Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise devices, systems, and methods for mounting a component on a surface, including without limitation, mounting preassembled components to any surface of an assembled product. In some embodiments, the invention comprises a moveable locking retainer for mounting the component, comprised of a shaft; a head with a plurality of arms, each arm having an engagement finger and an engagement shoulder that form an engagement gap which engages the edge of a corresponding opening in the surface. The locking retainer also comprises a base with engagement prongs that prevent the locking retainer from being removed from a corresponding locking receptacle on the component, once attached. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An electrical female terminal is provided of two piece construction comprising an outer body and an inner body. The outer body has a forward shield portion and rearward conduction attaching portion. The inner body has a forward receptacle portion and a rearward conduction contacting portion enabling current to flow from a mating terminal to an attached electrical cable via the inner body. The receptacle portion includes resilient contact arms. The shield portion of the outer body surrounds the receptacle portion. The shield portion includes back-up spring members that enable the receptacle portion to maintain a normal force on a mating terminal even if the contact arms relax.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which mates to a female connector thereby electrically engaging male terminal blades, locked to a male connector body, to female terminals locked to a female connector body. The blade of each male terminal project into a blind bore defined by a shroud of the male connector body. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a retractable terminal blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a blade alignment position with the male connector via a dual fastening feature constructed and arranged between the male connector body and the stabilizer, which prevents withdrawal of the stabilizer from the male connector and restricts further insertion of the stabilizer into the blind bore. When the stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, the tips of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals and the remaining portion of the blades are shielded and thus protected from possible damage.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which mates to a female connector thereby electrically engaging male terminal blades, locked to a male connector body, to female terminals locked to a female connector body. The blade of each male terminal project into a blind bore defined by a shroud of the male connector body. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a retractable terminal blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a blade alignment position with the male connector via a dual fastening feature constructed and arranged between the male connector body and the stabilizer, which prevents withdrawal of the stabilizer from the male connector and restricts further insertion of the stabilizer into the blind bore. When the stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, the tips of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals and the remaining portion of the blades are shielded and thus protected from possible damage.

Abstract: A secondary terminal lock for an electrical connector assembly includes an inner connector and an outer connector. The inner connector defines at least one elongated terminal space adapted to receive a wire terminal. The outer connector defines a slot adapted to receive the inner connector in telescoping engagement. The secondary terminal lock is disposed adjacent to the terminal space and has a flexible shaft and a distal head having a cam lobe and a forward facing abutment. When the assembly is assembled with a terminal disposed in the terminal space and with the inner connector fitting within the outer connector, the cam lobe abuts the outer connector and causes the head to deflect and move the abutment behind the terminal to prevent the terminal from being removed from the inner connector in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A multiple cavity electrical header connector and associated box-type female terminal. The header is made in a one-piece as an injection molded connector body having a generally rectangular cross sectional configuration and a low-profile when mounted with its longitudinal axis parallel to the planar mounting surface of an associated printed circuit board. The header front face mates with a system module with male terminal blades protruding therefrom to be individually received in the female terminals individually carried in the header cavities. The header connector body is side-cored to provide resilient flex lock arms integrally joined to the header body that in their free state protrude one into each cavity space. Each arm is yieldably flexed back by an associated terminal when such is inserted into the cavity, and then snaps out and holds the terminal locked in its cavity. The header cavities are arranged in two parallel rows with their blade entrances opening to the header front face.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a connector body having a secondary terminal hold-down member extending from an inside top surface of the connector body. The electrical connector body further including a primary terminal lock extending from an inside bottom surface. The electrical connector including a male terminal, wherein the male terminal has a locking surface on a bottom surface thereof. The electrical connector also including a primary terminal hold-down member fastened to a front outside surface of the connector body.

Abstract: A secondary terminal lock for an electrical connector assembly includes an inner connector and an outer connector. The inner connector defines at least one elongated terminal space adapted to receive a wire terminal. The outer connector defines a slot adapted to receive the inner connector in telescoping engagement. The secondary terminal lock is disposed adjacent to the terminal space and has a flexible shaft and a distal head having a cam lobe and a forward facing abutment. When the assembly is assembled with a terminal disposed in the terminal space and with the inner connector fitting within the outer connector, the cam lobe abuts the outer connector and causes the head to deflect and move the abutment behind the terminal to prevent the terminal from being removed from the inner connector in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A snap rail pivotally connected to a connector body for providing simultaneous actuation of button locks of connector pins discretely received within respective connector receptacles of the connector body. The connector body has a plurality of connector receptacles arranged side-by-side horizontally, each having a primary lock composed of a first engagement feature for interferingly engaging a second engagement feature of a respective connector pin seated therein. The connector pins have an abutment feature for secondarily restraining it from axial movement in the connector receptacle in response to a tip of a button lock being received into the respective connector receptacle. An upper side of the connector body is provided with a plurality of button ports, one button port respectively for each connector receptacle, wherein the respective button lock enters therethrough and the tip thereof interferingly engages the abutment feature.

Abstract: An electrical connector housing, such as an automotive fuse housing, is closed or opened by a standard cover that can be swung open in two directions, or pulled straight off. Cooperating pairs of hinge pins on the housing and resilient cantilever beams on the cover serve as either a releasable latch, or as a hinge, or as a pair of releasable latches, depending on the opening mode desired.