Patent Application
20150244109
The Present Disclosure relates, generally, to low profile connectors, and, more particularly, to improved means if actuating such connectors utilizing redundant pull tab structures.
Small and low-profile connectors, such as those used in SFP (Small Form Factor Pluggable) applications are utilized in electronic devices, in which space is a premium. Such connectors are widely used to make connections with routers and servers. They are small in size, but one problem with many electronic connectors of this type, however, is the tendency for them to separate or be disconnected from the component to which they are connected. Thus, it is common to latch such connectors together. One example of a plug connector using a latch is U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,987, issued 29 Jun. 1999 for “Latched Electrical Connector” (the content of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety), and which discloses a plug-receptacle connector assembly with a latching mechanism incorporated into the housing of the plug connector. Latching mechanisms on plug connectors require an actuator that permits the operator to raise and lower the latching member to latch and unlatch a plug connector from its corresponding receptacle connector. The size and locations of the actuators sometimes increase the size required in a system.
As connectors become smaller and the density of receptacle connectors in electronic devices increases, the simple act of disengaging a plug connector latch mechanism becomes increasingly more difficult. Some latching mechanisms for low profile latching connector use a single pull tab that extends axially rearwardly along the connector cable to define a grasping point for the operator. Such a pull tab is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,292, issued 8 Apr. 2008 and assigned to the assignee of the Present Disclosure (the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). However, these types of pull tabs extend along only a single orientation of their associated connectors, i.e., either the top or bottom of the cable. Its tight wiring closets it can become difficult to access and grasp the pull tab to remove the connector. A need therefore exists for a low profile connector having a pull tab actuator-type structure that is accessible notwithstanding the orientation of the connector.
The Present Disclosure is therefore directed to a low profile connector with a redundant, or dual pull tab, actuator particularly suitable for dense cable arrangements, wherein the actuator may be operated regardless of the orientation of the connector.
Accordingly, there is provided a low profile latching connector, suitable for dense wiring applications, having an actuator accessible from two opposing sides of the connector cable and operable by way of a simple pull-type action.
In accordance with an embodiment described in the following Present Disclosure, a low profile latching connector is provided comprised of a hollow, generally rectangular body portion from which a similarly rectangular mating portion projects. A latching member extends lengthwise of the connector and is fixed near a rear end thereof to the connector body portion and extends in a cantilevered fashion forwardly such that its front end lies upon the mating portion. An actuator is provided that has an elongated body which fits between the latching member and the connector body portion that has a configuration which causes the latching member front end to rise and fall in response to lengthwise movement of the actuator.
The actuator preferably includes a first grip portion with a pull tab having a ring in the form of a finger hole at its rear end into which an operator can use to pull the actuator rearwardly, or push it forwardly. The actuator and plug connector include cooperating structure that limits the travel of the actuator. In order to provide the actuator with a measure of redundancy, a second grip portion with a pull tab in the form of a pull loop is provided and it also extends rearwardly along the connector cable. The pull loop is positioned in general opposition to the pull ring and also includes a finger hole at its rear end into which an operator can use to pull the actuator rearwardly, or push it forwardly. Importantly, the pull ring and loop are spaced apart from each other by an intervening space through which the connector cable extends. In this regard, the pull ring and loop are preferably arranged parallel, to be grasped either individually or as a pair.
The actuator includes a pair of arms that extend outwardly and downwardly to an opposite side of the connector cable where they join with the second grip portion to cooperatively define the pull loop that encircles the cable. The arms preferably extend downwardly away from the actuator body at an acute angle to better transfer pulling forces on the second grip to the actuator body. The actuator body is further preferably formed with a radius, which provides the actuator body with a round edge in contact with the connector cable(s) to facilitate the sliding of the entire actuator along the connector cable.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the Present Disclosure will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.
The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the Present Disclosure, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following Detailed Description, taken in connection with the accompanying Figures, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
While the Present Disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the Figures, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the Present Disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the Present Disclosure, and is not intended to limit the Present Disclosure to that as illustrated.
As such, references to a feature or aspect are intended to describe a feature or aspect of an example of the Present Disclosure, not to imply that every embodiment thereof must have the described feature or aspect. Furthermore, it should be noted that the description illustrates a number of features. While certain features have been combined together to illustrate potential system designs, those features may also be used in other combinations not expressly disclosed. Thus, the depicted combinations are not intended to be limiting, unless otherwise noted.
In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, representations of directions such as up, down, left, right, front and rear, used for explaining the structure and movement of the various elements of the Present Disclosure, are not absolute, but relative. These representations are appropriate when the elements are in the position shown in the Figures. If the description of the position of the elements changes, however, these representations are to be changed accordingly.
The actuator 46, as shown best in
Importantly, the actuator 46 has a pull tab style structure. That is, the actuator body portion 54 terminates at its rear end in a first grip portion 61, shown as a finger ring 62 that has a circular, or oval-like, configuration. As illustrated, the first grip portion 61 extends in a horizontal plane H1, which includes a portion of the actuator body portion 54. In doing so, the actuator body portion 54 and its associated first grip portion 61 extend along a first side of the connector cable(s) 70 and this side is shown in the Figures as the top side or in a plane that lies above the cable 70.
In order to give connectors of the Present Disclosure the ability to be latched from different directions, the actuator is further provided with a measure of redundancy, such as a second grip portion 72 which takes the form of a pull loop 73 spaced apart from the first grip portion 61. The second grip portion 72 is cooperatively defined by a pair of arms 74 that extend out and away from the actuator body portion 54 and down into a second plane H2 spaced apart by an intervening space 75 from the first plane H1. The two arms 74 are joined together by an arcuate end piece 76 such that a finger pull loop 74 is formed that encircles the connector cables 70. The arms 74 are shown extending downwardly from the actuator body portion 54 at an acute angle; this angular orientation transfers the pulling force exerted by the operator to the actuator body portion 54 so that the actuator 46 may be pulled rearwardly in a linear fashion along the first side of the cables 70.
As shown specifically in
The presence of the two grip portions 61, 72 permits an operator to more easily actuate the latching member 47 regardless of the orientation of the connector housing 40a. If the connector housing 40a is installed in a conventional fashion, the operator can use the first (top) grip portion 61, and if the connector housing 40a is installed in an inverted fashion, the operator can use the second (bottom) grip portion 72. Of course, both grip portions 61, 72 may be grasped in situations where clearance is not an issue. Similarly, the connectors of the Present Disclosure may be mounted sideways, where the first and second grip portions tabs extend in vertically spaced-apart planes. The actuator may be formed from a plastic or resin, such as by molding or from a metal such as be die casting. The use of two grip portions utilizing the structure disclosed herein further does not increase the space needed in a wiring cabinet as the grip portions extend close to exteriors of the cables 70.
While a preferred embodiment of the Present Disclosure is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing Description and the appended Claims.
