Images

Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
  • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S285/00—Pipe joints or couplings
  • Y10S285/921—Snap-fit
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
  • Y10T403/60—Biased catch or latch
  • Y10T403/602—Biased catch or latch by separate spring

Definitions

• a plug-receptacle electrical connector incorporating a positive-engagement coupling with a locking apparatus.
• the plug includes a body with an integral transversely-extending strap which is folded to a hinging position along a surface of the body to receive a latch bar on the receptacle, for a positive engagement.
• a coil helper spring is mounted under the hinge strap, for maintaining engagement with the latch bar and additionally to support a locking cam which may be rotated to lock the hinge strap in a raised position of engagement with the latch bar.
• the present invention comprises a connector for electrical cables, that is improved as indicated above, utilizing a mechanically-simple arrangement and which may be economically manufactured as a clean, compact unit.
• the coupling includes a receptacle and a matingly received plug, each of which may comprise molded insulation material, e.g. plastic.
• the plug may take the form of a block with a transverselyextending strap integrally formed along with retaining means for holding the strap somewhat contiguous to the block so it can function as a hinged latch member.
• a coil helper spring is provided between the strap and the block for more effective latching action with the hinged strap.
• the spring also serves to support a rotary cam which may be moved manually to lock the hinged latch member raised in positive engagement with a latch bar that is carried on the receptacle of the connector.
• FIG. 1 is a somewhat exploded or open perspective view of a connection structure in accordance with the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a partly sectioned front elevation view of the structure of FIG. 1 with the elements partly mated;
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing the components fully mated
• FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the structure of FIG. 3 in an unlocked configuration
• FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 in a locked configuration.
• a pair of cable ends 12 and 14 are terminated respectively by a receptacle 16 and a plug 18 jointly comprising the present connector.
• the receptacle 16 is shown partly sectioned to reveal the interior, while the plug 18 is illustrated with its component parts open and separated.
• the receptacle defines a space 19 to telescopically receive the plug 18 aligned therewith.
• the separate elements of the plug 18 are: a cam lock 20, a helper coil spring 22 and an integral or unitary body 24.
• the detailed shape of the body 24 is rather complex and the individual component parts thereof are considered and explained below.
• the lower portion of the body 24 (as-depicted) comprises a block 26 of generally parallelepiped configuration supporting a plurality of electrical contact pins 28 which are matingly received in sockets 29 within the receptacle 16 as disclosed in detail below. It is to be understood that either the receptacle 16 or the plug 18 may carry the contact pins with the sockets borne by the other member. Consequently, the terms plug" and receptacle” refer essentially to the mechanical bodies involved in the connector and not the electrical contacts.
• the upper surface 30 of the block 26 (plug 18) is bordered by a pair of longitudinal parallel ridges 32 and 34 rising perpendicularly from the surface 30 to define a channel 37 aligned with the cable 14, to which the plug is affixed by a cable tie 36.
• the channel 37 (defined between the ridges 32 and 34) is radially aligned with a transversely-extending strap 38 which is folded downward to be received in the channel 37 in which it functions as a spring-biased hinge and latch member.
• the strap 38 as indicated above is integral with the body 24 and, accordingly, has some natural tendency to dwell in the position as illustrated.
• the strap 38 is folded down into the channel 37, in opposed facing relationship with the surface 30 (between the ridges 32 and 34) and retained in that position by a pair of transverselyextending stubs 40 which are loosely received in rectangular openings 42 defined in the ridges 32 and 34.
• a pair of stress-relieving stops 44 extend laterally from the strap 38 and are received in aligned notches 46, which are provided in the ridges 32 and 34.
• the strap 38 engages the lock 20 which matingly receives a portion of the spring 22 so that these elements are affixed between the strap 38 and the body 24.
• a small, cylindrical pin 48 ex tending from the strap 38 is matingly received through a central bore 50 in the lock 20, which bore 50 also receives the spring 22 so that it bears against an internal shoulder.
• the lower end of the spring 22 is received in a circular indentation 52 defined in the surface 30. Accordingly, the lock 20 (freely suspended on the spring 22) is held matingly engaged between the pin 48 and the indentation 52 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
• the strap 38 is essentially a hinge that is pivoted at a corner 74 (FIG. 2) perpendicular movement is afforded in relation to the surface 30 permitting engagement with and release from a latch bar 70. That is, as the receptacle 16 receives the plug 18 in the space 19 (FIG. 2) the latch bar is moved over a tapered surface 41 of the strap 38, thereby moving the strap 38 downward to compress the coil spring 22. On completion of the insertion (FIG. 3) the latch bar 70 falls into an opening 72 in the strap 38, permitting the strap to swing upward by the hinge corner 74 and the force of the spring 22. Accordingly, the receptacle l6 and the plug 18 are positively engaged, the occurrence of which involves a snap action as the latch elements 70 I and 72 engage.
• the connector Upon attaining a latched engagement, usually the connector will be locked by rotating the lock 20 from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, which movement places a section of the lock 20 rigidly between the surface 30 (FIG. 3) and the strap 38. Accordingly, the strap 38 cannot be depressed to disengage the latching members 70 and 72. Thus, a very rigid connection or coupling is provided between the receptacle 16 and the plug 18.
• a tab 54 (FIG. 1) radially extending from the lock 20 for manual actuation is sectioned in FIGS. 4 and to better illustrate the operation.
• a platform 60 (FIG. 4) at the base of the lock supports an axially-extending cam member 62 diametrically opposed from a rider pin 64.
• the cam member 62 engages a downward projection 66 from the strap 38 while the pin 64 rides under a cam member 68 (FIG. 1) which is integral with the strap 38.
• the cam surfaces engage and the lock 20 is forced downwardly, compressing the spring to a configuration as illustrated in FIG. 5, closing the space between the strap 38 and the surface 30.
• the lock 20 holds the strap 38 in an elevated position, substantially parallel to the surface 30.
• an integral transversely-extending leaf spring 78 (FIG. 1) is engaged by the inner end 81 (FIG. 3) of the block 26 providing a force on the latching members and 72 so that the unit is somewhat more rigid and has a greater .immunity to vibration.
• the tab 54 (FIG. 1) on the lock 20 is moved to the left to revolve the lock 20 from a locked position (FIG. 5) to a released position (FIG. 4).
• the elements are positioned so that the strap 38 and lock 20 may be urged downwardly thereby compressing the spring 22.
• the opening 72 is below the latch bar 70 so that plug 18 may now be withdrawn from the receptacle 16.
• the entire receptacle may be formed as a single integral molding, after which pins or sockets may be affixed therein.
• sockets 82 are affixed in elongate channels 84.
• the latching bar 70 is affixed to the receptacle 16 as by a rivet 86, the latching bar 70 comprising an L-shaped bracket.
• the plug 18 may be similarly formed by molding techniques, producing the lock 20 as a separate member. As with the receptacle, the plug may be formed of various plastic materials having good insulating characteristics. Subsequent to formation, the plug is completed very simply by inserting the pin 48 (FIG. 1) through the lock 20 which in turn receives the spring 22, then pressing the combination so that the spring drops into the indentation 52 and the stubs 40 are forced into the openings 42. Of course, pins 28 (FIG. 2) are fitted into elongate channels of the plug and fixed therein.
• the structure is very economical to manufacture, being simple, clean in function and appearance as well as fast and easy to use. Accordingly, the structure hereof affords a particularly sturdy and durable connection apparatus which will resist substantial forces in relatively-economical designs. Of course, various designs are readily apparent and, accordingly, the scope hereof is in accordance with the claims set forth below.
• An electrical connection apparatus for use with a receptacle to interconnect conductors, comprising:
• a block of insulating material for receiving at least one of said conductors and including a transversely-extending integral strap, defining a latch member for engagement with said receptacle;
• locking means including a cam structure to engage and hold said strap in a raised position of engagement with said receptacle.
• An apparatus according to claim 1 further including a helper spring affixed to urge said latch member of said strap into engagement with said receptacle.
• helper spring comprises a coil spring affixed between said opposing surface of said block and said strap.
• said locking member comprises a cam member supported for rotation by said spring for engaging said strap.
• cam member includes at least two diametrically opposed cam surfaces radial of said spring.
• An apparatus further includ ing means on said block for engaging said strap to limit the movement thereof parallel to said block whereby to accept stresses applied to said apparatus.

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• Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

Description

Claims (10)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22679187

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (1)

Cited By (23)

Citations (3)

• 1971
  • 1971-09-30 US US00185011A patent/US3713076A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (3)

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