GB2421363A

GB2421363A - Fastening for connector

Info

Publication number: GB2421363A
Application number: GB0427713A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chang-Nan Chen; Teng-Sheng Hung; Jui-Chih Hung
Original assignee: Liang Tei Co Ltd
Current assignee: Liang Tei Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-17
Filing date: 2004-12-17
Publication date: 2006-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2024-12-17
Also published as: GB0427713D0; GB2421363A8; GB2421363B

Abstract

A fastening device for an connector has at least one locking device, comprising an actuating element 21 and a latch element 22, pivotally connected to the main body. The locking device rotates around its connection point like a buckle to cause the latch element to pull against a hook 32 of a connection port 30. The latch element may be a wire, in a rectangular, semi-circular, triangular or trapezoidal shape. Locking hook 14 may hold the actuating element in place. The connector may include a seal 13 in a groove (111, Fig 7) around the contacts, for waterproofing.

Description

CONNECTOR FASTENING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a connector fastening device, and more particularly to a connector fastening device that is disposed on a connector that transmits electronic signals. The connector fastening device can shift the position of a locking element, thereby securely fastening the connector onto the corresponding connection port. The development of information technology and computer industry has resulted in an overwhelming use of electrical connectors. The electrical connectors are often used to extend the range that signals or power are transmitted. However, after some plugging in and out of the connectors, the connection of which is often loosen, giving rise to an interruption of signal transmission. This is even worse for connectors used for wobbling peripheral devices, such as a printer, photocopier, or computer system on a vehicle. In order to solve this problem, a locking device is added to the connector, so as to prevent the connector from loosening away from the connection port. Therefore, to provide a connector that can securely and rapidly be fastened to the connection port is one import issue to address. Conventional connector fastening device shown in FIG. 1 includes a connector l0a and a connection port 20a. A protrusive plate 1 la is disposed at two of the front sides of the connector 10a. A dovetail groove 12a is formed at the central portion of the protrusive plate 11a. Correspondingly, a spring wire 21a is formed at two of the front sides of the connection port 20a. A protrusive portion of diamond shape 22a is formed at the end of the spring wire 21 a. The spring wire 21a is fastened to the connection port 20a by using a screw 23a. The protrusive portion 22a of the spring wire 21a can harness onto the dovetail groove 12a of the protrusive plate 11a, such that the connector 1Oa is securely fasten to the connection port 20a.Although the installation of the conventional connector fastening device is quick and easy, the frictional abrasion between the spring wire 21a and the dovetail groove 12a can often loosen the connection, especially in the wobbling peripheral devices. Another conventional connector fastening device shown in FIG. 2 includes a connector 30a and a connection port 40a. A protrusive ear 31a is formed extending from at two of front sides of the connector 30a. A hole 32a is formed at the central portion of the protrusive ear 31a. Correspondingly, a screw hole 41 is formed on two sides of the connection port 40a. The screw holes 41a corresponds the hole 32a of the connector 30a for penetrating therethrough a screw 42a, so as to securely fasten the connector 30a with the connection port 40a. However, the employment of a screw requires more efforts in the assembling and disassembling process. This is particularly inconvenient for those connectors that require frequent plugging in and out (e.g. for performance benchmark.) In addition, the connectors described above are lack of damp proof function.The terminals of the connectors are easily oxidated due to the atmospheric humidity, thereby largely reducing the life of the connectors. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention devoted themselves, based on their many years of practical experiences, in developing a new connector that can solve those and other problems set forth above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to provide a connector fastening device that employs the connection point of the connector main body and the actuating element as a rotation center to move the locking element, thereby securely fastening the connector main body onto the connection port. Accordingly, the connector fastening device of the present invention includes a connector main body having a connection portion and a conductor portion, and at least a locking device pivotally connected to one side of the connector main body. The locking device includes an actuating element and a locking element. The actuating element and the locking element are pivotally connected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional connector in connection with a connection port. FIG. 2 illustrates another conventional connector in connection with a connection port. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explosive view of the connector of the present invention in connection with a connection port. FIG. 5 illustrates the connector of the present invention in connection with the connection port. FIG. 6 illustrates the connector of the present invention in connection with the connection port. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In order to better understanding the features and technical contents of the present invention, the present invention is hereinafter described in detail by incorporating with the accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings are only for the convenience of illustration and description, no limitation is intended thereto. Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of the present invention is illustrated. The connector fastening device of the present invention includes a connector main body 10 and at least a locking device 20. The connector main body 10 can be a power plug head, a RJ-45 connector, a D-SUB connector, a RCA jack, a phone jack, or an S terminal. In this particular embodiment, the connector main body 10 is a D-SUB connector, which is substantially in a rectangular shape, including a connection portion 11 and a conductor portion 12. The connection portion 11 is extended from the front portion of the connection main body 10, where a plurality of contact terminals is disposed therein. A circular groove 111 (shown in FIG. 7) is disposed around the outer periphery of each contact terminal. The groove 111 is provided to dispose therein a damp proof pad 13. A conductor portion 12 is disposed on another end of the connection portion 11 of the connector main body 10. A locking hook 14 is disposed on the connector main body 10 extending from two sides of the conductor portion 12.In addition, a hole 15 is formed on the left and right sides of the connector main body 10. In this particular embodiment, the locking device 20 includes two locking devices. The locking device includes a actuating element 21 and a latch element 22. The actuating element 21 is composed of metallic plate material, which is directly formed into curved U-shape. A first through hole 211 and a second through hole 212 are formed on the actuating element 21. The first through hole 211 corresponds the hole 15 of the connector main body 10 for penetrating therethrough a shaft 23, so as to pivotally connect the connector main body 10 with the actuating element 21. The second through hole 212 provides the latch element 22 to be pivotally connected. The latch element 22 is made of metallic wire, which forms a rectangular frame body having an open end 221 and a closed end 222.It is appreciated that the latch element 22 can be of a semi-circular, triangular, trapezoidal, or other geometrical shape. A cylindrical shaft 223 is extended from the upper and lower portion of the opening 221 of the latch element. The cylindrical shaft 223 penetrates through the second through hole 212 of the actuating element 21. Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the present invention assembling with a connection portion is illustrated. According to such an assembling configuration, the connector main body 10 is plugged into a connection port 30. The connection port 30 includes a socket 31 disposed at the central portion thereof corresponding to the connection portion 11 (as shown in FIG. 3.) A hook 32 is formed at the left and right sides of the socket 31. The hooks 32 provide the closed end 222 of the locking element 22 to lock thereon. It is appreciated that the locking device 20 can be disposed on the connection port 30 (not shown), while the connector main body 10 includes hooks disposed thereon. Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the usage of the present invention is illustrated. As shown, the connection portion 11 of the connector 10 is inserted into the socket 31 of the connection port 30. By turning the actuating elements 21 at two sides of the locking device 20, one can move the locking element 22 forward to harness the closed end 222 of the locking element 22 onto the hook 32 of the connection port 30. By pivotally rotating the actuating element 21 backward about the shaft 23 and pressing the locking hook 14 of the connector 10 on the end portion of the actuating element 21, thereby securely fastening the connector 10 onto the connection port 30. Accordingly, the connector fastening device of the present invention is advantageous in at least the following points. Since the locking device is pivotally connected on the connector main body, the rotation of the actuating element about the shaft 23 can move the locking element to rapidly connecting the connector main body onto the connection port. In addition, the groove of the connection portion includes a damp proof pad, thereby preventing the atmospheric humidity from abrading the contact terminals. Since, any person having ordinary skill in the art may readily find various equivalent alterations or modifications in light of the features as disclosed above, it is appreciated that the scope of the present invention is defined in the following claims. Therefore, all such equivalent alterations or modifications without departing from the subject matter as set forth in the following claims is considered within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A connector fastening device, comprising: a connector main body, comprising a connection portion and a conductor portion; and at least a locking device pivotally connected to the connector main body at a connection point, the locking device comprising an actuating element and a locking element, the actuating element connecting the locking element; whereby the connection point of the connector main body and the actuating element act as a rotation center to move the locking element to securely fasten the connector main body onto a connection port.

Claims

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein a circular groove is disposed at the connection portion of the connector main body, the groove providing a damp proof pad to be disposed therein.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein a locking hook is disposed extending from the conductor portion of the connector main body, the locking hook corresponding the end portion of the locking device.

4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein a hole is formed on the connector main body, and a first through hole and a second through hole are disposed on the actuating element of the locking device, the first through hole and the hole providing a shaft penetrating therethrough, so as to connect the locking device and the connector main body. 5. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein the actuating element of the locking device is formed of a plate in substantially a U-shape, the through holes being disposed on the corresponding plate

6. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein the locking element of the locking device is composed of wire, the locking device having an opening end, two cylindrical shafts being disposed on the opening end of the locking device, the cylindrical shafts penetrating through the second through hole of the actuating element.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the locking element of the locking device is one of a rectangular shape, a semi-circular shape, a triangular shape and a trapezoidal shape. 8. A connector fastening device, comprising: a connector main body having a connection portion; and at least a locking device pivotally connected on the connector main body at a connection point, the locking device including an actuating element and a locking element, the locking element connecting the actuating element; whereby the connection point of the connector main body and the actuating element act as a rotation center to move the locking element to securely fasten the connector main body onto a connection port.

9. The device as recited in claim 8, wherein the connection portion of the connector main body is a socket. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A connector fastening device, comprising: a connector main body, comprising a connection portion and a conductor portion; at least one locking device pivotally connected to the connector main body at a connection point, the locking device comprising an actuating element and a locking element, the actuating element connecting the locking element to the connector main body, the actuating element being connected to the connector main body at a connection point which acts as a rotation center to move the locking element to securely fasten the connector main body onto a connection port; and a locking hook which extends from the conductor portion of the connector main body for engagement with an end portion of the locking device. 2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein a groove is disposed at the connection portion of the connector main body, the groove receiving a damp proof pad disposed therein.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein a hole is formed on the connector main body, and a first through hole and a second through hole are disposed on the actuating element of the locking device, the first through hole and the hole receiving a shaft penetrating therethrough, so as to connect the locking device and the connector main body.

4. The device as recited in claim 3, wherein the actuating element of the locking device is formed of a plate in substantially a U-shape, the through holes being disposed on the corresponding plate. 5. The device as recited in claim 3, wherein the locking element of the locking device is composed of wire, the locking device having an open end, two cylindrical shafts being disposed on the open end of the locking device, the cylindrical shafts penetrating through the second through hole of the actuating element.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the locking element of the locking device is one -of a rectangular shape, a semi-circular shape, a triangular shape and a trapezoidal shape.

7. A connector fastening device substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 3 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.