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:
Feb. 15, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 19, 1997
Hoy Smith Beck, Jr, Lexington, NC (US);
Dana Marpoe, Kernersville, NC (US);
Fred Howard Fisher, Jamestown, NC (US);
The Whitaker Corporation, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
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.