[0001] This invention relates to a connector cover for protecting a mating opening of a
connector to receive a mating connector.
[0002] It is well known that a cover may be used to protect the mating opening of a connector
which is for receiving a mating connector. Examples of such connector covers are disclosed
in US Patent 5,096,428 and US Patent 4,258,970. The former shows a cover to cover
a whole elongated mating opening of a connector. A portion of the cover, which is
located in the mating opening, is frictionally engaged with the mating opening such
that the cover is kept on the connector. The latter discloses a cover for protecting
a mating opening of a circular connector. The cover has retention means to be engaged
with locking means formed on a connector housing of the connector.
[0003] Advantageously the cover disclosed in US Patent 5,096,428 is sufficiently miniaturised.
The cover is not so large when compared with the connector. However, the cover might
be undesirably released from the connector, since the retention force is not large.
Therefore, sufficient protection of the mating opening is not assured during the lifetime
of the device including the connector. On the other hand, the cover disclosed in US
Patent 4,258,970 can provide a relatively large retention force. However the cover
size is relatively large. In addition, the cover has to be correctly aligned with
the connector housing by the installer in order to attach it. Therefore, it requires
much labour. Furthermore, the cover might be undesirably released from said connector
since a portion of the locking arm projects outwardly.
[0004] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a miniaturised connector cover
which is to be kept on a connector with a relatively large retention force. It is
preferable that the connector cover can be released if desired in a relatively easy
way.
[0005] This invention provides a connector cover to be attached to a connector having a
substantially rectangular mating opening for receiving a mating connector and a locking
portion located on one inner surface of said mating opening for locking said mating
connector, where said mating opening is covered by said connector cover when said
connector cover is attached to said connector, comprising a flat plate portion having
a larger area than said mating opening to cover said mating opening, a locking arm
extending out of said flat plate portion to be engaged with said locking portion,
and at least one engaging surface to abut against an opposite inner surface opposite
to said one inner surface at least at a first position close to an opening edge of
said mating opening and a second position spaced away from said opening edge.
[0006] Preferably, said connector cover further comprises engaging portions to be engaged
with said mating opening to stop lateral movement of said connector cover attached
to said connector.
[0007] Preferably, said locking arm projects away from said flat plate portion and then
extends back toward said flat plate portion via a U-shaped portion to end in the vicinity
of said flat plate portion, and has a locking projection thereon to be engaged with
said locking portion.
[0008] Preferably, said locking arm has a larger width than said locking projection in the
vicinity of a leading end of said locking arm and is adapted to be engaged with a
portion of said one inner surface at both sides of said larger width.
[0009] Preferably, said connector cover further comprises supplemental walls projecting
from said flat plate portion on both sides of said locking arm and adapted to be engaged
with said one inner surface at a position closer to said flat plate portion than said
locking projection when said connector cover is attached to said connector.
[0010] Preferably, said at least one engaging surface is formed at bottom ends of a pair
of horizontally or laterally spaced vertical walls projecting out of said flat plate
portion and extending in the height direction.
[0011] Preferably, said engaging portions include a pair of ribs coupled with both of said
vertical walls and said flat plate portion.
[0012] Preferably, a pair of projections having smaller projecting size than said locking
projection and being located at said both sides close to said leading end of said
locking arm are provided to be engaged with said portion of said one inner surface
of said mating opening.
[0013] A preferable embodiment of a connector cover according to this invention will be
explained hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector cover according to this invention
together with a connector;
FIG. 2 shows details of the connector cover, where: (a) is a plan view; (b) is a front
view; (c) is a side view; and (d) is a cross-sectional view along the line D-D in
(a);
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cover attachment preparing stage or a cover
release state;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 3 showing the cover attached to the
connector; and
FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 3 showing an alternative cover
attachment preparing stage.
[0014] A connector cover 10 is adapted to be attached to a substantially rectangular mating
opening 101 of a connector 100. The connector 100 has a flange 110. The flange 110
is used for mechanically securing the connector 100 to a panel of an apparatus (not
shown). The connector 100 is attached to the panel such that the mating opening 101
can be accessed from outside through an opening formed in the panel. The mating opening
101 is usually covered by the connector cover 10 attached thereto. However, in order
to connect a mating connector (not shown) to this connector 100, the connector cover
10 is released from the mating opening 101. Figure 1 shows a pair of different mating
projection structures 170, 160 to be mated with a mating connector. Namely, the connector
cover 10 is used to protect these structures 170, 180.
[0015] Figure 2 shows a detailed structure of the connector cover, where (a) is a plane
view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a side view, and (d) is a cross sectional view along
the line D-D in (a).
[0016] The connector cover 10 has a flat plate portion 20 for covering the mating opening
101 of the connector 100. One surface or an inner surface 21 of the flat plate portion
20 is to be faced toward the mating opening 101, while the opposite surface or outer
surface 22 is to be faced outward. A plurality of projecting structures can be seen
on one surface 21, which will be explained hereinafter. On the other hand, the opposite
surface 22 includes a plurality of horizontal ribs 23. These ribs 23 make it easier
for an installer to actuate the connector cover 10 by his or her fingers when the
installer attaches the cover 10 to the connector 100. It is also notable that a curved
smooth surface 25 is formed along a total length of the opening edges of opposite
surface 22 of the flat plate portion 20.
[0017] The flat plate portion 20 has a recess 26 at a top edge 24a thereof. A locking arm
50 is formed corresponding to this recess 26. The locking arm 50 projects out of one
surface 21 of the flat plate 20. The locking arm 50 has an extending base 59, a U-shaped
portion 55 and an extending portion 56 extending backwards toward the flat plate portion
20 at a higher position. Therefore, a free end 51 of the locking arm 50 is facing
toward a space 27 defined by the recess 26 and terminated at a coplanar surface with
respect to one surface 21. It is also notable that the locking arm 50 does not extend
out of the flat plate portion 20.
[0018] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, a pair of upwardly projecting projections 52 are
formed in the vicinity of the free end 51 of the locking arm 50. The projections 52
are spaced in the width direction. The locking arm 50 also includes a single locking
projection 53 projecting upward at a position spaced from the free and 51 and at a
central position of its width. The locking projection 53 has a larger projecting size
than the projections 52.
[0019] The locking projection 53 is utilised as a locking means for locking the connector
cover 10 onto a mating opening 101 of the connector 100. The locking projection 53
has a locking shoulder 54 having a surface which is slightly angled with respect to
a top surface of the extending portion 56. The locking projection 53 has another angled
surface 57 at the opposite side of the locking shoulder 54.
[0020] On the other hand, each of the projections 52 includes an angled surface 61 continuously
extending from the free end 51, a top end 62 and a shoulder 63 facing opposite to
the locking shoulder 54 of the locking projection 53. The shoulder 63 is configured
to have an acute angle with respect to the top surface of the extending portion 56.
A gap between the pair of projections 52 becomes narrower as it is spaced from the
free end 51.
[0021] A pair of first walls 70 project from the inner surface 21 of the flat plate portion
20 to extend in the height close to both side edges 24b of the flat plate portion
20. Each first wall 70 includes a flat bottom engaging surface 71, straight leading
end 72 extending in the height, and a curved edge portion 73 located at the upper
side of the leading end 72. An outer side surface 74 of each first wall 70 has a horizontally
extending rib or engaging portion 75 that it also coupled with the flat plate portion
20. The rib 75 locates close to the border between the straight leading end 72 and
a curved edge portion 73, and terminates an angled surface 76. The first walls 70
of the connector cover 10 are adapted to be received in the side channels 102 of the
connector 100 (see Figure 1) having relatively low height size.
[0022] The connector cover 10 further comprises second or supplemental walls 80. The second
or supplemental walls 80 are located on both sides outside of the locking arm 50 and
inside of the pair of first walls 70. Each of the second walls 80 has a relatively
small height compared to the first walls 70, and located to cover the sides of free
end 51 and the extending base 59 of the locking arm 50. A top end of each second wall
80 has a horizontal surface 81, and an angled or curved corner portion 82. It is also
notable that the projecting size of each second wall 80 which is determined by a length
between the flat plate portion 20 and a leading end 83 is relatively small compared
to the projecting size of each first wall 70.
[0023] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cover attachment preparing stage or
a cover release stage. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing
a cover attached to the connector. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure
3, showing an alternative cover attachment preparing stage. In these figures the contacts
are not shown.
[0024] The operation for attaching the connector cover 10 will be explained hereinafter.
At the first stage, the connector cover 10 is roughly aligned with the mating opening
101 in the connector 100. Then the connector cover 10 is pushed toward the mating
opening 101 such that the first and second walls 70, 80 and locking arm 50 are received
in the mating opening 101. Thereby the first walls 70 are inserted into side channels
102 as explained above. The locking projection 53 of the locking arm 50 is engaged
with a locking portion or shoulder 130 formed on a top side inner surface 151, whereby
the connector cover 10 is kept on the connector 100, as shown in Figure 4.
[0025] It is notable that at the initial alignment stage for attaching the connector cover
10, the cover 10 can be oriented toward various directions a shown in Figures 3 or
5. The connector cover 10 is moved from various preparing stages of various orientations
such as shown in Figures 3 or 5 to a single locking position shown in Figure 4. It
is notable that the connector cover 10 can be easily inserted into the mating opening
101, even when the flat plate portion 20 is disposed at a large or small angle or
even perpendicularly oriented or parallel to the opening 101 at the initial preparing
stage.
[0026] If flat plate portion 20 of the connector cover 10 is angled in a relatively large
angle as shown in Figure 3, the bottom engaging surface 71 is firstly engaged with
the bottom opening edge 108 of the mating opening 101. Then the connector cover 10
is rotated toward the direction of arrow A shown in Figure 3 with the surface 71 being
slid on the bottom edge 108. At the final stage, locking arm 50 is deflected, and
then the locking projection 53 rises over the engaging wall 115 of the connector 100
to be locked with the locking shoulder 130. The angled surfaces 76 of the ribs 75
formed along outer surfaces of the first walls 70 guide the insertion of the connector
cover 10 by co-operating with side opening edges 109 in the channels 102 and side
surfaces 122 in the channels 102 so that the cover 10 is smoothly received into the
mating opening 101.
[0027] On the other hand, if the flat plate portion 20 is perpendicularly oriented or has
a slightly angled orientation, as shown in Figure 5, the connector cover 10 is mainly
slid into the mating opening 101 in the direction shown by arrow B, although it might
be slightly rotated during the insertion. Then the locking arm 50 is deflected and
the locking projection 53 goes over the engaging wall 115 to be locked by the locking
shoulder 130. The angled surfaces of the ribs 75 also guide the insertion of the connector
cover 10.
[0028] As described above, the connector cover 10 is locked in a single locked position,
that is shown in Figure 4. When the cover 10 is in the locked position, the locking
projection 53 is engaged with the locking shoulder 130 as explained above, and the
projections 52 abut the engaging wall 115 inside the mating opening 101, and the bottom
engaging surfaces 71 of the first walls 70 abut the bottom or opposite inner surface
118 inside the mating opening 101 the desired distance away from the flat plate portion
20. It is notable that the locking arm 50 provides the connector cover 10 with a downward
biasing force such that the cover 10 is securely retained on the connector 100. It
is also notable that the top horizontal surface 81 can stop upward movement of the
connector cover 10 by co-operating with the engaging wall 115 in order to prevent
the locking arm 50 from being damaged. In addition, it is also notable that the connector
cover 10 is prevented from being moved freely in the lateral direction, since the
ribs 75 locate close to the side surfaces 122.
[0029] As explained above, it is assured that the connector cover 10 is kept on the connector
100, since the movement of the connector cover 10 is advantageously prevented and
the locking projection 53 of the locking arm 50 is effectively engaged with the locking
shoulder 130. In addition, because the free end 51 of the locking arm 50 does not
extend over or beyond the flat plate portion 20, usually it cannot be accessed from
outside. Therefore undesirable release of the connector cover 10 is prevented.
[0030] A special tool (not shown) is used for releasing the connector cover 10. The tool
is inserted into the space 27 to be engaged with the locking arm 50 such that the
locking arm 50 is deflected to release the engagement between the locking projection
53 and the locking shoulder 130. The operator can actuate the tool in a desirable
manner to release the connector cover 10 from the connector 100. Also, the shoulders
63 of the projections 52 can be engaged with the tool, whereby the connector cover
10 can be pulled out of the mating opening 101 of the connector 100. The angled surfaces
61 of the pair of projections 52 make it easier to insert the tool. The connector
cover 10 is rotated toward the rotation direction A' opposite to the direction A (see
Figure 3) as the connector cover 10 is pulled out of the connector 100 by actuating
the tool, such that the cover 10 is moved from the locking position shown in Figure
4 to the released position shown in Figure 3.
[0031] The engagement between the engaging wall 115 and the second walls 80 of the connector
cover 10 for preventing the damage of the locking arm 50 is released as the rotation
movement to release the cover 10 occurs. However it is notable that the engagement
between the curved edge portions 73 of the first walls 70 and the top side shoulders
112 in the mating opening 101 can stop upward movement of the connector cover 10.
Therefore damage of the locking arm 50 is advantageously prevented even in this transition
stage.
[0032] As explained above, the connector cover 10 according to the present embodiment can
be oriented to various directions when it is in an initial attachment preparing position.
Therefore, the installer can easily attach the connector cover 10 onto the connector
100. On the other hand, the cover 10 cannot be undesirably released from the connector
100, since a special tool is necessary to release the cover 10 from the connector
100. However, advantageously the cover 10 can be easily released from the connector
100 when the tool is used.
[0033] It is obvious that some modifications can be made by an artisan within the scope
of the present invention. For example, the cover also can be supplied to an optical
connector although the above embodiment shows an electrical connector.
[0034] The connector cover according to the present invention is characterised by comprising
a flat plate portion having a larger area than a mating opening to cover the mating
opening, a locking arm extending out of the flat plate portion to be engaged with
a locking portion, and at least one engaging surface to abut against an opposite inner
surface opposite to one inner surface at least at a first position close to an edge
of the mating opening and a second position spaced away from the edge. Therefore,
the cover can be easily attached to a connector by the installer since the cover can
be oriented in various positions in the initial preparing or installation stage. In
addition, the cover can be kept securely retained on the connector and will not be
undesirably or accidentally released.
1. A connector cover (10) to be attached to a connector (100) having a substantially
rectangular mating opening (101) for receiving a mating connector (170, 180) and a
locking portion (130) located on one inner surface (151) of said mating opening (101)
where said mating opening (101) is covered by said connector cover (10) when said
connector cover (10) is attached to said connector (100), said connector cover (10)
comprising:
a flat plate portion (20) having a larger area than said mating opening (101) to cover
said mating opening (101);
a locking arm (50) extending out of said flat plate portion (20) to be engaged with
said locking portion (130); and
at least one engaging surface (71) to abut against an opposite inner surface (118)
opposite to said one inner surface (151) at least at a first position close to an
opening edge (108) of said mating opening (101) and a second position spaced away
from said opening edge.
2. The connector cover (10) according to claim 1 wherein said connector cover (10) further
comprises an engaging portion (75) to be engaged with said mating opening (101) to
stop lateral movement of said connector cover (10).
3. The connector cover (10) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said locking arm (50) projects
away from said flat plate portion (20) and then extends back toward said flat plate
portion (20) via a U-shaped portion (55) to end in the vicinity of said flat plate
portion (20) and has a locking projection (53) thereon to be engaged with said locking
portion (130).
4. The connector cover (10) according to claim 3 wherein said locking arm (50) has a
larger width than said locking projection (130) in the vicinity of a leading end (51)
of said locking arm (50) and is adapted to be engaged with a portion of said one inner
surface (151) at both sides of said larger width.
5. The connector cover (10) according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said connector cover (10)
further comprises supplemental walls (80) projecting from said flat plate portion
(20) at both sides of said locking arm (50) and adapted to engage with said one inner
surface (151) at a position closer to said flat plate portion (20) than said locking
projection (53) when said connector cover (10) is attached to said connector (100).