(19)
(11) EP 0 767 515 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
07.01.1998 Bulletin 1998/02

(43) Date of publication A2:
09.04.1997 Bulletin 1997/15

(21) Application number: 96115451.5

(22) Date of filing: 26.09.1996
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6H01R 13/436
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 03.10.1995 GB 9520188

(71) Applicant: THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Wilmington, Delaware 19808 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Beken, Alan John
    Chesham, Bucks, HP5 2RA (GB)
  • Mistry, Maganlal
    Harlow, Essex, CM17 0DJ (GB)

(74) Representative: Heinz-Schäfer, Marion 
AMP International Enterprises Limited Ampèrestrasse 3
9323 Steinach (SG)
9323 Steinach (SG) (CH)

   


(54) Electrical connector having front loadable secondary locking member


(57) An electrical connector (2) comprising a connector housing (4) and a locking member (6) where the connector housing (4) includes a contact cavity (10) for receiving an electrical contact and has a retention arm (40) that is deflectable to allow the contact to be inserted into the cavity (10) and after the contact passes thereby resiles therebehind, the locking member (6) having a wedge (34) extending therefrom where the locking member (6) has a first position relative the connector housing (4) such that the retention arm (40) is deflectable to allow the contact to pass and a second position where the wedge (34) is located behind the retention arm (40) and prevents deflection thereof, the connector (2) being characterized in that the wedge (34) includes an abutment shoulder (54) along the backup surface (48) that is oriented transversely to the direction of insertion of the locking member (6) such that the abutment shoulder (54) stubs the retention arm (40) if the retention arm (40) is in a deflected position, thereby preventing the locking member (6) from achieving the second position and where the locking member 40 further includes a resilient tab (26) that interferes with the connector housing 4, thereby preventing insertion thereof to the second position unless deflected.







Search report