The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 1995
Filed:
Jun. 30, 1994
James R Fetterolf, Sr, Mechanicsburg, PA (US);
Harold W Kerlin, Port Royal, PA (US);
Jason M Reisinger, Carlisle, PA (US);
The Whitaker Corporation, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to a latching system for a pair of intermatable electrical connectors, such as a plug and receptacle, which incorporates a mechanism for unlatching same by the application of a maximum predetermined separating force, such as may be the result of an accident, to the plug and receptacle. The system comprises a first electrical connector having a pair of flexible arms projecting axially therefrom, where the free ends of the arms include slot means for engaging complementary arms within the second electrical connector. The second electrical connector includes a forward ramp surface against which the flexible arms initially ride to effect mating of the connectors, a rearward surface slightly angled, i.e. on the order of about 4.degree. to 10.degree., from a base toward the ramp surface, and a metal spring arm mounted within the second electrical connector in close proximity to the base of the rearward surface. In the mated condition the spring arm engages the slot means. While a manually operated mechanism is provided to effect unmating, a safety system is included to prevent damage due to forces being applied thereto. For example, to effect unmating a maximum predetermined separating force may be applied therebetween causing the spring arm to flex to a position near the rearward surface at a critical release angle to thereby release the free end from its respective spring arm.