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:
Jan. 07, 1997
Filed:
Mar. 20, 1995
Paul D Cecil, Jr, Joliet, IL (US);
Scott P Marceau, Naperville, IL (US);
Molex Incorporated, Lisle, IL (US);
Abstract
A connector position assurance system is provided for an electrical connector adapted to mate with another mateable connecting device. The connector includes a housing having an interior cavity. A flexible locking arm is provided on the housing and is adapted for locking engagement with appropriate lock means of the mateable connecting device. The locking arm is flexibly movable between a locking position when the connector is fully mated with the device inwardly to an unlocking position of incomplete mating of the connector with the device. A locking member is mounted substantially within the interior cavity of the connector housing and includes an actuating portion exposed exteriorly of the housing. The locking member is movable between a first position allowing movement of the locking arm and mating of the connector and the device, and a second position blocking inward movement of the locking arm away from its locking position when the connector and the device are fully mated. The locking arm in its unlocking position of incomplete mating of the connector and the device blocks movement of the locking member from its first position to its second position, thereby indicating that the connector and the device are not fully mated.