CA2011393A1 - Back-to-back stackable connector for interface bus - Google Patents
Back-to-back stackable connector for interface busInfo
- Publication number
- CA2011393A1 CA2011393A1 CA002011393A CA2011393A CA2011393A1 CA 2011393 A1 CA2011393 A1 CA 2011393A1 CA 002011393 A CA002011393 A CA 002011393A CA 2011393 A CA2011393 A CA 2011393A CA 2011393 A1 CA2011393 A1 CA 2011393A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- terminating
- aperture
- leg means
- interference fit
- leg
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R11/00—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/50—Fixed connections
- H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
- H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
- H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
- H01R12/675—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals with contacts having at least a slotted plate for penetration of cable insulation, e.g. insulation displacement contacts for round conductor flat cables
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
- H01R31/02—Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
A stackable connector (20) formed by positioning connector housings (22,243 back to-back and securing them together with terminating covers (26,28). Opposing terminating covers (26,28) have leg means (86,88,90,92) that complement leg means on the other terminating cover to substantially fill apertures (52). Either a short segment of cable or conductors of a cable are terminated on corresponding ones of contacts in the two housings (22,24). The terminating covers (26,28) are secured to housings (22,24) in a pretermination position in which corners (98,100) of leg means (86,88,90,92) engage side walls (126) of apertures (52) in a first interference fit.
As termination of the conductors is completed, leg means (86,88,90,92) of terminating cover (86) enter apertures (104,106,108,110) on terminating cover (28) and engage a protrusion (112,114,116,118) in a second interference fit.
The second interference fit is between a protrusion (112,114,116,118) and a area of leg means (86,88,90,92) on terminating cover (26) not previously deformed by the first interference fit.
A stackable connector (20) formed by positioning connector housings (22,243 back to-back and securing them together with terminating covers (26,28). Opposing terminating covers (26,28) have leg means (86,88,90,92) that complement leg means on the other terminating cover to substantially fill apertures (52). Either a short segment of cable or conductors of a cable are terminated on corresponding ones of contacts in the two housings (22,24). The terminating covers (26,28) are secured to housings (22,24) in a pretermination position in which corners (98,100) of leg means (86,88,90,92) engage side walls (126) of apertures (52) in a first interference fit.
As termination of the conductors is completed, leg means (86,88,90,92) of terminating cover (86) enter apertures (104,106,108,110) on terminating cover (28) and engage a protrusion (112,114,116,118) in a second interference fit.
The second interference fit is between a protrusion (112,114,116,118) and a area of leg means (86,88,90,92) on terminating cover (26) not previously deformed by the first interference fit.
Description
2~ 3~
BACK-TO-BACK STACKABLE CONNECTOR FOR INTERFACE BUS
This invention relates to electrical connectors and, in particular, to stackable connectors that may be used to provide both a male and female connector terminated to an end of a cable or a pair of identical, either male or female, connectors terminated in back-to-back orientation to provide a gender changer connector.
There is disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,431,249, 4,592,614 and 4,701,139 connectors that are known variously as gender changer, half tap, stackable or male/female connectors.
There is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,705,378 a pair of identical covers fitted on opposite sides of a pair of connector members frictionally fitted together and enclosing the space between the connector members and the connecting element~ in that spaca.
In accordance with the pre~ent inven~ion, a pair of housing members are provided which can be positioned in back-to-back orientation. Each housing member has a 20 mating face, an opposed rear ~ace and a plurality of contact receiving passages extending therebetween, with contacts secured therein. The contacts de~ine an axis and have a mating portion extending proximate the mating face, a terminating portion extending ~eyond the rear face, thence normal to the axis of the contacts. A terminal support block extends from the rear ~ace of each housing 1~73 C~
201~ 3 member and has at least one terminal support block aperture extending therethrough normal to the axis of said contacts and defining aperture walls. A first terminating cover has extending therefrom spaced first and second leg means. The first and second leg means have respective first and s~cond aperture means adj~cent thereto, defining respectively first and second wall means. The first leg means are adapted to be received in the terminal support block aperture of the first housing member at a pretermination position in an interference fit between a first portion of the first leg means and a first portion of the aperture wall of the first housiny member terminal support block aperture. The second leg means are adapted to be received in the terminal support block aperture of the second housing member at a pretermination position in an interference fit between a f'irst portion of the second leg mean~ and a Pirst portion c\f tha aperture walls o~
the second hou~iny member terminal support block aperture.
A second terminating cover has spaced third and fourth leg means extending therefrom with respective third and fourth aperture means adjacent thereto. The third leg means are adapted to ~e received in the terminal support block aper~ure of the first housing member from an opposed direction of said ~irst leg means at a pretermination position in an interference ~it between a first portion of the third leg means and a second portion of the aperture .,, ~
.
~' 2~ 3~3 walls of the first housing member terminal support block aperture. The ourth leg means are adapted to be received in the terminal support ~lock apertura of the second housing member from an opposite direction of the second leg means at a pretermination position in an interference fit betwaen a first portion of the fourth leg mean~ and a second portion of the apertura walls of the second housing member terminal support block aperture.
The first and third leg means are further adapted to be secured in the first housing member terminal support block aperture at a termination position with the first leg means extending into the third aperture means and the third leg means extending into the first aperture means, with the first leg means received in the third aperture means in an interference fit between a second portion of the ~irst leg means and the third walls means.
'rhe second and fourth leg means are ~urther adapted to be secured in the second housing member terminal s~pport block aperture at a termination position with the second leg means extending into the fouxth aperture means and tha fourth leg means extending into the second aperkure means, wi h the second leg means received in the fourth aperture means in an interference fit between a second portion of the sacond leg means and the fourth wall means.
~ 21D~3~3 An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stackable connector in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 2 shows the stackable connector in Figure 1 with a short segment o~ cable terminated to interconnect corresponding contacts in the two housing members;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view o~ a cable terminated to a stackable connector with a back shell and back shell cover exploded therefrom;
FIGURE 4 shows the stacXable connector of Figure 3 recaived within the back shell and cover;
FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-section showing, as a stacXable connector, bacX-to-back receptacle connectors;
FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-section showing, as a stacXable connector, pin and receptacle co~nectors back-to-back; and FIGURE 7 i~ a partial cross-section showing, as a stacXable connsctor, back-to-back pi~ connectors.
Figure l shows an exploded perspeative view of a qtackable connector 20 in accordance with the presen~
invention. Stackable connector 20 i5 comprised of first and second elongate h~usings 22,24 molded o~ thermoplastic material, substantially in accordanca with U.S. Pa~ent 14473 CA t : . . ' ,' ~ ' .
.
2~3~
4,308,125, and first and second terminating covers 26,28, also molded of thermoplastic material. Hou~ings 22,24 have mating face 30, oppo~2d rear face 32 and a plurality of contact receiving passages 34 extending therebetween.
Mating faca 30 may provide a polarization ~eature by having a trapezoidal or subminiature D shape.
In a preferred embodiment, passages 34 are arranged in two rows and have contacts 36 secured therein.
Contacts 36 include a mating portion 38 (sse Figure 6) which may be a pin 40 or receptacle 42, extending toward the mating Pace 30, and a conductor engaging portion 44 extending toward rear face 32. Conductor engaging portion 44 includes a slotted insulation displacement plate 46 extending substantially normal to the axis of contacts 36.
Terminal support block 48 extends rearward rom rear ~ace 32 between the two rows oi~ contact receiving passages 34, terminating at rear wall 5C~. Terminal support block 48 includes apertures 52 at opF)oslte ends thereof.
Insulation displacement plates 46 extend upwardly from upper surfaca 54 of block 48 for the uppPr row of contacts 36 and downwardly from lowex surface 56 of block ~8 ~or the lower row of contact~ 36. During termination of condu~tors in insulation displac~ng plates 46, the plates 46 beax on respective sur~aces 54,56 of block 48.
Although housings 22,24 need not be identical, in a prePerred embodiment they are identical.
14473 C~
20 iL~3~
A stackable connector, in ac~ordance with the present invention, may terminate conductors 58 of either a ribbon cable 60 or round cable 62, eikher of which may be shielded or unshielded. Figure 1 shows a short segment of ribbon cable 60 positioned for termination to the insulation displacement plates 46 or. upper surface 54 of terminal support block 48, and a short segment of round cable 62 having conductors 58 maintained in an organized planar configuration by adhesive strips 64 positioned for termination to the insulation displacement plates 46 on lower surface 56 of terminal support block 48. When connector 20 forms the end of a cable assembly, each conductor 58 of a cable is terminatsd on two corresponding contacts 36, one in housing 22 and the other in housing :L5 24, as shown in Figure 2. When connector 20 forms a gender changer or extension connector, a shor~ segmen~ of cable 66, either ribbon cable 60 or round cable 62, may be used to interco~nect corresponding contacts 36 in housings 22 and 24, a~ hest seen in Figure 2, with the resulting connector shown in Figures 5 through 7.
Terminating covers 26,28 are elongate, having opposed side waIls 6~,70, opposed end walls 72,74, outer surface 76 and opposed inner surface 78, a portion of which forms ~luted sur~ace 80. 5ide walls 68,70 may have respective recesses 82,84 for passage of conductors 58 of a cable therethrough to egress from beneath termi~ating covars ~4473 C~
2~ ~3~3 26,28. Spaced legs means 86,88,90,92 extend from inner surface 78 proxim~te end walls 72,74. Leg means 86,88 of terminating cover 28 are spaced to be received in apertures 52 in housing 22. Leg means 90,92 o~
terminating cover 28 are spaced to be received in apertures 52 in housing 24 with housings 22 and 24 positioned with respective rear walls 50 back-to back, as shown in Figure 1. Terminating covers 26,28 need not be identical, but are identical in a preferred embodiment.
In a further preferred embodiment, terminating coYers 26,28 are hermaphroditic.
The cross-section of leg means 86 on terminating cover 28 and leg means 88 on terminating cover 26 complement each other to substantially ~ill aperture 52 and provide an interference fit with a side wall of aparture 52. Similarly, the pair of leg means received in eaah aperture 52 complement each other to sub~tantially ~ill aperture 52 and provide an inter~erence fit with a respective side wall.
In a preferred embodiment, leg means 86,88,90,92 have a cross-section that is a chordal section o~ a circle, such as~a semi-circle, with a flat side 94 and a semi-cylindrical surface 9~ defining corners 98,100 at their intersection, and a tapered lead-in end 102.
~5 Adjacent the leg means are respective apertures 104,106,108,110 in at least one of the terminating covers, 2~ ~3~
and when the terminating covers are identical or hermaphroditic, in both terminating covers 26 and 28.
Apertures 104,106,108,110 in at least one of the terminating covers 26 or 28, has a protrusion or rib respectively 112,114,116,118 extending thereinto.
Housings 22 and 24 are positioned in a back-to-back ralationship with rear walls 50 thersof adjacent each other. Terminating cover 28 is positioned adjacent upper surfaces 54 and terminating cover 26 is positioned adjacent lower surfaces 56 with respective leg means directed toward apertures 52. Terminating covers 26,28 - are moved toward housinq members 22,24 and toward each other to assemble terminating covers 26,28 to housings 22,2~ in a pretermina~ion position. Leg mean~ 86,88,90,92 of terminating cover 28 are recsived in respeative apertures 52 from upper surface 54. In this position, corner 98 of e~ch leg means 86,88,90,92 on terminating cover 28 engages a ~lat slde 120 of aperture 52 in an interference fit and corner 100 engages flat side 122 of aperture 52 in an interference fi~. The remaining semi-cylindrical surface 96 slides along arcuate surface 124 of ~ide wall 126. Similarly, leg means 86,~8,90,g2 of terminating cover 26 are received in respective apertures 52 from lower sur$ace 56, with the cornsrs o~ the leg means engaging flat sides of the respective aperture in an inter~erence fit.
BACK-TO-BACK STACKABLE CONNECTOR FOR INTERFACE BUS
This invention relates to electrical connectors and, in particular, to stackable connectors that may be used to provide both a male and female connector terminated to an end of a cable or a pair of identical, either male or female, connectors terminated in back-to-back orientation to provide a gender changer connector.
There is disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,431,249, 4,592,614 and 4,701,139 connectors that are known variously as gender changer, half tap, stackable or male/female connectors.
There is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,705,378 a pair of identical covers fitted on opposite sides of a pair of connector members frictionally fitted together and enclosing the space between the connector members and the connecting element~ in that spaca.
In accordance with the pre~ent inven~ion, a pair of housing members are provided which can be positioned in back-to-back orientation. Each housing member has a 20 mating face, an opposed rear ~ace and a plurality of contact receiving passages extending therebetween, with contacts secured therein. The contacts de~ine an axis and have a mating portion extending proximate the mating face, a terminating portion extending ~eyond the rear face, thence normal to the axis of the contacts. A terminal support block extends from the rear ~ace of each housing 1~73 C~
201~ 3 member and has at least one terminal support block aperture extending therethrough normal to the axis of said contacts and defining aperture walls. A first terminating cover has extending therefrom spaced first and second leg means. The first and second leg means have respective first and s~cond aperture means adj~cent thereto, defining respectively first and second wall means. The first leg means are adapted to be received in the terminal support block aperture of the first housing member at a pretermination position in an interference fit between a first portion of the first leg means and a first portion of the aperture wall of the first housiny member terminal support block aperture. The second leg means are adapted to be received in the terminal support block aperture of the second housing member at a pretermination position in an interference fit between a f'irst portion of the second leg mean~ and a Pirst portion c\f tha aperture walls o~
the second hou~iny member terminal support block aperture.
A second terminating cover has spaced third and fourth leg means extending therefrom with respective third and fourth aperture means adjacent thereto. The third leg means are adapted to ~e received in the terminal support block aper~ure of the first housing member from an opposed direction of said ~irst leg means at a pretermination position in an interference ~it between a first portion of the third leg means and a second portion of the aperture .,, ~
.
~' 2~ 3~3 walls of the first housing member terminal support block aperture. The ourth leg means are adapted to be received in the terminal support ~lock apertura of the second housing member from an opposite direction of the second leg means at a pretermination position in an interference fit betwaen a first portion of the fourth leg mean~ and a second portion of the apertura walls of the second housing member terminal support block aperture.
The first and third leg means are further adapted to be secured in the first housing member terminal support block aperture at a termination position with the first leg means extending into the third aperture means and the third leg means extending into the first aperture means, with the first leg means received in the third aperture means in an interference fit between a second portion of the ~irst leg means and the third walls means.
'rhe second and fourth leg means are ~urther adapted to be secured in the second housing member terminal s~pport block aperture at a termination position with the second leg means extending into the fouxth aperture means and tha fourth leg means extending into the second aperkure means, wi h the second leg means received in the fourth aperture means in an interference fit between a second portion of the sacond leg means and the fourth wall means.
~ 21D~3~3 An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stackable connector in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 2 shows the stackable connector in Figure 1 with a short segment o~ cable terminated to interconnect corresponding contacts in the two housing members;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view o~ a cable terminated to a stackable connector with a back shell and back shell cover exploded therefrom;
FIGURE 4 shows the stacXable connector of Figure 3 recaived within the back shell and cover;
FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-section showing, as a stacXable connector, bacX-to-back receptacle connectors;
FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-section showing, as a stacXable connector, pin and receptacle co~nectors back-to-back; and FIGURE 7 i~ a partial cross-section showing, as a stacXable connsctor, back-to-back pi~ connectors.
Figure l shows an exploded perspeative view of a qtackable connector 20 in accordance with the presen~
invention. Stackable connector 20 i5 comprised of first and second elongate h~usings 22,24 molded o~ thermoplastic material, substantially in accordanca with U.S. Pa~ent 14473 CA t : . . ' ,' ~ ' .
.
2~3~
4,308,125, and first and second terminating covers 26,28, also molded of thermoplastic material. Hou~ings 22,24 have mating face 30, oppo~2d rear face 32 and a plurality of contact receiving passages 34 extending therebetween.
Mating faca 30 may provide a polarization ~eature by having a trapezoidal or subminiature D shape.
In a preferred embodiment, passages 34 are arranged in two rows and have contacts 36 secured therein.
Contacts 36 include a mating portion 38 (sse Figure 6) which may be a pin 40 or receptacle 42, extending toward the mating Pace 30, and a conductor engaging portion 44 extending toward rear face 32. Conductor engaging portion 44 includes a slotted insulation displacement plate 46 extending substantially normal to the axis of contacts 36.
Terminal support block 48 extends rearward rom rear ~ace 32 between the two rows oi~ contact receiving passages 34, terminating at rear wall 5C~. Terminal support block 48 includes apertures 52 at opF)oslte ends thereof.
Insulation displacement plates 46 extend upwardly from upper surfaca 54 of block 48 for the uppPr row of contacts 36 and downwardly from lowex surface 56 of block ~8 ~or the lower row of contact~ 36. During termination of condu~tors in insulation displac~ng plates 46, the plates 46 beax on respective sur~aces 54,56 of block 48.
Although housings 22,24 need not be identical, in a prePerred embodiment they are identical.
14473 C~
20 iL~3~
A stackable connector, in ac~ordance with the present invention, may terminate conductors 58 of either a ribbon cable 60 or round cable 62, eikher of which may be shielded or unshielded. Figure 1 shows a short segment of ribbon cable 60 positioned for termination to the insulation displacement plates 46 or. upper surface 54 of terminal support block 48, and a short segment of round cable 62 having conductors 58 maintained in an organized planar configuration by adhesive strips 64 positioned for termination to the insulation displacement plates 46 on lower surface 56 of terminal support block 48. When connector 20 forms the end of a cable assembly, each conductor 58 of a cable is terminatsd on two corresponding contacts 36, one in housing 22 and the other in housing :L5 24, as shown in Figure 2. When connector 20 forms a gender changer or extension connector, a shor~ segmen~ of cable 66, either ribbon cable 60 or round cable 62, may be used to interco~nect corresponding contacts 36 in housings 22 and 24, a~ hest seen in Figure 2, with the resulting connector shown in Figures 5 through 7.
Terminating covers 26,28 are elongate, having opposed side waIls 6~,70, opposed end walls 72,74, outer surface 76 and opposed inner surface 78, a portion of which forms ~luted sur~ace 80. 5ide walls 68,70 may have respective recesses 82,84 for passage of conductors 58 of a cable therethrough to egress from beneath termi~ating covars ~4473 C~
2~ ~3~3 26,28. Spaced legs means 86,88,90,92 extend from inner surface 78 proxim~te end walls 72,74. Leg means 86,88 of terminating cover 28 are spaced to be received in apertures 52 in housing 22. Leg means 90,92 o~
terminating cover 28 are spaced to be received in apertures 52 in housing 24 with housings 22 and 24 positioned with respective rear walls 50 back-to back, as shown in Figure 1. Terminating covers 26,28 need not be identical, but are identical in a preferred embodiment.
In a further preferred embodiment, terminating coYers 26,28 are hermaphroditic.
The cross-section of leg means 86 on terminating cover 28 and leg means 88 on terminating cover 26 complement each other to substantially ~ill aperture 52 and provide an interference fit with a side wall of aparture 52. Similarly, the pair of leg means received in eaah aperture 52 complement each other to sub~tantially ~ill aperture 52 and provide an inter~erence fit with a respective side wall.
In a preferred embodiment, leg means 86,88,90,92 have a cross-section that is a chordal section o~ a circle, such as~a semi-circle, with a flat side 94 and a semi-cylindrical surface 9~ defining corners 98,100 at their intersection, and a tapered lead-in end 102.
~5 Adjacent the leg means are respective apertures 104,106,108,110 in at least one of the terminating covers, 2~ ~3~
and when the terminating covers are identical or hermaphroditic, in both terminating covers 26 and 28.
Apertures 104,106,108,110 in at least one of the terminating covers 26 or 28, has a protrusion or rib respectively 112,114,116,118 extending thereinto.
Housings 22 and 24 are positioned in a back-to-back ralationship with rear walls 50 thersof adjacent each other. Terminating cover 28 is positioned adjacent upper surfaces 54 and terminating cover 26 is positioned adjacent lower surfaces 56 with respective leg means directed toward apertures 52. Terminating covers 26,28 - are moved toward housinq members 22,24 and toward each other to assemble terminating covers 26,28 to housings 22,2~ in a pretermina~ion position. Leg mean~ 86,88,90,92 of terminating cover 28 are recsived in respeative apertures 52 from upper surface 54. In this position, corner 98 of e~ch leg means 86,88,90,92 on terminating cover 28 engages a ~lat slde 120 of aperture 52 in an interference fit and corner 100 engages flat side 122 of aperture 52 in an interference fi~. The remaining semi-cylindrical surface 96 slides along arcuate surface 124 of ~ide wall 126. Similarly, leg means 86,~8,90,g2 of terminating cover 26 are received in respective apertures 52 from lower sur$ace 56, with the cornsrs o~ the leg means engaging flat sides of the respective aperture in an inter~erence fit.
3 ~` ~
g Terminating covers 26,28 are preassem~led to housings 22,24 with fluted surface 80 spaced from insulation displacement plates 46 to receive a planar array of conductors 58 therebetween. Conductors 58 may be ~ short segment of cable or the end of a cable, as set forth above.
Subsequent to inserting conductors 58 between ~luted sur~ace 80 and plates 4~, a terminating force is applied to terminating covers 26,28, such as with a press or hand tool, to texminate conductors 58 on the insulation displacement plates 46 of corresponding contacts 36 in housings 22 and 24. This provides an electrical common between corresponding contacts in hou~ings 22 and 24 in a known, one-to-one relationship as .i9 known in the art.
Simultaneously, leg means 86,88,90,~2 penetrate ~urther into apertures 52. The leading end of leg means 86,88,90,92 on terminating cover 2~ enter respec~ively apertures 104,106,108,110 in terminating cover 26 and the leading end o~ leg means 86,88,90,92 on terminating cover 26 enter apertures 104,106,108,110 in terminating cover 28.
on termlnating cover 28, aperture 104 i3 ad~acent leg means 86 and recaives leg means 88 of terminating cover 25 in an interference fit due to said leg means 88 engaging rib 112 which protrudes into aperture 104. Aperture means 106 is adjacent leg means 88 vn terminating aover 28 and 20~ ~3g3 receives leg means 86 of terminating cover 26 in an interference fit due to said leg means 86 engaying rib 114 which protrudes into said aperture 106. Aperture means 108 is adjacent leg means 90 on terminating cover 28 and receives leg means 92 of terminating cover 26 in an interference fit due to said leg moans ~2 engaging rib 116 which protrudes into said aperture 108. Aperture means 110 is adjacent leg meanæ 92 on terminating cover 28 and receives leg means 90 of terminating cover 26 in an interference fit due to said leg means 90 engaging rib 118 which protrudes into said aperture 110. The interference fit is achieved by r~bs protruding into apertures of terminating cover 28 engaging al surface o~ leg means on terminating cover 26, such as slemi-cylindrical surface 96, that was not previously deformeld. L4g means on terminating cover 28 may be similarly received in an inter~erence ~it with a rib in an aperture in terminating cover 26.
During application o~ the termination force, leg means 86,~8,90,92 on terminating covers 26,28 cooperate with apertures 52 to maintain proper orientation of terminating covers 26,28 relative to surfaces 54,56 and plates 46, assuring that terminating covers 26,28 move along a path orthogonal to sur~aces 54,56. This as~ures proper insulation displacement termination o~ conductors 58 as the in~ulation is pierced perpandicular to the plane 2~393 of the array o~ conductors. The ~ree ends of insulation displacement plates 48 are received in recesses 128 in the inner surface 78 of terminating covers 26,28.
Shroud 130 may be molded of thermoplastic material or, a~ shown, be a drawn metallic shell and thereby provide shielding for the mating portion 38 of contacts 36.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, stackable connector 20 may be received in an electrically connective back shell 132 and back shell cover 134. ~he back shell cover 134 is securable in a known manner to back shell 132, such as by screws 136. In ~pplications where shielding is not required, a thermoplastic outer housing may suffice.
Flange 138 on shrouds 130 are rleceivable in recesses 140 o~ back shell 132 to position stackable connector 20 within bacX shell 132 and to provide electrical engagement between shroud 130 and hack she:ll 132. Shielding 142 on cable 60 may be folded back over insulative jacket 144, then be received in cable receiving passage 146. Strain ~0 relie~ and electrical continuity with the shielding may be provided in any known manner, such as staple 148 received over shielding 1~2 and ca~le 60, and received in channel 150 in accordance with U.S~ Patent Number 4,842,547. Jack ~crews 152 having an externally threaded end 154 and an internally threaded head 156 are positioned in ~ack screw ~4473 CA
receiving channels 158 to secure back shell 132 to a complementary connector, not shown.
The structure of interlocking housings 22,24 and terminating covers 26,28 provide a rigid stacXable connector that may be used with or without an outer housing such as back shell 132 and back shell cover 134.
g Terminating covers 26,28 are preassem~led to housings 22,24 with fluted surface 80 spaced from insulation displacement plates 46 to receive a planar array of conductors 58 therebetween. Conductors 58 may be ~ short segment of cable or the end of a cable, as set forth above.
Subsequent to inserting conductors 58 between ~luted sur~ace 80 and plates 4~, a terminating force is applied to terminating covers 26,28, such as with a press or hand tool, to texminate conductors 58 on the insulation displacement plates 46 of corresponding contacts 36 in housings 22 and 24. This provides an electrical common between corresponding contacts in hou~ings 22 and 24 in a known, one-to-one relationship as .i9 known in the art.
Simultaneously, leg means 86,88,90,~2 penetrate ~urther into apertures 52. The leading end of leg means 86,88,90,92 on terminating cover 2~ enter respec~ively apertures 104,106,108,110 in terminating cover 26 and the leading end o~ leg means 86,88,90,92 on terminating cover 26 enter apertures 104,106,108,110 in terminating cover 28.
on termlnating cover 28, aperture 104 i3 ad~acent leg means 86 and recaives leg means 88 of terminating cover 25 in an interference fit due to said leg means 88 engaging rib 112 which protrudes into aperture 104. Aperture means 106 is adjacent leg means 88 vn terminating aover 28 and 20~ ~3g3 receives leg means 86 of terminating cover 26 in an interference fit due to said leg means 86 engaying rib 114 which protrudes into said aperture 106. Aperture means 108 is adjacent leg means 90 on terminating cover 28 and receives leg means 92 of terminating cover 26 in an interference fit due to said leg moans ~2 engaging rib 116 which protrudes into said aperture 108. Aperture means 110 is adjacent leg meanæ 92 on terminating cover 28 and receives leg means 90 of terminating cover 26 in an interference fit due to said leg means 90 engaging rib 118 which protrudes into said aperture 110. The interference fit is achieved by r~bs protruding into apertures of terminating cover 28 engaging al surface o~ leg means on terminating cover 26, such as slemi-cylindrical surface 96, that was not previously deformeld. L4g means on terminating cover 28 may be similarly received in an inter~erence ~it with a rib in an aperture in terminating cover 26.
During application o~ the termination force, leg means 86,~8,90,92 on terminating covers 26,28 cooperate with apertures 52 to maintain proper orientation of terminating covers 26,28 relative to surfaces 54,56 and plates 46, assuring that terminating covers 26,28 move along a path orthogonal to sur~aces 54,56. This as~ures proper insulation displacement termination o~ conductors 58 as the in~ulation is pierced perpandicular to the plane 2~393 of the array o~ conductors. The ~ree ends of insulation displacement plates 48 are received in recesses 128 in the inner surface 78 of terminating covers 26,28.
Shroud 130 may be molded of thermoplastic material or, a~ shown, be a drawn metallic shell and thereby provide shielding for the mating portion 38 of contacts 36.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, stackable connector 20 may be received in an electrically connective back shell 132 and back shell cover 134. ~he back shell cover 134 is securable in a known manner to back shell 132, such as by screws 136. In ~pplications where shielding is not required, a thermoplastic outer housing may suffice.
Flange 138 on shrouds 130 are rleceivable in recesses 140 o~ back shell 132 to position stackable connector 20 within bacX shell 132 and to provide electrical engagement between shroud 130 and hack she:ll 132. Shielding 142 on cable 60 may be folded back over insulative jacket 144, then be received in cable receiving passage 146. Strain ~0 relie~ and electrical continuity with the shielding may be provided in any known manner, such as staple 148 received over shielding 1~2 and ca~le 60, and received in channel 150 in accordance with U.S~ Patent Number 4,842,547. Jack ~crews 152 having an externally threaded end 154 and an internally threaded head 156 are positioned in ~ack screw ~4473 CA
receiving channels 158 to secure back shell 132 to a complementary connector, not shown.
The structure of interlocking housings 22,24 and terminating covers 26,28 provide a rigid stacXable connector that may be used with or without an outer housing such as back shell 132 and back shell cover 134.
Claims (10)
1. A stackable connector comprising:
first and second housing members, each of said first and second housing members having a mating face, an opposed rear face and a plurality of contacts extending therebetween in first and second rows, said contacts having a mating portion proximate said mating face and a terminating portion extending beyond said rear face;
a first terminating cover for securing the first and second housing members together and for terminating conductors of a cable to corresponding ones of the contacts in the first row of contacts in the first and second housing members; and a second terminating cover for securing the first and second housing members together and for terminating conductors of a cable to corresponding ones of the contacts in the second row of contacts in the first and second housing members.
first and second housing members, each of said first and second housing members having a mating face, an opposed rear face and a plurality of contacts extending therebetween in first and second rows, said contacts having a mating portion proximate said mating face and a terminating portion extending beyond said rear face;
a first terminating cover for securing the first and second housing members together and for terminating conductors of a cable to corresponding ones of the contacts in the first row of contacts in the first and second housing members; and a second terminating cover for securing the first and second housing members together and for terminating conductors of a cable to corresponding ones of the contacts in the second row of contacts in the first and second housing members.
2. A stackable connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the securing means on the first terminating cover further comprises means for engaging the second terminating cover.
3. A stackable connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the securing means on the second terminating cover further comprises means for engaging the first terminating cover.
4. A stackable connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second housing members are identical.
5. A stackable connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second terminating covers are identical.
6. A stackable connector, as recited in claim 1 wherein said contacts define an axis, with the terminating portion of said contacts extending beyond said rear face, and extending normal to the axis of said contacts, a terminal support block extending from the rear face of each of said housing members to respective rear walls, each of said terminal support blocks having a terminal support block aperture therethrough defining aperture walls, said first terminating cover having extending therefrom spaced first and second leg means having respective first and second aperture means adjacent thereto, said first and second aperture means defining respectively first and second wall means, said first leg means adapted to be received in said terminal support block aperture of said first housing member at a pretermination position in an interference fit between a first portion of said first leg means and a first portion of said aperture walls of said first housing member terminal support block aperture, said second leg means adapted to be received in said terminal support block aperture of said second housing member at a pretermination position in an interference fit between a first portion of said second leg means and a first portion of said aperture walls of said second housing member terminal support block aperture, said second terminating cover having extending therefrom spaced third and fourth leg means, said third leg means adapted to be received in said terminal support block aperture of said first housing member from an opposed direction from said first leg means at a pretermination position in an interference fit between a first portion of said third leg means and a second portion of said aperture walls of said first housing member terminal support block aperture, said fourth leg means adapted to be received in said terminal support block aperture of said second housing member from an opposed direction from said second leg means at a pretermination position in an interference fit: between a first portion of said fourth leg means and a second portion of said aperture walls of said second housing member terminal support block aperture, said first and second termination covers adapted to be secured to said first and second housing members at a termination position with said third leg means extending into said first aperture means and said fourth leg means extending into said second aperture means, said third leg means received in said first aperture means in an interference fit between a second portion of said third leg means and said second wall means and said fourth leg means received in said second aperture means in a interference fit between a second portion of said fourth leg means and said second wall means, whereby the interference fit that secures the terminating covers in the terminated position is between a wall means and an area of the leg means not previously deformed by the interference fit that retains the terminating covers in the pretermination position.
7. A stackable connector as recited in claim 6 wherein one of said terminating covers further comprises a recess in a side wall thereof to provide an egress for conductors.
8. A stackable connector as recited in claim 6 wherein the first terminating cover further comprises a rib on said first wall means extending into said first aperture means, whereby the interference fit that secures the second terminating cover in the termination position is an interference fit between a second portion of said third leg means and the rib.
9. A stackable connector as recited in claim 6 wherein a cross-section of the first leg means is a chordal section of a circle.
10. A stackable connector as recited in claim 6 further comprising a cable having conductors, the conductors of said cable terminated to corresponding ones of the contacts in both the first and second housing members.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US33307189A | 1989-03-31 | 1989-03-31 | |
| US07/333,071 | 1989-03-31 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2011393A1 true CA2011393A1 (en) | 1990-09-30 |
Family
ID=23301141
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002011393A Abandoned CA2011393A1 (en) | 1989-03-31 | 1990-03-02 | Back-to-back stackable connector for interface bus |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5123859A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0390450A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH02288076A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR900015386A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2011393A1 (en) |
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| AU633188B2 (en) * | 1990-04-24 | 1993-01-21 | Csir | Connector for multi-conductor cables |
| NZ235693A (en) * | 1990-10-15 | 1993-10-26 | Harland Lloyd Mason | Double socket adaptor with internal patch panel |
| US5211578A (en) * | 1992-05-18 | 1993-05-18 | Amp Incorporated | Connector housing assembly for discrete wires |
| US5272807A (en) * | 1992-05-18 | 1993-12-28 | The Whitaker Corporation | Method of assembling a connector to electrical conductors |
| EP0605200B1 (en) * | 1992-12-26 | 2001-10-04 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Press-contact connector assembly |
| US5338221A (en) * | 1993-06-09 | 1994-08-16 | Molex Incorporated | Electrical connector for high density ribbon cable |
| NL9301050A (en) * | 1993-06-16 | 1995-01-16 | Connector Systems Tech Nv | Two-sided connector for connection to an electric cable. |
| TW277168B (en) * | 1994-08-12 | 1996-06-01 | Whitaker Corp | |
| US5683269A (en) * | 1995-03-27 | 1997-11-04 | The Whitaker Corporation | Shielded electrical connector with cable strain relief |
| US5639258A (en) * | 1995-05-15 | 1997-06-17 | Berg Technology, Inc. | Electrical connector including means for terminating wires |
| CN1148843C (en) * | 1995-06-12 | 2004-05-05 | 连接器系统技术股份有限公司 | Low cross talk and impedance controlled electrical connector and electrical cable assembly |
| US5676569A (en) * | 1996-07-25 | 1997-10-14 | The Whitaker Corporation | Holder for several electrical connectors |
| JPH1069933A (en) * | 1996-08-29 | 1998-03-10 | Amp Japan Ltd | Connector connecting device and its contact holding structure |
| US6270372B1 (en) * | 1996-09-26 | 2001-08-07 | Panduit Corp. | Patch cord connector |
| US5788534A (en) * | 1997-03-18 | 1998-08-04 | The Whitaker Corporation | Connector with integral cable clamp |
| US6010354A (en) * | 1998-08-07 | 2000-01-04 | The Whitaker Corporation | Docking I/O connector system |
| US6062896A (en) * | 1998-11-13 | 2000-05-16 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Method for terminating conductors |
| US6095862A (en) * | 1999-02-04 | 2000-08-01 | Molex Incorporated | Adapter frame assembly for electrical connectors |
| TW417853U (en) * | 1999-02-11 | 2001-01-01 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | Cable wire connector |
| US6385053B1 (en) | 1999-02-26 | 2002-05-07 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | PCB vertical and horizontal guide |
| US6600727B1 (en) | 1999-05-27 | 2003-07-29 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Distributed network repeater system |
| US6431765B1 (en) | 1999-06-11 | 2002-08-13 | Cisco Technology Inc. | Distributed network repeater module and method |
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| JP2001043926A (en) * | 1999-07-30 | 2001-02-16 | Yazaki Corp | Pressure contact connector |
| US6366471B1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2002-04-02 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Holder for closely-positioned multiple GBIC connectors |
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| US6482042B1 (en) * | 2001-08-29 | 2002-11-19 | Emc Corporation | Techniques for accessing a circuit board utilizing an improved adaptor |
| US6439916B1 (en) * | 2001-12-10 | 2002-08-27 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Electrical adapter |
| DE10328659B4 (en) * | 2002-07-03 | 2007-09-27 | Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh | Electrical connection arrangement |
| US6802734B2 (en) * | 2002-12-11 | 2004-10-12 | Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. | Cable end connector |
| US6840792B1 (en) * | 2004-02-20 | 2005-01-11 | L & K Precision Technology Co., Ltd. | Thin connector |
| CN2737012Y (en) | 2004-06-14 | 2005-10-26 | 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 | Electronic commutator |
| US20060292916A1 (en) * | 2005-06-23 | 2006-12-28 | Alcatel | Electrical cable connectors, electrical cable assemblies, and methods of making same |
| JP5090432B2 (en) | 2009-12-21 | 2012-12-05 | ヒロセ電機株式会社 | Fitting guide part for electric connector and electric connector device having the same |
| NL2007004C2 (en) * | 2011-06-28 | 2013-01-03 | Twentsche Kabelfab Bv | CONNECTOR FOR A CABLE RIBBON. |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3705378A (en) * | 1971-03-24 | 1972-12-05 | Bunker Ramo | Cover for feed-through connector |
| US3963300A (en) * | 1974-10-11 | 1976-06-15 | Amp Incorporated | Multi-conductor tap-connector |
| US4083615A (en) * | 1977-01-27 | 1978-04-11 | Amp Incorporated | Connector for terminating a flat multi-wire cable |
| US4398780A (en) * | 1979-07-03 | 1983-08-16 | Amp Incorporated | Shielded electrical connector |
| US4349239A (en) * | 1980-07-03 | 1982-09-14 | Amp Incorporated | Low mating force connector for connecting groups of wires |
| US4392701A (en) * | 1980-07-16 | 1983-07-12 | Amp Incorporated | Tap connector assembly |
| US4431249A (en) * | 1982-03-31 | 1984-02-14 | Amp Incorporated | Male/female cable connector |
| US4533200A (en) * | 1982-06-23 | 1985-08-06 | Thomas & Betts Corporation | Stackable electrical connector |
| US4592614A (en) * | 1982-09-07 | 1986-06-03 | Amp Incorporated | Gender change connector |
| BE900692A (en) * | 1984-09-27 | 1985-03-27 | Burndy Electra Nv | CONNECTOR FOR INDIVIDUAL CONDUCTORS AND METHOD FOR WIRING SUCH CONNECTOR. |
| US4728163A (en) * | 1985-04-25 | 1988-03-01 | Kittinger Bruce E | Dual gender electrical plug |
| US4629276A (en) * | 1985-09-10 | 1986-12-16 | Henry Dreyfuss Associates | Multidirection connector housing |
| DE3538630A1 (en) * | 1985-10-30 | 1987-05-07 | Siemens Ag | COLLECTING DEVICE |
| US4701139A (en) * | 1986-04-25 | 1987-10-20 | Amp Incorporated | Shielded cable assembly |
| US4818239A (en) * | 1987-04-24 | 1989-04-04 | Maxconn, Inc. | Stacked multipin connectors |
| US4781615A (en) * | 1987-08-31 | 1988-11-01 | Amp Incorporated | Cable terminating cover retention system |
-
1990
- 1990-03-02 CA CA002011393A patent/CA2011393A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-03-23 EP EP90303163A patent/EP0390450A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1990-03-29 JP JP2079064A patent/JPH02288076A/en active Pending
- 1990-03-30 KR KR1019900004281A patent/KR900015386A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1991
- 1991-08-22 US US07/750,778 patent/US5123859A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH02288076A (en) | 1990-11-28 |
| EP0390450A1 (en) | 1990-10-03 |
| US5123859A (en) | 1992-06-23 |
| KR900015386A (en) | 1990-10-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |