U.S. patent number 3,789,343 [Application Number 05/259,192] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-29 for electrical connector.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Shinagawa Automotive Electric Wire Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Tsugio Anbo, Kazuaki Hirokawa.
United States Patent |
3,789,343 |
Hirokawa , et al. |
January 29, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
Abstract
An electrical connector is composed of a pair of hermaphroditic
connector members being of the identical structure and dimension
and matable with each other. Each hermaphroditic connector member
comprises a wire connecting portion at one end region, a fixing
portion at a middle region and a mating portion at the other end
region. The mating portion is of a tubular-like configuration,
preferably of an ellipse-like configuration in section, and has two
facing slots each of which extends in an axial direction of the
mating portion from a tip end of said tubular-like mating portion
to an approximately middle position of the mating portion. The tip
portion of the tubular-like mating portion is divided by the slots
into two semitubular-like portions. On an inner surface of one of
the semitubular-like portion, an inwardly inclined spring tongue is
provided. The structure and dimensions of the facing slots, the
semitubular-like portion of the mating portion and the spring
tongue are respectively predetermined to make the outer surface of
the semitubular-like portion which is provided with the spring
tongue closely contact the inner surface of another connector
member's semitubular-like portion having no spring tongue when the
mating portions of both hermaphroditic connector means are mutually
inserted. The hermaphroditic connector means are housed in a casing
and fixed thereto through the abovementioned fixing portions of the
connector means.
Inventors: |
Hirokawa; Kazuaki (Tokyo,
JA), Anbo; Tsugio (Tokorozawa, JA) |
Assignee: |
Shinagawa Automotive Electric Wire
Co., Ltd. (Tokyo-to, JA)
|
Family
ID: |
27282919 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/259,192 |
Filed: |
June 2, 1972 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 4, 1971 [JA] |
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46-46205 |
Feb 17, 1972 [JA] |
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47-20142 |
Mar 22, 1972 [JA] |
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47-34401 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/291; 439/746;
439/701 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/28 (20130101); H01R 13/432 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/02 (20060101); H01R 13/28 (20060101); H01R
13/428 (20060101); H01R 13/432 (20060101); H01r
025/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/47-49,176M,175R,256SP,256R,258S,258R,184,186,198G,217R,217S,64,65 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1,358,394 |
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Mar 1964 |
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FR |
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1,113,856 |
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May 1968 |
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GB |
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966,887 |
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Aug 1964 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: McGlynn; Joseph H.
Assistant Examiner: Lewis; Terrell P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fasse; W. G.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical connector comprised of paired hermaphroditic
connector members of the same geometry matable with each other for
interconnection of the paired connector members; each connector
member having a portion for connecting a wire at one end and a
tubular portion for mating with the corresponding portion of the
connector member paired therewith at the other end, said tubular
mating portion having two slots at the opposite sides thereof
extending in an axial direction from said other end toward the
middle portion of the tubular mating portion for dividing into two
semitubular portions at said other end joined to the non-slotted
middle portion, to allow mutual insertion of the tubular mating
portions of both paired connector members with one of the
semitubular portions of each connector member inserted in the
non-slotted portion of the tubular mating portions of the other
connector member of paired connector members, said one semitubular
portion of each connector member comprising a spring member
positioned to urge the outer surface of the corresponding
semitubular portion of the other connector member toward the inner
surface of the non-slotted portion of the connector member as a
result of mutual contact thereof for closer contact therebetween at
an extreme mutual insertion of the connector members, said spring
member extending from an end portion of said one semitubular
portion in an inclined manner into said non-slotted portion,
whereby no substantial contact occurs between the outer surface of
the corresponding semitubular portion of the opposite connector
member and the inner surface of the other semitubular portion of
the connector member at an initial stage of said mutual insertion,
whereby the connector members are urged in the course of said
insertion to move transversely relative to each other as a result
of mutual contact thereof achieving said closer contact
therebetween at said extreme insertion condition, the outer surface
of said one semitubular portion being urged in close contact with
the inner surface of the non-slotted portions of the other
connector member and the inner surface of the other semitubular
portion is urged in close contact with the outer surface of the
non-slotted portion of said other connector member in said
condition of extreme insertion the spring members of both connector
members closely contacting each other in said condition of extreme
insertion.
2. An electrical connector comprised of paired hemaphroditic
connector members of the same geometry matable with each other for
interconnection thereof; each connector member having a portion for
connecting a wire at one end and a tubular portion for mating with
the corresponding portion of the other connector member of paired
connector members at the other end, said mating portion having two
slots at the opposite sides thereof extending in an axial direction
from the end toward the middle portion of the tubular portion for
dividing the mating portion into two semitubular portions, at said
other end joined to a portion non-slotted by said slots, one of
said semitubular portions comprising a spring member positioned to
urge the outer surface of the corresponding semitubular portion of
the other connector member toward the inner surface of the
non-slotted portion of the connector member in the mated condition
of paired connector members as a result of mutual contact thereof,
said spring member extending from an end portion of said one
semitubular portion in an inclined manner into said non-slotted
portion, said slots being positioned to allow mutual insertion of
the tubular portions of both connector members with said one
semitubular portion of each connecting member inserted into the
non-slotted portion of the tubular mating portion of the opposite
connector member, said spring member being located to inhibit
substantial contact between the outer surface of the corresponding
semitubular portion of the opposite connector member and the inner
surface of the other semitubular portion of the connector member at
an initial stage of mutual insertion of the connector members for
ensuring smooth insertion whereby the connector members are urged
mutually in the course of mutual insertion as a result of mutual
contact thereof to effect a transverse relative movement thereof,
thereby achieving said closer contact there-between at a complete
insertion condition of both connector members, whereby the outer
surface of said one semitubular portion having said spring member
is urged in close contact with the inner surface of the non-slotted
portions of the other connector member and the inner surface of the
other semitubular portions is urged in close contact with the other
surface of the non-slotted portion of the other connector member
and the spring members of both connector members closely contact
each other in said complete insertion condition.
3. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 2, in which
said tubular mating portion is elliptical in section.
4. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 2, in which
said connector member further comprises means for fixing the member
to a housing at a middle region of the member.
5. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 4, in which
said fixing means comprises a portion for stopping the movement of
the member in one axial direction and a portion for stopping the
movement of the member in the opposite axial direction.
6. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 5, in which at
least one of said stopping portions is a spring locking finger.
7. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 5, in which at
least one of said stopping portions has a wing configuration
extending in a plane parallel to the axis of the connector member
in an outward direction normal to said axis.
8. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 2, in which
each connector member is provided with a slit extending from an end
of the other semitubular portion to an end of the non-slotted
portion thereof for providing elasticity to said mating portion in
toward and away from direction of said slit for smooth insertion of
the connector members.
9. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 4, further
comprising mounting means, said mounting means being comprised of
paired housing members matable with each other, each connector
member being housed in the respective housing member matably with
each other in the mating condition of both housing members and
being fixed to the respective housing member by means of said
fixing means.
10. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 9, in which
both said housing members are of the same geometry.
11. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 9, in which
said fixing means comprises a portion for stopping the movement of
the member in one axial direction and a portion for stopping the
movement of the member in the opposite axial direction.
12. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 11, in which
at least one of said stopping portions is a spring locking finger
and said housing member comprises a portion engageable with said
spring locking finger when the connector member is housed in the
housing member.
13. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 12, in which
the other stopping portion has a wing configuration extending in a
plane parallel to the axis of the connector member in an outward
direction normal to the axis thereof, and the housing member
comprises a shoulder on which said wing portion is placed when the
connector member is housed.
14. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 9, in which
said housing member comprises a plurality of connector housing
portions and a corresponding plurality of connector members housed
in the respective connector housing portions.
15. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 9, in which
said housing member comprises an outer surface thereof hooking
means for uniting a plurality of housing members in a stacked
manner.
16. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 15, in which
said housing member comprises a hollow portion underlying said
hooking means for providing elasticity in the hooking means for
smooth mating insertion.
17. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 9, in which
said housing members each comprise a compartment portion and a
mating portion, said mating portion of the housing member allowing
mutual insertion of both housing members, when said paired
connector members are mated with each other.
18. An electrical connector in accordance with claim 17, in which
said compartment portion of the housing member comprises a
plurality of compartments arranged side by side, each opening at
forward and rearward ends of the compartment and housing said wire
connecting portion and said fixing means of said connector member
while said mating portion of the connector member extends forward
out of said compartment, said compartment being defined by a first
horizontal wall, a second horizontal wall and vertical walls, said
mating portion of the housing member comprising a first extended
horizontal wall extending forward from the front end of the first
horizontal wall, a second extended horizontal wall and fences for
isolating the adjacent connector members formed in alignment with
said vertical wall on said second extended horizontal wall and
having heights less than half of the height of said vertical walls.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector more
specifically, to an improved electrical connector composed of a
pair of hermaphroditic connector members being of the same
structure and dimension and matable with each other with good
electrical contact.
2. Description of the Prior Art;
Many types of the electrical paired connector members
hermaphroditically applicable for various kind of electrical
circuits, such as that of automobiles, electronic apparatus, etc.
have been proposed. One of the typical prior art connector members
is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application, published as
Publication No. 3899/1965, filed Feb. 8, 1964 with a claim of
priority, based on patent application filed in U.S.A., Feb. 8,
1963. Each of the electrical connector members described in the
referenced application basically comprises a portion of an inclined
face portion for the mutual contact with that of another member,
and a succeeding wire-connecting portion. The members, however,
have many disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is that a pair of
the members can not be employed without a casing mounting the
respective members in mutual contact between their inclined face
portions, since the members do not have any self-retaining
function. Another disadvantage is that the voltage drop between
paired connetor members is large, since the electrical contact is
performed only through the inclined contact faces of the
insufficient contact area therebetween.
Another prior art of the present invention is that described in the
U.S. Pat. No. 3,146,051, entitled "Terminal And Mounting Means",
issued August 25, 1964 to Robert C. Woofer et al. Each of the
connector members disclosed in this referenced patent has a wire
attaching portion on one side of a box-like middle portion and
extended blade-like longitudinally-embossed-floor portion integral
with an angularly deflectable spring tongue portion adapted to mate
in locking engagement with that of another connector member. This
connector member can be self-retained, but the contact area
therebetween is so small that a considerable voltage drop
thereacross may occur, because of the limited mutual insertion due
to the presence of the box-like middle portion. To increase the
mutual contact area results unavoidably in enlarged scale of the
connector members. Furthermore, it is accompanied by a considerable
difficulties due to its complicated configuration in its
manufacture, as another disadvantage.
Still another prior art of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,814
issued to Joseph C. Collins, Feb. 16, 1965. Each of the connector
members disclosed in the referenced patent has two cylindrical
portions attached to a central portion so as to extend parallel to
each other, and one of which has internal cross-sectional
dimensions of substantially the same size as the external
cross-sectional dimension of the other. This connector member may
be mated to another connector member of the same configuration by
the insertion of the smaller dimensioned portion into the portions
of larger dimension of the other. In the connection of this
referenced patent, the alignment in axis of these two pairs of
tubular portions of the larger and smaller diameter is very
important. It is, however, difficult to manufacture the connectors
which are provided with such tubular portions precisely aligned.
Furthermore, the connector member as disclosed, requires large
force for the above inserting operation, because of the friction
between the inner wall of the larger dimensioned portion and the
outer wall of the smaller dimensioned portion in the course of
insertion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, an electrical connector in accordance with the
present invention is composed of a pair of hermaphroditic connector
members being of the identical structure and dimension and matable
with each other. Each hermaphroditic connector member comprises a
wire connecting portion at one end region, a fixing portion at a
middle region and a mating portion at the other end region. The
mating portion is of a tubular-like configuration, preferably of an
ellipse-like configuration in section, and has two facing slots
each extending in an axial direction of the mating portion from a
tip end of said tubular-like mating portion to an approximately
middle position of the mating portion. The tip portion of the
tubular-like mating portion is divided by the slots into two
semitubular-like portions. On an inner surface of one of the
semitubular-like portions, an inwardly inclined spring tongue is
provided. The structure and dimensions of the facing slots, the
semitubular-like portion of the mating portion and the spring
tongue are respectively predetermined to make the outer surface of
the semitubular-like portion which is provided with the spring
tongue closely contact the inner surface of another hermaphroditic
connector member's semitubular-like portion having no spring tongue
when the mating portions of both hermaphroditic connector means are
mutually inserted. The hermaphroditic connector means are housed in
a casing and fixed thereto through the abovementioned fixing
portions of the connector means.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an
electrical connector composed of a pair of hermaphroditic connector
members being of the identical structure and dimension and matable
with each other by mutual insertion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical
connector composed of hermaphroditic connector members which can be
of reduced size and enlarged contact area.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an
electrical connector composed of a pair of hermaphroditic connector
members matable with each other by mutual insertion with slight
force but in a closer contact therebetween at an ultimate insertion
condition.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an
electrical connector composed of a pair of hermaphroditic connector
members matable with each other, which can be easily
manufactured.
These objects and other objects and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 to 3 are a top view, a bottom view and a front view,
respectively, of a hermaphroditic connector member for use in an
electrical connector of a preferred embodiment in accordance with
the present invention,
FIG. 4 is a left side view of the connector member shown in FIGS. 1
to 3,
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the connector member shown in FIGS. 1
to 4, along the lines V--V in FIG. 4,
FIG. 6 is a front view, partially in section, of the paired
connector members in a mating condition,
FIG. 7 is a top view of the connector member having a conductor
wire connected thereto,
FIG. 8 is a left side view of the connector member shown in FIG.
7,
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a casing with the connector member
housed therein,
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the casing shown in FIG. 9,
FIGS. 11 to 14 are a front view, a rear view, a side view and a top
view, respectively, of one of the hermaphroditic casings for use as
a multiconnector, and
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the paired casing members, each
housing the connector member, in a mating condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As described previously, the electrical connector of the present
invention is composed of a pair of hermaphroditic connector members
being of the identical structure and dimension. Therefore, the
following explanation will be made only for a hermaphroditic
connector member.
A detailed explanation of a preferred embodiment of a
hermaphroditic connector member will be made with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 5. The connector member 1 comprises a wire connecting
portion 11 for connecting a wire, a fixing portion 10 for fixing
the connector member 1 to a housing (not shown) and a mating
portion 12.
The wire connecting portion 11 comprises a part 11a for holding the
covered part of the wire, and a part 11b for holding the stripped
wire part thereby to achieve the electrical connection with the
wire. The detailed construction and design of these parts 11a and
11b, and the fixing and connecting with the wire are well known to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the detailed description
thereof will be omitted here. The fixing portion 10 is preferably
composed of a spring locking finger 15 which inclines rearwardly
and outwardly from a base plate and a pair of engaging wings 14
which are mounted on both sides of the base plate. The spring
locking finger serves to prevent the connector member from being
disengaged from the casing when a backward tention is applied to
the connector member 1 after it has been housed in the casing, as
hereinafter described in detail. The engaging wings 14 provide a
function of preventing the connector member from further advancing
in the casing from a predetermined position collaborating with a
shoulder portion 33 of the casing (not shown but described
hereinafter) and that of preventing the connector member from
rotation movement in the casing at its mounted position. The
mounting of the connector member 1 into the casing will be
described later in more detail.
The mating portion 12 in accordance with the present invention is
of a tubular-like configuration, preferably of an ellipse-like
configuration in section. The tubular mating portion 12 has two
facing slots 121 each of which extends in an axial direction of the
mating portion from a tip end of said mating portion to an
approximate middle position of the mating portion. The tip portion
of the tubular-like mating portion is divided by the slots into two
semitubular-like portions. Therefore the tubular-like mating
portion 12 is divided into a slotted portion and a non-slotted
portion 12c. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the width (m) of the
upper semitubular-like portion 12a is substantially the same as the
width (l) of the non-slotted portion 12c, while the width (n) of
the lower semitubular-like portion 12b is relatively narrower than
the width (l) of the non-slotted portion 12c. The slot 121 is
provided to allow mutual insertion of the tubular-like mating
portions 12 of the paired connector members 1. Accordingly, it is
desirable that the width of the slot 121 is formed so as to allow
the easier mutual insertion of the paired connector members 1. The
connector member 1 illustrated is shaped by punching and bending a
conductive metal sheet.
Each tubular-like portion 12 of the connector member 1 is provided
with a straight slit extending from a tip end of the upper
semitubular-like portion 12a to another end of the upper part of
the non-slotted portion 12c. The slit serves to firm the mutual
connection, as described later, of the paired connector members,
since it gives the tubular-like portion 12 elasticity by which the
tubular-like portion 12 mutually connected are tightly closed each
other.
On the lower semitubular-like portion 12b is provided an inwardly
inclined tongue spring 122 which extends from the middle portion of
the lower portion 12b toward the fixing portion 10. The tongue
spring 122 has such an structure and dimension as to be able to
obtain a close contact between the tongue spring of one connector
member and that of another connector member when these connector
members are mutually inserted. If desired, the end portion of the
tongue spring 122 may be bent downwardly, thereby to form a bent
end portion 126. The end portion 128 of the lower semitubular-like
portion 12b is slightly bent inwardly, and serves as a guide for
the mutual insertion between a pair of these connector members.
The connector member shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 may be used singly as an
electrical connector without the employment of such a casing
capable of mounting thereof, as described hereafter, though it may
also be used with the casing. In FIG. 6, a connector member 1,
shown in solid line, is mated with another connector member 1'
having the same configuration and dimension as the member 1, being
turned on its axis 180.degree. with respect to the member 1 and
shown in a two-point chain line. Both members 1 and 1' are mutually
engaged in such a manner that the lower semitubular-like portions
12b and 12b' respectively are inserted into the corresponding
tubular mating portions 12' and 12 of the members 1' and 1 and the
tip of each of lower semitubular-like portions 12b and 12b'
respectively, reach the corresponding non-slotted portions 12c' and
12c. The slots 121 and 121' at the both sides of the tubular-like
mating portions 12 and 12' allow the mutual insertion thereof, and
the insertion at the early stage may be carried out with little
force, because of rough interlocking between the slots 121 and
121'.
As the insertion is advanced, the inclined surfaces of the tongue
springs 122 and 122' of both members 1 and 1' are brought to
contact each other, and the outer surface of the lower
semitubular-like portions 12b' and 12b are forced toward the inner
surfaces of the upper semitubular-like portions 12a and 12a' by the
spring- and wedge-action of the tongue springs 122 and 122' which
is caused by the above contact, respectively. In the stage toward
the end of such insertion, the outer surfaces of the lower
semi-tubular-like portions 12b' and 12b are brought into contact
with the inner surfaces of the upper semitubular-like portions 12a
and 12a' and the inclined surfaces of the tongue springs 122 and
122' are brought to a mutual closer contact against the
spring-force thereof. In the ultimate insertion condition, the
mutual contact between the tongue springs 122 and 122' is
completed, while the elastic inclination of these tongue springs
become maximum causing the maximum spring-force therebetween.
Surface contacts with the whole outer surface of the lower
semitubular-like portion 12b and the whole inner surface of the
upper part of the opposite non-slotted portion 12c', with the whole
outer surface of the lower part of the non-slotted portion 12c and
the whole inner surface of the opposite upper semitubular-like
portion 12a', with the whole inner surface of the upper
semitubular-like portion 12a and the whole outer surface of the
lower part of the opposite non-slotted portion 12c', with the whole
inner surface of the upper part of the non-slotted portion 12c and
the whole outer surface of the opposite lower semitubular-like
portion 12b', and with the whole inner surface of the tongue spring
122 and the whole inner surface of the opposite tongue spring 122'
are accomplished under the above maximum spring-force.
If the length of the bent end portions 126 and 126' of the tongue
springs 122 and 122' is so chosen that the tip of the bent end
portions 126 and 126' reaches the inner surface of the upper
semitubular-like portions 12a and 12a at the ultimate mutual
insertion condition, the maximum spring force aforementioned
markedly increases.
However, such the situation in the bent end portions 126 and 126'
is not always necessary, if the spring force of the tongue springs
122 and 122' is insufficiently strong. The contact area of both
members 1 and 1' in the ultimate insertion condition is
substantially the sum of a half of the outer surface area and a
half of the inner surface area of the tubular portion of one
connector member and the contact region area between the tongue
springs 122 and 122'. Thus in accordance with the present
invention, much better electrical contact can be achieved as
compared with any prior art connector.
As described hereinbefore, both connector members 1 and 1' are
mutually inserted until the tubes entirely and mutually overlap
each other. Furthermore in the mutual insertion both connector
members are put into closer contact by spring-force of the tongue
spring and realizes stronger mechanical connection.
Now an example wherein the connector members of this invention are
mounted in a casing is described hereinafter. Referring now to
FIGS. 7 and 8, the like parts in FIGS. 1 to 6 are designated by
like reference characters. A covered portion 22 of a conductor wire
20 is retained by a retaining part 11a, and a stripped wire portion
21 thereof is retained by a retaining part 11b. A casing 3 which is
provided with a recess 31 for receiving the connector member 1 is
made of an insulating material, such as synthetic resin by usual
method such as injection molding. A pair of the connector casings 3
can be hermaphroditically matable each other. On both side walls
inside the recess 31 of the connector casing 3, grooves 32 for
receiving the wing plate member 14 of connector member 1 are
provided so as to extend from the rear end 3a of the connector
casing 3 to an approximate middle portion of the connector casing
3. At the mounted condition of the connector member 1, the end face
141 of the wing plate member 14 abuts on the shoulder portion 33 of
the groove 32. A projection portion 34 with which the front end 151
of the spring locking fingers 15 of the connector member 1 is
engaged is provided on the bottom wall of the recess 31.
The wire 20 is connected to the connector member 1 as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8. The connector member 1 is inserted from the rear end
3a of the connector casing 3 into the recess 31 of the connector
casing 3. In such an insertion process, the wing plate member 14 of
the connector member 1 is guided along the groove 32. The insertion
of the connector member 1 into the recess 31 is stopped by the
abutting of the end face 141 of the wing plate member 14 on the
shoulder portion 33 of the groove 32, and, at the same time, the
free end 151 side of the spring locking finger 15 springs out into
the cavity 35 and hooks on the shoulder 34a of the projection
portion 34, causing the firm engagement with connector member 1 and
the casing 3.
In the recess 31 of the connector casing 3, the movement of the
connector member 1 toward the rear end 3a of the connector casing 3
is prevented by the engagement of the spring locking finger 15 and
the projection portion 34, and the movement of the connector member
1 into the front end 3b of the connector casing 3 is prevented by
the engagement of the end faces 141 and 141' of the wing plate
member 14 and the shoulder portion 33 of the groove 32.
Furthermore, the vertical and horizontal movements of the connector
member 1 and the rotation thereof around the axis are prevented by
the insertion of the wing plate member 14 on the connector member 1
into the groove 32. Thus the illustrated connector member 1 is
securely retained in a fixed position inside the recess 31, so that
mutual engagement between a pair of casings 3 mounting connector
member 1 may be securely and smoothly performed, accompanying with
mutual engagement between the connector members mounted in the
mutually engaged casings. Such an advantage becomes particularly
remarkable in case where the connection is multiplied.
A casing capable of mounting a plurality of connector members of
the present invention will be described hereinafter. The casing 100
illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 is hermaphroditically
matable with another casing of the same configuration and
dimension, and is made of an insulating material such as synthetic
resins, and is formed by conventional method, such as injection
molding.
The casing 100 comprises basically a connector member inserting
portion 200 and a mating portion 300. The connector member
inserting portion 200 comprises an upper wall 111, an intermediate
wall 112, a lower wall 113, and a plurality of vertical walls 114
partitioning off the spaces between the walls 111 and 112, and 112
and 113 into a plurality of compartments 115. On the facing
partition walls 114 of each of the compartment 115 facing grooves
115a are provided, extending from the entrance end 200a of the
compartment 115 to a shoulder 115c (which is identical with the
portion 33 in FIG. 9). Both on a ceiling, i.e., on the upper wall
111, of each compartment 115 in the upper stage and on another
ceiling, i.e., on the intermediate wall 112, of each compartment
115 in the lower stage, a groove 115d is proveided, extending from
the entrance end 200a of the compartment 115 to a projection 115b
(which is identical with the portion 34 in FIG. 9). A sequestered
portion of the floor of each compartment 115 is shaped in a concave
form corresponding to the outer surface configuration of the
aforementioned connector member. The mating portion 300 of the
casing 100 basically comprises an extending portion of the upper
wall 111, an extending portion of the intermediate wall 112, and an
extending portion of the lower wall 113. The extending intermediate
wall portion 112 and the extending lower wall portion 113 are
provided with a plurality of fences 114a on their upper side. The
height of each fence 114a is a half of the distance between both
wall portions 111 and 112, or 112 and 113, and each of the fences
is formed in such a manner that it extends in alignment with the
partition wall 114 of the compartment 115. Each wall portion's
surface between two fences 114a is concaved in the same form as
that of abovementioned sequestered floor of the compartment 115.
Each of the under surfaces 111a, 112a, and 113a of these extending
wall portions 111, 112, and 113 has flat configuration,
respectively. The casing 100 is also provided with a further
extended wall portion 111b located at the tip end of the upper
extending wall portion 111 of the mating portion 300, two side wall
portions 114 where one edge is jointed to the side edge of the
upper extending wall portion 111 and another edge is jointed to the
side edge of the intermediate extending wall portion 112 and still
another edge is jointed to the edge of the outermost partition wall
113, a female hook 116 for mutual mating located on the further
extended wall portion 111b, and a male hook 117 located on the
lower extending wall portion 113 and matable with the female hook
116, two female hooks 118 for mutual stacking located on the outer
surface of the upper wall 111, and two male hooks 119 located on
the outer surface of the lower wall 113 and matable with the female
hook 118. The further extended wall portion 111b serves as a guide
when a pair of casings 100 is mutually engaged. The two side wall
portions 114b serve as a barrier for preventing the mutual sliding
of the paired casings in the perpendicualr direction in respect
with the mating direction of the casings. A hole 118 is involved in
each female hook 118 so as to enhance its elastivity or
flexibility. As a result, the mutual stacking of a pair of casings
100, as described later, is easily and smoothly accomplished owing
to its temporary elastic deformation during mutual insertion.
FIG. 15 illustrates a pair of casings brought into the ultimate
insertion condition, in which the casing 100 shown in solid line is
mated with another one 100' that is inverted 180.degree. in respect
with the former 100 and is shown in two-dotted line with the same
reference character having one prime as that of the former casing
100. The lower wall 113' of the casing 100' is inserted between the
upper wall 111 and the intermediate wall 112 of the casing 100,
while, the intermediate wall 112' of the casing 100' is inserted
between the intermediate wall 112 and the lower wall 113 of the
casing 100 and in the ultimate insertion condition, two pairs of
the hooks 116 and 117', 117 and 116' are interlocked, so that the
pair of casings 100 and 100' is closely engaged. In each of the
comprtments 115 and 115' of the casings 100 and 100', the connector
members 1 and 1' are firmly mounted in such the manner described
already with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, and the connector members
1 and 1' are mutually engaged each other in such the manner
described already with reference to FIG. 6.
If more compartments 115 than the number of those in one casing 100
are required, two or more such casings may be employed in such a
stacked manner as shown in FIG. 15, wherein the female hook 18 of
casing 100 is mated with the male hook 119" of casing 100" along
with the arrow. Each portion of the casing 100" is indicated with
the same reference characters having two primes as that of the
casing 100.
While specific preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described, it will be apparent that obvious variations and
modifications of the invention will occur to those of ordinary
skill in the art from a consideration of the foregoing description.
It is, therefore, desired that the present invention be limited
only by the appended claims.
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