Abstract: Male and female connectors are formed to enable easy identification of proper mating pair. Connectors 7a (7b) and 8a (8b) are male and female connectors that are connectable with each other. An error assembling preventing rib 12 and an identification rib 14 which show that connectors 7a (7b) and 8a (8b) are a proper mating pair are provided on the outer surface of the connectors 7a (7b) and 8a (8b). Whether or not the combination of the connectors is proper can be discriminated by seeing and/or touching the ribs 12 and 14. Therefore, the connectors have an excellent function of preventing an error assembling.

Abstract: A movable mold is movable toward and away from a fixed mold so as to close and open the mold. The fixed mold includes an intermediate plate facing a movable-side mold plate. This intermediate plate has a retainer-molding recess which cooperates with the movable-side mold plate to form a retainer-molding cavity, and a core pin, which cooperates with a housing-molding recess to form a housing-molding cavity, is mounted on the intermediate plate. A retainer, molded in the molding cavity, is moved downward by an ejector pin into a position where the retainer is disposed coaxial with a housing. Then, the two molds are again closed together, so that the housing and the retainer are connected together, and then this assembled product is taken out.

Abstract: A connector mold is provided to improve connector molding efficiency. Thus, a first insert 30 for a first male connector 10 and a second insert 31 for a second male connector 15 can be exchangeably mounted in a movable mold 22. A first closing projection 32 fittable into a second identification rib forming groove 26 of a fixed mold 21 projects from the front surface of the first insert 30, and a first preventing rib forming groove 33 for forming an error assembling preventing rib 13 of the first connector 10 extends on the upper surface of the first insert 30 on an extension line of a first identification rib forming groove 25 of the fixed mold 21. When the molds 21, 22 are closed, a closed connector molding space 20A is defined therebetween and the first closing projection 32 closes the second identification rib forming groove 26.

Abstract: A connector is provided that retains a terminal fitting when a retainer is attached to a connector housing from the side. The connector housing has a cavity into which a terminal fitting is inserted and a retainer insertion hole. The retainer is attached to the connector housing from the side through the retainer insertion hole. The retainer insertion hole extends entirely through the connector housing and penetrates from opposing outer side walls of the connector housing. The retainer is displaced between a provisional engaging position and a complete engagement position in which the terminal fitting is locked. The retainer preferably has a same height as the height between the opposing outer side walls.

Abstract: Under the condition that the stationary metallic mold and the movable metallic mold are closed, the housing is molded into a shape having the retainer insertion hole by the existence of the sliding mold. At same time, a retainer is also molded in the below portion. First, when only the rear metallic mold is opened, the core pin is withdrawn, and at the same time the sliding mold is withdrawn along the advancing and withdrawing passage in the longitudinal direction by the cam action of the angular pin, so that the molding portion is withdrawn from the retainer insertion hole. Successively, when the metallic mold is opened, the sliding mold is relatively drawn out to the front of the advancing and withdrawing passage together with the stationary metallic mold, and the advancing and withdrawing passage becomes open. Next, the auxiliary sliding mold is advanced, and the retainer held by the auxiliary sliding mold is inserted into the retainer insertion hole and temporarily assembled to the housing.

Abstract: A movable mold is movable toward and away from a fixed mold so as to close and open the mold. The fixed mold includes an intermediate plate facing a movable-side mold plate. This intermediate plate has a retainer-molding recess which cooperates with the movable-side mold plate to form a retainer-molding cavity, and a core pin, which cooperates with a housing-molding recess to form a housing-molding cavity, is mounted on the intermediate plate. A retainer, molded in the molding cavity, is moved downward by an ejector pin into a position where the retainer is disposed coaxial with a housing. Then, the two molds are again closed together, so that the housing and the retainer are connected together, and then this assembled product is taken out.

Abstract: A releasable locking connector wherein the terminals are locked in place by a retainer which has an engagement position and a release position. In the former, a portion of the retainer bears against the rear of the terminals so that they cannot be removed. Also, a lance is provided on the terminals which bears against a stop surface of the housing. To permit removal of the terminal, a tool opening is provided so that the lance can be depressed to a position in which it no longer abuts the stop surface. When the retainer is in the engagement position, a closure thereon overlies the tool opening, thereby preventing entry of unwanted foreign material.

Abstract: When a stationary metallic mold and a movable metallic mold are closed, a housing is molded having a retainer insertion hole by the existence of a sliding mold. A retainer is also molded. First, when only the metallic mold is opened, the core pin is withdrawn, and the sliding mold is withdrawn in the longitudinal direction by the cam action of the angular pin, so that the molding portion is withdrawn from the retainer insertion hole. Successively, the sliding mold is relatively drawn out to the front of the advancing and withdrawing passage together with the stationary metallic mold, and the advancing and withdrawing passage becomes open. Next, an auxiliary sliding mold is advanced, and the retainer held by the auxiliary sliding mold is inserted into the retainer insertion hole and temporarily assembled to the housing. It is possible to insert the retainer straight into the retainer insertion hole. The finished product is protruded to the front of the movable metallic mold by the protruding pin.

Abstract: A connector which includes a housing for receipt of terminal fittings, and a retainer which is capable of locking the terminals in place and preventing their withdrawal. The retainer is provided with a pair of side members which can resiliently flex so as to increase the spacing therebetween. On the surface of the housing, first and second locking projections are located extending outwardly in the direction of the side members. Each of the side members has an engaging portion which can receive the first and second projections. The retainer has a first locking position in which the first locking projection is engaged. In this position, the terminal fittings may be inserted into and/or withdrawn from the housing. After the terminals are properly placed, the retainer is moved into its second locking position wherein the second locking projection, as well as the first locking projection, is within the engaging portion. In this position, the terminal fittings are locked and cannot be removed.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector housing and a retainer that straddles the connector housing. The retainer is attached on the upper face of the connector housing. The retainer includes engagement projections, which engage with terminal pieces in the connector housing, to prevent the retainer from slipping out of the connector housing. The dimensions of the connector are set so a gap is formed between the engagement projections and the outer face of the connector housing. A separation plate of a molding die can be positioned in the gap, so the connector housing and the retainer can be simultaneously molded in an assembled relationship with the retainer separated from the connector housing. A molding die and method of producing the connector assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A male connector 20 includes a male connector housing 22 formed with a multitude of cavities 21, and male terminals 23 mounted in the corresponding cavities 21. A female connector 10 includes a female connector housing 12 and female terminals mounted in the female connector housing 12. A pair of ribs 15 project from the opposite lateral sides of the leading end of the female connector housing 12 to prevent erroneous insertion of the female connector housing. Guide grooves 27 engageable with the ribs 15 are formed in a receptacle 24. Stepped portions 28 are formed on opposed inner wall surfaces of the receptacle 24 in positions higher (more toward the opening edge of the receptacle 24) than the male terminals 23. The obliquely inserted female connector housing 12 comes into contact with the stepped portions 28 and thereby any further entry thereof is blocked.

Abstract: A connector includes a retainer that can be provisionally retained by a connector positioning device. Each retainer is integrally molded on a connector housing through hinge pieces, and can be attached to the connector housing by fitting a guide slot of each of the retaining pieces on a guide projection. Therefore, the retainer can be attached by a pusher that pushes the retainer in a direction perpendicular to the connector housing. At this time, for attaching the retainer to a provisionally-retained position, there is provided a guide for holding the retainer in such a posture that the retainer can be attached in the provisionally-retained position.

Abstract: A connector includes flexible hinge pieces molded of a synthetic resin, wherein each flexible hinge piece is caused to upwardly extend. When each side plate of a retainer is squeezed from above toward the rear end side of a recessed part formed on one side surface of a connector housing, a provisional engagement locking protuberance is fitted into the fore end side of an elongated hole, causing the fore edge of the side plate to be held between the provisional engagement locking protuberance and a normal engagement locking protuberance in the clamped state. The retainer is thus held in the provisionally engaged state. The hinge piece is folded in the connector housing, and the retainer positioned where each terminal piece can be inserted into and drawn from the corresponding terminal insert hole.

Abstract: This invention provides a connector which can receive a terminal member easily and positively. In the connector, a retainer 10 is provided on each engaging portion 12 with a guide ramp face 20 which is opposed to a cavity 2 at a temporary locking position. A terminal member 30 is pushed into the cavity 2 when the retainer is at the temporary locking position. The member 30 does not enter into an opening 6 on account of the correcting action of the guide ramp face 20, even if the terminal member 30 is pushed toward the opening 6. After the distal end of the terminal member 30 passes over the guide ramp face 20, and outer periphery of the terminal member 30 is pushed down by a front end of the face 20. Consequently, the terminal member 30 is prevented from entering into the opening 6 and moves in the proper passage.

Abstract: A housing has guide holes that have stair-like surfaces constituted by horizontal wall surfaces and slanting surfaces that are continuously connected together. A retainer has guide pieces that have horizontal wall surfaces and a slanting surface that are continuously connected together. When the guide pieces are inserted into the guide holes, respectively, the slanting surfaces are abutted against each other to achieve a provisionally-locked condition. Thereafter, when the retainer is pushed forwardly, the guide piece moves obliquely in the guide hole along their slanting surfaces, and therefore moves downward and forward to reach a completely-locked position.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a plurality of cavities receiving a plurality of terminals therein, respectively, and an opening communicating with the terminal receiving cavities, and a retainer. The retainer includes a body engaged with the housing and movable in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the housing, and lock strips each coupled to the body and pivotable. Each lock strip is engaged with the housing through a guide which causes the lock strip to pivot inwardly and outwardly of the housing as the retainer is moved parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Each lock strip has protrusions extending through the opening of the housing. The protrusions are moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the opening of the housing when each lock strip is pivot inwardly and outwardly of the housing. The lock strips engage the terminals received in the cavities, respectively, such that the terminals are held in position by the retainer.

Abstract: To prevent disengagement of a connector from a predetermined position after installation, while ensuring an easy installation, arm stoppers are connected to a retainer by strap-like connection portions. An engagement hole is provided at each of opposite sides of a connector body, and a locking arm is provided outwardly of the engagement hole. When the retainer is to be attached to the connector body, each arm stopper is inserted slightly into the engagement hole. In this condition, the locking arm can be flexed inwardly, and therefore the removal of the connector is simplified. After the connector is attached to a panel, the arm stopper is inserted deep into the engagement hole, and therefore the locking arm cannot be flexed inwardly, and a retaining pawl cannot be moved and the connector cannot be removed from the panel.

Abstract: A connector makes terminal-inserting work easy and allows a terminal element to be readily drawn by returning a retainer to a temporary mounting position even if it has been left for a long time. An opening 6 is formed in a housing 1 at a side wall of a terminal-accommodating hole 5. In the temporary mounting position a terminal-locking portion 22a is arranged in the opening 6. When a retainer 2 is pushed to a permanent mounting position, the retainer 2 is guided by engagement between an elongated guide groove 23 and a guide projection 8 and a permanent mounting lock piece 10 so that the retainer moves along an arcuate line m. Then, the terminal-locking portion 22a moves into the terminal-accommodating hole 5 so that the portion 22a pushes and locks the terminal element 3.