Connector latch assembly

[57] ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a connector latch assembly comprising a pair of identical latches adapted to simultaneously secure a pair of mated connectors one to the other. Each latch includes a base member slidably engaged with an end of the mounting flange of one of the connectors and an integral hinged member selectively engageable with the corresponding end of the mounting flange of the other connector.

Claims, 12 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED JUL 161974

3,824,525

SHEET 1 Of 4

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PATENTED JUU 61974

3.824,525

SHEET 2 Of 4

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PATENTED»! 6«« . 3,824,525

SHEE1 3 OF 4

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PATENTED^ 1974

SHEET U OF 4

3,824,525

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3,824,525

CONNECTOR LATCH ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable in the use of mating multi-contact con- 5 nectors to provide a means whereby the Connectors may be secured one to the other when engaged and yet be readily released for disengagement as may be required. Attempts heretofore to satisfy this desire have been generally reliable but have mostly included metal 10 devices which have to be bolted to the flanges at the ends of each connector. The time required for initial installation, the complexity and the expense of these devices have been disadvantages which have not heretofore been eliminated. 15

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a connector latching assembly which is easily and quickly installed for selective use on the connectors.

It is another object to provide a connector latch assembly of the type described having a minimal number 20 of parts and being relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is also an object to provide a connector latch assembly of the type described which will not interfere with engagement of the connectors while remaining 25 available to latch the connectors once engaged.

It is also an object to provide a contact latching assembly of the type described which may remain installed on the connectors without interference with or prevention of existing means for permanently securing ³⁰one connector to the other or to a mounting panel.

It is also an object to provide a connector latching assembly of the type described which includes means for insuring full engagement of the connectors when being latched. 35

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become known by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of engaged connectors including thereon a preferred embodiment of the in- ⁴⁰vention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of engaged connectors including thereon one prior art latch assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one latch of the preferred latching assembly; ⁴⁵

FIG. 4 is an elevated view of the latch shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the latch as seen along line 5—5 in FIG. 4 and as installed on the connectors; 50

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the latch shown in FIG. 5 prior to engagement;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of still an- ⁵⁵other alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the embodiment as seen along line 9—9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of yet another alternative embodiment of the invention; ⁶⁰

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevated view with parts broken away of one more alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the embodiment as seen along line 12—12 in FIG. 11. ⁶⁵

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a pair of engaged, multi-contact connectors 10 and 12 of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,790,153. Each connector 10 and 12 has extending therefrom a radial mounting flange, 14 and 16 respectively, having a generally rectangular shape. At each end of each mounting flange 14 and 16 and extending therethrough is a mounting hole 18. When the connectors 10 and 12 are fully engaged, the substantially identical mounting flanges 14 and 16 are parallel, spaced apart and aligned.

Indicated generally at 20 is a preferred embodiment of the invention mounted on the connectors 10 and 12. The preferred latch assembly 20 includes a molded pair of identical latches 22 of nylon, xylon, polypropylene or some other material having similar resilient characteristics. Each latch 22 includes a base member 24, a hinged member 26, and a hinge 28 which is integral with the base member 24 and the hinged member 26 and extends therebetween. The base member 24 has in one side an expandable Opening 30 which slidably receives and retains the end of the mounting flange 16. The hinged member 26 has in its side a tapered, expandable opening 32 and, since the hinged member 26 is free to rotate at the hinge 28, it is selectively and independently positioned to receive the end of the other mounting flange 14 after the base member 24 has been installed. The latch 22 shown to the left in FIG. 1 is fully installed on both connectors 10 and 12 while the hinged member 26 of the latch 22 at the right must be rotated to receive the flange 14 of the connector 10 to properly secure the engaged connectors 10 and 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-contact connectors 10 and 12 are again fully engaged but have installed thereon a prior art spring latch assembly, generally indicated at 34 which is commonly and extensively used to temporarily secure engaged connectors. The spring latch assembly 34 includes a pair of identical spring latches 36 installed at opposite ends of the flanges 14 and 16. Each spring latch 36 includes an upper flange plate 38 and a lower flange plate 39. The upper flange plate 38 includes a hole therethrough by which the upper flange plate 38 is secured with a bolt 40 and a nut 42 at the hole 18 of the mounting flange 14 of the connector 10. The lower flange plate 39 also includes therethrough a hole by which the lower flange plate 39 is secured with a bolt 44 and a nut (not shown) at the hole 18 in the mounting flange 16 of the connector 12. Extending from the lower flange plate 39 are a pair of spaced apart hinges 46 adapted to receive the opposite ends 48 of a loop spring 50. The opposite ends 48 of the loop spring 50 and the hinges 46 are coaxially aligned to allow the loop spring 50 to rotate about the hinges 46.

Extending outwardly from the upper flange plate 38 are a pair of spaced apart arms 52. Each arm 52 has at its base an indentation 54 in its edge nearest to the other arm 52. The indentations 54 are disposed substantially above the hinges 46 of the lower flange plate 39. Therefore, to latch the engaged connectors 10 and 12, the loop spring 50 is rotated to a substantially vertical position to engage with both indentations 54 of the upper flange plate 38. The internal resilience of the loop spring 50 is such that it will remain engaged with the indentations 54 until an outside force is applied to cause it to rotate free of the upper flange plate 38. When the loop spring 50 is not engaged with the upper flange plate 38, the internal resilience of the loop spring 50 further causes the ends 48 of the loop spring 50 to exert an outward force against each respective

3,8: ³ hinge 46. Each hinge 46 has thereon a cammed surface upon which the loop spring 50 acts. The force applied to the cammed surfaces of the hinge 46 causes the loop spring 50 to be automatically positioned outwardly from the connectors when not engaged with the upper flange plate 38 as shown on the spring latch 36 at the right of FIG. 2. Each loop spring 50 thereby remains clear of the upper flange plate 38 when engaging or disengaging the connector 10.

FIGS. 3 through 6 include detailed views of a preferred embodiment of the latch 22 and show that the opening 30 in a side 56 of the base member 24 has a substantially rectangular cross-section with the width substantially equal to that of the mounting flange 16. The height of the opening 30 at the side 56 is signifi- 15 cantly greater than the thickness of the mounting flange 16 but a shoulder 58 in the base 60 of the opening 30 reduces the height of the cross-section of the opening 30 to be substantially equal to the thickness of the mounting flange 16. The reduction in height allows 20 easy insertion and alignment of the mounting flange 16 yet provides at the base 60 of the opening 30 a sufficient area at which the opening 30 closely encircles the inserted mounting flange 16. Additionally, a pair of ridges 62 on an interior surface 64 of the opening 30 at the shoulder 58 further decreases the cross-sectional height of the opening 30 at the base 60. The ridges 62 are provided to have the upper portion thereof worn away as may be required by the flange 16 to specifically adapt the height of the base 60 of the opening 30 to accommodate the particular thickness of the mounting flange 16. It can also be seen that decreasing the width of the opening 30 can further increase retention of the mounting flange 16 by producing additional inward force at a pair of opposite sidewalls 66 of the base member 24.

When the base member 24 is fully installed on the connector 12 and the connector 10 is separated from the connector 12, the hinged member 26 extends generally upwardly from the base member 24 because of the natural resilience of the hinge 28 and its basic configuration at formation but is otherwise free to rotate at the hinge 28. As the connector 10 is being engaged with the connector 12, an edge 68 at the end of the mounting flange 14 acts on a cammed surface 70 of the side of an upper extension 72 of the hinged member 26 which is adjacent the connectors to force the hinge member 26 to rotate outwardly free of the path of the mounting flange 14. As shown in FIG. 6, when the connector 10 is engaged with the connector 12, the hinged member 26 rotates toward the connectors 10 and 12 with the opening 32 in the side of the hinged member 26 in general alignment with the mounting flange 14 of the connector 10. A base 74 of the opening 32 of the hinge member 26 includes dimensions and a pair of ³ridges 76 similar to those of the base 60 of the opening 30 of the base member 24 to likewise retain the mounting flange 14. An outer portion 78 of the opening 32 is tapered to have a larger height at the side of the hinged member 26 to facilitate alignment with the mounting flange 14 as the hinged member 26 is rotated toward the connector 10.

When the Connectors 10 and 12 are engaged, the hinge 28 is disposed between the flanges 14 and 16 and is horizontally displaced from the ends of the mounting flanges 14 and 16 toward the connectors 10 and 12. The location of hinge 28 is such that when the hinged

4,525 member 26 is rotated in a direction as shown by the arrow A for engagement with the mounting flange 14, the edge 68 at the end of the mounting flange 14 makes sliding contact with a cammed, interior wall 80 of the 5 tapered outer portion 78 of the opening 32. As the hinged portion 26 is forced into alignment with the flange 14, an expanding force is applied to the hinge 28, the internal resilience of which insures complete engagement of the connectors 10 and 12. Additionally, when the hinged member 26 is fully installed on the mounting flange 14, the internal resilience of the hinge 28 is such that inadvertent disengagement and rotation of the hinged member 26 from the engaged flange 14 is resisted not only by the encircling force at the base 74 of the opening 32 on the mounting flange 14 but also by the force which would be required to expand the hinge 28.

A pair of vertically and coaxially aligned grooves 82 and 84 in the side 56 of the base member 24 respectively above and below the opening 30 are coaxially aligned with the hole 18 in the mounting flange 16 when the base member 24 is fully installed on the mounting flange 16. The grooves 82 and 84 thereby allow the base member 24 to be installed on the mounting flange 16 and further allow a bolt (not shown) to be inserted through the groove 82, the hole 18 and the groove 84 for permanently mounting the connector 12 to the face of a panel without altering the operation of the latch 22 as described hereinabove.

³⁰ A similar groove 86 is provided in the side of the hinged member 26 to be vertically and coaxially aligned with the hole 18 in the mounting flange 14 when the hinged member is installed thereon. An arcuate recess 88 in the extended portion 72 of the hinged ³³ member 26 at the side toward the connectors is adapted to receive the head of a bolt inserted in the groove 86 and the hole 18 and includes a surface 90 upon which the head of the bolt can rest. Assuming a bolt securing the connector 12 to a panel included ⁴⁰ therein a female head, a second bolt could be inserted through the opening 86 and the hole 18 of the flange 14 to permanently secure the connector 10 to the connector 12 as the latch 22 was temporarily securing the connectors 10 and 12 one to the other.

As shown in FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the present invention, generally designated at 92, includes two independent alternative features. The first feature includes the utilization of a base plate 94 as a substitute for the base member 24 described hereinabove when it ^υ is determined that the latch 92 would only be utilized in conjunction with a connector which is to be permanently installed on a panel. The generally rectangular base plate 94 includes dimensions for alignment with the end of the mounting flange of the connector to be secured to the panel and a hole 96 therethrough which is vertically and coaxially aligned with the hole in the mounting flange. Insertion of a bolt through the hole 96, the hole in the mounting flange and a hole in the ₆₀ panel allows the connector with the latch 92 secured thereon to be permanently secured to the panel. To facilitate insertion of the bolt in the hole 96 and the utilization of a tool at its head, a second feature is provided for the latch 92 which would be equally applicable for 6$ the latch 22 when the base member 24 is being secured with a bolt to a panel. A hinged member 98 of the latch 92 is similar to the hinged member 26 described hereinabove but includes an opening 100 in the region adja3,824,525 cent to the hole 96 and further includes a pair of spaced apart hinges 102 rather than one hinge extending along its entire width of the latch.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, still another alternative latch 104 includes a feature to further insure the retention of an upper mounting flange 14 in a hinged member 106. Extending from an upper portion 108 of the hinged member 106 along a side 110 toward the engaged connector is a flexible nipple 112. The flexible nipple 112 extends into an opening 114 in the side 110 of the hinged member 106 which is otherwise similar to the opening 88 described hereinabove and is aligned so that an extended end 116 extends into a mounting hole 18 in the fully inserted mounting flange 14.

Two alternatives to the openings as have been described hereinabove are shown in FIGS. 10,11 and 12. A cavity 120, shown in FIG. 10 in a hinged member 122 but equally applicable for a base member, is provided in the hinged member 122 to receive an insert 124. The insert 124 has an opening 126 therein to receive a mounting flange. The insert 124 is made of rubber, sponge or other similarly deformable material having a surface characteristic for increased friction upon and retention of the flange. The height of the opening 126 is sufficiently less than the thickness of the flange so that the internal resilience of the insert 124 acting on the flange inserted therein will produce friction forces between the insert 124 and the flange to resist disengagement.

Opening 128, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in a hinged member 130 but also equally applicable for a base member, includes a leaf spring 132. The preferred spring 132 extends generally along the floor 134 of the opening 128 and has a pair of curved ends 136 which are snapped into a corresponding pair of holes 138 at the opposite ends of the floor 134 to retain the ends 136 of the spring 132 as its center 140 extends upwardly into the opening 128. The leading edge 142 of the spring 132 extends outwardly and downwardly from the center 140 of the spring 132 to allow for alignment of a flange to be inserted therein. The height of the opening 128 between the center 140 of the spring 132 and a roof 144 of the opening 128 is sufficiently less than the thickness of the flange to insure deformation of the spring 132 when the flange is inserted into the opening 128 so that the internal resilience of the spring 132 will act on the flange to resist its removal from the opening 128. It can also be seen that both alternative openings 126 and 128 have configurations which equally accommodate and retain flanges having slightly different thicknesses.

As illustrated, all of the above-described embodiments include openings which terminate within the latch at a side remote from the connectors. It should be obvious that extending the openings through the remote side would not alter the specifications or function of the specific embodiments as described hereinabove.