(19)
(11) EP 2 381 541 A8

(12) CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
Note: Bibliography reflects the latest situation

(15) Correction information:
Corrected version no 1 (W1 A1)

(48) Corrigendum issued on:
18.01.2012 Bulletin 2012/03

(43) Date of publication:
26.10.2011 Bulletin 2011/43

(21) Application number: 11162946.5

(22) Date of filing: 19.04.2011
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H01R 13/627(2006.01)
H01R 13/506(2006.01)
H01R 24/22(2011.01)
 H01R 103/00(2006.01)
H01R 13/652(2006.01)
H01R 24/70(2011.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME

(30) Priority: 20.04.2010 US 342955 P

(71) Applicant: Chen, Liang Light
Los Gatos CA 95032 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Chen, Liang Light
    Los Gatos CA 95032 (US)

(74) Representative: Ellis, Katherine Elizabeth Sleigh 
Williams Powell Staple Court 11 Staple Inn Buildings
London, WC1V 7QH
London, WC1V 7QH (GB)

   


(54) Retainer system


(57) Male couplers (40; 140; 240) and female couplers (20; 120; 220) which are complementally formed to attach together are fitted with a retainer system (10; 110; 210) including prongs (39) on one of the couplers and a gap on the other of the couplers which can engage the prongs. The prong (39) or gap is configured as either fixed or pivoting so that the pivoting portion can pivot to engage the fixed portion. When the male coupler (40; 140 240) is inserted into the female coupler (20; 120; 220), the prongs (39) and gaps engage each other. To remove the male coupler (40; 140; 240) from the female coupler (20; 120; 220), a pivoting portion must be pivoted to move the gap and prongs (39) away from each other. The gap is configured as an at least partial recess into which the prong (39) is received. The prongs (39) and loop (64) or slit (130; 230) are coupled to the male and female coupler ends through removably attachable male and female retainers (30; 50) or built directly into the female and male couplers (20, 40; 120, 140; 220, 240).