GB2183934A - Connectors with interlocking bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling having two mutually engageable connectors wherein a first connector comprises a moulded plastic body (Fig. 4) having a pair of springy toothed prongs (11) between which a male contact (Fig. 5) is received supported against a finger 18 of the body which projects between the prongs (11), and wherein the other connector comprises an elongate moulded plastics channel section (Fig. 1) which receives therein a female contact (Fig. 2) and which includes, in external walls thereof, notches (10) complementary with toothed parts of the prongs, such that the two bodies of the connector mutually engage in inter-locking relationship when mated, and such that the finger which projects between the prongs serves to close the channel section when the parts are mated thereby to provide a closed box-like connector assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connectors The present invention relates to connectors and more particularly but not exclusively to electrical connectors comprising demountable male and female parts.

Many connector applications require a high degree of protection of the contact area and some protection from the effects of vibration.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector suitable for use in such applications.

According to the present invention there is provided a connector of the kind having male and female contact members each in a respective electrically insulating housing wherein one of said housings has a longitudinal opening parallel with the contact member and the other of said housings has a protection member extending longitudinal and parallel with the respective contact member, said protection member being arranged on assembly of the connector to close said opening whereby the mated contacts are substantially enclosed within a box formed by the two housings.

Preferably one of said housings has a plurality of latch members adapted to cooperate with a corresponding plurality of indentations in the other of said housings to lock the assembly together.

At least one of said housings may have one or more latch members arranged to cooperate with an aperture of a panel to locate the connector with respect to the panel. Said housing may also include a boss arranged to enter a corresponding aperture in the panel to locate the connector longitudinally.

A connector in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a female contact housing; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the female contact; Figure 3 is a cross section of the housing of Fig. 1 on the line Ill-Ill; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a male contact housing; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the male contact; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified male contact housing to provide a row of connectors; and, Figure 7 shows a modification of the housing of Fig. 4 to permit stacking of the connectors.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the female part of the connector comprises a housing (Fig. 1 and a contact (Fig. 2).

The housing is moulded from plastics material and is in the form of an open box which has an opening running the full length underneath. It will be appreciated that moulding is extremely simple with such an arrangement.

The contact is fitted to the housing by inserting it through the opening.

To retain the contact in the housing a section toward the rear of the housing has a keyhole shape (as shown in Fig. 3). The plastics walls flex to permit passage of the contact and return to grip the contact around a circular portion 3. An extended section 4 of the contact enters an aperture 5 in the housing preventing forward or backward movement of the contact whilst flat side walls 6 of the section 4 cooperate with the walls of the housing to prevent rotation of the contact member.

As will be seen from Fig. 2 a solder tag 7 is provided to allow connection of a wire. It is here noted, however, that wire-wrapping or crimping may be used with suitable modification of the contact member. Alternatively the contact may be provided with an insulation displacement type connection function.

Returning to Fig. 1 it will be noted that a boss 8 is provided which is arranged for fitting in a circular aperture of a panel (not shown) to locate the connector and prevent forward or backward movement. Additionally one or more clips 9 (only one of which is shown) are provided, the clip passing through a corresponding aperture to attach the connector to such a panel. The displacement of the clip to permit its passage and return is dependant entirely on the resiiience of the platics material of the connector.

At the rear of the housing a pair of indentations 10 are provided which cooperate with clips (11 in Fig. 4) when the male and female parts of the connector are mated to inhibit separation of the two parts.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the male connector part similarly comprises a housing (Fig. 4) and a contact member (Fig. 5).

The contact member is fitted to the housing by sliding insertion from the rear of the housing, a lip section 12 displacing a crosspiece 13 of the housing to enter an aperture 14 to retain the contact against backward movement. A shoulder 15 cooperates with a wall 16 of the housing to retain against forward movement. The ieading section (contact portion) of the contact member passes through an aperture 17 in the wall 16 to protrude over a supporting member 18.

To facilitate mating or demating of the connector assembly, finger grips 19 are provided on the body of the housing.

It will be noted that the male contact is provided with a similar solder tag to that provided on the female contact. Again any other suitable connection method may be provided for.

On mating of the male and female parts of the connector, in addition to the contact areas of the two contact members mating, the sup porting member 18 enters the open side of the female housing. The member 18 has two purposes, firstly it provides a protective box section surrounding the contacts and secondly its prevents overstressing of the bifurcated part of the female contact member by supporting lower lip 20.

Once mating of the connector is complete, the clips 11 enter the indentations 10 thus inhibiting accidental separation of the two halves. Again, the resilience of the plastics material is used to allow passage of the clips and their return to the home position. Tapering the leading edges of the clip members 11 facilitates their forward passage.

In regard to the connector housings of Figs.

1 and 4 it will be noted that extended insulation sections 21 are provided to cover one side of the connection tabs 7 to assist in the prevention of short circuits.

Referring now to Fig. 6 an alternative male contact housing is shown in which a plurality of male contacts may be mounted side by side. It is not considered necessary to offer further explanation of the housing of Fig. 6 since its function and manufacture will be apparent by reference to the description of Fig.

4.

In Fig. 7 a male contact housing adapted for providing a connector stack is shown. In this case, the housing is provided with a spigot 22 and aperture arrangement, the spigot of a lower connector entering the aperture of an upper connector to maintain the stack.

The connectors hereinbefore described are particularly suited to the interconnection of ribbon cables, the housings being easily formed from Nylon or polyester materials and the contact members being turned in for example a copper alloy with the contact areas plated with a precious metal such as gold.

Claims (10)

1. A connector of the kind having a male and a female contact member each in a respective electrically insulating housings wherein one of said housings has a longitudinal opening parallel with its contact member and the other of said housing has a protection member extending longitudinal and parallel with the respective contact member, said protection member being arranged on assembly of the connector to close said opening whereby the mated contacts are substantially enclosed within a box formed by the housings.

2. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein one of said housings has a plurality of latch members adapted to cooperate with a corresponding plurality of indentations in the other of said housings to lock the assembly together.

3. A connector as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein at least one of said housings has one or more latch members arranged to cooperate with an aperture of a panel in the other housing to locate the connector with respect to the panel.

4. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housings are formed of a plastic material.

5. A connector as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the plastics material is nylon.

6. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the contact members are formed of a copper alloy with contact areas plated with a precious metal such as gold.

7. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described with referene to the accompanying drawings.

8. A connector having male and female contact members held in separate insulating housing members, one of these housing members having an open-box form in which the relevant contact member rests while the other housing member has its contact member adjacent a further support member, the support member when the male and female contacts are connected acting with the open-box form housing to enclose the contact members.

9. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one of the set housings can accomodate a plurality of contacts members.

10. A connector as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each of the housings has a spigot and an aperture, spigots and apertures in respective housings interlocking to maintain a stack.