Patent Abstract:
A connection between a one and another electrical connector uses a cable terminating assembly with at least one sidewall compartment in which a terminal end of a latch element is disposed. The terminal end of the latch element has a bell shaped cut out formed in it which cooperates with a guide post associated with the other of said connectors so that upon movement of the two connectors toward one another in locking engagement between the two is effected by the continued axial movement of the two connectors. Disconnect is accomplished by simply squeezing the latch elements to effect disengagement from the guide posts.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connector assembly for coupling one connector to a mating component, and relates more particularly to an improvement in a latch/release mechanism for releasably coupling the connector to the mating component without the hitherto known need to do so using tools. 
     Connector devices which are known are disclosed as follows: 
     Davis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,935, issued on Feb. 18, 1992 discloses a latch actuator for a connector which employs a sliding actuator which coacts with pivoting latches. The clasps engage the standoffs at outside portions opposite the location of the connector. 
     Haag et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,858, issued on Jun. 23, 1992 discloses a lockable electrical connector having struts mounted to a slide which engage with retaining grooves. Portions of the slide reside outside of the pins. 
     Hashiguchi U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,901, issued on Mar. 30, 1992 and Hirai U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,329 Aug. 23, 1994 disclose a lock-spring and lock-equipped connector which use operating sections located externally of an associated pivoting lock spring disposed inwardly thereof. The locks engage the posts at outside portions that are opposite the location of the connector. 
     Clark et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,731, issued on Jun. 4, 1984 discloses a shielded cable connector which uses a pair of side walls having a plurality of spring contacts. The side walls require intervention (such as a tool) to disengage from the mating connector. 
     Stinson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,150, issued on Apr. 21, 1998 discloses a unitary spring latch for an electrical connector assembly which employs a pivoted latch mechanism which latch involves numerous bends and punches to effect functionality. The latch engages the post at an outside location relative to the connector. 
     Jones U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,931, issued on Jul. 7, 1998 discloses externally located latch members which are fixed midlength to the connector to effect a pivotal connection. The latch member engages an over portion of the post. 
     Chang U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,826, issued on Jan. 19, 1999 discloses an electrical connector fastener configured to cooperate with fasteners having an enlarged head. The remaining plate engages the fastener on an outer portion. 
     Burtt et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,760,174, issued on discloses a locking mechanism for connectors, but does not employ side compartments to house the latch mechanism, nor are there any post type connectors used. A portion of the locking mechanism extends outwardly past the projection of the locking lug. 
     As can be seen from these devices, there is a need for quick connect latch and release mechanisms for cable terminators which cooperate with corresponding structure on the header or corresponding part to lock the terminator in place. A need also exists to provide a latch assembly, that is compact. In addition, the process of connecting the cable terminator to the header requires the user be assured that a positive connection has been achieved. The importance of having such an assurance is that the user is able to know that positive contact between all the contacts of the header and those of the cable terminator or between two coacting terminators is achieved thereby assuring a complete electrical connection between the two parts. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device associated with the connection between, for example, a cable terminator and a header, or between two complementary formed cable terminators which are connected together such that the connection is capable of rapid latch and release without the need of tools for plugging or unplugging the connection. 
     It is still a further object of the invention to provide an electrical connector of the aforementioned type which provides an audible click during the interconnect process thereby signaling to the user that a positive lock condition of the connector with its corresponding part has been attained. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a latch element usable in the aforesaid connector which is manufactured from a material that exhibits a high elastic limit in memory such that, depending on the particular design requirements, the material can be punched and formed into a spring latch capable of effecting the aforesaid ends. 
     Still a further object of the invention is to provide a quick latch spring release mechanism for a cable assembly which effects smooth engagement between the latch and a profiled locking head allowing the spring latch to smoothly engage the profiled head and lock into position with it. 
     Yet still a further object of the invention is to provide a quick latch spring release mechanism for a cable assembly of the aforementioned type which employs a spring latch mechanism which is enclosed within a housing of a terminator body. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a latch element usable in the aforesaid connector which is compact. 
     Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and in the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention resides in a quick latch/release mechanism in a connector, which could be used in a cable assembly, which provides both rapid latch and release of the cable terminator from the mating component, such as a header to which it is fastened, without requiring tools for plugging/unplugging the cable assembly. The connector includes a body portion; a conductive element secured to said body portion for engaging a corresponding conductive element on the complementary connector; and at least one elongated latch element having one end fixed to said body portion and having another opposite free end disposed for deflection by the guide post of the corresponding connector during mating, said opposite free end of said elongated latch element having a recess formed thereat for engaging with and releasably connecting to the guide post of the corresponding connector received to effect positive locking. 
     Ideally, the latch element is a generally elongated metal leaf spring and a recess is formed in the free end of the latch element as a bell-shaped cutout having a base defining the bottom of the bell-shaped cutout, the base of the cutout being orientated generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the latch element. 
     Preferably, the body of the cable terminating assembly has bow cut portions extending inwardly transversely of the central axis thereof and coinciding with the location of a length of the latch element juxtaposed thereto and the latch element one end being secured to the body portion such that it is normally outwardly biased in a direction transversely outwardly of the central axis. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the latch element has a bow shape intermediate of its length which coincides positionally with the location of a respective one of the bow cut portions so as to cooperate with the body portion to allow release of the latch element from a guide post when the latch element is squeezed against the body portion. 
     Ideally, the at least one sidewall compartment is provided as part of the body portion and has a journaling surface having a longitudinal extent extending in a direction parallel to the central axis and being disposed between the top and end openings. The journaling surface is correspondingly sized and shaped to receive and bear against the outer surface of a guide post. The connector preferably has two sidewall compartments each respectively disposed generally coincidentally with one of the first and second side ends and each is adapted to receive a guide post therein in a direction parallel to the central axis of the assembly. 
     Desirably, the top opening in the top surface of the at least one sidewall compartment defines a straight edge against which the latch element is normally biased when the connector is in an unconnected condition. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partially fragmentary front elevation view showing a cable terminator connected to the transverse side of a support surface using the latch device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary side elevation view of the cable termination assembly connector shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taking along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B show respectively a side and a top plan view of the spring latch of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a partially fragmentary view showing the guide post in detail of the lead used in the connection of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a partially fragmentary view taken on lines  6 — 6  of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the invention is embodied in a connection referenced generally as  2  between electrical connectors. One half of the connection  2  can be comprised of a receptacle connector  4  which extends outwardly from a support surface  6  which, for example, may take the form of the back housing of a personal computer or the like. The other half of the connection  2  can be a cable terminating assembly  12 . 
     Since the present invention could be used with any type of connector, only a brief description of the connector shown in the figures follows. The receptacle connector  4  has an internal socket  8  in which are disposed a plurality of terminals or contacts, as is known in the art. The socket  8  is further adapted to receive a corresponding male portion  10  of a cable terminating assembly  12  such as a card edge. The male portion  10  extends outwardly in a direction parallel to the direction of the central axis CA of the assembly  12  and is preferably disposed transversely along the front face of a cable terminating assembly  12 . 
     The receptacle connector  4  which is mounted to the support surface  6  has a width W which is defined in part by a first end  14  and a second end  16  of the socket  8 . Disposed coincidentally with and proximate each of the longitudinal ends  14  and  16  of the receptacle connector is a fixedly mounted guide post  20 , 20  which extends outwardly from and generally perpendicularly to the support surface  6  a given distance L 2  and each define the outer limits of the width dimension W. 
     The cable terminating assembly  12  has body portion  7  of a width W 1  which is at least equal in dimension to the width W of the receptacle connector  4 . The body can house a PCB to which wires (not shown) from one or more cables secure. The other end of the PCB can have conductive pads along an edge to mate with receptacle  4 . The receptacle connector width W is further prescribed by two distal end compartments  22 , 22  which provide the means  24  for aligning, locking and unlocking the cable terminating assembly  12  to/from the receptacle connector  4  in a new and unobvious way as will become more readily apparent. The body portion  7  could be formed from, for example, two mateable half shells. 
     The means  24  disposed in the terminating assembly  12  includes a cantilevered spring latch  28  which is normally directed substantially parallel to the central axis CA of the body  7  of the assembly  12  and has one end  13  which is fixedly attached to and within the body  7  of the cable terminating assembly and has an opposite free end  15  which is movable inwardly toward the central axis CA of the cable terminating assembly  12  when squeezed by a user or when initially engaging guide post  20 . 
     Each of the distal end compartments  22 , 22 , as illustrated in the top partially fragmentary view in FIG. 6, has a generally rectangular top opening  30  formed on the top surface  32  thereof. The portion of the spring latch  28  associated with the free end  15  is received within an associated one of the distal end compartments  22 , 22  such that the outwardly disposed side face  21  of the latch  28  is engaged by the side surface  23  of the top openings  30 , 30  so as to positionally maintain the spring latch  28  against further outward movement when the cable terminating assembly is not connected with the receptacle connector  4 . Also, in the unconnected condition of the connector, these side surfaces of the top openings  30 , 30  also respectively locate the corresponding free ends  15 , 15  of the spring latches  28 , 28  in an aligned condition with corresponding portions on the guide posts  20 , 20  so that upon continued axial movement of the assembly  12  along the axis CA on the guide post  20 , 20 , the assembly  12  automatically locks with the guide posts  20 ,  20  in accordance with a further aspect of the invention. 
     The end face  27  facing the support surface  6  of each of the distal end compartments  22 , 22  has an end opening  36 , 36  which is respectively aligned with one of top openings  30 , 30  in the assembly  12  and each is spaced apart from one another by a given distance so as to be in spatial correspondence with the guide posts  20 , 20 . Each end opening  36 , 36  is also correspondingly sized and shaped to receive an associated one of the guide posts  20 , 20  therewithin. Each distal end compartment  22 , 22  further has an internal cylindrical journaling surface  40 , 40  which is located in axial alignment with the top and end openings  30  and  36  in each side compartment  22 , 22 , and each is correspondingly sized and shaped to act in close tolerance with the outer surface of a respective one of the guide posts  20 , 20  received therein to provide a bearing surface thereagainst to further add stability and strength to the connection. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, and in particular to the detailed construction of the spring latch  28 , it should be seen that each of the spring latch elements  28 , 28  is formed from a suitable resilient material such as a strip of high memory metal leaf spring whose fixed end  13  is secured against movement within the body  7  of the cable terminating apparatus  12  through the intermediary of locking notches  42 , 42  formed therein. 
     Proximate the free ends  15 , 15  of the spring latches  28 , 28  is a generally bell-shaped recess or cutout  50 , 50  formed therein. Each of the cutouts  50 , 50  has a flat base portion  52  connected to an arch-shaped upper portion  53  adapted to cooperate in a receiving, releasable locking engagement with a correspondingly shaped conical lead portion  54  (see FIG. 5) formed at the distal end of each of the guide posts  20 , 20 . 
     The lead portions  54 , 54  of the guide posts  20 , 20  each has an undercut portion  56 , 56  which provides an annular recess or release area  55  in which the a portion of the spring latch between the tip of the free end  15  and the flat base portion  52  of the cutout  50 , 50  locks into under outward bias upon the continued movement of the assembly  12  towards the receptacle connector  4  in the indicated arrow direction along the axis CA. In other words, length L 1  represents the effective length of the spring latch  28  from its fixed end to the flat base portion  52  of the bell-shaped opening  50  at the free end  15  thereof. Similarly, dimension L 2  represents the effective length of guide posts from the header or support surface  6  to the shouldered annular recess  55  on the guide posts. The dimensions L 1  and L 2  are selected relative to one another, and to the effective dimensions of the corresponding fitting parts of the male portion  10  of the cable terminator assembly  12  and the corresponding receptacle connector socket  8  such that as the cable terminator assembly  12  is moved axially along axis CA along the guide posts  20 , 20 , the male portion  10  of the assembly  12  and the socket  8  of the receptacle connector  4  mate to one another while at the same time the free ends  15 , 15  of each latch  28  are ramped over the conical surfaces of the lead portions  54 , 54  of the posts  20 , 20  and upon the end of such relative axial movement between the male part  10  and the socket  8 , the spring latch elements  28 , 28  simultaneously pop outwardly within the respective ones of the recesses  55 , 55  to lock the cable terminating assembly  12  against axial movement onto the guide posts  20 , 20  relative to the header  6 . As seen in FIG. 1, latches  28  do not extend outwardly past posts  20 . In other words, latches  28  remain between posts  20 . 
     In accordance with another feature of the invention, the spring latches  28 , 28  are outwardly bowed at portions  60 , 60  along their length. This bowed portion of the length of each of the spring latches  28 , 28  coincides with inwardly directed bow-cuts  62 , 62  formed in the body  7  of the cable terminating assembly  12  which allows the cable terminating assembly  12  to be readily and quickly removed from the posts  20  by simply squeezing the two opposing spring latches together toward the indicated central axis CA. In this way, a quick release mechanism is provided without the need of additional mechanisms, such as for example, a housing slide. It should further be appreciated that the connection that is described herein requires no tools to effect connecting and disconnecting the cable terminating assembly  12  with the header  6 . In addition, the axial movement of the cable terminating assembly  12  along the central axis CA ultimately results in the spring latches  28 , 28  resiling into the recesses  55 , 55  formed on the guide posts  20 , 20 . This resiliency creates an audible click upon contact with posts  20  which provides the user with a signal indicating that a positive locked condition has been attained which is desirable in the field as previously discussed. 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been described by way of the illustrated embodiment. However, numerous modifications and substitutions may be had without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, while the guide posts  20 , 20  are disclosed in the preferred embodiment as being cylindrical members, it is well within the purview of the invention to form such posts, for example, with square cross sectional configurations and to form corresponding shaped bearing surfaces on the journaling parts  40 , 40  in a like manner. 
     Accordingly, the invention has been described by way of illustration rather than limitation.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8