Floating panel mounting system for electrical connectors

摘要

An electrical connector panel mounting system includes a panel having a given thickness between two surfaces and including a first opening formed with at least one radially extending locating portion and a second opening spaced from the first opening. A connector includes a dielectric housing inserted from one surface of the panel along an axis to an insertion position into the first opening in the panel. The housing has at least one radially extending locating flange for passing through the locating portion of the first opening as the housing is inserted thereinto. At least one radially extending stop flange is spaced axially and angularly from the locating flange for abutting the one surface of the panel when the locating flange clears the opposite surface of the panel. The housing is rotatable about the axis from its insertion position to a mounted position whereat the locating flange can abut the opposite surface of the panel to prevent axial removal of the housing back out of the first opening. The cross-sectional configuration of the housing is smaller than the first opening when in the mounted position to provide radial floating of the connector relative to the panel. A locking arm projects radially of the housing and includes a locking protrusion for engagement in the second opening when the housing is in its mounted position and for preventing rotation of the connector from the mounted position back to the insertion position. The second opening is larger than the locking protrusion to allow for the radial floating of the connector relative to the panel.