IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,976,303
Granted Patent B2
US 6,976,303 · App. 10/279,629 · Granted Dec 20, 2005

System and tool for mounting a connecting device to a substrate

Assignee: Molex Incorporated
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,976,303
App. No.
10/279,629
Granted
Dec 20, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system is provided for mounting a connecting device to a substrate. A connector housing is located at one side of the substrate, and a threaded fastening nut is engaged on the housing. A threaded fastener is engaged with the opposite side of the substrate and extends therethrough for tightening the nut toward the substrate in response to rotating the fastener. An assembly tool holds the fastening nut against rotation as the fastener is rotated. The tool includes a first portion for engaging at least a part of the housing to properly position the tool. A second portion of the tool engages the fastening nut to prevent rotation thereof. The second portion of the tool is aligned with the fastening nut automatically in response to engaging the first portion with the housing.

Claims (33)

1. A system for mounting a connecting device to a substrate, comprising:

a connector housing at one side of the substrate;

a threaded fastening nut engaged on the housing;

a threaded fastener engaged with the opposite side of the substrate and extending through the substrate for tightening the nut toward the substrate in response to rotating the fastener; and

an assembly tool for holding the fastening nut against rotation as the fastener is rotated, the tool including a first portion for engaging a portion of the housing to properly position the tool and a second portion for engaging the fastening nut to prevent rotation thereof, the second portion being aligned with the fastening nut automatically in response to engaging the first portion with the housing.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first portion of the tool is structured for embracing said portion of the housing.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said first portion of the tool comprises a shroud for surrounding said portion of the housing.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said connector housing is orthogonal in shape and said shroud defines a complementary orthogonal receptacle for receiving and embracing the housing.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said second portion of the tool comprises a tool head for insertion into a slot in the fastening nut.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said tool includes a handle for manual grasping by an operator.

7. The system of claim 1 , including at least a pair of fastening nuts spaced apart on the connector housing, a pair of fasteners respectively threadingly engageable with the fastening nuts, and said tool includes a pair of second portions respectively engageable with the fastening nuts to simultaneously prevent rotation thereof.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said first portion of the tool is located between said pair of second portions.

9. The system of claim 1 , including complementary interengaging keying means between the connector housing and the tool to ensure that the tool is properly positioned on the housing.

10. A system for mounting a connecting device to a substrate, comprising:

an orthogonal connector housing at one side of the substrate;

at least a pair of fastening nuts spaced apart on the connector housing and engaged therewith;

at least a pair of threaded fasteners engaged with the opposite side of the substrate and extending through the substrate for respectively threadingly engaging the fastening nuts and tightening the nuts toward the substrate in response to rotating the fasteners; and

an assembly tool for holding the fastening nuts against rotation as the fasteners are rotated, the tool including a shroud defining a complementary orthogonal receptacle for receiving and embracing the orthogonal connector housing, the tool including a pair of engaging portions respectively engageable the fastening nuts to simultaneously prevent rotation thereof, the engaging portions being aligned with the fastening nuts automatically in response to positioning the shroud over the connector housing.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said engaging portions of the assembly tool comprise tool heads for insertion into a slots in the fastening nuts.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said tool includes a handle for manual grasping by an operator.

13. The system of claim 10 , including complementary interengaging keying means between the connector housing and the tool to ensure that the tool is properly positioned on the housing.

14. An assembly tool for facilitating mounting a connecting device to a substrate wherein the connecting device includes a connector housing at one side of the substrate, a fastening nut engaged on the housing, and a threaded fastener engaged with the opposite side of the substrate and extending through the substrate for tightening the nut toward the substrate in response to rotating the fastener, said assembly tool comprising:

a first portion for engaging a portion of the housing to properly position the tool;

a second portion for engaging the fastener nut to hold the fastening nut against rotation as the fastener is rotated; and

said second portion being aligned with the fastening nut automatically in response to engaging the first portion with the housing.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said first portion of the tool is structured for embracing said portion of the housing.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said first portion of the tool comprises a shroud for surrounding said portion of the housing.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said shroud includes a receptacle which is complementary in shape to the connector housing for receiving and embracing the housing.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said second portion of the tool comprises a tool head for insertion into a slot in the fastening nut.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein said tool includes a handle for manual grasping by an operator.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein said connecting device includes at least a pair of fastening nuts spaced apart on the connector housing along with a respective pair of fasteners threadingly engageable with the fastening nuts, and said assembly tool includes a pair of second portions respectively engageable with the fastening nuts to simultaneously prevent rotation thereof.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said first portion of the tool is located between said pair of second portions.

22. The system of claim 14 wherein said assembly tool includes keying means for engaging an appropriate complementary keying means on the connector housing to ensure that the tool is properly positioned on the housing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2002
From: CHEN, WENZONG; MARRAPODE, THOMAS R.; GROIS, IGOR; MYCZEK, JEFFREY P.
To: MOLEX INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 013450/0465 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040078961A1 · Apr 29, 2004