Connector including a disengagement feature

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12088044-B2
Application number	US-202318349676-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 10, 2023
Priority date	Feb 8, 2011
Publication date	Sep 10, 2024
Grant date	Sep 10, 2024

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector ( 1 ) for data connections, in particular of the RJ type, with a latch element ( 6 ) for securing a connection to a counter-connector. In order to simplify a disconnection of the connector ( 1 ) and the counter-connector, even when the connection is secured by the latch connection, the invention provides that the connector ( 1 ) is provided with a gripping end ( 5, 5 ′) that is adapted to transfer the latch element ( 6 ) from its latch position (L) and to disconnect the connector ( 1 ) from the counter-connector by a single movement.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A connector for terminating a communications cable, comprising:
a contact end;
a gripping end at an opposite end of the connector from the contact end;
a housing including an end pointing in a contact direction, the housing being connectable to a counter-connector in the contact direction;
a conversion element; and
a slidable member slidable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, the slidable member being configured, when slid from the first position to the second position in a direction opposite to the contact direction, to rotate the conversion element towards a latch to press the latch by the conversion element and thereby unlatch the connector from the counter-connector.

2. The connector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a guiding element, the guiding element defining a pivot bearing that receives the conversion element.

3. The connector of claim 2 , wherein the pivot bearing receives a pair of connection legs of the conversion element.

4. The connector of claim 3 , wherein the guiding element includes a groove that receives a bar positioned along a rotational axis of the conversion element.

5. The connector of claim 4 , wherein the groove interconnects openings of the pivot bearing that receive the connection legs of the conversion element.

6. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the latch is attached to the housing and extends from the housing.

7. A connector for terminating a communications cable, comprising:
a contact end;
a gripping end at an opposite end of the connector from the contact end;
a housing including an end pointing in a contact direction, the housing being connectable to a counter-connector in the contact direction;
a conversion element; and
a slidable member slidable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, the slidable member being configured, when slid from the first position to the second position in a direction opposite to the contact direction, to rotate the conversion element towards a latch to press the latch by the conversion element and thereby unlatch the connector from the counter-connector,
wherein a boot is connected to the slidable member and configured to act as a bend protection for the communications cable, the boot being configured to slide with the slidable member to rotate the conversion element.

8. The connector of claim 7 , wherein a width of a portion of the boot decreases as the boot extends from the gripping end towards the contact end.

9. The connector of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the boot forms a waist of the boot.

10. The connector of claim 7 , wherein the boot has a rectangular shape at the gripping end.

11. The connector of claim 7 , wherein the boot defines a circular-shaped opening through which the communications cable extends into the boot.

12. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the slidable member is biased toward the first position.

13. The connector of claim 12 , wherein the connector includes a spring that biases the slidable member toward the first position.

14. The connector of claim 12 , wherein the connector includes two springs that bias the slidable member toward the first position.

15. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a stop that limits movement of the slidable member relative to the housing.

16. The connector of claim 15 , wherein the stop is on the slidable member.

17. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector is an RJ type electrical connector having at least one electrical contact.

18. The connector of claim 1 , further comprising the counter-connector.

19. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the conversion element is rotationally mounted to the slidable member.

20. The connector of claim 19 , wherein connection legs of the conversion element are rotationally mounted in connection recesses of the slidable member.

Assignees

• Commscope Technologies Llc
• Commscope Connectivity Spain Sl
• CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA

Inventors

• De Dios Martin Longinos
• Thijs Danny
• Muir Sheldon

Classifications

• H01R43/26

  for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device (structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629) · CPC title

• H01R24/64

  for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45 · CPC title

• Y10T29/49117

  Conductor or circuit manufacturing · CPC title

• H01R13/633 Primary

  for disengagement only {(in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132)} · CPC title