Coupling engagement mechanism for electric connector

摘要

A coupling engagement mechanism for an electric connector comprises engagement fixtures and an insulating housing element which includes engagement fixture receiving portions for accommodating the engagement fixtures. Each of the engagement fixtures is unitarily formed of a springy metal plate. An engagement portion which engages an abutting portion of a mating connector is formed at one end of a body of each engagement fixture. A manipulation portion is formed at the other end of the body. Elastic pieces whose upper ends are continuous to the body and which extend downwards are formed on both right and left sides of the body. Each of the elastic pieces is formed with, at least, a first coming-off-preventive bend and a second coming-off-preventive bend at a predetermined interval in a direction of the extension. Each engagement fixture receiving portion of the insulating housing element is formed with a first protuberance and a second protuberance at an interval in the extending direction. When the engagement fixture is inserted into the engagement fixture receiving portion, the first coming-off-preventive bend and the second coming-off-preventive bend are held between the first protuberance and the second protuberance, whereby the engagement fixture is fitted and fixed in the insulating housing element.