Connector assembly having a securing member

Abstract

A connector assembly for connecting an electrical terminal to a terminal receiver includes a body portion having a first surface including a biasable lock member extending therefrom and a second surface defining a plurality of recesses. The connector assembly also includes a securing member having a plurality of finger portions with one of the finger portions disposed in each of the recesses so as to prevent or lessen any movement of the electrical terminal relative to the terminal receiver within the recess. The securing member has a locking tab member that can engage and pivot the lock member for locking the securing member to the body portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a connector assembly having a body portion and a securing member in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the connector assembly;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the connector assembly;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector assembly;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the connector assembly having an electrical terminal connected thereto;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector assembly taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the connector assembly taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector assembly taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the securing member;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the securing member; and

FIG. 12 is an end view of the securing member.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for connection to an electrical terminal, said assembly comprising: a body portion having a first surface including a biasable lock member extending therefrom and a second surface defining at least one recess;a terminal receiver at least partially disposed in the recess; anda securing member having a first securing portion selectively disposed in the recess and operable to engage at least a portion of the terminal receiver for minimizing movement between the electrical terminal and the terminal receiver and a second securing portion operable to engage the biasable lock member for locking the securing member to the body portion.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the biasable lock member is pivotable about a fulcrum interconnecting the body portion and the biasable lock member.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first securing portion includes a finger portion selectively disposed in the recess and operable to engage at least a portion of the terminal receiver for minimizing movement between the electrical terminal and the terminal receiver.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the finger portion includes a wedge-shaped surface and an area defining a notch on a surface spaced and opposed from the wedge-shaped surface.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including a clip selectively disposed in the recess and operable to engage at least a portion of the terminal receiver for further minimizing movement between the electrical terminal and the terminal receiver.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein the terminal receiver includes a top surface and a bottom surface with the finger portion engaging the top surface and the clip engaging the bottom surface to sandwich the terminal receiver between the securing member and the clip.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the terminal receiver includes a first receptor for receiving an electrical wire and a second receptor for receiving the electrical terminal.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein the second surface of the body portion defines a plurality of recesses with a terminal receiver disposed in each of the recesses to define a plurality of terminal receivers.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first securing portion includes a plurality of finger portions with one of the finger portions selectively disposed in each of the recesses to engage at least a portion of the terminal receiver associated with each recess.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of the finger portions include a wedge-shaped surface and an area defining a notch on a surface spaced and opposed from the wedge-shaped surface.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 further including a clip selectively disposed in each of the recesses to engage at least a portion of the terminal receiver associated with each recess.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of the terminal receivers include a top surface and a bottom surface with the finger portions engaging the top surfaces and the clip engaging the bottom surfaces to sandwich the terminal receivers between the securing member and the clip.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second securing portion includes a locking tab member operable to engage the biasable lock member and pivot the biasable lock member in a substantially upward direction during insertion of the securing member into the recess.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking tab member includes a ramped surface portion operable to engage the biasable lock member and pivot the biasable lock member in a substantially upward direction during insertion.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first securing portion includes a wedge-shaped surface and an area defining a notch on a surface spaced and opposed from the wedge-shaped surface.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein the notch is substantially V-shaped for at least partially enveloping the electric terminal and terminal receiver.

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the biasable lock member includes a substantially planar body portion and a locking head member formed on a distal end of the substantially planar body portion with the locking head member including a width greater than that of the substantially planar body portion.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the securing member includes a handle portion formed thereon.