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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and,
particularly, to a latch-release mechanism for a pair of mating electrical
connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mating electrical connectors often are provided with latch-release
mechanisms for holding the connectors in mated condition. The most common
type of latching mechanism includes a pair of cantilevered spring arms
projecting from one electrical connector for snapping into latched
engagement with complementary latch means on a mating connector. The
spring latch arms may be integrally molded with the housing of the
connector, or the latch arms may be fabricated of spring metal material
mounted to the outside of the connector housing. Of course, a variety of
other latch-release mechanisms have been proposed and/or available.
One of the problems with latch-release mechanisms of the character
described is that access must be had to the mated connectors in order to
release the latching mechanism to unmate the connectors. Most often, the
latch-release mechanisms are disposed on opposite sides of the connectors
and, consequently, access must be had to the connectors from the sides
thereof in order to release the latching mechanism. It might be proposed
to locate the latching mechanisms on the top and bottom of the connectors,
rather than the sides thereof, but access to the bottom of a pair of
mating connectors often is unavailable. A single latch on either side or
the top or bottom of a pair of mating connectors does not adequately mate
the connectors.
An example of an environment wherein access to a pair of mating connectors
is very limited, is in the field of power cables for interconnecting power
lines between panels of a modular wall panel system. Such systems are used
to divide a given area into distinct work stations. Most often, tracks are
provided along the bottom edge of the wall panels, and power cables run in
the tracks to supply power to the various work stations. Power lines
usually run in the tracks of each respective panel, and power blocks or
connectors are provided at opposite ends of the panels for
interconnection. Obviously, with the tracks running along the bottom edges
of the panels, access to the mated connectors from the bottom thereof is
blocked by a floor structure. The wall panels, themselves, are relatively
thin, and, consequently, access to the sides of a pair of mating
connectors within the wall panels is limited or totally unavailable.
This invention is directed to solving the problems described above by
providing a latch-release mechanism which is latched in response to
movement of a pair of electrical connectors in a mating direction and
which is released in a direction generally perpendicular to the mating
direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved
latch-release mechanism for a pair of electrical connectors movable toward
each other in a mating direction into a mated condition.
Generally, in the exemplary embodiments of the invention, a latching device
is mounted on one of the electrical connectors for latchingly engaging
latch means on the other electrical connector in response to movement of
the connectors into their mated condition. Specifically, release means are
provided for releasing the latching device from latching engagement with
the latch means in response to movement of the latching device generally
perpendicular to the mating direction of the connectors.
In some embodiments of the invention, the latching device is mounted on one
of the electrical connectors for sliding movement generally perpendicular
to the mating direction of the connectors. The latching device on one of
the electrical connectors, therefore, is moved from its latching
engagement with the latch means on the other electrical connector
perpendicular to the direction of mating of the connectors. In the
preferred embodiments, the latch means on the other electrical connector
include cam means for sliding the latching device generally vertically
upwardly when the electrical connectors are mated in a generally
horizontal direction. The latching device drops by gravity into latching
engagement with the latch means when the connectors are mated. In order to
release the latching mechanism, the latching device simply is lifted in
order to unmate the connectors.
In another embodiment of the invention, the latching device includes a
spring arm on one of the electrical connectors biased into latching
engagement with the latch means on the other electrical connector. The
release means is provided in the form of a separate releasing device
movably mounted on the one electrical connector for moving the spring arm
out of latching engagement with the latch means in response to movement of
the releasing device generally perpendicular to the mating direction of
the connectors.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent
from the following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth
with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with
its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by
reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like
elements in the figures and in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a latching device according to
the invention, for slidably mounting on an electrical connector as shown;
FIG. 2 is a section taken generally along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mounting cap for a pair of mating
electrical connectors with latch means for latchingly engaging a pair of
the latching devices of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a section taken generally along line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a section taken generally along line 5--5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a
latch-release mechanism according to the invention;
FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken generally along line 7--7 of FIG. 6,
with the releasing device in its inoperable position while the mating
electrical connectors are mated;
FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7, with the releasing device moved
to a position of releasing the latching devices;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a
latch-release mechanism according to the invention; and
FIG. 10 is a fragmented section through the positioning detent means for
the latching device of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to FIGS. 1-5, these
figures show a first embodiment of the invention for mating at least one
pair of electrical connectors, one of which is generally designated 10 in
FIG. 1. Only one connector 10 is shown in the drawings because the
particular configuration of the mating connectors with which the invention
is applicable can vary widely. The one electrical connector shown does
illustrate the relevant structure for cooperating with the latch-release
mechanisms shown and described herein.
More particularly, referring to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 1, each
electrical connector 10 includes generally vertically oriented groove
means 12 (FIG. 2) provided by a center rib 14 and two end ribs 16 (FIG.
1). The connector includes a plurality of through passages 18 for
receiving appropriate mating male and female terminals coupled to
electrical wires which would project out of a rear end 20 (FIG. 2) of each
through passage at a rear terminating end 22 (FIG. 1) of the connector.
Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a latching device, generally designated
24, includes a side wall 26 having an elongated slot 28 to define a rail
30 having a front edge 32. The latching device provides a receptacle
means, between side wall 26 and a pair of side wall flanges 34, for
receiving one of the electrical connectors 10 therebetween. Rail 30 has a
width for sliding between center rib 14 and end ribs 16 on one side of one
of the electrical connectors 10. In other words, end ribs 16 on the
connector snap into elongated slot 28 in side wall 26 of latching device
24. Center rib 40 locks behind a front edge 32 of rail 30. Consequently,
the latching device can slide vertically of the electrical connector as
indicated by double-headed arrow "A" (FIG. 1). FIG. 2 shows rail 30
disposed between ribs 14 and 16.
FIG. 1 also shows that latching device 24 has a top wall 36 and a bottom
wall 38, each of those walls being provided with a latching aperture 40.
Cam ramps 42 are located immediately in front of the latching apertures.
It can be seen that both of the cam ramps are curved upwardly for purposes
described hereinafter. In addition, a lifting tab 44 is disposed at the
rear end of top wall 36, with the lifting tab being bent upwardly for
grasping by an operator. Whereas electrical connector 10 includes an
integrally molded dielectric housing for receiving the appropriate
terminal means, latching device 24 is unitarily fabricated of stamped and
formed sheet metal material.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show a mounting structure or end cap 45 for one or a pair of
electrical connectors similar to electrical connector 10 for mating with
one or a pair of electrical connectors mounted in one or a pair of
latching devices 24. More particularly, FIG. 4 shows interior walls 46
defining gaps 48 into which a pair of mating connectors, similar to
connector 10, are insertable in the direction of arrows "B". The
dimensions of the interior walls, as indicated by arrows "C", are such
that the walls seat between ribs 14 and 16 (FIG. 1) to lock a pair of
similar mating connectors within the end cap structure. The electrical
connectors for positioning in end cap 45 are the same as electrical
connector 10, except the connectors in end cap 45 and the connectors in
latching devices 24 will have different terminals (i.e., male versus
female terminals).
End cap structure 45 includes top and bottom walls 50 and 52, respectively,
which are provided with latch means in the form of ramped latches 54.
These ramped latches are sized for snapping into latching engagement
within apertures 40 (FIG. 1) in top and bottom walls 36 and 38,
respectively, of one or a pair of latching devices 24. In other words, it
can be seen in FIG. 3 that two pairs of vertically aligned, horizontally
spaced latch ramps 54 are provided on end cap 45. Therefore, the end cap
can accommodate two mating electrical connectors for mating engagement
with a pair of electrical connectors 10 mounted within a pair of latching
devices 24. It can be seen particularly in FIG. 5 that both the upper and
lower ramped latches 54 face upwardly from top and bottom walls 50 and 52,
respectively.
In operation of the latch-release mechanism described above in relation to
FIGS. 1-5, an assembly of one electrical connector 10 mounted within one
latching device 24 is moved in a mating direction as indicated by arrows
"D" for mating with an electrical connector mounted within end cap 45.
Normally, this mating direction would be generally horizontal in an
environment such as a modular wall panel system as described in the
"Background" above. As the respective connectors are mated, a respective
vertically aligned pair of the latch ramps 54 will engage the upwardly
turned cam ramps 42 of latching device 24, biasing the latching device
upwardly in the direction of arrow "E"(FIG. 1). As the respective
connectors are moved to their mated condition, latch ramps 54 will become
aligned with apertures 40 in the top and bottom walls of latching device
24. When so aligned, the latching device will drop by gravity into a
latched condition with the latch ramps 54 locked behind the front edges of
apertures 40. Of course, as stated above, since end cap 45 is structured
to receive a pair of mating connectors, two assemblies of connectors 10
and latching devices 24 can be mated and latched within the end cap. When
it is desired to release the latch-release mechanism and to unmate the
connectors, an operator simply lifts latching device 24, by lifting on tab
44 at the top of the latching device, to move the latching device upwardly
whereby latch ramps 54 clear apertures 40 and the connectors can be
unmated. This vertical movement of the latching device as indicated by
arrows "A" and "E", generally perpendicular to the mating direction "D" in
FIG. 1, is afforded by the sliding engagement of rail 30 of the latching
device disposed between ribs 14 and 16 on the side of the electrical
connector.
FIGS. 6-8 show a second embodiment of the invention wherein one electrical
connector, generally designated 58, is mateable with a second electrical
connector 60. Connectors 58 and 60 are shown somewhat schematic and are
substantially the same as electrical connector 10 (FIG. 1) except for the
different embodiment of a latch-release mechanism.
More particularly, the one electrical connector 58 is provided with a pair
of cantilevered latch arms 62 on opposite sides thereof, the latch arms
terminating in distal ends having cam surfaces 64 leading to latching
hooks 66. The latch arms project forwardly beyond the mating end of the
connector for engagement with latch bosses 68 molded integrally and
projecting outwardly from the sides of mating electrical connector 60.
Each latch boss 68 includes a cam ramp 70 and a latching shoulder 72.
Therefore, when electrical connectors 58 and 60 are moved in a mating
direction as indicated by arrows "F", cam ramps 64 on latch arms 62 will
engage cam ramps 70 on latch bosses 68 to bias the latch arms generally
horizontally outwardly in the direction of arrows "G". When the connectors
are fully mated, latching hooks 66 on latch arms 62 lock behind latching
shoulders 72 of latch bosses 68 to latch the connectors in mated
condition.
In order to release latch arms 62 out of latching engagement with latch
bosses 68, a generally U-shaped releasing device, generally designated 74,
is slidably mounted onto the top of connector 58. The releasing device has
a pair of legs 76 provided with integrally molded ribs 78 on the inside
thereof. The ribs slide in a pair of vertically oriented grooves 80 formed
in opposite sides of electrical connector 58. Therefore, latching device
74 is mounted onto the top of electrical connector 58 in the direction of
arrow "H" until distal ends 82 of legs 76 are located below latch arms 72
of the connector. This position is shown in FIG. 7. It can be seen that
distal ends 82 have cam surfaces 84 for camming latch arms 62 outwardly to
enable the latching device to be mounted on the connector. The distal ends
also have stop surfaces 86 to define an upper limit position of the
latching device, relative to connector 58, as shown in FIG. 7.
In operation of the latch-release mechanism shown in FIGS. 6-8, with
releasing device 74 in an elevated position as shown in FIG. 7, electrical
connectors 58 and 60 can be mated in the direction of arrows "F" (FIG. 6),
whereupon latch arms 62 and latch bosses 68 of the respective connectors
snap into latching engagement. When it is desired to unmate the
connectors, latch arms 62 are moved outwardly in the direction of arrows
"G" by pushing down on releasing device 74 in the direction of arrow "I"
(FIG. 8). Release ramps 88 formed on the outside of legs 76 of the
releasing device engage latch arms 62 to bias the latch arms generally
horizontally outwardly and perpendicular to the mating direction of the
connectors. With releasing device 74 in the position shown in FIG. 8,
latch arms 62 are released from latch bosses 68 of connector 60 and the
connectors can be unmated.
FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third embodiment of a latch-release mechanism
according to the invention. More particularly, again, one electrical
connector, generally designated 90, is mateable with a second electrical
connector, generally designated 92. A latch-release device, generally
designated 94, is fabricated of stamped and formed sheet metal material in
a generally U-shape to include a pair of legs 96. Inwardly turned ribs 98
are formed along the rear edges of legs 96 for slidably mounting the
latch-release device onto the top of electrical connector 90 by means of
the ribs being disposed in grooves 100 formed in the sides of the
electrical connector. Therefore, latch-release device 94 is mounted onto
the top of connector 90 in the direction of arrow "J" and, when so
mounted, the latch-release device can slide relative to the connector in
the direction of double-headed arrow "K".
Means are provided between latch-release device 94 and electrical connector
90 to define at least an upper, but preferably upper and lower positions
of the latch-release device relative to the connector. More particularly,
referring to FIG. 10 in conjunction with FIG. 9, a detent dimple 102 is
formed to project inwardly from each leg 96 for seating into upper and
lower detent recesses 104 and 106, respectively, formed in the sides of
connector 90. With detent dimple 102 seated in upper detent recess 104 as
shown in FIG. 10, an elevated unlatched position of latch-release device
94 is defined.
In order to latch electrical connectors 90 and 92 in mated condition, a
pair of generally L-shaped slots are stamped in each side wall 96. Each
slot has a lower ramp edge 108 leading to a generally vertical latching
portion 110 of the slot. Electrical connector 92 has a pair of vertically
oriented, spaced latch bosses 112 projecting outwardly from each opposite
side of the connector. The latch bosses are oriented for movement into the
respective pairs of slots stamped in side legs 96 of latch-release
mechanism 94.
In operation of the embodiment of the latch-release mechanism shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10, electrical connectors 90 and 92 are moved in a generally
horizontal mating direction as indicated by arrows "L", with latch-release
device 94 in its upper position defined by detent dimple 102 seated in
detent recess 104. As the connectors are moved into mated condition, latch
bosses 112 engage ramp edges 108 of the slots in legs 96 of the
latch-release device. This engagement drives the device downwardly in the
direction of arrow "J", moving detent dimple 102 out of detent recess 104
until the dimple reaches an enlarged detent recess 106 wherein the
latch-release device can fall downwardly until latch bosses 112 seat into
latching portions 110 of the slots in legs 96. The connectors now cannot
be unmated. When it is desired to unmate the connectors, an operator lifts
latch-release device upwardly, by engaging or grasping a lifting tab 114
on the top of the latch-release device, to move latch bosses 112 out of
latching portions 110 of the slots, whereupon the connectors can be
unmated.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics
thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the
invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.
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