LOCKING STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS

摘要

This specification discloses a pair of matable electrical connectors. The locking structure includes a ramp member formed on one of the connectors and a pair of cantilevered beams formed on the other connector. The cantilever beams have an enlarged portion which coacts with a flat locking surface on the ramp member. The ramp member also includes a prow like wedge which is adjacent the flat locking surface. Deflection of the cantilevered beam enlarged portion from the locking surface to the wedge aligns the enlarged portion so that it can be withdrawn from the ramp member while the wedge spreads the cantilevered beams apart. During mating of the connectors, the cantilevered beams ride up and down on the ramp member until they reach the flat locking surface. During unmating of the connectors, the cantilevered beams are squeezed down and then pulled so that the wedge spreads the beams. Unless the beams are deflected to clear the flat locking surface, the enlarged portions of the beams engage the locking surface to resist unmating of the electrical connectors.