Patent ID: 6155864
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A connector locking structure comprising:a connector;said connector including an insulating housing;a plurality of terminals partially exposed to an exterior of said insulating housing;lock arms projecting from said insulating housing;said lock arms being elastically deformable in a direction generally normal to a direction ol insertion of said connector;locking protuberances arc integrally formed at ends of said lock arms;said locking protuberances having a vertical locking surface projecting in a direction generally normal to said direction of insertion of said connector;a connector tapered unlocking projection on each of said lock arms;said connector tapered unlocking projection having a first width, at a proximal end of said connector tapered unlocking projection with respect to said lock arm, which tapers to a second width, at a distal end of said connector tapered unlocking projection with respect to said lock arm;said first width being greater than said second width, whereby a connector tapered unlocking surface results;a mate connector;said mate connector including an insulating housing;a plurality of terminals partially exposed to an exterior of said insulating housing;at least one indentation positioned to receive and engage said vertical locking surface, whereby pulling in a direction opposite to insertion will not remove said connector from said mate connector when said at least one indentation receives and engages said locking protuberances;a tapered unlocking surface on each of said at least one indentation;said tapered unlocking surface being parallel to said direction of insertion of said connector in said mate connector;said tapered unlocking surface tapering down in a direction perpendicular to said direction of insertion of said connector in said mate connector;said terminals of said connector and said terminals of said mate connector are connected by insertion and engagement of said locking protuberance of said connector with said indentation ol said mate connector; andsaid connector tapered unlocking surface slides over said tapered unlocking surface of said mate connector to displace said vertical locking surface out of locking engagement with said indentation when said connector is twisted with respect to said mate connector, whereby disengagement of said connector from said mate connector is enabled.