Appeal No. 2002-1876
Application 09/358,158
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to a connector having a housing and a
retainer insertable in a cavity in the housing for retaining
terminal fittings in the housing. The retainer has locking arms
and protrusions that define a partial locking position which
permits the insertion and withdrawal of the terminal fittings and
a full locking position which prevents withdrawal of the terminal
fittings. The problem in the prior art is that the retainer may
be pushed straight through the partial locking position to the
full locking position. In this case, a tool is required to pull
back the retainer, requiring extra time and labor. The invention
uses a partial locking arm that is thinner than the full locking
arm so that it takes more force to push the retainer to the full
locking position than the partial locking position.
Claim 1, the sole independent claim, is reproduced below.
1. A connector, comprising:
a housing with at least one cavity for at least partly
accommodating at least one terminal fitting to be inserted
through a rear end portion of the housing, and a retainer
insertion portion extending into the housing and
communicating with the cavity,
a retainer which is partly insertable into the cavities
through the retainer insertion portion, the retainer being
movable selectively between a partial locking position where
the retainer permits the insertion and withdrawal of the
terminal fitting, and a full locking position where the
retainer substantially engages the terminal fitting inserted
in the cavity to prevent the movement thereof in a
withdrawing direction,
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Last modified: November 3, 2007