Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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T~B 1104CP PATE~T
'` ~N I~PROVED COND~CTOR ~OLDING BLOC~
! ~OR AN ELECTRIChL CONNECTOR
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¦IFIELD OF T~r INVENTION~
IlThe present invention relates generally to improvements in
¦electrical data connectors. More particularly the present
iinvention relates to a shielded compact data connector whiCh
¦permits reliable termination of a multi-conductor electrica
¦cable. ¦
¦~AC~GROUND OF T~E INVENTION: I :~
lo ¦In the field of data/communications technology, information in
¦the form of electrical signals is being transmitted at ever I .
¦increasing speeds. Along with the desire to transmit information
at faster data rates, the industry has also seen the need to
reduce the size of hardware employed so as to increase
¦portability and ease of use. In order to keep pace with these
¦improvements, the interconnection technology, which includes
¦electrical cables and electrical connectors designed tc connect
Isuch hardware, has also undergone significant changes.
¦Electrical connectors and cables are now available which are much
¦smaller in size and capable of transmitting data at higher rates.
I
¦Continued improvement in connection technology is not ~lithout
¦problems. When decreasing the size of electrical connectors
¦while requiring the connectors to transmit data at higher rates,
. ¦cross-talk between adjacent conductive components of the
¦connector becomes. a factor which must be addressed.
¦Additionally, as these components are normally used in close
i , ¦proximity to other electronic components, the individual
¦connector components must be shielded from electro-magnetic
¦interferences and radio-frequency interferences. These
jinterferences can adversely affect the performance levels of the
connectors especially at higher data rates.
'iAn additional demand on connector technology is that the
''connector components must be "user frien~ly". That is, the
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components must be easy to assemble as well as easy to connect
and disconnect. Further, the portability of many electronic
, components requires that these connections and disconnections be ~
repeated many times. A connector must be able to withstand the ~ ~-
., 5 !¦rigors of repeated interconnection without degradation of¦!mechanical or electrical performance. In addition, as these
¦Iconnectors are manufactured to be field installable, the i
'connector must permit simple and reliable termination of a multi- i
l¦conductor electrical cable by the installer. ! - ~ -
It can be appreciated that merely "downsizing" a connector wi~
be insufficient to meet the current requirements of the industry.
Smaller connectors must be designed to meet increased signa
transmission requirements, and provide for internal and external - --~
shielding as well as long term reliable mechanical performance.
¦ St~MMARY OF THE INVENTloN: . ~ ',;
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical
connector for terminating discrete conductors of a multi~
conductor cable.
l It is a further object of the present invention to provide a `I
¦ conductor holding block for supporting conductors in position for
subsequent termination with contacts of an electrical connector. ; :
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide
a conductor holding block which retentively supports conductors ~
l of a multi-conductor cable against insulation displacing contacts ~ ~-¦ of a connector prior to termination therewith.
In the efficient attainment of these and other objects, the
present invention provides an electrical connector for
terminating individually insulated conductors of a multi-
¦conductor cable. The connector includes an insulative housing
¦which supports plural electrical contacts therein. The contacts
¦include aligned insulation displacing contact portions.
; ¦conductor holding block is movably supported by the housing for
¦movement with respect to the insulation displacing contact
¦portions. The conductor holding block includes individual
¦contact slots for receipt of the insulation displacing contact ! : i :::
jportions upon movement of the holding block with respect to said
housing. The conductor holding block further includes conductor
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'receiving passages in communication with the contact slots for
' receipt of the individually-insulated conductors of the cable and
,!for retentive support of the conductors adjacent the insulation
¦ displacing contact portions prior to termination therewith.
1 As more particularly described by way of the preferred embodiment
l herein, the conductor holding block and the housing further
i include cooperative securement elements which provide for the
movable securement of the holding block with respect to the
housing. The securement elements permit continuous securement of
lo the holding block between a conductor receiving position and a
conductor termination position including a temporary conductor
support positions therebetween which supports the conductor
against the insulation displacing contact portions prior to
termination therewith.
: 15 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS:
Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the compact data
connector of the present invention and a shielded multi-conductor
electrical cable positioned for termination therewith.
.
Figure 2 is a perspective showing of the internal shield of the
connector of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an e~ploded perspective view of a sub-assembly of the
connector of Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 5 show in front plan and perspective views
respectively, a conductor holding block used in the connector
sub-assembly of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a perspective view a strain relief device used to
secure the multi-conductor cable to the connector shown in
Figure 1.
, j , Figure 7 is a perspective showing of a ground clip employed in
the connector shown in Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a perspective view the connector of Figure 1 ¦
including a latch for attachment to a mating connector. I
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. Figure 9 shows the connector of Figure 8 in connected pO5ition
with the mating connector.-- .
ll, Figure 10 is an exploded perspeCtive view of a further embodiment
I! of the sub-assembly of Figure 1.
I Figure ll is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
conductor holding blocX of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a schematic representation of the interengagement of
the conductor holding block and connector housing of Figure 10.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
Referring to Figure l a compact electrical data conneCtor 10 is
5hown. Connector 10 may be employed to terminate eleCtriCa
cable 12 having an insulative outer jacket 14, an inner
conductive cable shield 16 and a plurality of individually
insulated electrical conductors 18 extending therethrough. In
order to prepare cable 12 for termination in connector 10, jacket
14 is cUt away exposing a portion of cable shield 16 and a length
of conductors 18 suitable for termination.
In the present illustrated embodiment cable 12 is an eight
: ¦ conductor cable. However, it may be appreciated that the
~ invention may be employed with cables having greater or fewer
conductors. Also, cable shield 16 is shown to be a metallic foil
¦shield, however cables having other types of conductive shields,
: ¦such as metallic braiding, may also be employed in accordance
¦With the present invention. ConneCtor 10 includes an outer
¦connector housing 20 formed in tWo parts, a housing base 22 and
¦a housing CoVer 24. Housing CoVer 24 includes a plurality of
¦depending deflectable locking arms 26 which engage protrusions 28
¦on base 22 to provide for snap fit engagement of cover 24 on base
22. Other similar snap fitting elements may also be empIoyed to
secure cover 24 to base 22. Housing 20 may be formed of a
. j suitably electrically insulative plastic such as polyester. In
order to provide external electrical shielding Which shields the
: connector 10 from external interferences such as radio-frequency
interferences and electro-magnetic interferences, both base 22
and cover 24 may be internally and externally electrolessly
plated with a metallic plating such as nickel/copper. The
process of metallically plating a plastic member may be
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accomplished in a manner which is conventional in the art.
ousing 20 is generally an elongate rectangular member having a
connection end 30 and an opposed cable receiving end 32. Housing
., j20 shown in Figure 1 is a plug type electrical connector where
¦connection end 30 is insertable into a jack type electrical
connector for mating engagement therewith (Fig. 8). While a plug
connector 10 is shown, the concepts of the present invention may
also be employed in a jack connector configuration.
!Cable receiving end 32 of connector 10 defines a rearwardly
opening circular passage 34, more clearly shown in Figures 8
and 9, which permits entry of cable 12 into connector 10.
Housing base 22 supports therein a termination sub-assembly 40.
Referring additionally to Figure 3 termination sub-assembly 40 is
shown. Termination sub-assembly 40 includes a termination
support member 42 formed of a suitably insulative plastic such as
polyester, which supports a plurality of electrical contacts 44.
Each of contacts 44 are elongate electrically conductive metallic
members formed of beryllium-copper having a connection end 46 and
a termination end 48. Connection end 46 includes a cantilevered
element 50 for making mating resilient electrical engagement with
similar contacts in the mating jack connector. Termination end
4-8 includes blade type insulation displacing contact (IDC)
portions 52 which, as will be described in further detail
hereinbelow, are constructed for insulation displacing
termination with conductors 18 of cable 12.
In the present illustrative embodiment contacts 44 are positioned
in two longitudinally aligned transversely spaced rows.
Insulation displacing contact portions 52 of the lower row extend
in a direction opposite of the insulation displacing contact
portions 52 of the upper row. Contacts 44 further include a
matable shunting mechanism 54 along a central extent 56 thereof.
Shunting mechanism 54 permits the shunting engaqement of the
¦upper row of contacts 44 to the lower row of contacts 44. The ! - ~ ;
¦operation of a shunting mechanism 54 of this type is shown and
¦described in copending patent application Serial No. 08/013,452
¦filed on February 4, 1993 entitled "Vertically Aligned Electrical
: IConnector Components" which is assigned to the assignee of the
!present invention.
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Support member 42 of termination sub-assembly 40 includes a
forward interconnection end 58 and a rear termination support end
1~60. Support member 42 supports contacts 44 in individual
ilelectrlcal isolation providing upper and lower forward platforms
." 5 ',62 and 64 which support the connection end 46 of contacts 44.
As contacts 44 are maintained in close proximity in support
member 42, it becomes necessary to shield individual contact
¦pairs from adjacent contact pairs. Shown in Figure 2 is an
¦internal contact shield 66. Shield 66 is a die cast metallic
¦member formed of zinc which is insertable over support member 42
¦from the interconnector end 58 thereof. Contact shield 66 serves
¦to shield pairs of contacts 44 from one another both laterally
and vertically. Contact shield 66 includes upper and lower
¦shield platforms 68 and 70 which provide effective vertical
il shielding as between the connection ends 46 of contacts 44.
Further, contact shield 66 includes a transverse wall 72
separating lateral pairs of contacts 44. Transverse wall 72 is
especially effective in shielding the central portion 56 of
l contacts 44 including shunting mechanism 54 which extends to
¦ shunt vertically spaced contacts 44. Contact shield 66 further
¦ includes a plurality of extending contact bumps 74. As will be
described in further detail hereinbelow, contact bumps 74 extend
¦for engagement with metallically plated housing 20 of connector
llO. This establishes electrical path continuity between housing
¦20 and contact shield 66. Contact shield 66 further includes an
¦extending ground element 76 which extends for grounding
¦electrical engagement with cable shield 16, as will be described
¦in further detail hereinbelow, to maintain electrical ground
¦continuity between cable shield 16 and contact shield 66.
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¦Cable 12 is terminated to termination sub-assembly 40 prior to
¦the insertion of termination sub-assembly 40 into base 22 of
housing 20. Extending insulated conductors 18 of cable 12 are
positioned for insulation displacing connection with IDC portions
52 of contacts 44. In order to accurately align conductors 18
with insulation displacing portion 52, the present invention
provides a pair of polycarbonate conductor holding blocks 80
which are removably positionable with respect to support member
42. Each holding block 80 is sized to be accommodated within a
recess 61 and 63 at the termination end 60 of support member 42.
Further each holding block 80 is designed for positionable
receipt over the upper and lower rows of contacts 44.
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Referring additionally to Figures 4 and 5, each holding block 80
, includes plural elongate contact slots 82 which are designed for
I accommodating insulation displacing contact portions 52 of
!i contacts 44 upon attachment of holding bloc~ 80 to support
~, 5 ~,memboer 42. Each holding block 80 includes individual slots 82
¦¦for uniquely accommodating each insulation displacing contact
portion 52. Holding block 80 further includes plural elongate
Iconductor passageways 84 which are in individual co D unication
lwith slots 82. Each passageway 84 accommodates one conductor 18
of cable 12. In order to support conductor 18 for accurate
alignment adjacent insulation displacing contact portion 52 for
proper insulation displacing connection therewith, holding block
80 includes plural alignment fingers 86 extending into
passageway 84. Fingers 86 help support conductors 18 adjacent an
lS upper extent of passageway 84. The walls of holding block 80
defining passageway 84 include an upper V-shaped flattened
surface 88.
Fingers 86 extend toward the apex 88a of V-shaped surface 88 so
as to permit the location of conductor 18 within the apex 88a of
V-shaped surface 88.
As shown particularly with respect to Figure 4, the arrangement
of fingers 86 and V-shaped surface 88 serves to locate conductor
18 at a position off-centered with respect to passageway 84. The
fingers 86 engage the insulation of conductor 18. As the
insulation of conductor 18 is deformable, the fingers 86 hold
conductor 18 securely in passageway 84. Fingers 86 may also be
resiliently deformable to further frictionally secure the
conductor 18 in position for electrical termination with IDC
portions 52 of contacts 44. The interaction between fingers 86
and conductor 18 permits proper location of conductor 18 and also
accommodates various sizes of conductors.
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Additionally, in order to facilitate entry of the individual
conductors 18 into the individual passageways 84 holding block 80
;;j , includes a tapered funnel entry surface 85 surrounding two
djacent passageways 84. Funnel entry surface 85 is generally
~1 .oval and tapers inwardly toward passageway 84 to provide a smoothnwardly directed surface against which conductors 18 may be
inserted. Funnel entry surface 85 serves to lead conductors 18
into proper position within passageway 84.
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In order to properly position holding block B0 with respect to ~
support member 42, a ratcheting inter-loc~ system is employed. ~ I
Holding block 80 includes a projecting detent element 90 on each
llongitudinal side thereof. Support member ~2 includes inwardly
" 5 l'directed ladder-type detent receiving elements 92. Detent
,¦receiving elements 92 are positioned on opposed internal side
jjsurfaces 42a of support member 42 within recesses 61 and 63.
~Each detent receiving element 92 includes a tapered lead-in
surface 94 and plural positioning elements 96 which permit the
o l! holding block 80 to be supported in multiple positions within
jsupport member 42. Initially, holding block Bo is supported I ~-
below lead-in surface 94. In this position, conductors 18 may be
inserted into passageways 84 to align the conductors over
!insulation displacing contact portions 52. The holding block 80
l may be snapped down to either of the next two positions to secure
the conductors 18 against, but not in electrical connection with,
IDC portions 52. Two intermediate positions are provided so as
to properly position various sizes of conductors which are
contemplated to be terminated by the connector of the present ¦ - -
invention. Holding block 80 may be snapped down to a final I
position forcing IDC portions 52 fully through slots 82 and past
i passageway 84 to make insulation displacing connection with
conductors l8. In this final position holding block 80 securely
supports conductors 18 in insulation displacing electrical
connection with contacts 44.
It is contemplated that both holding blocks 80 may be
simultaneously moved from an initial position to a final
terminated position under the actuation of a suitable tool such
¦as pliers tnot shown). Movement in this manner will provide for
~the mass termination of all eight conductors 18 with the
¦associated insulation displacing contact portions 52.
¦While projecting detent element 90 effectively cooperates with
detent receiving elements 92 to provide multiposition retention
of holding block 80 with respect to support member 42, the ¦
intermediate positions provided thereby are limited to supporting
- conductors of the two sizes which are most typically employed ~ p;
with the connector of the present invention. However, it is
contemplated that there may be need to terminate other various
sized conductors with the connector of the present invention. ;
IAccordingly, there is need to provide conductor support prior to
~; termination for conductors in a wide range of conductor sizes.
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~eferring now to Figures 10 12, a further embodiment of the
holding block of the present invention is shown. With resoect to
the description of the embodiments shown in Figures 10-12,
-Isimilar reference numerals will be used to denote similar
., 5 , components. Holding block 80' is substantially similar to
holding block ~0 shown and described above. One holding block
'80' is designed for slidable receipt over upper and lower rows of
contacts 44. Each holding block 80' (one of which is shown in
jiFigure IO) includes plural elongate contact slots 82' which are
~idesigned for accommodating insulation displacing contact
¦Iportions 52 of contacts 44. Each holding block 80' includes
plural elongate conductor passageways 84' which are in individual
communication with slots 82'. Each end 83' of holding block 80'
jjincludes a longitudinal vertically disposed channel 85' having a
llprojecting detent element 90' at the lower end thereof. In a
!, manner similar to that described above with respect to the
¦¦embodiment shown in Figure 3, channel 85' and detent element 9o~
¦cooperate with inwardly directed ladder-type detent receiving
llelements 92 of support member 42 so as to permit support of
Iholding block 80' at multiple discrete positions within support
¦member 42. As above described, this permits two intermediate
¦positions to be provided so that holding block 80~ may
¦temporarily accommodate two sizes of cable adjacent to the
. insulation displacing portions 52 of contact 44 prior to final
termination. However, it is desirable to support holding block
80' through a range of positions within support member 42 so as
¦to permit temporary accommodation and support of conductors of
¦numerous sizes. The embodiment shown in Figures 10-12
¦ contemplates providing cooperating frictional attachment between
¦ holding block 80' and support member 42 continuously between a
~position where the conductors 18 (Fig. l) may be inserted in
¦passageways 84' in an unimpeded manner and a final position where
the conductors are terminated on IDC portions 52 of contacts 44.
¦AS used herein throughout, the terms "continuously supported" or
¦"continuously positioned" refer to the fact that holding block
80~ may be supported within recess 61 of support member 42 at any
, ¦position therealong. Whereas with the embodiment shown in Figure
. j3, plural positioning elements 96 of each detent receiving
¦~ ¦element 92 provide plural finite distinct~support positions for
iholding block 80 with respect to support member 42, the present
invention provides for "infinite adjustment" of the hoiding block
80' with respect to support member ~2. In order to enable such
continuous positioning of holdi4ng block 80' within recess 61 of
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support member ~2, holding bloc~ 80' has been modified to include
a pair of opposed inwardly directed ribs 99' extending along
either side of each of channels 85'.
Referring more particularly to Figures 11 and 12, ribs 99' are
il generally wedge-shaped each having a facing apex 97'. While ~-
channel 85 ' has a width extent which is wider than the width of -~
~iladder-type detent receiving elements 92 (Fig. 10) ribs 99'
!l extend inwardly therefrom so as to provide an interference fit
!!between ribs 99' and the sidewalls 92a of detent receiving
lo l,element 92. As shown particularly in Figure 12, upon insertion
¦lof holding block 80' into support member 42, the apices 97' of
¦~ribs 99' contact and engage the sidewalls 92a of detent receiving
. element 92. This frictional engagement is sufficient to hold
holding block 80' at a fixed position with respect to support j . .
member 42. While detent element 90' still cooperates with detent
receiving element 92 to permit the discrete multiple positioning
of holding block 80' with respect to support member 42, the
continuous frictional engagement between ribs 99' and the
¦¦sidewalls 92a allows continuous positioning of holding block 80' j ~ ~ -
¦I with respect to support member 42. Thus, the position of holding
¦!block 80' with respect to support member 42 may be fixed at any !
~location within recess 61.
¦With reference to Figure 10, the operation of the embodiment
Ishown therein may be described. Holding block 80' is initially
supported at an upper location within recess 61 of support member 1-
42 so that each detent element 90' engages lead-in surface 94 of ~ ¦
support member 42. In order to facilitate slidable insertion of : ~
the holding block 80' into recess 61 of support member 42, the - ~ :
¦lower end 95' of each channel 85' is outwardly tapered. In this .. 1~:
position, conductors 18 (Fig. 1) may be inserted in an unimpeded
manner into passageways 84' to align the conductors over the
insulation displacing contact portions 52 of contacts 44. The ¦ :~
holding block 80' may then be urged down under manual finger
pressure until the conductors 18 inserted therein engage the I ~ -
lupper extents of IDC portions 52. This engagement is sufficient I -
¦to frictionally retain the conductors against the IDC portions 52
¦without piercing the insulation and placing the conductors in ! :: -
electrical connection with the IDC portions 52. This
lintermediate position temporarily holds and secures the . - .
~1 40 ~Iconductors within passageway 8~ enabling the installer to , :~
.llikewise terminate the conductors at the opposite end of support
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member 42. This intermediate position where conductors 18 are
supported against, but not in electrical connection with, IDC
portions 52 is variable depending upon the size of conductors 18.
I The particular intermediate position for any conductor may or may
." 5i~not coincide with the discrete positions defined by the spaced
apart positioning elements 96 in a manner described above. The
frictional engagement between ribs 99' and sidewalls 92a permit
'the continuous positioning of holding block 80' at any pOSition
iiwithin support element 42 without regard to engagement of detent
10ll element go' with plural positloning elements 96.
~iIn a manner similar to that described hereinabove, holding block
¦i80' may be further inserted into recess 61 and may be snapped
down to a final position forcing IDC portions 52 fully through
!¦slots 82' past passageways 84' to make insulation displacing
15l connection with conductors 18. As above described, it is
contemplated that a pair of holding blocks 80' supported at
either opposed side of support element 42 may be simultaneously
llterminated over oppositely directed contacts 44 by actuation of
¦¦a suitable tool.
20¦¦ While as described above with respect to the embodiment shown in
¦¦Figures 3, 4 and 5, holding block 80 includes plural fingers 86
extending into passageways 84 to help support conductors therein,
¦the present invention permits support of the conductors against
¦the upper extent of IDC portions 52 at any continuous position
25therealong and therefore the embodiments shown in Figure 10, need
¦not include fingers extending into the passageways 84'. ~.
¦Elimination of the fingers permits easier insertion of conductors
¦18 into passageways 84' and also results in manufacturing
¦ expediency.
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30IReferring again to the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, with
termination sub-assembly fully assembled and terminated to
.conductors 18 of cable 12, the termination sub-assembly 40 and
~cable 12 may be inserted into base 22 of housing 20. Termination
, ¦sub-assembly 40 is inserted into base 22 adjacent connection end
35¦30 thereof. Upon insertion of termination sub-assembly 40 into
!j base 22, cable 12 is inserted into cable receiving end 32 of
¦jhousing 20 and extends through passage 34 at the rear
~!end thereof.
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The cable receiving end 32 of housing 20 includes a two-coDponent
strain relief device 100. which helps secure cable 12 in
housing 20. Strain relief device 100 which is shown in more
,detail in Figure 6 includes a pair of mating generally
., 5 , hermaphroditic strain relief components 102 and 104. Strain
~relief component 102 is referred to as a stationary component and
. is fixedly positioned in a channel 106 (Fig. ~) in base 22
adjacent cable receiving end 32. Strain relief component 104 is
movably positioned within a similarly disposed slot in cover 24.
o ,! Strain relief components 102 and 104 are generally ~-shaped l ;
~Imembers having a bottom wall 102a and 104a respectively and
jlupwardly extending sidewalls or legs 102b, 102c and 104b, 104c.
¦¦Legs 102c, 104c are deflectable and include inwardly directed l - :
Ij ratchet teeth 102d and 104d respectively. Legs 102c and 104c
¦1 include outwardly directed ratchet teeth 102e, 104e respectively.
¦¦The hermaphroditic strain reliçf components 102 and 104 are
¦positioned so that leg 102b of component 102 engages leg 104c of
component 104 and similarly leg 102c of component 102 engages leg
~104b of component 104. The positioning of ratchet teeth 102d,
¦104d and 102e, 104e permit the movable one-way ratchet engagement
¦lof component 102 with respect to component 104. The I
¦¦deflectability of legs 102c and 104c permits such ratchet
¦movement of.components 102 and 104. iThe internal surfaces of :
¦legs 102c, 104c as well as the internal surfaces of bottom walls
l102a and 104a are generally curved so as to form a circular .
¦opening 108 which is generally concentric with passage 34 of ~.~
housing 20. ~1`::
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As component 104 moves with respect component 102, opening 108
defined therebetween will be reduced in size in order to
frictionally secure jacket 14 of cable 12 therebetween. In order
: ¦ to assist in this frictional securement, ribs 110 are provided on
~ I the internal surface of each bottom wall 102a and 104a. These
Il ribs provide increased localized friction against the cable
jacket 14.
~i 35 Component 104 may alsc, include a frangibly removable cap 112
I which is attached to component 104 by a flexible web 114. Cap
~¦¦ 112 includes inwardly directed protrusions 116 which are
insertable into recesses 118 adjacent bottom wall 104a of
~; ¦component 104 for snap fit engagement therewithin.
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Strain relief device 100 operates in the following manner
Strain relief component 102-is fixedly positioned within base 22
` of housing 20. Strain relief component 104 is inserted into the
',slot in cover 24. Cover 24 is then positioned over and snap
" 5 lifitted on to base 22. In this position legs 102b, 104b and 102c
and 104c are only in initial engagement. In order to provide
strain relief for cable 12 within connector 10, strain relief
l'component 104 is manually pushed down into housing 10 through
jl cover 24 to provide for ratchet engagement of the respective
l,teeth of legs 102b, 104b and 102c, 104c. Component 104 is pushed
i¦downward toward component 102 until the cable is secured within
'lopening 108 which is continually decreasing in size by the
limovement of component 104 with respect to component 102. If
llcable 12 is of relatively small diameter, cap 112 may be attached
¦¦to component 104 and be used as a pressing surface. With such
¦relatively small cables, cap 112 will also function as a stop
¦preventing over-insertion of component 104 and the possible of
Icrushing of cable 12. In terminating larger cables, cap 112 may
¦extend above the surface of cover 24 as component 104 need not be
11 inserted as deeply into base 20. In this situation in order to
maintain a flat profile of cover 24, cap 112 may be frangibly
removed from component 104 and discarded. .
Prior to installation of cable 12, cable shield 16 is folded back
lover an extent of jacket 14. Thus the cable shield will also be
¦secured between strain relief components 102 and 104. As the
connector 10 is metallized, conductive continuity may be
established between cable shield 16 and housing 20.
Additionally, as contact shield 66 is in electrical engagement
with metallized housing 20 through extending bumps 74 thereon,
conductive continuity is maintained between cable sllield 16 and
contact shield 66 through metallized housing 20. However, in
order to provide further redundant direct conductive continuity
I ~ ¦between cable shield 16 and contact shield 66, a ground clip 120
¦is employed.
IGround clip 120 which is shown in more detail in Figure 7 is
positioned adjacent strain relief device 100 for engagement with
cable shield 16 upon strain relief termination of cable 12 in
housing 20. Ground clip 120 is an elongate member formed of
conductive metal such as plated copper. Ground clip 120 includes
1 a cable engagement extent 122, an opposed contact shield engaging
~extent 12~ and a central mounting surface 126. Cable engagement
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extent 122 includes a transversely arcuate cable engaging
surface 12~ for positioning of cable 12 thereon. Shield
. engagement extent 124 includes a deflectable cantilevered arm 130
,I for engagement with extending ground element 76 of contact shield
" 5 1. 66. Ground clip 120 is positioned within housing base 22 so that
. cable engagement extent 122 overlies fixed strain relief
~ component 102. Ground clip 120 is secured within base 22
., employing a pair of inwardly directed deflectable loc~ing
!j, barbs 132 at central mounting surface 126. An appropriate post
'i (not shown) extends from a wall of base 22 to be received between
,i loc~ing barbs 132 to secure ground clip 120 thereat. Shield
engagement extent 124 extends toward connection end 30 of
~ihousing 20 for engagement with ground element 76 of contact
~! shield 66 upon insertion of contact shield 66 into base 22.
¦ Cantilevered arm 130 is deflectable so as to resiliently engage
lan end 76a (Fig. 2) of contact shield 66 upon termination of
¦ cable 12 in housing 20. Ground clip 120 establishes electrical
¦continuity between cable shield 16 and contact shield 66 directly
! without need to employ the metallic plating of housing 20 to
l establish such continuity.
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¦Referring now to Figures 8 and 9 the latchlng of connector 10 to
¦a mating connector is shown. Connector 10, which as above
¦Imentioned is a plug connector, may be mechanically and
l¦electrically mated with a complementary jack connector shown u
1¦ schematically as jack connector lS0. Connector 10 is designed
Ifor repeated connection and disconnection with jack connector
¦150. In order to provide for such repeated connections and
disconnections, connector 10 includes a deflectable latch 140
extending therefrom. Connector 10 which is shown in a position - ;~
jrotated 180 from that shown in Figure 1, includes latch 140
¦extending from a side wall of housing base 22. Latch 140 is
Igenerally a deflectable cantilevered member having a ùistal ~:
¦llatching surface 142, a proximal manual actuating surface 144 and
a central transition surface 146. Latching surface 142 and
¦manual actuating surface 144 extend generally longitudinal to
connector housing 20. Latching surface 142 and manual actuation
¦surface 144 are vertically spaced apart being connected by
transversely extending transition surface 146. The particular
¦'shape of latch 140 provides for a low profile configuration of ! ::! the latch. Connector 10 generally has a rectangular body profile
defined by base 22 and cover 24. Employing an extending simple
'cantilevered arm which would extend from housing 20, would
14 - -
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-- ~135~
require the dis,al end of the latch to be substantially outward
of the rectangular body profile of connector 10. This would
result in the presentation of a wider body profile which would be
generally unacceptable for use with compact components- Also in
", 5 j order to appropriately latch such an extending arm a greater
degree of deflection would be required. The latch 140 of the
,~present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a
,ilatching surface 142 which is within the body profile of
l,housing 20 upon latching engagement with connector 150.
I Connector 10 is connected to jack connector lS0 in the following
¦~manner. The connection end 30 of connector 10 is inserted into
l',jack connector 150, latch 140 which is designed to dcwnwardly
!I deflect upon insertion into connector 150, engages a downwardly
llramped latch element 152 of connector 150. This engagement
!Iforces latching surface 142 under ramped latch element 152. An
¦opening 148 in latching surface 142 rides over ramped latch
l'jelement 152 and into locked position therewith.
¦¦Referring to Figure 9 the latched position of connector 10 with
I~respect to connector 150 is shown. Latching surface 142 is
¦secured within connector 150 with opening 148 in latching surface
¦142 surrounding latch element 152 to secure connectors 10 and 150
jin latching engagement. In order to release the latch 150 and
¦disconnect connector 10 from connector 150 manual actuation
jlsurface 144 is depressed. Since manual actuation surface 144 is
¦¦positioned in the plane above the plane of latching surface 142,
the manual actuation surface 144 may be easily manipulated by the
user. By depressing manual actuation surface 144 latching
surface 142 is moved away from ramped latch ele~ent 152
I permitting disconnection of connector 10 from connector 150.
IThe present invention thus provides a low profile latch almost
entirely within the body profile of connector 10 with only manual
actuation surface 144 slightly e~tending above the body profile
of connector 10 to facilitate manual actuation and release of
¦connector 10 from connector 150.
i
¦Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures
would now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly
~ithe particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in
'the following claims.
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