Elongate electrical connector retaining device

Abstract

An electrical connector retaining device for retaining the male and female members of an elongate electrical cable connector in their mated positions is disclosed. The retaining device includes a semi-resilient strap and a rigid frame. The strap includes a planar region and one or more anchoring prongs having bullet shaped ends integrally formed with the planar region and projcting outwardly from on edge thereof. Extending obliquely outwardly from the edge of the planar region opposed to the prong edge is a flange. The flange is integrally formed with the planar region and includes a plurality of ridges that lie parallel to the edge from which the flange extends. The rigid frame may be integrally formed in the housing or chassis of an electrical subsystem, or as a separate item. The rigid frame includes an aperture in which one element (e.g., male or female) of the connector is mounted. That element is attached to the rigid frame. Located in the rigid frame, along one of the longitudinal sides of the aperture are holes adapted to receive the anchoring prongs. On the opposite side of the aperture is a slot and one or more cross-bars adapted to receive and interact with the ridges formed in the strap flange when the strap is wrapped over the assembled connector. The cross-bars may be located in an integral flange lying transverse to the plane of the portion of the rigid frame supporting the connector element. A multitude of cross-bars form a ladder arrangement that interacts with a number of ridges, rather than a single ridge.