The Whitaker Corporation

Dana Marpoe

Hoy Smith Beck, Jr

Fred Howard Fisher

An electrical connector (2) includes a living hinge (40) joining a cover (36) to a main connector housing (10). The cover (36) functions as a terminal position assurance or locking member. When properly positioned, the cover (36) backs up terminal latches (18) securing terminals (70) in housing cavities (14). The living hinge (40) is located on the rear edge of the cover (36) which pivots forward to enclose a housing opening (32) on the mating half of the electrical connector (2). Longitudinally extending projections (52) on the cover extend beside the living hinge (40). Longitudinally extending projections (26) extend from a housing wall (22) beside the living hinge and toward the projections (52). The projections (26, 56) are rotated into overlapping relationship when the cover is closed and interlock the rear of the cover (36) in the event of damage to the living hinge (40). Opposing shoulders (30) and (60) on the housing (10) and cover (36) prevent longitudinal movement of the cover (36) relative to the housing (10) and a cover latch (66) is located on the front of the cover (36). The assembly can be molded with straight pull mold tooling.

Electrical connector with interlocking living hinge

A wire guide assembly (10) mounted to an electrical connector (20) for orienting a bundle of wires exiting from a wire exit face of the connector (20). The wire guide assembly (10) comprises upper and lower pieces (30,40) each with respective latching structure (36,46) for connecting the pieces (30,40) together. Additionally, the upper and lower pieces (30,40) each include mounting structure (32,33;44) for mounting the assembly (10) to the connector (20). The latching structure (36,46) advantageously provides clamping forces to the mounting structure (32,33;44) for imparting structural rigidity to the assembly (10) and thereby supporting and guiding a bundle of wires.

Growing community of inventors

Kernersville, NC, United States of America

Dana Marpoe