Connector system

Abstract

Connector systems are provided for electrical connection of multiple male and female contacts with one another, for both cable connections and circuit board connections. For the cable connections, latching elements are provided which axially latch the connectors together against axial disconnection, for use with cable connections. The latching members are configured to be detachable so as to permit use of the same basic connector with both cable connections and circuit board connections. In certain embodiments, the latching members can be selectively disconnected and reconnected to the connecting members to thereby improve the options for use of the connectors.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A connector system comprising: 
 a first connector having at least a first contact and at least a first latching element; and    a second connector, which is connectable to the first connector, having at least a second contact for engaging the at least a first contact, and at least a second latching element for engaging the at least a first latching element;    wherein at least one of the latching elements is a removable latching element that is selectively removable from the connector to which it is attached.    
     
     
         2 . The connector system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a first contact is a female contact.  
     
     
         3 . The connector system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a second contact is a male contact.  
     
     
         4 . The connector system of  claim 1 , further comprising a third connector having at least a third contact and at least a third latching element.  
     
     
         5 . The connector system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least a third contact is a female contact.  
     
     
         6 . The connector system of  claim 4 , wherein the removable latching element is a permanently removable latching element that cannot be reattached to the connector once removed.  
     
     
         7 . The connector system of  claim 6 , wherein the permanently removable latching element is attached to a base element of the connector and includes a predetermined breaking point in a transition area between the base element and the permanently removable latching element.  
     
     
         8 . The connector system of  claim 1 , wherein the removable latching element includes a v-shaped portion, and the connector to which the removable latching element is attached includes a v-shaped channel for removably receiving the v-shaped portion.  
     
     
         9 . The connector system of  claim 8 , wherein the connector to which the removable latching element is attached includes a base portion, and the v-shaped channel is positioned proximate the periphery of the base portion.  
     
     
         10 . The connector system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least a first latching element includes a tongue having one or more protrusions, and the at least a second latching element includes a tongue having one or more cavities for releasably receiving the one or more protrusions, facilitating the connection of the first and second connectors.  
     
     
         11 . The connector system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first connector includes a generally rectangular base portion and the at least a first latching element includes two latching elements positioned on opposite ends of the base portion; and    the second connector includes a generally rectangular base portion and the at least a second latching element includes two latching elements positioned on opposite ends of the base portion.    
     
     
         12 . The connector system of  claim 11 , wherein each of the latching elements of the first connector includes: 
 a v-shaped portion; and    a tongue having one or more protrusions.    
     
     
         13 . The connector system of  claim 12 , wherein the base portion of the first connector includes a pair of v-shaped channels, each configured to removably receive the v-shaped portion of one of the two latching elements of the first connector.  
     
     
         14 . The connector system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the latching elements of the second connector includes: 
 a v-shaped portion; and    a tongue having one or more cavities for releasably receiving the one or more protrusions, thus facilitating the connection of the first and second connectors.    
     
     
         15 . The connector system of  claim 14 , wherein the base portion of the second connector includes a pair of v-shaped channels, each configured to removably receive the v-shaped portion of one of the two latching elements of the second connectors.  
     
     
         16 . The connector system of  claim 1 , wherein the connectors are color coded to accommodate selective matching of respective connectors to be latched together.  
     
     
         17 . The connector system of  claim 1 , wherein latches of the respective connectors are provided with color codes to accommodate selective matching of respective connectors to be latched together.  
     
     
         18 . The connector system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said latching elements is part of bar shaped members which is adapted to be selectively attached to and detached from a respective connector.  
     
     
         19 . A connector system comprising: 
 a first connector having at least a first contact and at least a first latching element; and    a second connector, which is connectable to the first connector, having at least a second contact for engaging the at least a first contact, and at least a second latching element for engaging the at least a first latching element;    wherein at least one of the latching elements is a permanently removable latching element that cannot be reattached to the connector once removed.    
     
     
         20 . The connector system of  claim 19 , wherein the permanently removable latching element is attached to a base element of the connector and includes a predetermined breaking point in a transition area between the base element and the permanently removable latching element.  
     
     
         21 . A connector with female and/or male contacts, which connector has a base element, having cavities on a side opposite a plugable side of the connectors, said cavities being configured for receiving respective latching elements operable in use to latch the connector to another connector.  
     
     
         22 . A connector according to  claim 21 , wherein the recesses are v-shaped.  
     
     
         23 . A connector according to  claim 21 , wherein said recessed are configured to facilitate selective attachment and detachment of respective latching elements.  
     
     
         24 . A connector assembly comprising: 
 a first connector member having a plurality of contacts,    a second connector member having a plurality of second contacts, configured to accommodate engagement of the respective ones of the second contacts with the first contacts when said first and second connector members are connected to one another by movement of said connector members toward each other in an axial direction,    first latching means provided at said first connector member, and    second latching means provided at said second connector and operable to latchingly engage respective ones of said first latching means to latch said connector members together so as to prevent separation of said connecting members unless at least one of the latching means is moved transverse to said axial direction,    wherein said latching means are selectively removable to thereby permit connection and disconnection of said connector members without latching of said connector members to one another,    whereby said connector members can be selectively used to connect cables having sets of said contacts and circuit boards having sets of said contacts.    
     
     
         25 . A connector assembly according to  claim 24 , comprising color coding at respective ones of at least one of respective sets of said latching means, sets of said contacts to facilitate matching of respective connector members.  
     
     
         26 . A connector assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein at least one of said latching means is permanently detachable from its associated connecting member.  
     
     
         27 . A connector assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein at least one of said latching means is part of a detachable member which can be selectively attached to and detached from its associated connecting member.  
     
     
         28 . A connector assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein said at least one latching means is part of a strip shaped member insertable into a recess provided on its associated connecting member.  
     
     
         29 . A connector for assembly according to  claim 28 , wherein said strip shaped member and said recess are configured to accommodate selective interlocking of said strip shaped member and connector member to prevent relative movement thereof in said axial direction.  
     
     
         30 . A connector for assembly according to  claim 25 , wherein said latching means include a plurality of latching members at each of said connecting members.  
     
     
         31 . A connector for assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein said latching members are strip shaped bent members which can be selectively attached to and detached from their respective associated connecting members.  
     
     
         32 . A connector assembly according to  claim 31 , comprising color coding at respective ones of at least one of respective sets of said latching means, sets of said contacts to facilitate matching of respective connector members.