1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to electrical interconnection assemblies and, more particularly, to stackable modularized connector assemblies.
2. Background of Related Art
As used in the present disclosure, the term “electrical connector” refers to a housing containing a plurality of electrical contact terminals which is intended to be coupled and/or mated to a complementary electrical connector to form a connector assembly. One type of electrical connector is in the form of a housing assembly including a frame or shell configured and dimensioned to support a connector module.
Connector housing assemblies of the type comprising a frame and modules require a system for removably retaining the individual modules in the frame in a positive manner which nonetheless permits removal of the individual modules for servicing and/or repair.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the present invention is directed to an improved module-retaining member for retaining individual connector modules in a housing frame of a connector housing assembly.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the invention is directed to a stackable modular general purpose rectangular connector which may be produced via molding and/or die casting to reduce the costs associated with manufacturing the same.
The present disclosure relates to electrical interconnection assemblies. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to stackable modular connector assemblies.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a stackable modular connector assembly, is provided. The connector assembly includes a track having a pair of rails. Each rail includes a channel formed along a length thereof with the channels of each rail being in juxtaposed relation to one another. Connector assembly further includes at least one connector shell supportable by the pair of rails. Each connector shell defines at least one receptacle for selectively receiving a connector. Each connector shell further includes a pair of tabs extending from opposed sides thereof. Each tab is configured and dimensioned for slidable engagement in the channels of the rails. Accordingly, a first rail is disposed along a first side of the connector shell and a second rail is disposed along a second side of the connector shell.
Desirably, each tab of each connector shell includes a hole formed therein. Additionally, each rail includes a pair of apertures formed therein. Preferably, a first aperture is formed near a first end of the rail and a second aperture is formed near a second end of the rail. Accordingly, the holes from each connector are registerable with the corresponding apertures formed in the pair of rails.
It is envisioned that the channel of each rail may extend the entire length thereof. Desirably, each rail may include at least one mounting hole formed therein for securing the rail to a support structure.
It is contemplated that the track may include a web extending between and interconnecting each rail to one another. In one embodiment, the web defines at least one window formed therein. In this embodiment, the web may include an upper backspan and a lower backspan defining the window therein. In another embodiment, the web defines a window for each receptacle of each connector shell positioned between the pair of rails.
Preferably, only an upper-most and a lower-most connector shell are fastened to the pair of rails. It is envisioned that threaded fasteners secure the upper-most connector shell and the lower-most connector shell to the pair of rails.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a stackable modular connector assembly, is provided. The stackable modular connector assembly includes a track having a pair of juxtaposed rails each defining an elongate channel formed therein. Desirably, the channels are oriented toward one another. The stackable modular connector assembly further includes a plurality of connector shells operatively engageable with the track. Desirably, each connector shell extends between the opposed channels of the pair of rails and is slidably stackable within the channels of the track.
Each connector shell may define at least one receptacle and desirably includes a pair of tabs extending from opposed sides thereof. The tabs are selectively slidably engageable in the channels of the pair of rails. It is envisioned that each tab of each connector shell includes a hole formed therein.
Desirably, each rail includes a pair of apertures formed therein. It is envisioned that a first aperture is formed near a first end of the rail and a second aperture is formed near a second end of the rail. Accordingly, the holes from each connector are registerable with the corresponding apertures formed in the pair of rails.
It is envisioned that the track includes a web extending between and interconnecting each rail to one another. In an embodiment the web defines at least one window therein.
Desirably, only an upper-most and a lower-most connector shell are fastened to the pair of rails. It is envisioned that threaded fasteners may be used to secure the upper-most connector shell and the lower-most connector shell to the pair of rails.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the presently disclosed stackable modular connector assembly will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used herein and as is traditional, the term “distal” refers to that portion which is furthest from the user while the term “proximal” refers to that portion which is closest to the user. In addition, terms such as “above”, “below”, “forward”, “rearward”, etc. refer to the orientation of the figures or the direction of components and are simply used for convenience of description.
Referring initially to
As seen in
Housing or track 120 may be manufactured in specific standard lengths or may be manufactured in a single elongate length which may be cut as needed for a particular application or installation. Desirably, housing or track 120 is made from a substantially rigid plastic material which exhibits some compliancy and resilience.
Housing or track 120 desirably includes a plurality of mounting holes 130 which receive threaded fasteners 132 for attaching and/or mounting housing or track 120 to a support structure 110, such as, for example, a panel 110 as shown in
As seen in
With continued reference to
As seen in
In use, as seen in
Desirably, a lower-most connector shell 140 is secured to housing or track 120 with threaded fasteners 148 extending through apertures 134 of rails 122, 124 and tabs 142a, 142b of connector shell 140. Additional connector shells 140 may then be slidably inserted into channels 122a, 124a of rails 122, 124 of housing or track 120. Following insertion of an upper-most connector shell 140 into channels 122a, 124a of rails 122, 124 of housing or track 120, additional threaded fasteners 148 are used to secure the upper-most connector shell 140 to housing or track 120. Desirably, the holes 146 of the lower-most connector shell 140 and the upper-most connector shell 140 are in registration with apertures 134 formed in rails 122, 124.
The lower-most connector shell 140 and the upper-most connector shell 140 function to lock the remaining connector shells 140, disposed between the upper-most and the lower-most connector shell, in place relative to housing or track 120. Desirably, each connector shell 140 may include a slot and/or a dovetail (not shown) formed along a top surface and/or a bottom surface thereof for inter-engagement with a complementary slot and/or dovetail formed in a juxtaposed surface of an adjacent connector shell 140. In this manner, adjacent connector shells 140 may lock with one another when stacked one atop another within housing or track 120.
In accordance with the present disclosure, individual connector shells 140 may be repaired and/or replaced as needed and/or as necessary without having to replace the remainder of the undamaged connector shells 140 and/or without having to replace the supporting housing or track 120. The connector shell 140 in need of repair or replacement is simply slid out of housing or track 120 either from the top end 120a or the bottom end 120b of housing or track 120.
Turning now to
Turning now to
In use, rails 322, 324 function to secure a plurality of connector shells 140 to one another. In particular, a lower-most connector shell is secured to rails 322, 324 using threaded fasteners 148. The remaining connector shells 140 are positioned such that their respective tabs 142a, 142b are disposed within channels 322a, 324a of rails 322, 324. Finally, upper-most connector shell 140 is secured to rails 322, 324 using additional threaded fasteners (not shown).
Essentially, when secured to rails 322, 324, the lower-most and the upper-most connector shells 140 function as the web of housing or track 320.
In accordance with the present disclosure, it is envisioned that the rails (e.g., rails 122, 124, 222, 224, 322 and 324) may be provided with shield terminations and/or grounding in respective channels (e.g., 122a, 124a) which electrically connect to a hardware panel or the like. Accordingly, it is envisioned that any of the rails disclosed herein may be metallic, composite plastics, or any combination thereof.
It is further envisioned and within the scope of the present disclosure, as seen in
It is to be understood that the foregoing description is merely a disclosure of particular embodiments and is no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other possible modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and all modifications will be apparent to those in the art and all modifications are to be defined by the following claims.