CONNECTOR, MATING CONNECTOR, AND CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY
The subject-matter herein generally relates to a connector that latches and unlatches with a mating connector and, more particularly, to mounting clips that latch and unlatch with a mating connector in a latch assembly.
Electrical conductors often must be terminated or joined in various environments, such as underground or overhead. Such conductors may be, for example, high voltage electrical distribution or transmission lines. In order to form such connections, a connector may be employed.
Connectors for conveying electrical signals and power are used in a wide variety of applications, including commercial vehicles. The design of connectors is particularly complex for large structures such as commercial aircraft, because of the large number of electrical wires and cables scattered throughout the structures. The complexity of managing the electrical connections is exacerbated by the requirement for connections of different sizes and arrangements to fit different applications, and by the need to ground the large number of wires spread throughout the structure.
US4541599 A relates to a self-locking mounting clip system for mounting and locking cabinets or the like to laterally spaced, vertically aligned slotted standards. The system includes a mounting clip having a series of equidistantly spaced hooked-shaped connectors mounted to the rear edge of the cabinet sidewalls with the top and bottom hook-shaped connectors of each series bent at a slight angle with respect to the remainder of the hook-shaped connectors in each series. The mounting clips are installable, and removable from the slotted standard only in an angular relationship with the slotted standard, and are not removable when the cabinet sidewalls are in their assembled position.
US4013254 A relates to a locking mechanism for locking a backless wall mounted cabinet, or the like, to a wall panel or partition having a pair of spaced slotted standards thereon adapted to receive a plurality of equidistantly spaced linearly aligned hook-shaped tabs on the rearward edges of the cabinet side walls. The locking mechanism includes a locking tab having a pair of spaced detents thereon, in which the locking tab is slidable from a first position adapted to enter the slots in the slotted standard with the hook-shaped tabs to a second position, which locks the hook-shaped tabs into the slotted standard. A spring-urged locking pin is constructed and arranged to retain the locking tab in its second position.

US2011103760 A relates to mounting clips and fiber optic equipment and apparatuses that include one or more mounting clips for mounting fiber optic equipment, and related methods are disclosed. The mounting clips allows fiber optic equipment to be easily installed, or mounted for storage, such as, for example, in fiber optic equipment racks or cabinets. In one embodiment, a fiber optic apparatus is provided comprising a housing, and at least one optical component supported in the housing. At least one mounting clip is attached to at least one side of the housing of the fiber optic equipment.
EP2807708 B1 describes a connector assembly for mounting to a panel, which includes a cap connector having a cap housing, a cap terminal block held in the cap housing, and holding a plurality of cap terminals and a mounting clip coupled to the cap housing to secure the cap housing to the panel. The cap housing has an inner shroud, an inner flange surrounding the inner shroud, and an outer flange extending outward from the inner flange. The inner flange has panel retention features extending there from. The inner shroud is loaded through an opening in the panel, until the panel retention features engage the panel and temporarily secure the cap housing to the panel between the panel retention features and the outer flange. The mounting clip is coupled to the cap housing to secure the cap housing to the panel between the mounting clip and the outer flange.
Various types of connectors include latches to secure the connector with a mating connector. The connectors mate by loading one connector into the other along a loading direction. The latch of one connector is rotated to engage the mating connector and thus latch and secure the two connectors together. The connectors may be separated by unlatching the latch from the mating connector. Some known connectors are configured to latch and unlatch with the mating connector by raising the latch of the connector away from the mating connector. Known connectors with latches, however, are not without disadvantages. For instance, known connector latches have a permanent offset after latching. For example, the latches may not return to the original position of the latch. As the latches with permanent offset decreases the robustness of the connection, the existing latches do not secure the connectors together as well. Other known connectors have relatively complex latches that may be expensive and time-consuming to manufacture.
Thus, a need exists for a connector having a latch that is robust and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. For example, a need exists for a latch that does not have a permanent offset when the connector latches with a mating connector.
The object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present disclosure are subject to dependent claims.

According an embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector is provided comprising a base plate and a hook shaped latch for interacting with a mating connector, the connector further comprising a plurality of linearly aligned tabs, a first jut on the base plate and, wherein the least one hook-shaped latch is disposed between the tabs, wherein the hook-shaped latch is provided with a second jut for operationally engaging with the first jut, and a bridging element that bridges the at least two tabs and the hook-shaped latch.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, during operation, the first jut and the second jut of the connector abut with each other
According to an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, the linearly aligned tabs are supported with multiple ribs on the opposite side of the tab facing the hook-shaped latch.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, the connector is made from polybutylene terephthalate PBT.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, a mating connector is provided suitable for connecting with the connector as disclosed above, wherein the mating connector comprises a base plate, at least two tabs spaced parallel to each other on the base plate such that the connector can operationally slide bi-directionally between two tabs to lock the connector with the mating connector.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, each tab of the mating connector receiving the hook-shaped latch is provided with a ledge.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, the mating connector is made up of polybutylene terephthalate PBT.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, a connector assembly is provided with a connector and a mating connector, wherein the connector comprises a first base plate and a hook shaped latch for interacting with a mating connector, the connector comprising a plurality of linearly aligned tabs a first jut on the base plate and wherein the least hook-shaped latch is disposed between the tabs, wherein the hook-shaped latch is provided with a second jut for operationally engaging with the first jut, and a bridging element that bridges the at least two tabs and the hook-shaped latch and wherein the mating connector comprises a second base plate at least two tabs spaced parallel to each other on the second base plate such that the connector can operationally slide bi-directionally between two tabs to lock the connector with the mating connector.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, the connector assembly the connector and the mating connector of the connector assembly are fabricated at least partially from polybutylene terephthalate PBT.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, the connector assembly is provided wherein the connector and the mating connector can engage with each other bi-directionally.
In the following the invention is described in more detail in reference to the attached figures and drawings. Similar or corresponding details in the figures are marked with same reference numerals.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mating connector according to one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a top view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 in unlatched position.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector as shown in FIG. 1 in an unlatched
position.
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of assembly of FIG. 2 where connector shown of FIG.
1 in a latched position is mated with the mating connector shown in FIG. 2 from the right to left direction.
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of assembly of FIG. 2 where connector shown of FIG.
1 in a latched position is mated with the mating connector shown in FIG. 2 from the left to right direction.
FIG. 7A is a top view of a connector according to prior art.
FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a connector according to prior art.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mating connector according to prior art.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the relative sizes of regions or features may be exaggerated for clarity. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so

that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90° or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "comprises," "including" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector 100 according to one embodiment. Such connector, typically referred to as mounting clip, includes a hook-shaped latch 101 disposed between parallel tabs 102a and 102b. A jut 103 is provided at the lower surface of the hook-shaped latch The base 105 of the connector is provided with a jut 104. When the connector mates with the mating connector the latch is rotated such that jut 103 abuts jut 104 and reduce the offset in latching. The a bridging element 107 that bridges the two tabs and the hook-shaped latch prevents that the connector during operation separates from the mating connector due to torsional or linear stresses.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mating connector according to one embodiment. The mating connector is provided with a plurality of parallel tabs disposed on a base plate 205. The spacing between the tabs have been adjusted such that the hook-shaped latch of the connector can in operation slide in the spacing to latch with the mating connector. The hook of the hook-shaped latch 101 latches with the ledge 203 or the ledge 204 depending upon the direction in which the connector is brought to latch with the mating connector.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a connector assembly 300 according to one embodiment. When latched, the connector and the mating connector forms a connector assembly 300. The juts 103 and 104 in the connector assembly abut each other and thus, assure that the offset of the hook-shaped latch 101 is almost negligible. The juts 103, 104 in the connector restrict the movement of locking hook ensuring minimal permanent set on the hook.
Fig. 4 is a top view of the connector shown in FIG. 1 in an unlatched position. The plurality of ledges 106 attached to the linear tabs 102a, 102b serve to provide robustness of the latched connection.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector as shown in FIG. 1 in an unlatched position. The juts 103 and 104 of Fig. 1 are attached to the hook-shaped latch and the base of the connector 100. Further, the parallel tabs 102a and 102b are supported by the ribs 106 for additional robustness.
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of assembly of FIG. 3 where connector 100 shown of FIG. 1 in a latched position, is mated with the mating connector 200 shown in FIG. 2 from the right to the left direction. The ledge 204 holds the connector 100 and the mating connector 200, such that, the hook of the hook-shaped-latch hinges with the ledge. For this, the ledge 204 is provided with a suitable profile to receive the hook shaped latch 101.
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of assembly of FIG. 3 where connector 100 shown of FIG. 1 in a latched position, is mated with the mating connector 200 shown in FIG. 2 from the left to the right direction. The ledge 203 holds the connector 100 and the mating connector 200,

such that, the hook of the hook-shaped-latch 101 hinges with the ledge 203. For this, the ledge 203 is provided with a suitable profile to receive the hook shaped latch 101.
This provides an additional degree of freedom in the applications where the connector assembly of the present disclosure can be put into practice.
FIG. 7A is the top view of an existing connector. The connectors found in the prior art document do not have a bridge connecting the parallel tabs and the hook-shaped latches. This increases the susceptibility of the weakened connection of the connectors due to vibration and other external disturbances. The bridging element increases the robustness of the connector to such external disturbances.
FIG. 7B is the perspective view of an existing connector according to prior art. The absence of juts in the existing connector introduces the permanent offset in the latching that is undesired for many applications involving higher glass content materials.
FIG. 8 is the perspective view of the mating connector according to prior art. The supportive ribs 801 in the mating connector hinder the degree of freedom of the mating connector according to present disclosure.
As will be appreciated from the description herein, the connector 100 engages the tabs of the mating connector 201b, 201c to form an assembly 300. During this operation, the ledges 203, 204 hinges with the hook-shaped latch and the juts 103 and 104, lock the position of the hook-shaped latch such that the offset is negligible. Notably, in the illustrated connector assembly 100, the parallel tabs 102a, 102b of the connector connect with parallel tabs 201b, 201c of the mating connector 200 to lock the connector 100 and mating connector 200.
The connector assembly 300 may be sized and configured to accommodate and seal multiple or a range of sizes of connectors 100 and mating connectors 200.
As will be appreciated from the description herein, connector, mating connector and connector assembly, according to the present disclosure, may be provided as pre-formed and fully assembled units, or separately as described above, that may be cold applied in any suitable situation with the wires for a suitable purpose.
While, in accordance with some embodiments, the base 105 is integrally and unitarily formed, the base may be otherwise formed in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the parallel tabs 102a, 102b and/or the hook-shaped latch 101 may be separate parts joined together in hinged fashion or otherwise. For example, the parallel tabs 102a, 102b may be joined in operation with the hook-shaped latch 101 by a bridging element 107 secured together by tie wraps, snaps, latches or the like and/or not hinged.

It will be appreciated that different elements of the connector or the mating connector in accordance with the present disclosure may have components (e.g., cover members, walls, etc.), and cavities or chambers having shapes, configurations and/or sizes different than those shown and described herein.
Connectors according to embodiments of the disclosure may employ more or fewer latching mechanisms than shown for the exemplary embodiments. According to some embodiments, other types of latching mechanisms may be employed.
The connector of the present disclosure finds industrial applications in the fields where the higher glass content material is required for the locking system. In one embodiment, the connector and the mating connector includes or is formed from a dielectric material. The connector and the mating connector may be a rigid, unitary body that is molded from a dielectric material. By way of example only, the connector and the mating connector may be molded from polyester, such as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). In one embodiment, the connector and the mating connector is formed of 30%-50% glass fiber filled PBT. However, other materials and composites may be used to form the connector and the mating connector.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely example embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from intent of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodiments should be

considered in descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is defined not by the above description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

CLAIMS
1. A connector (100) comprising:
a base plate (105) and a hook shaped latch (101) for interacting with a mating connector, the connector further comprising:
a plurality of linearly aligned tabs (102a, 102b),
a first jut (104) on the base plate (105) and,
wherein least one hook-shaped latch (101) is disposed between the tabs, wherein the hook-shaped latch is provided with a second jut (103) for operationally engaging with the first jut,
and a bridging element (107) that bridges the at least two tabs and the hook-shaped latch.
2. The connector (100) according to claim 1 wherein in operation the first jut (103) and the second jut (104) abut with each other.
3. The connector (100) according to claim 1 wherein linearly aligned tabs (102a, 102b) are supported with multiple ribs (106) on the opposite side of the tab facing the hook-shaped latch (101).
4. The connector (100) according to claim 1 wherein the connector is at least partly fabricated from polybutylene terephthalate PBT.
5. A mating connector (200) suitable for connecting with the connector (100) of claim 1 wherein the mating connector comprises:
a base plate (205);
at least two tabs (201b, 201c) spaced parallel to each other on the base plate such that the connector (100) can operationally slide bi-directionally between two tabs to lock the connector (100) with the mating connector.
6. The mating connector (200) according to claim 4 wherein a first (201 b) of the two tabs
is provided with a first ledge (203) and a second tab (201c) is provided with a second
ledge (204).

7. The mating connector (200) according to claim 5 wherein the mating connector is at least partly fabricated from polybutylene terephthalate PBT.
8. A connector assembly (300) comprising a connector (100) and a mating connector (200), wherein the connector comprises:
a first base plate (105) and a hook shaped latch (101) for interacting with a mating connector, the connector comprising:
a plurality of linearly aligned tabs (102a, 102b),
a first jut (104) on the base plate (105) and,
wherein least one hook-shaped latch (101) is disposed between the tabs, wherein the hook-shaped latch is provided with a second jut (103) for operationally engaging with the first jut,
and a bridging element (107) that bridges the at least two tabs and the hook-shaped latch, and
wherein the mating connector comprises:
a second base plate (205);
at least two tabs (201b, 201c) spaced parallel to each other on the second base plate such that the connector (100) can operationally slide bi-directionally between two tabs to lock the connector with the mating connector.
9. The connector assembly according to claim 8 wherein the connector and the mating connector are fabricated at least partially from polybutylene terephthalate PBT.
10. The connector assembly according to claim 8 wherein the connector and the mating connector can engage with each other bi-directionally.