Panel mountable electrical connector

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.

We claim: .[.1. In an electrical connector for mounting in an opening in a panel or the like and including a housing having a body portion positionable in the opening in the panel, wherein the improvement comprises a separate mounting device independent of the housing and positionable in receptacle means in the housing, the mounting device including a panel stop projecting from said body portion of the housing for abutting one side of the panel at the opening and a flexible locking arm projecting from said body portion of the housing for passing through the opening when the body portion is positioned thereinto and for engaging an opposite side of the panel at the opening..]..[.2. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim whereto said receptacle means comprise through slot means in the housing into which the mounting device is inserted, with the panel stop and the flexible locking arm projecting outwardly of the slot means..]..[.3. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said mounting device includes a resilient latch arm insertable into the slot means for securing the mounting device on the 
     
        housing..].4. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein said resilient latch arm is of a length to extend past the slot means and includes a latch hook portion for snapping behind an exiting face of the 
     
     
        housing. 5. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 3, wherein said slot means is of a given width defined by a pair of opposing sides, and including a pair of said resilient latch arms insertable into the slot 
     
     
        means against the opposing sides of the slot means. 6. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim 5, wherein said resilient latch arms are of lengths to extend past the slot means and include respective latch hook 
     
     
        portions for snapping behind an exiting face of the housing. 7. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.9.Iaddend., wherein said flexible locking arm has surface means for engaging the panel at an edge of the opening, the surface means having a stepped configuration for accommodating panels of different thicknesses at the 
     
     
        opening. 8. In an electrical connector as set forth in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.9.Iaddend., wherein said housing has a pair of said receptacle means near opposite sides thereof, and including a pair of said separate mounting devices respectively positionable in the pair of receptacle 
     
     
        means. .Iadd.9.  In an electrical connector for mounting in an opening in a panel and including a housing having a body portion positionable in the opening in the panel, wherein the improvement comprises a separate mounting device independent of the housing and positionable in receptacle means in the housing, the receptacle means comprising through slot means in the housing into which the mounting device is inserted, the mounting device having a resilient latch arm insertable into the slot means for securing the mounting device on the housing, the mounting device including a panel stop projecting from said body portion of the housing and projecting outwardly of the slot means for abutting one side of the panel at the opening, and a flexible locking arm projecting from said body portion of the housing and projecting outwardly of the slot means for passing through the opening when the body portion is positioned thereinto and for engaging an opposite side of the panel at the opening. .Iaddend.