are disposed in corresponding mounting slots and lock tab slots, respectively, in the first connector body. To releasably lock the connector bodies together, an arm of the slide mechanism is disposed in a channel of the first connector body with a portion of the arm overlying the lock tabs of the second connector body to prevent withdrawal of the lock tabs from the lock tab slots. Thus, removal of the second connector body from the first connector body is prevented while the slide mechanism overlies the lock tabs. Preferably, the slide mechanism and first connector body are adapted to receive a third connector body so that the second and third connector bodies are both releasably attachable to the first connector body by inserting and withdrawing the slide mechanism.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The invention relates generally to connector assemblies and more specifically to a connector assembly with a transverse slide mechanism to prevent separation of a first connector body from a second connector body. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A connector assembly commonly has a first connector body attached to a second connector body. U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,077 discloses a connector body connected to a bracket through the use of mating rails, a retainer projection on the bracket having a shoulder and a connector lock projection on the connector body also having a shoulder. During assembly, the connector body and the bracket are slidably engaged until the shoulder of the connector lock projection overlaps a portion of the shoulder of the retainer projection. This disposes the shoulder of the connector lock projection in a position to engage the shoulder of the retainer projection should a force be applied tending to separate them. With the shoulders engaging each other, the connector body is prevented from moving in a direction opposite to the direction of its assembly to the bracket to retain the connector body on the bracket. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,908 discloses an arrangement for attaching a remote control assembly to a bulkhead. The remote control assembly has a gripping projection on a flexible arm adapted to be received in a hole in the bulkhead during assembly. Thereafter, a U-shaped lock member is slidably disposed behind the gripping member to prevent flexing of its arm and to maintain the gripping member in the hole of the bulkhead. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A connector assembly has a slide mechanism for releasably securing and locking together a first connector body and a second connector body. To initially connect together the first and second connector bodies, mounting tabs and lock tabs of the second connector body are disposed in corresponding mounting slots and lock tab slots, respectively, in the first connector body. To releasably lock the connector bodies together, an arm of the slide mechanism is disposed in a channel of the first connector body with a portion of the arm overlying the lock tabs of the second connector body to prevent withdrawal of the lock tabs from the lock tab slots. Thus, removal of the second connector body from the first connector body is prevented while the slide mechanism overlies the lock tabs. 
   Preferably, the first connector body also has a connector slot for receiving a third connector body and the slide mechanism also secures and releasably locks the third connector body to the first connector body. To accomplish this, the slide mechanism is moved to a preliminary lock position and bayonets extending outwardly from the third connector body are disposed in aligned receiving slots and bayonet slots in the first connector body and slide mechanism, respectively. The bayonet slots in the slide mechanism are inclined relative to the direction of insertion of the slide mechanism into the first connector body. Upon further insertion of the slide mechanism beyond the preliminary lock position, the bayonets are increasingly engaged by the slide mechanism to draw the third connector body firmly down into the connector slot of the first connector body. This further insertion of the slide mechanism also disposes a portion of the slide mechanism over each bayonet to prevent withdrawal of the third connector body from the first connector body. 
   Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a slide mechanism which releasably locks a first connector body and a second connector body together. 
   An advantage of the invention is that the same movement of the slide mechanism used to lock the first and second connector bodies together can be used to ensure a good connection of a third connector body to the first connector body and to releasably lock the first and third connector bodies together. 
   Yet another advantage of the invention is that the connector assembly is easy to both assemble and disassemble such that the time, effort and cost to assemble, disassemble and service are reduced. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector assembly embodying the present invention with a slide mechanism in its final lock position releasably locking second and third connector bodies to a first connector body; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first connector body of the connector assembly; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the slide mechanism of the connector assembly; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the connector assembly illustrating the slide mechanism in a preliminary lock position with the second connector body partially connected to the first connector body and the optional third connector body exploded from the first connector body; and 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the second connector body of the connector assembly. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring in more detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a connector assembly  10  which has a first connector body  12  and second and third connector bodies  14 ,  16 , respectively, releasably attached and locked to the first connector body  12  by a slide mechanism  18 . The first connector body  12  has a first channel  20  and a second channel  22  each adapted to releasably receive one of a first arm  24  and a second arm  26  of the slide mechanism  18 . To initially interconnect the connector bodies, the arms  24 ,  26  of the slide mechanism  18  are slidably positioned in the channels  20 ,  22  of the first connector body  12  until they reach a preliminary lock position, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein the second connector body  14  and third connector body  16  may be attached to the first connector body  12 . To lock the second and third connector bodies  14 ,  16  to the first connector body  12 , the arms  24 ,  26  of the slide mechanism  18  are further slidably inserted into the channels  20 ,  22  of the first connector body  12  until the slide mechanism  18  reaches a final lock position, as best shown in  FIG. 1 , where separation of the second and third connector bodies  14 ,  16  from the first connector body  12  is prevented. The slide mechanism  18  can thereafter be moved from the final lock position back to the preliminary lock position if it is desired to separate the second and third connector bodies  14 ,  16  from the first connector body  12 . 
   As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the first connector body  12  has opposed first and second end walls  28 ,  30  and opposed front and rear walls  32 ,  34  extending between the end walls  28 ,  30  and top and bottom faces  36 ,  38 . Preferably, a first external wall  40  of the first channel  20  defines in part the rear wall  34  and extends upwardly beyond the top face  36 . A first internal wall  42  of the first channel  20  extends generally parallel to the first external wall  40  and upwardly from the top face to the same extent as wall  40 . The walls  40 ,  42  are joined along their upper edges by various tabs  43  integral with the walls  40 ,  42  to effectively enclose the channel  20 . Similarly, the second channel  22  has a second external wall  44  and a second internal wall  46  joined by integral tabs  47  to the external wall  44  to effectively enclose the second channel  22 . The second channel  22  is spaced apart from and generally parallel to the first channel  20  such that a connector slot  48  is formed between the first and second channels  20 ,  22 . The first and second internal walls  42 ,  46  of the first and second channels  20 ,  22 , respectively, have an upper surface  50  defined by their respective tabs  43 ,  47  and at least two spaced apart receiving slots  52 , preferably opposing each other such that they mirror each other, which are open through the upper surface  50 . The first external wall  40  of the first channel  20  has at least one lock tab slot, and preferably first and second lock tab slots  53 ,  55  extending downwardly from the upper surface  50  and generally transversely to the channel  20 . The first external wall  40  also has outwardly extending elongate projections  54  with opposed inwardly extending flanges  57  defining mounting slots  56  which are open at their upper ends  60  and closed at their lower ends  62 . Preferably, a lock arm  64  having a catch  66  extending upwardly therefrom extends beyond the first end wall  28  aligned at least in part with the second channel  22  so that the catch  66  of the lock arm  64  is engaged by the second arm  26  when the slide mechanism  18  is inserted into the first connector body  12 . 
   As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the first and second arms  24 ,  26  of the slide mechanism  18  are constructed to be received in the first and second channels  20 ,  22  and are interconnected by an end wall  74  to which a push plate  68  is attached. The push plate  68  is preferably integrally formed with the arms  24 ,  26 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the push plate  68  has a shoulder  76  engageable by the catch  66  on the lock arm  64  to prevent the slide mechanism  18  from inadvertently moving from its final lock position. The first and second arms  24 ,  26  preferably both have bayonet slots  78  which are inclined relative to the direction of slidable movement of the slide mechanism  18  into the first connector body  12 . The bayonet slots  78  have bayonet openings  80  which extend through an upper surface  70  of the arms  24 ,  26 . To locate the slide mechanism  18  in its preliminary lock position, at least one of the arms  24 ,  26  (the second arm  26  as shown) has a notch  82  for releasable engagement with the catch  66  on the lock arm  64 . The first arm  24  of the slide mechanism  18  has an elongate lock rail  88  extending generally outwardly from a lower surface  72  of the first arm  24  and a lock tab groove  90 , which as shown, may be in both the lock rail  88  and the upper surface  70  of the first arm  24 . When the slide mechanism  18  is in the preliminary lock position, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , the bayonet openings  80  in the slide mechanism  18  are aligned with the receiving slots  52  in the first and second channels  20 ,  22 , and the lock tab groove  90  on the slide mechanism  18  is aligned with the first lock tab slot  53  in the first channel  20 . The slide mechanism  18  stops short of the second lock tab slot  55  when it is in the preliminary lock position. 
   The second connector body  14  can be any surface or body having a mounting surface  92  with T-shaped mounting tabs  94  thereon, including by way of example and without limitation, an electrical connector or a wall. For connection to the first connector body  12 , the T-shaped mounting tabs  94  have a stem  95  extending outwardly from the second connector body  14  and a flat head  96  connected to and extending generally transversely to the stem  95 . There is at least one mounting tab  94  for each mounting slot  56  and preferably a row of mounting tabs  94  for each slot  56  as shown. The mounting tabs  94  are positioned on the planar mounting surface  92  and are constructed and arranged to be slidably received in the mounting slots  56  on the first connector body  12 . The heads  96  of the mounting tabs  94  are initially received in the open upper ends  60  of the mounting slots  56  and are slidably disposed in the mounting slots  56  until a lowermost tab  94  associated with each slot  56  engages the closed lower end  62  of the mounting slot  56 . The heads  96  of the mounting tabs  94  are retained in the mounting slots  56  by the inwardly extending flanges  57  so that the mounting tabs  94  are prevented from being removed from the mounting slots  56  in all directions except that of their insertion into the slots  56 . Thus, the second connector body  14  is prevented from separating from the first connector body  12  in all but the direction of its assembly onto the first connector body  12 . 
   The second connector body  14  also has at least one lock tab, more preferably at least first and second lock tabs  100 ,  101  each with a planar surface defining a shoulder  104  extending outwardly and generally perpendicularly from the mounting surface  92 . Each lock tab  100 ,  101  is constructed and arranged so that the lock rail  88  cooperates with the lock tabs  100 ,  101  and the lock tabs  100 ,  101  extend into one of the lock tab slots  53 ,  55  in the first channel  20  of the first connector body  12 . 
   According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a third connector body  16  may also be connected to the first connector body  12 . The third connector body  16  is constructed and arranged to be releasably received in the connector slot  48  in the first connector body  12 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the third connector body  16  has opposed end walls  106  and opposed front and rear walls  108 ,  110  extending between the end walls  106 . The front and rear walls  108 ,  110  have bayonets  112  with a base  113 , a generally cylindrical portion  114  extending outwardly and generally orthogonally from the base  113 , and an enlarged, flat head  116  extending from the cylindrical portion  114  and generally parallel to the walls  108 ,  110 . In assembly, the bayonets  112  are releasably received in the receiving slots  52  of the first connector body  12  and in the bayonet openings  80  of the slide mechanism  18 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, the third connector body  16  is an electrical connector which has a plurality of terminal cavities  118  which each contain an electrical terminal (not shown). Correspondingly, the first connector body  12  has a plurality of mating electrical terminals (not shown) within its connector slot  48 . The terminals of the third connector body  16  and first connector body  12  are electrically connected upon full insertion of the third connector body  16  into the connector slot  48  to complete at least a portion of an electrical circuit. 
   To assemble the second and third connector bodies  14 ,  16  to the first connector body  12 , the first and second arms  24 ,  26  on the slide mechanism  18  are placed into the first and second channels  20 ,  22  on the first connector body  12  and slidably inserted to the preliminary lock position defined by the engagement of the catch  66  on the lock arm  64  with the notch  82  in the slide mechanism  18 . In more detail, as the first and second arms  24 ,  26  are being inserted, the lock arm  64  on the first connector body  12  is flexed downwardly by the engagement of the lower surface  72  of the second arm  26  with the catch  66  on the lock arm  64  until the notch  82  reaches the catch  66  where upon the resilient lock arm  64  returns towards its unflexed position to allow the catch  66  to releasably engage and seat in the notch  82 . While in the preliminary lock position, the second connector body  14  can be attached to the first connector body  12  by slidably inserting the mounting tabs  94  on the second connector body  14  into the mounting slots  56  on the first connector body  12 . The inwardly extending flanges  57  of the slots  56  trap the heads  96  of the T-shaped mounting tabs  94  to retain the tabs  94  and permit only slideable movement of the tabs  94  in the slots  56 . The lock tabs  100 ,  101  on the second connector body  14  are simultaneously slidably received through the aligned lock tab slots  53 ,  55  in the first connector body  12  and the lock tab groove  90  in the slide mechanism  18 . Additionally, the third connector body  16  can be attached to the first connector body  12  by inserting it into the connector slot  48  with its bayonets  112  disposed in the aligned bayonet openings  80  in the slide mechanism  18  and receiving slots  52  in the first connector body  12 . In this embodiment, the second connector body  14  can be attached to the first connector body  12  to the extent described without the slide mechanism  18  received in any part in the channels  20 ,  22 . However, the third connector body  16  requires the slide mechanism  18  to be in its preliminary lock position so that the bayonets  112  can be received into the bayonet openings  80  as well as the receiving slots  52 . 
   After the second and third connector bodies  14 ,  16  are initially attached to the first connector body  12  as described, the slide mechanism  18  can be further slidably inserted into the first and second channels  20 ,  22 . As the slide mechanism  18  is advanced, the lock arm  64  is flexed downwardly so that the catch  66  comes out of the notch  82  and slides along the lower surface  72  of the slide mechanism  18 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , after the shoulder  76  on the slide mechanism  18  passes the catch  66  on the lock arm  64 , the lock arm  64  returns to its unflexed position overlying a portion of the shoulder  76  to releasably lock the slide mechanism  18  in the final lock position. In the final lock position, the lock rail  88  on the first arm  24  is positioned over the lock tabs  100 ,  101  on the second connector body  14  and the lock rail  88  extends generally transversely to the direction of the lock tab slots  53 ,  55  in the first connector body  12 . Thus, if the second connector body  14  is moved in a direction tending to remove it from the first connector body  12 , the lock tabs  100 ,  101  engage the rail  88  to prevent separation of the second connector body  14  from the first connector body  12 . 
   Also, as the slide mechanism  18  is being moved from its preliminary lock position towards the final lock position, the third connector body  16  is drawn further into the connector slot  48  of the first connector body  12  by the increasing engagement of the slide mechanism  18  with the bayonets  112  in the inclined bayonet slots  78  in the slide mechanism  18 . The bayonet slots  78  are contoured and inclined so that the slide mechanism  18  engages and acts as a cam on the bayonets  112  of the third connector body  16  to displace them within the receiving slots  52  in the first connector body  12 . This greatly improves the connection between the third and first connector bodies  16 ,  12 . Desirably, the sliding movement of the slide mechanism  18  relative to the first connector body  12  also moves the bayonet openings  80  out of alignment with the receiving slots  52  to close the slots  52  and prevent withdrawal of the bayonets  112  from the slots  52  and thus, the third connector body  16  from the first connector body  12 . Therefore, when the slide mechanism  18  is in the final lock position, the second connector body  14  and the third connector body  16  are releasably locked to the first connector body  12  to prevent their inadvertent separation. 
   The first, second, and third connector bodies  12 ,  14 ,  16  can be separated from each other by depressing the lock arm  64  on the first connector body  12  so that the shoulder  76  can clear the catch  66  on the lock arm  64 , and then pulling and slidably displacing the slide mechanism  18  outwardly until the slide mechanism  18  reaches the preliminary lock position. When the slide mechanism  18  is in the preliminary lock position, the second and third connector bodies  14 ,  16  can be separated from the first connector body  12  in the reverse manner in which they were originally attached to the first connector body  12 . This facilitates, for example, servicing and repairing any of the connector bodies. 
   Accordingly, the present invention facilitates assembly of one or more connector bodies to a first connector body  12 . Notably, in the embodiment described above, either the second or third connector body  14 ,  16  can be separately attached to the first connector body  12  without the other, thus increasing the flexibility of the connector assembly. It also facilitates removing the connector bodies for ease of repair or to provide for attachment of a new connector body. Further, a single slide mechanism  18  preferably mechanically locks each connector body to the first connector body  12 . The slide mechanism  18  may also be used to improve or assure a connection of at least one other connector body to the first connector body  12 .