Connector

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector. In particular, the present invention relates to a connector that can firmly fasten to an electronic device.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Currently, there are several connection methods for electronic connectors such as screws or hook mechanism. The hook mechanism is often too weak to engage firmly. Thus, the connector is easily detached from the electronic device when accidentally pulled or rotated. Moreover, resilient elements suffer from permanent deformation due to material fatigue over long-term use. Related patents include U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,864 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,556.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector that solves the above-mentioned problem.

[0006] The connector of the present invention includes a first housing, a second housing, a screw, and a resilient lever. The first housing defines a through hole. The second housing has a threaded post. The screw passes through the through hole and fastens to the threaded post. The resilient lever includes a hook for sustaining a pulling force. The resilient lever is rotatably connected to the threaded post so that pulling force is substantially directed to the threaded post.

[0007] The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective diagram of a connector in accordance with the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of a resilient lever in accordance with the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a local enlarge view of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a local schematic view of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective diagram of a connector of the present invention. The connector (1) includes a first housing (11), a second housing (12), screws (13), resilient levers (14), and a body (15) with a circuit board. The body (15) is housed between two metal brackets (16, 17). The metal brackets (16, 17) are used to prevent electromagnetic leakage. The first housing (11) defines a through hole (111) and the second housing (12) has a threaded post (121). The first housing (11) and the second housing (12) are fixed together by the screw (13) passing through the through hole (111) and fastening to the threaded post (121) to contain all parts of the connector (1). Two keys (19, 19) are disposed on either side of the connector (1). The keys (19, 19) contact the resilient levers (14), respectively.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 2, the resilient lever (14) includes a pair of hooks (141), a pressing portion (142), and a curved portion (143). The hook sustains a pulling force and connects to the engaging portions of an electronic device. The pressing portion (142) of the resilient lever (14) is inserted into the receiving portion of each key (19) through an access opening (191) and rotated till the hook (141) depart from the key (19). Then, each key (19) and the resilient lever (14) are disposed in the second housing (12). The curved portion (143) of the resilient lever (14) abuts the threaded post (121), and the pressing portion (142) contacts the body (15). The key (19) presses the pressing portion respectively (142) when the key (19) is pushed, and the curved portion (143) closely rotates around the threaded post (121).

[0015] Referring to FIG. 3, a gap formed between the body (15) and the threaded post (121) accepts a constraining wall (18) near the body (15). The profile of the constraining wall (18) corresponds to the curved portion (143) of the resilient lever (14) and the threaded post (121), such that the gap between the constraining wall (18) and the threaded post (121) forms an arc.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the key (19) contacts the pressing portion (142). When assembling the resilient lever (14) and the second housing (12), the curved portion (143) is disposed in the gap between the constraining wall (18) and the threaded post (121). Thus, the curved portion (143) of resilient lever (14) is limited between the threaded post (121) and the constraining wall (18). The feature of the present invention is that the resilient lever (14) is rotatably connected to the threaded post (121) so that the pulling force sustained by the hook (141) is substantially directed to the threaded post (121).

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, when detaching the connector 1 from an electronic device 2, the user presses each key (19) in directions A, A. As shown in FIG. 4, the key (19) pushes the curved portion (142) of the resilient lever (14) so that the resilient lever (14) is rotated about the threaded post (121) in direction C. Then, the hook (141) of the resilient lever (14) is disengaged from the engaging portions (21) of the electronic device (2) so that the user can withdraw the connector (1) in direction B. When the resilient lever (14) is rotated, a part of pressing portion (142) not contacting the key (19) pushes against the body (15) to be deformed. When the user releases the key (19), the deformed pressing portion (142) of the resilient lever (14) is restored to the original position via the restoring force.

[0018] When connecting the connector (1) to the electronic device (2), the connector (1) is pushed toward the electronic device in direction B. The hook (141) of the resilient lever (14) has arc-shaped surfaces, allowing the engaging portion (21) of the electronic device (2) to engage with the resilient lever (14), without requiring pressing of the keys (19).

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the hook (141) of the resilient lever (14) sustains the pulling force from the engaging portion (21). The resilient lever (14) is rotatably connected to the threaded post (121) so that the pulling force is substantially directed to the threaded post (121). Unless the connector (1) is withdrawn by pressing the key (19), accidental pulling or rotation of the connector (1) does not separate the connector (1) from the electronic device (2).

[0020] Thus, the connector of the present invention has the advantages of strong engaging force to prevent detachment by accidental pulling or rotation, simpler assembly, improved resilient lever reliability, and the rotating range of the resilient lever thereon is reduced so that access to the body is increased and volume of the connector is reduced.

[0021] Finally, while the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.