Electrical connector for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9543719-B2
Application number	US-201414510717-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 9, 2014
Priority date	Oct 9, 2014
Publication date	Jan 10, 2017
Grant date	Jan 10, 2017

Abstract

An electrical connector comprises a dielectric body having a socket. A plurality of pivotable arms are hinged to the dielectric body. A releasable locking mechanism holds the pivotable arms in a locked position that releases with an outward pulling force exceeding a threshold force. The releasable locking mechanism comprises two or more latch members that are biased by corresponding springs against the corresponding pivotable arms. Each pivotable arm has a protrusion that divides a first region from a second region of the pivotable arm.

First claim

The following is claimed:

1. An electrical connector comprising:
a dielectric body having a socket;
a plurality of pivotable arms hinged to the dielectric body;
a releasable locking mechanism to hold the pivotable arms in a locked position that releases with an outward pulling force exceeding a threshold force;
wherein the releasable locking mechanism comprises two or more latch members that are biased by corresponding springs against the corresponding pivotable arms, each pivotable arm having a sloped protrusion that extends above a surface of each pivotable arm and that divides the surface of each pivotable arm into a first region and a second region that are coplanar.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein the latch members comprise transversely slidable pins.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2 wherein one end of each of the slidable pins is substantially hemispherical.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein each pivotable arm, among the plurality of pivotable arms, has an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion, the outer protrusion on an opposite side of the pivotable arm from the inner protrusion, the inner protrusion dividing a first inner region from a second inner region of the pivotable arm, the outer protrusion dividing a first outer region from a second outer region of the pivotable arm.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4 wherein latch members comprise two latch members per each pivotable arm.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein sets of latch members and springs are in corresponding bores of a fulcrum portion, and wherein a threaded retainer retains each of the sets in its corresponding bore.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein the pivotable arms are connected by a cross member and wherein one pivotable arm terminates in a lever.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1 further comprising: a connector plug for insertion into the socket, and wherein a mating surface of the pivotable arms contacts the connector plug if the connector plug is inserted into the socket.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 1 further comprising: a rotatable cover pivotally connected to the dielectric body.

10. An electrical connector comprising:
a dielectric body having a socket;
a releasable locking mechanism to hold pivotable arms in a locked position that release with an outward pulling force exceeding a threshold force; wherein the releasable locking mechanism comprises two or more latch members that are biased by corresponding springs against corresponding pivotable arms, each pivotable arm having a sloped protrusion that extends above a surface of each pivotable arm and that divides the surface of each pivotable arm into a first region and a second region that are coplanar.

11. An electrical connector for connecting to a connector plug, the electrical connector comprising:
a dielectric body having a socket;
a releasable locking mechanism hinged about a pivot point on the dielectric body to hold a connector plug in an inserted position and that releases when the connector plug is pulled from the socket with a force exceeding a threshold force; wherein the releasable locking mechanism comprises two or more latch members that are biased by corresponding springs against corresponding pivotable arms, each pivotable arm having a sloped protrusion that extends above a surface of each pivotable arm and that divides the surface of each pivotable arm into a first region and a second region that are coplanar.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 11 wherein each one of the latch members comprises a transversely slidable pin.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12 wherein one end of the slidable pin is substantially hemispherical.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 11 wherein each pivotable arm has an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion, the outer protrusion on an opposite side of the pivotable arm from the inner protrusion, the inner protrusion dividing a first inner region from a second inner region of the pivotable arm, the outer protrusion dividing a first outer region from a second outer region of the pivotable arm.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 14 wherein latch members comprise two latch members per each pivotable arm.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 14 further comprising a threaded retainer for a set of latch members and springs in a bore.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 11 wherein the pivotable arms are connected by a cross member and wherein one pivotable arm terminates in a lever.

18. The electrical connector according to claim 11 wherein an mating surface of the pivotable arms contacts the connector plug if the connector is closed.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 11 further comprising: a rotatable cover pivotally connected to the dielectric body.

20. The electrical connector according to claim 19 wherein the cover has a closed position that covers or protects the socket.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Bartholomew Darin E
• Bradshaw Christopher L

Classifications

• H01R2107/00

  Four or more poles · CPC title

• H01R24/76 Primary

  with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall · CPC title

• H01R13/6395

  for wall or panel outlets · CPC title

• H01R13/6273 Primary

  comprising two latching arms · CPC title

• B60D1/64

  Couplings or joints therefor · CPC title