Latch assemblies for connector systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9515408-B2
Application number	US-201514709102-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 11, 2015
Priority date	May 14, 2014
Publication date	Dec 6, 2016
Grant date	Dec 6, 2016

Abstract

A connector system includes a cartridge having a cavity configured to hold one or more connector modules therein. The cartridge has a port opening to the cavity. The cartridge receiving the one or more connector modules through the port. The connector system includes a release mechanism housed in the cavity. The release mechanism configured to eject the one or more connector modules when actuated. The connector system includes a release button exposed beyond the cartridge and operably coupled to the release mechanism. The release button being pressed to an actuated position to activate the release mechanism. The release button is configured to be in a locked position to avoid inadvertent activation thereof.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connector system comprising:
a cartridge having a cavity configured to hold one or more connector modules therein, the cartridge having a port open to the cavity, the cartridge receiving the one or more connector modules through the port;
a release mechanism housed in the cavity, the release mechanism configured to eject the one or more connector modules when actuated;
a release button exposed beyond the cartridge and operably coupled to the release mechanism, the release button being pressed to an actuated position to activate the release mechanism;
wherein the release button is positionable in a locked position and is positionable in an unlocked position, the release button being able to be pressed to the actuated position to activate the release mechanism when the release button is in the unlocked position, the release button being unable to be pressed to the actuated position when the release button is in the locked position to avoid inadvertent activation thereof.

2. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the release button further includes a button base and a button top, the button top rotatably attached to the button base.

3. The connector system of claim 1 , further comprising a retention feature configured to hold the release button in at least one of the locked position and the unlocked position.

4. The connector system of claim 3 , wherein the retention feature includes bosses selectively arranged around a shaft of the release button.

5. The connector system of claim 3 , wherein the retention feature includes a cam shaft configured to align the release button with the locked position and the unlocked position.

6. The connector system of claim 3 , wherein the retention feature includes ribs configured to engage divots when the release button is in the locked or unlocked position.

7. The connector system of claim 3 , wherein the retention feature includes a post, the release button mounted to the post.

8. The connector system of claim 1 , further comprising a torsional biasing member configured to apply a moment on the release button to encourage the release button to remain in the locked position.

9. The connector system of claim 1 , further comprising a linear biasing member configured to apply a force on the release button to encourage the release button abut the release mechanism.

10. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the release button includes a passage therethrough, the passage configured to receive a securing member, the securing member preventing the release button from being depressed.

11. The connector system of claim 1 , wherein the release button is generally rectangular in shape having a flanged portion configured to abut a surface of the cartridge when the release button is in the locked position.

12. A connector system comprising:
a cartridge having a cavity configured to hold one or more connector modules therein, the cartridge having a port open to the cavity, the cartridge receiving the one or more connector modules through the port;
a release mechanism housed in the cavity, the release mechanism configured to eject the one or more connector modules when actuated;
a release button exposed beyond the cartridge and operably coupled to the release mechanism, the release button being pressed to activate the release mechanism; the release button configured to be in a locked position to avoid inadvertent activation thereof, the release button including:
a button base movably coupled to the release mechanism; and
a button top rotatably engaging the button base, the button top being rotatable between an unlocked position and the locked position.

13. The connector system of claim 12 , wherein the button top is rotatably attached to the button base.

14. The connector system of claim 12 , further comprising a release button assembly having a ringed fastener, the ringed fastener providing a snap fit holding the button top to the button base.

15. The connector system of claim 12 , wherein the button base further comprises a post, the button top mounted to the post.

16. The connector system of claim 12 , further comprising a retention feature configured to hold the release button in the locked position or in the unlocked position.

17. The connector system of claim 16 , wherein the retention feature includes bosses selectively arranged around a shaft of the release button.

18. The connector system of claim 16 , wherein the retention feature includes a cam shaft configured to align the release button with the locked position and the unlocked position.

19. The connector system of claim 16 , wherein the retention feature includes ribs configured to engage divots when the release button is in the locked position or the unlocked position.

20. The connector system of claim 12 , wherein the button top is generally rectangular in shape.

Assignees

• Tyco Electronics Corp

Inventors

• Annis Kyle Gary
• Thackston Kevin Michael
• Mcalonis Matthew Richard
• Tsang Albert
• Storry Mitchell Kunane
• Ruffini Nicholas Paul

Classifications

• H01R13/62911 Primary

  U-shaped sliding element · CPC title

• H01R13/4361 Primary

  Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion · CPC title

• H01R13/635

  by mechanical pressure, e.g. spring force · CPC title

• H01R13/62

  Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement · CPC title