Patent Publication Number: US-6988908-B2

Title: Cable end connector assembly with a pressing device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a cable end connector assembly, and more particularly to a cable end connector assembly having a pressing device to disengage from a complementary connector. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   With the development of computers, in order to facilitate used of added functions, many peripheral devices to the computers are commonly used to support the functions. A printer, a scanner, and a digital camera are examples of said peripheral devices. Thus, a secure connection between a cable connector assembly and a complementary connector is very important, especially to a portable computer. A vibratory environment may cause a break down of a connection between connecting connectors, so electric or signal transmitting will be influenced. Now, it is known to use curve-shaped elastic hooks to ensure a firm connection. U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,901 discloses such a lock-equipped connector assembly comprising a connector body, a plurality of contacts retained in the connector body, a pair of back shells to counter electromagnetic interference (EMI), a pair of lock springs, a pair of upper and lower hoods, and a bushing. Each hood member has a movable operating section for operating the lock spring to release the hook-shaped section from the lock member. 
   In the patent mentioned above, however, when the pressing force is too large, the locking spring will exceed the limit of the elastic deformation such that the locking spring will be damaged. 
   Hence, an improved cable end connector assembly is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a cable end connector assembly having a simple and improved pressing device means with a holding member and a pressing button assembled together to prevent a damage to the holding member. 
   In order to achieve the objects set forth, a cable end connector assembly includes a cable end connector and a cable. 
   The cable end connector comprises an insulative housing receiving a plurality of contacts therein, a protection device enclosing the insulative housing and defining recesses at both sides thereof, a pressing device assembled to the recesses at the both sides of the protection device and having a pair of holding members and pressing buttons. Each holding member includes a locking window mating with a complementary connector, and a retention portion. Each pressing button includes a body portion receiving the retention portion of the holding member, a pressing portion projecting outwardly from the body portion, and the pressing portion having an obstructing portion. The cable connects the contacts for an electrical connection. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of a cable end connector assembly in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partly assembled, perspective view of the cable end connector assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an assembled, perspective view of the cable end connector assembly with a separate upper cover of  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is an assembled, perspective view of the cable end connector assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , a cable end connector assembly  100  in accordance with the present invention comprises an cable end connector  2  and a cable  1 . The cable end connector  2  comprises an insulative housing  20 , a shielding device  30 , a protection device  40 , and a pressing device  50 . 
   The insulative housing  20  comprises a rectangular base  21 , a D-shaped mating portion  22  extending forwardly from the base  21 , and a mating arm  27  extending rearwardly from the mating portion  22  and extending through the base  21 . A tongue plate  24  is received in the mating portion  22  and extends forwardly from the base  21 . The tongue plate  24  defines a plurality of passageways on a top surface for receiving corresponding contacts  26 . A rear portion  25  extends rearwardly from a middle portion of the base. The rear portion  25  forms a pair of L-shaped stopping portions  23  at two side ends adjacent to the base  21 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the shielding device  30  comprises a first shielding portion  31 , and a second shielding portion  32  mating with the first shielding portion  31 . The shielding device  30  encloses the insulative housing  20 . The structures of the first and second shielding portion  31 ,  32  are similar. Each shielding portion comprises a top wall  311 ,  321 , and two side walls  312 ,  322 . The side walls  312 ,  322  respectively define a pair of projections  314  and depressions  324  for mating with the L-shaped stopping portions  23 . Therefore, the first and second shielding portions  31 ,  32  are assembled to the insulative housing  20  securely. The top walls  311 ,  321  respectively define a recess  313 ,  323  at a front end thereof. The front ends of the top walls  311 ,  321  enclose and contact the mating arm  27  for achieving an electrical connection between the mating portion  22  and the shielding device  30 . The first shielding portion  31  further comprises a cylinder-shaped securing portion  317  extending rearwardly from a rear end of the top wall  311  for securing the cable  1 . The side walls  312  of the first shielding portion  31  each form a protrusion  315  and an elastic tab  316 . The side walls  322  of the second shielding portion  32  each define an indentation  325  corresponding to the protrusion  315 . The elastic tabs  316  of side walls  312  lean on lateral sides of the base  21  for preventing a malposition between the insulative housing  20  and the shielding device  30 . By such design, electromagnetic interference can be eliminated, and the static electrical currents are guided to the mating portion  22  via the mating arm  27 , when the cable end connector assembly  100  is mated with a complementary connector (not shown). The static electric currents are guided to outside of the connectors by a grounding path of the complementary connector for a good electrical connection. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the protection device  40  comprises an upper and lower covers  41 ,  42 , the upper and lower covers  41 ,  42  mating with to each other. The structures of the upper and lower covers  41 ,  42  are similar. Each cover  41 ,  42  comprises a bottom wall  412 ,  422 , opposite side portions  419 ,  429 , and a rear wall  411 ,  421 . Each rear wall  411 ,  421  defines a semicircular recess  410 ,  420 , the semicircular recesses  410 ,  420  together defining a circled-shaped cavity for receiving the securing portion  317  and installing the cable  1 . A connecting area between the rear wall  411 ,  421  and the side portion  419 ,  429  defines a rectangular recess  413 ,  423 . An inner surface adjacent to the rectangular recess  412 ,  423  defines a step  414 ,  424 . A front end between the bottom wall  412 ,  422  and the side portion  419 ,  429  forms a pair of locking portion  415 ,  425  for receiving the base  21  and fixing the insulative housing  20  in the protection device  40 . 
   The bottom wall  412 ,  422  forms a pair of rectangular holding portions  418 ,  428  at a center portion for securing the insulative housing  20  and the shielding device  30  in the protection device  40 . The upper cover  41  forms a pair of guiding posts  416  at side portions  419  adjacent to the front end. The lower cover  42  defines a pair of receiving space  426  receiving the guiding posts  416  at a corresponding position. In addition, the upper cover  41  defines a pair of locking members  417  at the rear portion. Each locking member  417  is hollow. The lower cover  42  forms a pair of locking posts  427  corresponding to the locking members  417  of the upper cover  41 . Therefore, the upper and lower covers  41 ,  42  are mated securely. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The pressing device  50  comprises a pair of holding members  5  and pressing buttons  6 . Each holding member S is a rectangular metal sheet and comprises a locking window  51 , a pivoting portion  501  extending rearwardly from the locking window  51 , a retention portion  56  extending rearwardly from the pivoting portion  501 , and a spring portion  53  extending rearwardly and bent forwardly from a rear end of the retention portion  56 . The locking window  51  is a rectangular opening and defines a guiding aperture  52  at a front end thereof The pivoting portion  501  defines a hole (not labeled). The guiding post  416  is pivoted on and extends through the hole. The retention portion  56  forms two pairs of ribs  54  at opposite top and bottom ends, and a stopping arm  55  stamped from a middle portion of the retention portion  56  and extending along a direction same as the spring portion  53 . 
   The pressing buttons  6  are received in the recesses  413 ,  423  respectively. Each pressing button  6  comprises a body portion  60 , two pairs of L-shaped bulges  68  at two longitudinal sides  63  of body portion  60 , and a pressing portion  66  projecting outwardly from the body portion  60 . A locking channel  64  is defined between each bulge  68  and the longitudinal side  63  thereof. Front and rear portions of the body portions  60  are arcuate and bent inwardly. An inner surface adjacent to the front portion of the body portion  60  defines a locking projection  62 . The body portion  60  and the two longitudinal sides together define a receiving space  61 . An obstructing portion  65  extends outwardly from and is higher than the body portion  60 . 
   In assembly, the holding members  5  are first assembled to the pressing buttons  6  respectively, with each holding member  5  inserting into the receiving space  61  of the body portion  60  along a front-to-rear direction and received therein. The stopping arm  55  slides along a surface and finally rests against a rear end of the locking projection  62 . The ribs  54  mate with the locking channels  64  respectively for preventing the holding members  5  from moving outwardly or inwardly or backwardly. Besides, the two longitudinal sides  63  can prevent the holding member  5  from moving upwardly or downwardly. The stopping arms  55  mate with the locking projections  62  respectively for avoiding a forward movement of the holding member  5 . Therefore, a firm cooperation between the holding member  5  and the pressing button  6  can be ensured. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Secondly, the pressing device  50  is assembled to the protection device  40 . The spring portion  53  of the holding member  5  is leaned on an outside end of the shielding device  30 . The body portions  60  mate with the recesses  413 ,  423  of the protection device  40 , respectively. The pressing buttons  6  are secured with the protection device  40  securely by mating the steps  414 ,  424  with the front portions of the body portions  60 . 
   A front part of the cable  1  inserts into the shielding device  30  and extends through the securing portion  317  of the first shielding portion  31 . The cable  1  engages the contacts  26  of the insulative housing  20  for an electrical connection. The cable  1  connects the cable end connector  2  firmly by the semicircular recesses  410 ,  420  of the upper and lower covers  41 ,  42  mating to each other. 
   When the cable end connector assembly  100  is mated with the complementary connector, the guiding apertures  52  mate with corresponding members (not shown) of the complementary connector. When disengaging the cable end connector assembly  100  from the complementary connector, pressing the pressing portions  66  of the pressing buttons  6  will cause an elastic deformation to the spring portions  53 . The holding members  5  are pivoted on the guiding posts  416 , therefore, the Jacking windows  51  can disengage from the complementary connector. The bulge  68  can prevent an over pressure of the pressing buttons  6  to damage the holding members  5 . When an action of pressing the buttons  6  is finished, the spring portions  53  can provide an elastic force to return the holding members  5  to initial states. At the same time, the pressing buttons  6  mate with the recesses  413 ,  423  securely and enclose two sides of the protection device  40  for preventing dirt from entering into the interior of the cable end connector  2 . 
   During a releasing operation between the cable end connector assembly  100  and the complementary connector, the pressing buttons  6  will be pressed. When the obstructing portions  65  contact with the side portions of the protection device  40 , the pressing action will be stopped, so the holding members  5  will not be damaged due to the over pressure. 
   It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.