US3838380A

US3838380A - Connector assembly

Info

Publication number: US3838380A
Application number: US00239955A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Stieler
Original assignee: Bunker Ramo Corp
Current assignee: Amphenol Corp; Bunker Ramo Corp
Priority date: 1971-04-20
Filing date: 1972-03-31
Publication date: 1974-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-24
Also published as: IT950793B; AU4006572A; AT323261B; JPS5427953B1; FR2133618A1; NL7204800A; DE2119060C3; CA962356A; DE2119060A1; DE2119060B2; GB1387205A; AU467683B2; FR2133618B1; ZA721851B; CH537647A

Abstract

Connector assembly for use in joining electrical parts comprises a contact body adapted to house and support electrical contacts coupled to a frame which encloses a portion of the body. The housing and frame form a connector assembly which can be either a male portion or a female portion of a plug-in type connector. A locking clamp engages mating surfaces on the body and on the frame to hold the body and frame together. A shielding contact is trapped between the frame and the locking clamp.

Description

nlted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,838,380

Stieler Sept. 24, 1974 CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY 3,329,925 7/l967 Johnson et al. 339 143 R 3,697,924 l0/l972 Oliver 339/l4 R [75] lnvemor- AlfFed Shel", 3,723,948 3 1973 Wyatt et al. 339/14 R x He1lbr0nn/Neckar. Germany [73] Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corporation, Oak Primary E i j h H gi BYOOk, Assistant Examiner-William F. Pate, III [22] Filed: Mal. 31, 1972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-D. R. Bair; F. M. Arbuckle [21] Appl. No.: 239,955

[57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application P i ity D t Connector assembly for use in joining electrical parts Apr. 20 1971 Germany 2119060 comprises a contact body adapted to house and support electrical contacts coupled to a frame which en- [52] US CL 339/14 R 339/126 339/206 R closes a portion of the body. The housing and frame [5 1] Int. Cl H01r 3/06 form a Connector assembly which can be either a male [58] Field of Search 334/176, 14 R, 143 R; P or a female Portion of a l type connec' 339/119 133 134 167 208 209 tor. A locking clamp engages matmg surfaces on the body and on the frame to hold the body and frame to- [56] References Cited gether. A shielding contact is trapped between the UNITED STATES PATENTS frame and the locking clamp.

2,888,660 5/1959 Fox 339/14 R 8 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of electrical connectors. particularly plug-in type connectors for joining together multiple contacts.

2. Description of the Prior Art In a known plug-in connector of this type. the shielding contact is used both to establish electrical contact between mating connectors and to interlock pieces of a connector portion together. One of the pieces of a known connector portion forms a contact housing while the other piece is in the form of a lid. The shielding contact is provided with clamps that extend across the lid of the connector portion. The shielding contact is attached to the outside of the housing by means of locking members which snap into recesses in the outer surface of the housing.

The prior art configuration has several disadvantages. Since the shielding contact must fulfill two functions, namely, locking pieces of the connector portion together and establishing electrical contact. the prior art connector is rather complicated and expensive to produce. Production costs are high because the shielding contacts including the lock member must be made of metal in order to obtain the necessary electrical contact properties. Being of metal. the locking members are stiff making it difficult to remove the shielding contact. Oftentimes, the locking members must be destroyed when the contacts are removed and replaced. Further. the pieces of the connector portions are no longer held together once the shielding contact has been removed. since the shielding contact is also used to hold the connector pieces together. This is a particu lar disadvantage in applications. such as in laboratory work. where it is occasionally necessary to remove the shielding contact in order to disconnect instruments that are connected to the connector assembly from ground potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an improved connector assembly of the plug-in type. which can be manufactured at low cost.

It is another object ofthe invention to provide a connector assembly which can be easily disassembled.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a shielding contact in a connector that can be removed without totally disassembling the connector portion or destroying the locking members.

The invention contemplates includes a connector as sembly having a body adapted to house and support electrical contacts therein. and a frame enclosing a portion of the body. A locking clamp engages mating surfaces on both the body and frame to hold these two parts of the connector assembly together. A shielding contact is trapped between the connector assembly and the locking clamp.

The locking clamps are made of plastic and are made separately from the shielding contacts. The shielding contacts are made of metal and are held in recesses between the clamps and the corresponding outer surfaces of the connector assembly. Movement of the assembled shielding contact is prevented by mating abutting surfaces on the shielding contact and on the connector assembly. The separate locking clamp can be produced at extremely low cost utilizing a plastic molding process. The shielding contact can also be produced for a low cost. because it has a very simple form. Since the clamp and the shielding contact are made of separate pieces, the shielding contact can be easily removed from the connector assembly. The plastic locking clamp is attached to the outside of the frame and can be utilized to hold the body and the frame together even though the shielding contact is removed.

In a preferred embodiment. the locking clamps are provided with locking shoulders which engage with mating shoulders provided on the outer surface of the frame. The resilient property of the plastic clamps provides a convenient snap lock engagement of the locking clamps with the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings representing preferred embodiments of the connector assembly according to the present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a contact body serving as an insertable member of a connector assembly;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a connector assembly (a contact body in a frame) with an inserted locking clamp;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a mating connector assembly (a contact body in a frame) with an inserted locking clamp;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the contact body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the connector assembly of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 6 is a side view of the mating connector assembly of FIG. 3'.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the mating connector assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of the locking clamp;

FIG. 9 is a cross section of the clamp of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the locking clamp of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the locking clamp of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a partial front view of the connector assembly of FIG. 2 with a cutaway showing the inserted shielding contact;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the shielding contact of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the shielding contact of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the connector assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a partial front view of the mating connector assembly of FIG. 3 with a cutaway showing the inserted shielding contact;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the shielding contact of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the shielding contact of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the mating connector assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged front view of a locking clamp with an attached cable clamp;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the locking clamp of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front view of another embodiment of a locking clamp with an attached cable clamp;

FIG. 23 is a side view of the locking clamp of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a partial cut of a connector assembly with the locking clamp of FIGS. 22 and 23; and

FIG. 25 is a cross section of the engaging flanges of the shielding contact and of the frame (portion of FIG. 12).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 7

show body members

5, 6, molded of suitable dielectric material and having contact chambers 7 formed therein into which contacts (not shown) providing connections from a cable or from an instrument are introduced and mounted.

FIG. 2 shows a male (plug) connector assembly 1, constituted by assembly of a body member in a frame .3. FIG. 3 shows a female (receptacle) connector assembly 2, constituted by assembly of a body member 6 in a frame 4, parts of frame 4 being adapted to receive mating portions of frame 3 of connector assembly

I. Body members

5 and 6 may be identical, thus making possible substantial economies in the manufacture of the mating set of connector assemblies 1 and 2.

FIGS. 8-11 show a locking

clamp

8, 9 provided to lock the

body members

5, 6 into the

frames

3, 4. The locking clamp is applied at the end of a connector assembly, by sliding it on from the top, speaking of the parts as in the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The clamp has an opposed pair of ribs 20, which are a sliding flt in grooves 21 in the ends of the

frames

3 and 4, seen where the clamp is broken away at the right end of FIG. 7. The clamps have laterally extending

latch ears

13, 14, with beveled surfaces on the side facing the frames. Thus when the clamp is moved downwardly, the beveled surfaces 15 ride up on the adjacent surface 16 of the frame, deforming the clamp somewhat, and causing it to press against the frame. As the clamp reaches the limit of its movement, the latch ears spring under the shoulders 18 on the end of the frame, and the clamp is thus held in place.

In the female connector assembly (FIG. 3) a similar action takes place. As the locking clamp is moved into place, the ears l3, l4 ride up on the surfaces 17, until they snap into place under the shoulders 19.

When the clamp is in locking position, a claw 10 at the top of the clamp overhangs the adjacent portion of the frame 3, and bears against protruding bosses 11 on the body 5 in the male connector, as seen in the broken-away section at the right of FIG. 2, and dotted in FIG. 5. In the female connector 2, where the frame 4 is deeper, the claw 10 bears against the boss 12 on the body 6, as shown dotted in FIG. 6. In either case, the clamp retains the body and the associated frame in assembled relation.

With simple tools, such as a knife or screwdriver, it is easy to pry the ears l3, 14 out from under the shoulders 18 and remove the clamp without damage when disassembly is desired.

A recess is formed in the locking clamp, providing a space to receive a part of a ground or shield contact. For the male connector, a contact such as that shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is used. It is put in place, before the locking clamp is applied. by extending the elongated contact blade 26 through a hole 34 in the flange 36 of the frame. This extends the blade along one end of the body 5, as seen in FIGS. 12 and 15, brings the flange portions 28 of the contact, which extend perpendicular to the contact blade, into engagement with the flange 36 of the frame, and brings the lug 30 against the end of the frame 3. When the locking clamp is applied, its leading edge holds the contact flange portions 28 and the frame flange together, and the walls of recess 25 in the clamp confine the lug 30. A notch 49 in the clamp provides access to a

terminal screw

32, 33 in the lug 30 for attachment of a conductor from a cable shield or other ground connection. A notch 24 allows clearance for that part of a screw which extends through the lug 30.

In the female connector, a contact as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 may be used. Its contact blade 27 extends through a hole 35 into the cavity of frame 4 as seen in FIG. 16, in a position complementary to that of the blade 26 on body 5 as seen in FIG. 12. Thus when the connector assemblies 1 and 2 are mated, blade 27 slides along blade 26, in contact therewith.

A connector assembly 1 to be used in an instrument is fastened to the side of the instrument through an opening in the instrument, with the flanges in contact with the metal case of the instrument adjacent the opening. The plug connector is attached to the instrument by means of screws which run through aligned openings 44 (FIG. 25) in the flanges 28 of the shielding contact and the flanges 36 of the frame. In order to have the shielding contact permanently engage the instrument, the shielding contact has a cylindrical portion (or nozzle) 45 extending through the opening 44 in

flanges

36, 37 and protruding through opening 44. When the mounting screw is tightened, the protruding portion of the nozzle 45 is brought to bear against the case of the instrument. Thus, the pressure with which the shielding contact bears against the instrument is independent of possible shrinkage of the plastic flanges 36, and is maintained even when the plastic flange has been partially or completely broken away from the side of the instrument.

FIGS. 20 to 24 show additional embodiments of locking clamps to which a cable clamp has been attached. These locking clamps are used to advantage at the cable side of the connector assembly 1 in order to reduce the mechanical load exerted upon the cable connections. The locking clamps 40, 41 are formed with extensions providing

semicircular carriers

38, 39. An arched, semicircular clamp 47 can be attached to the carrier by means of two screws 48 to provide a cable grip.

The locking clamp 40 in FIG. 20 has a form similar to that of the previously described locking

clamps

8, 9. In contrast to these clamps, the locking clamp 41 in FIG. 22 is not provided with recessed guiding surfaces. The same is true for the corresponding frame portion. In place of the guiding members, there is provided an extension 42 which, as shown in FIG. 24, engages a recess 43 in the frame. This configuration prevents the locking clamp from being detached and from moving when the locking clamp is in the snapped-on position.

From the foregoing, it can be readily realized that this invention can assume various embodiments. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but is to be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector assembly including a dielectric body adapted to house and support electrical contacts, a frame adapted to receive said body, said frame having flanges for mounting said assembly on a supporting surface, a locking clamp having ribs slidably engageable with grooves in said frame, and having ears releasably engageable in latching relation with shoulders on said frame, body retainer means on said clamp, engaging said body and preventing removal thereof from said frame when said clamp is retained on said frame-by engagement of said ears with said shoulders, and a shielding contact retained by enclosure of a portion thereof in a recess in said locking clamp, being releasable therefrom when said clamp is removed.

2. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said locking clamp has beveled surfaces on said ears facing mating surfaces in said frame adjacent to said shoulders.

3. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retainer means on said locking clamp comprises a claw extending from one end of said locking clamp over a portion of said frame and into engagement with at least one boss on said boding.

4. The connector assembly as claimed in claim l,

wherein said locking clamp has an extension on the end opposite said claw, and said frame has a flange extending perpendicularly to an outer surface of said frame, said flange having an engaging recess for engaging said extension therein.

5. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said grooves in said frame and said ribs on said locking clamp guide said locking clamp into proper engaging position with said frame.

6. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1 including a cable clamp coupled to said locking clamp.

UNITED STA'I I'LS PAT ENT OFFICE 8 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION L PATENT N0. 3,838,380 4 DATED 1 September 24, 1974 -|NVENTOR(S) I Alfred Otto Hugo Stieler- It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent p are hereby corrected as shown below;

In the ABSTRACT, line 4, change "housing" to -body-.

Column 4, line 24, after "flanges" insert 36-;

Engncd and Scaled thus ninth Day of March 1976 [SEAL] Q AUGSI.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oj'Paren ts and Trademarks O

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly including a dielectric body adapted to house and support electrical contacts, a frame adapted to receive said body, said frame having flanges for mounting said assembly on a supporting surface, a locking clamp having ribs slidably engageable with grooves in said frame, and having ears releasably engageable in latching relation with shoulders on said frame, body retainer means on said clamp, engaging said body and preventing removal thereof from said frame when said clamp is retained on said frame by engagement of said ears with said shoulders, and a shielding contact retained by enclosure of a portion thereof in a recess in said locking clamp, being releasable therefrom when said clamp is removed.

2. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking clamp has beveled surfaces on said ears facing mating surfaces in said frame adjacent to said shoulders.

4. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking clamp has an extension on the end opposite said claw, and said frame has a flange extending perpendicularly to an outer surface of said frame, said flange having an engaging recess for engaging said extension therein.

7. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein a portion of said cable clamp is an integral part of said locking clamp.

8. The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said frame has a flange extending perpendicularly to an outer surface of said frame; and said shielding contact has a mating flange in engagement with said frame flange, both said flanges being provided with aligned openings, said shielding contact having an integral cylindrically shaped portion extending through said opening in said Flange.