Abstract: A electrical connector (10) adapted to be inserted into and retained in a panel opening (46) includes a dielectric housing (12) having flanges (22) extending outwardly from opposed sides (16) thereof proximate a panel mounting face (14), each flange (22) having a resilient latching arm (24) and a spacing arm (30) extending forwardly therefrom, the spacing arm (30) being outward of the latching arm (24). The latching arm (24) has a latching surface (26) at the leading end thereof. The leading end (32) of the spacing arm (30) is spaced rearwardly from the latching surface (26) a selected distance such that, upon inserting the connector (10) into the panel opening (46) from the second side (44), the latching arms (24) engage the first side (42) of the panel (40) and the leading ends (32) of the spacing arms (30) engage the second side (44), thereby securing the connector (10) in the panel opening (46).

Abstract: Provision of a connector assembly which enables a half-fitted state to be reliably prevented and further enables a fitting force to be reduced. A connector assembly having a first housing in which an end of at least one first signal line is attached, a second housing in which an end of at least one second line to be connected to the end of the first signal line is attached and which fits with a fitting opening of the first housing, and a plate shaped fitting detection pin which is inserted from a detection insertion slot formed at a side of the first housing so as to pass through an approximate center axis of the first housing. The second housing is formed with a detection pin recess which allows the insertion of the fitting detection pin in a state where the second housing is fitted in the fitting opening of the first housing. The facing inner walls of the second housing constituting the detection pin recess are formed with projecting guide ribs.

Abstract: A movable connector positioning mechanism and method for preventing unnecessary movement of a movable connector before fitting to a mating connector so that the movable connector can be located and held in a proper position to eliminate misregistration between the movable and mating connectors. The movable connector is mounted to a mounting member having a mounting hole. The mechanism includes a support plate which is integral with a connector housing of the movable connector and includes a retaining portion which projects from one side of the support plate and is adaptable for insertion into a mounting hole. The mechanism further includes a positioning member having a first component on the mounting member and a second component on the support plate, which engage to prevent rotation of the retaining portion about an axis of insertion of the retaining portion so as to locate the connector housing in a predetermined position when the retaining portion is being inserted into the mounting hole.

Abstract: A system for aligning and securing a first connector to a second connector includes structure for holding the first connector and structure for receivedly engaging the second connector. The structure for holding the first connector is designed to be linearly moveable and the structure for receivedly engaging the second connector is fixedly positioned relatively to the structure for holding the first connector.

Abstract: A system is provided for mounting an electrical connector in a support structure. The connector includes a housing having a forward insertion end and a rearward mating end. The support structure includes an inner opening for receiving the forward insertion end of the housing and an outer opening for embracing the rearward mating end of the housing. A mounting structure provides limited floating movement of the mating end of the housing relative to the support structure to facilitate mating the connector with a complementary connector. The mounting structure at the insertion end of the housing fixed the insertion end of the housing against movement relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A switch box mounting structure which allows easy removal of the switch box from the panel, reduces the length of the wires, improves the work efficiency, prevents the wires from being broken, and reduces the material cost. The switch box mounting structure includes a connector holder (43) having a pair of shaft receiving grooves (59) which are fixedly engaged with a mounting hole of a panel, a connector (45) including a housing having shafts (69) protruded therefrom, and a switch box (48). The connector is coupled to the connector holder (43) with the shafts (69) engaged with the shaft receiving grooves (59) in such a manner that the connector (45) is rotatable about the shafts (69). The switch box (48) is inserted into the connector holder (43) to engage with the connector (45), and has a pair of locking pawls (77) which are locked to the mounting hole (79). The locking pawls (77) protrude from opposite sides of the switch box which face in directions perpendicular to the shafts (69).

Abstract: A connector alignment guide is provided which prevents inadvertent rotational movement of a male connector relative to a female connector and allows for connection of such connectors in a predetermined fixed orientation. The connector alignment guide includes a tubular segment having an open region at one end through which extends a bent or curved portion of a cable and a cable clamp associated with a respective connector. Such bent or curved portion engages edges which form the boundary of such open region to prevent such rotation and provide such fixed orientation.

Abstract: In a movable connector-mounting construction, a mounting hole is formed through a panel on which a movable connector is mounted, and a gap is formed between the edge of the mounting hole and the movable connector so as to allow displacement of the movable connector. Retaining arms are formed on an outer surface of a housing, and displaceably retain the movable connector on the edge of the mounting hole. A pair of protective ribs are formed on the outer surface of the housing, and are disposed respectively on opposite sides of each of the retaining arms, and project outwardly beyond the retaining arm. Notches are formed respectively in those portions of the edge of the mounting hole corresponding respectively to the protective ribs, and each of the notches is larger in size than the protective rib by an amount corresponding to the amount of displacement of the housing.

Abstract: A plug-in lamp socket assembly is provided that maintains connections sealed to the environment between the electrical lamp leads, electrical socket contacts and circuits of the circuit carrier. The assembly has a lamp socket member for receiving a lamp in an aligned manner. A cap plate connects to the lamp socket member and is non-removable therefrom. The lamp socket has tabs that require proper alignment of the tabs for insertion into a circuit carrier having circuits molded therein. An O-ring seals the removable connection between the lamp socket, cap plate, assembly and the circuit carrier. The circuit carrier is sealed to the lens housing.

Abstract: Multimedia bezels designed to receive a variety of connectors and fit within a standard panel cut-out. The bezels include top and bottom notches that engage the edge of the panel cut-out. An opening in the body of the bezel receives the connector. A resilient section allows one of the sets of notches to deflect towards the body for insertion in the panel cut-out. Once within the panel cut-out, the resilient section presses against the edge of the panel cut-out to firmly mount the bezel in the panel. The body of the bezel may be parallel (flat) or at an oblique angle (angled) to the panel. Both the flat and angled embodiments include icon holding grooves for receiving an icon for coding the port. In the flat embodiment, the icon also prevents deflection of the resilient section and acts as a lock. The bezels are side stackable so that a variety of simplex and duplex bezels can be utilized in a panel cut-out.

Abstract: A connector alignment guide is provided which prevents inadvertent rotational movement of a male connector relative to a female connector and allows for connection of such connectors in a predetermined fixed orientation. The connector alignment guide includes a tubular segment having an open region at one end through which extends a bent or curved portion of a cable and a cable clamp associated with a respective connector. Such bent or curved portion engages edges which form the boundary of such open region to prevent such rotation and provide such fixed orientation.

Abstract: In a stand-by condition, a distal end of a lock portion is received in a lock protective portion and it is not projected beyond a hood portion of a housing, and therefore the lock portion will not be broken during transport. When fixing the connector to a panel, pawls of the housing portion are inserted into a through hole in the panel, and are positioned relative thereto, and then the lock portion is slid, and therefore the lock portion will not accidentally strike against the panel, and hence will not be damaged.

Abstract: A hood member 12 of a snap-fit male electrical connector 10 is inserted and retained in a through hole 21 of a panel 20. A locking arm 15, having a resilient retaining claw 16 is provided on the peripheral wall face of the hood member 12. A guard 17 is formed in front of the stopping claw 16, so that even if a female connector 30 is pushed diagonally and makes contact with the guard 17, the locking arm 15 is prevented from being bent downwards, thereby accidentally releasing the connector 10 from the through hole 21.

Abstract: A device of forming a plug base for an electric relay to be fit through an opening in a panel is disclosed. The device comprises a body having a plurality of electric sockets and a width. An electric relay is part of the device and has pins engageable in respective electric sockets of the body and has a plug position where the sockets and the pins are engaged in an approach position where the sockets and pins are in contact. Snap-in resilient lugs are mounted adjacent the body and are flexible between a first position where the lugs are elastically contracted towards the center of the body and a second position in which the lugs are in a normal, non-contracted position. Each of the lugs has a width substantially equal to the width of the body. The relay, when the relay is in the plug and the approach positions, prevents the resilient lugs from moving to the first position.

Abstract: An electrical outlet which is mountable over a cutout of known size in a wall panel wherein the known size is one in a range of different standard sizes. The outlet comprises a base which is dimensioned to extend across the cutout and a plurality of latch arms attached to the base. The latch arms are arranged in arrays of different sizes corresponding to the different standard sizes of the cutout. At least one of the latch arms in a relatively large size array is selectively detachable from the base, wherein a largest remaining array corresponds to the known size of the cutout. In one embodiment, the base includes a plate which is confrontable with the wall panel, and the latch arms extend forwardly from the plate and then rearwardly through respective apertures in the plate and continue rearwardly through the cutout in the panel, and each of the latch arms has a projection with an inclined trailing face that is engageable with the wall panel.

Abstract: A modular power connector includes male and female housings that releasably couple together. Each housing has ten apertures that locate conductive pin and socket elements. The apertures are arranged in a compact, asymmetrical, three-tier array that ensures that the connector is self-aligning. When the power connector is coupled together, a pin element and a socket element establish an initial ground connection before contact is established between the remaining pin and socket elements. The male housing includes a pair of holding tabs and the female housing includes a pair of cooperating lever arms that facilitate quick and easy connection and disconnection. A protective housing couples the female housing to a conduit and establishes an equipment ground connection between a ground wire and the conduit.

Abstract: An electrical connector is adapted for mounting on a printed circuit board. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a mating face and a board-mounting face. At least one mounting post projects from the board-mounting face for insertion into a mounting hole in the printed circuit board. The mounting post is bifurcated lengthwise thereof and includes a relatively rigid leg of a substantially C-shaped cross section defining a slot extending longitudinally thereof. A relatively flexible leg includes a latch for latching engagement with the printed circuit board at the mounting hole. The flexible leg is sized for flexing movement substantially into the slot in the C-shaped rigid leg. Therefore, the C-shaped rigid leg provides an overstress protection for the flexible leg.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement is used for mounting a connector in a mounting hole formed in a panel. The mounting arrangment comprises an adapter which is mounted on the outer periphery of a housing of the connector so that the connector can be mounted in a large-diameter mounting hole of a greater diameter than that of the mounting hole sized to the housing when the size of the mounting hole is changed to the greater diameter.

Abstract: A panel connector having a housing 11 which includes a set of first spring-loaded arms 12 extending backward and outside from the left and right side surfaces 11a and a set of second spring-loaded arms 13 extending backward and outside from the top and bottom surfaces 11b. A set of lugs 14 is provided on the side surfaces 11a and 11b at the rear of housing 11. The first and second spring-loaded arms 12 and 13 exert an outward pressure on the sides of a panel opening. The first spring-loaded arms 12 have steps 12c facing backward, which prevent the housing 11 from being pulled out and the second spring-loaded arms 13 have depressions formed in pressure surface sections 13b, which limit movement of housing 11 in and out of the direction of insertion into a panel.

Abstract: An electrical connector is adapted for mounting in an aperture in a panel. A housing has sidewalls bounding an insertion end of the housing insertable into the aperture. A bridge is secured at opposite ends to one of the sidewalls with an intermediate portion and a panel latch being freely flexible relative to the housing. At least one of the opposite ends of the bridge includes a pair of redundant supporting arms. A yieldable anti-vibration arm projects from another of the sidewalls and is mounted to the housing by a pair of redundant support arms. A polarizing rib projects from the housing, and a panel abutment stop is formed integral with the polarizing rib on a radius.

Abstract: A connection device that is modular and has large clearance and that is constituted by two insulating casings (1 and 2) installed through a partition, a first casing (1) being mounted on a movable partition (3) and the other casing (2) being mounted on a fixed partition (4). The first casing (1) has at least one conductive pin (5) and the second casing (2) has at least one contact receptacle (6) of a shape corresponding to that of the conductive pin (5). The conductive pin (5) and the contact receptacle (6) are mounted on the partitions (3 and 4) only for limited elastically opposed pivotal movement relative to the partitions (3 and 4).

Abstract: In an fixing mechanism of a connector for a structural object which causes a pair of connectors engaged each other to connect to a bulkhead board of a structural object such as a panel of a vehicle, causing the engagement securing member to mount on the female connector housing, when the connector housings are not in engagement with each other, since the engagement stopping projection of the engagement securing member stops displacement of the panel combining arm to the downward, combination of the structural object with the female connector housing is interrupted, when the connector housings are in engagement with each other, it causes said elastic locking arm to displace upward by the resilient locking piece of the male connector housing so that said engagement securing member is capable of being retreated, whereby the structural object is capable of combining with the panel combining arm under the displacement-inhibition for the panel combining arm released.

Abstract: A body-mounted connector having on one side a shroud with a mating connector socket and on the other side a terminal housing member. The connector is secured to the body member of an automobile with the front edge of the shroud projecting from a mounting hole opened in the body member. A spacer can slide freely along the inside surface of the shroud. An initial engagement member for holding the spacer in the partially engaged position is formed on the shroud. A movable locking member projects at the front edge of the shroud. The spacer slides along the movable locking member such that when the spacer is moved to the main engagement position, the movable locking member moves with the spacer to the body engagement position, and locks the connector to the body member.

Abstract: An adapter (12, FIG. 1) is described, for mounting a passthrough on a panel (14) to hold by a wire cable or optical cable, wherein the adapter can be installed by merely pushing it rearwardly into a hole (20) in the panel. The adapter includes a tubular passthrough (16) and a molded plastic clip (18) that is mounted on the passthrough. The clip has a front end (40, FIG. 3) that forms a large washer to abut the front face of the panel, and has a sleeve (46) extending rearwardly from the washer with a rear sleeve end (50) that closely surrounds the passthrough. The sleeve has a pair of U-shaped slits (56, 64, FIG. 2), with the base of each U-slit lying most forward, to leave a latch (62, 66) having a rear latch end merging with the rest of the sleeve and a free front latch end (124, FIG. 3) which can abut the rear face of the panel. The passthrough has a recessed portion (76) into which the latches are deflected when the adapter is inserted rearwardly through the hole in the panel.

Abstract: A computer power system comprises an AC-to-DC power supply for providing DC power to the computer during the presence of AC line power and a backup power supply for providing DC power from batteries directly to the DC operated components of the computer system, completely bypassing the AC to DC power supply, when AC line voltage is absent or low.

Abstract: A panel mount system includes an electrical connector for mounting in an aperture in a panel. The connector has a mounting flange for interfacing with the panel, and a pair of cantilevered latch structures. Each latch structure includes a base arm projecting from the mounting flange and one locking arm deflectably cantilevered at one side of the base arm from an end thereof remote from the mounting flange. The locking arm extends angularly from the end of the base arm and from the one side thereof back towards the mounting flange. The other side of the base arm opposite the locking arm is substantially rigid. The maximum cross-sectional dimensions of one of the latch structures and its adjacent portion of the mounting aperture is different from the maximum cross-sectional dimensions of the other latch structure and its adjacent portion of the mounting aperture to provide polarization for the connector relative to the panel.

Abstract: A panel mounted electrical connector is adapted for mounting in an aperture in a panel. The connector includes a dielectric housing insertable along an axis through the aperture from a first surface to at least a second surface of the panel and including at least one side wall. A flexible latch arm projects from the side wall and includes a locking portion adapted to engage the second surface of the panel at the periphery of the aperture when the housing is inserted completely therethrough. A stop bar projects transversely outwardly of the side wall and includes a stop shoulder adapted to engage the first surface of the panel at the periphery of the aperture when the housing is inserted therethrough. A yieldable anti-vibration arm projects inwardly of the stop bar and is axially aligned with the flexible latch arm.

Abstract: A panel mounted connector removably mountable to an opening of a panel includes: a male connector (43); and a female connector (41) mated with the male connector. The female connector includes a female connector housing (45) formed with an engagement hood portion (47) having an inner cavity engaged with the male connector and an outer periphery engaged with the mount opening (51) of the panel (P). The engagement hood portion is further formed with a pair of hood cutout portions (53, 55). The female connector housing is further formed with a pair of flexible lock arms (57, 59), each having a lock claw (61, 63) engageable with an edge of the opening of the panel at a free end thereof, for locking the female connector with the panel. When locked with the panel opening, the lock claws are kept pinched between the engaged male connector and the edge of the panel opening within the hood cutout portions formed in the engagement hood portions, respectively.

Abstract: A shielded connector assembly having a snap locking mounting scheme. The assembly includes a panel yoke (2) with snap locking elements (21) for snap lockingly, removably securing the panel yoke (2) in a panel or cover plate. The panel yoke (2) is also constructed to snap lockingly engage a shielding device (30) which in turn is constructed to snap lockingly engage a connector assembly comprising an interconnecting device (61) which may be a printed circuit board (59) including integrally defined reactive elements designed to compensate for reactive imbalance of electrical components connected thereto. A pair of wire termination blocks (70) mounted to a first side of the circuit board are connected by circuitry on the circuit board to a corresponding modular jack (60) mounted on a second side of the circuit board. The reactive elements produce an impedance between selected leads of the modular jack and the wire termination blocks by the circuitry.

Abstract: A panel mount system includes a pair of hermaphroditic electrical connectors mounted in apertures in a respective pair of panels. Each connector includes a mounting flange for interfacing with the panel and a pair of cantilevered latch structures. Each latch structure includes a base arm projecting from the mounting flange and a pair of locking arms deflectably cantilevered from an end of the base arm. The maximum cross-sectional dimension defined by each pair of locking arms is greater than respective adjacent portions of the respective mounting aperture whereby the locking arms of each latch structure are deflectable to pass through the respective mounting aperture and then to an undeflected condition to mount the connector to the panel. The maximum cross-sectional dimension defined by the base arm is less than the respective adjacent portion of the mounting aperture to permit floating of the connector relative to the panel.

Abstract: An arranging method of a wire harness for a door aims to make it easy to arrange a wire harness 4 in a door 1 for a motor vehicle. The wire harness 4 is divided into a frame side harness 4a and a trim side harness 4b. The frame side harness 4a for an electrical equipment on a door frame 2 is arranged on an interior 2a of the door frame 2. The trim side harness 4b for electrical equipments 6 and 7 is arranged on an interior 3a of a door trim 3. The door trim 3 having the trim side harness 4b is coupled to the door frame 2 having the frame side harness 4a.

Abstract: A composite electrical connector assembly (20) includes a plurality of individual cable connectors (24, 26, 28) contained within a unitary housing (22) having an interior cavity (76). The connectors have front mating portions ( 30, 32, 34 ) which extend through open regions (70, 72, 74) on the front wall (60) of the housing and are retained by resilient latch members (78, 86, 92, 94) within the housing cavity and which engage the back surfaces (48, 50, 52) of enlarged portions (42, 44, 46) of the connector bodies (36, 38, 40).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a panel-fixed connector which can be readily secured to a panel P and can maintain a stable attached position on the panel P. In the connector, when a lock member 5 is inserted into a clearance 16, a base plate 21 and an attaching piece 22 are inserted into the clearance 16 and an engaging protrusion 19 is engaged with an engaging aperture 30. When the connector is pushed into an attaching hole W in the panel P, a pawl 32 on a locking arm 25 is engaged with the hole W. Then, a slant face 33 of the pawl 32 is not injured by an edge E. Even if the locking arm 25 is deflected, a contacting piece 26 abuts on the base plate 21 thereby restraining a deflection of the arm 25 and preventing the lock member 5 from loosening in the clearance 16.

Abstract: An on-board charge port connector for an electrical vehicle positioned within an opening in the vehicle body. The on-board connector includes an electrical unit having a housing and a plurality of terminal pins. The electrical unit is inserted into a backside opening in a modular unit in a snap-type engagement. The modular unit is secured to the opening in the vehicle's body. A lip portion radially extending from an end of the modular unit opposite to the end through which the electrical unit was inserted seats against an outer surface of a rim portion of the vehicle body defining the opening. A plurality of biasing members are secured to the modular unit so that they contact an inside surface of the rim portion. A cap is threadably engageable within the modular unit so as to enclose the terminal pins.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is comprised of an insulating housing for fixed mounting within an automotive body behind panel walls. A mating connector has a housing portion and a peripheral shroud. The shroud has integral latches which retain the shroud and housing together, and the shroud includes latches which retain the shroud to the panel. Actuating lugs are positioned on the front of the housing portion and are profiled for receipt within a groove on a camming slide. The latches hold the shroud and housing together during the actuation of the lugs and the camming slide. When the latches are locked behind the panel wall, the shroud inner surface contacts the panel wall, whereby the latches break free of the corresponding lugs on the housing. Continued actuation of the U-shaped camming slide moves the connector housing into fully locked position, leaving the shroud positioned against the wall.

Abstract: A patch panel is disclosed which is easily expandable as required by a customer and which substantially simplifies conventional field servicing practices. The invention provides a patch panel comprising an assembly of at least one connector and printed circuit board with the connector being mounted upon the printed circuit board; a mount for removably supporting the assembly of at least one connector and printed circuit board in a desired location relative to the mount and a panel for detachably holding the mount in a predetermined position to the panel such that the panel prevents removal of the assembly of at least one connector and printed circuit board from the mount.

Abstract: A body mounting type electrical connector comprising: a hood which is provided at one end portion of the electrical connector and is formed with an opening for receiving a mating electrical connector; a housing for accommodating a plurality of terminals, which is provided at the other end portion of the electrical connector; the electrical connector being inserted into a mounting hole of a body member from a distal end of the hood so as to project the distal end of the hood out of an outer surface of the body member such that the electrical connector is mounted on the body member; a hook portion which, when the mating electrical connector is inserted into the opening of the electrical connector initially from one of upper and lower portions of a distal end of the mating electrical connector, is provided at a corresponding one of upper and lower portions of the distal end of the hood so as to be engaged with an inner surface of the body member; and a flexible lock which is provided at the other of the the uppe

Abstract: A wiring distribution system including connectors, tools, and methods is provided for building wiring. The mechanical and electrical interconnection is performed to the individual connector components in a crimping operation to the individual wires after removal of the outer covering. Using panels with apertures for accepting interchangeable connectors reduces the layers of connecting panels used between a wallplate and a computer.

Abstract: An electrically balanced connector assembly is presented. The assembly comprises a printed circuit board including integrally defined capacitive elements designed to compensate for reactive imbalance of electrical components connected thereto. A pair of wire termination blocks mounted to a first side of the circuit board are connected by circuitry on the circuit board to a corresponding pair of modular jacks mounted to a second side of the circuit board. The capacitive elements are connected between selected leads of the modular jacks and the wire termination blocks by the circuitry. The circuit board assembly is mounted in a panel yoke which includes a pair of apertures for allowing access to the modular jacks aligned therein. The apertures and circuit board assembly are orientated to allow connecting modular cords to gravity feed into and from the modular jacks. The panel yoke includes means for snaplockedly securing the panel yoke to a panel or a wall plate.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a device which is capable of being mounted in an opening in a panel, and which is adapted to hold a component, comprises two parallel side portions each being made of a plastic material, each side portion including a depending portion at each end thereof. Each of two moveable arms extends between corresponding ends of said side portions and is hingedly connected thereto. Each moveable arm includes two detents projecting from an outer surface of the arm such that when forces are applied to free end portions of the arms to move the free end portions toward each other, the device is capable of being inserted into an opening in a panel until a face of the panel abuts the depending portions of the side portions whereupon the application of forces is discontinued to allow the arms to move outwardly and cause the detents of each arm to snap-lock into engagement with an opposite side of the panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved floating electric connector comprising male and female counterparts each having a housing and a metal shell. The male housing has a plurality of electric signal transmission male terminals fitted therein whereas the female terminals fitted therein. Each metal shell has a blade contact integrally connected thereto for inserting an associated female terminal. The metal shell-and-blade contact integral structure permits the simultaneous grounding and destaticizing.

Abstract: A low profile panel mountable retainer is provided for mounting an elongated electrical connector in an elongated generally rectangular opening in a panel. The retainer is molded of plastic material and includes an elongated, generally rectangular housing insertable into the panel opening for receiving the connector. The housing has end walls and flexible elongated side walls defining a connector-mounting aperture. A pair of resilient wings extend along the outside of each side wall of the housing. Each pair of wings includes an inner snap-in wing, made up of a plurality of discrete snap-in wing portions, spaced from the respective side wall for passing through the panel opening and for bearing against an opposite side of the panel. Each snap-in wing portion provides a discrete retaining area to assure secure mounting of the retainer to the panel. Each pair of wings also includes an outer stop wing spaced from the respective inner snap-in wing for bearing against an entry side of the panel.

Abstract: An electrical junction block mounting assembly includes a cantilever beam formed on an outer wall of the junction block and is provided with a transversely extending channel for engagement with a support structure. The cantilever beam is attached to the junction block by means of a resilient hinge section and is provided with a first arm section extending between the hinge section and the channel and a second arm section extending beyond the channel. The first arm section has a sloping surface sloping away from the outer wall between the hinge section and the channel, and the second arm section has a sloping surface sloping toward the wall beyond the channel. The sloping surfaces will contact a mounting rail or similar support structure during installation of the junction block thereby deflecting the hinged cantilever beam until the rail is in alignment with the channel for engagement with the structural support member.

Abstract: A control shaft is rotatable in the axial opening in a cylindrical boss projecting forwardly from a front wall of a resinous plastic housing. The boss is received in a cylindrical opening in a panel formed with two slots for receiving mounting members projecting forwardly from the housing and having latching hooks for securing the housing on the panel. The boss and the mounting members form a triangle. The spacing between the boss and the plane of the mounting members is different from the spacing between the cylindrical opening and the plane of the slots whereby an interference fit is produced between the mounting members and the slots to obviate looseness. An anti-rotation pin on the housing is received in another opening in the panel. A key pin on the housing is received in a key opening in the panel. The key pin and the boss are located along a radial line oriented at an acute angle to the plane of the mounting members.

Abstract: A panel mounted, sealed electrical connector assembly is provided for mounting in an aperture in a panel. The assembly includes a connector housing having a front mating end adapted to be inserted through the aperture from a first surface to at least a second surface of the panel in order to mate with a complementary electrical component. Locking arms project from the housing to mount the housing in the aperture. A sealing boot engages the housing rearwardly of the first surface and extends toward and engages the panel surrounding the aperture. Resilient flanges surround a substantial portion of the periphery of the housing and are adapted to be biased against the first surface of the panel. The sealing boot includes a forward peripheral lip adapted to be received between the flanges of the housing and the first surface of the panel surrounding the aperture, whereby the flanges resiliently bias the lip against the first surface and provides an environmental seal about the aperture.

Abstract: A retaining arrangement for securing a housing of a connector to a substrate having a first and a second surface thereon and an opening therethrough includes a spring member connected at one end to the housing having a latching feature at the other end thereof. The spring member is deflectable upon insertion through the opening from a first surface of the substrate to generate a restoring force that acts generally perpendicularly to the substrate to draw the latching feature toward the housing into engagement with the second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting in an opening in a panel or the like and includes a housing having a body portion positionable in the opening in the panel. A separate mounting device, independent of the connector housing, is positionable in a receptacle in the housing. The mounting device includes a panel stop projecting from the body portion of the housing for abutting one side of the panel at the opening. The mounting device further includes a flexible locking arm projecting from the body portion of the housing for passing through the opening when the body portion of the housing is positioned thereinto and for engaging an opposite side of the panel at the opening.

Abstract: A patch panel which includes an array of connectors includes a panel plate (22) having an array of openings (24,24) formed therein. Each opening is capable of receiving an adapter (30) which may be made of a plastic material and which includes opposed depressible cantilevered beams. Each adapter on opposed top and bottom surfaces of the arms includes two wedge-shaped tabs which cooperate with depending portions of sidewalls of the adapter to secure the adapter to the panel plate. Opposed grooves (55,55) open to internal sidewall surfaces and terminate in bridge portions (58,58) adjacent to a rear of the adapter. Each groove is adapted to receive a resilient tab (68) formed in a sidewall of a connector (60) or detent member (97) of a collar (80) to be received in the adapter.

Abstract: A floating panel mount for an electrical connector comprises opposed pairs of multiple cantilevered latch structures. Each latch structure comprises a lower arm cantilevered from a mounting flange. An upper arm is cantilevered from the end of the lower arm remote from the mounting flange, and is angularly aligned thereto. A locking arm is cantilevered from the end of the upper arm remote from the lower arm such that the lower arm and the locking arm extend angularly from opposed ends of the upper arm and from opposite sides thereof. The maximum cross-sectional dimension defined by the upper and locking arms exceeds the maximum cross-sectional dimension of a mounting aperture in a panel. However, the cross-sectional dimensions defined by the upper arms is substantially less than the cross-sectional dimensions of the mounting aperture. The arms can be deflected to enable the latch structures to pass through the mounting aperture.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting in an opening m a panel or the like and includes a housing having a body portion positionable in the opening in the panel. A separate mounting device, independent of the connector housing, is positionable in a receptacle in the housing. The mounting device includes a panel projecting from the body portion of the housing for abutting one side of the panel at the opening. The mounting device further includes a flexible locking arm projecting from the body portion of the housing for passing through the opening when the body portion of the housing is positioned thereinto and for engaging an opposite side of the panel at the opening.