Patent ID: 6315594
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A structure for locking male and female electric connectors to each other comprising:a first housing having at least a first contact including a first leg therein for one of the male and female connectors;at least one locking lug formed on and integral with a side face of the first housing;a second housing having at least a second contact including second leg therein for the other of the male and female connectors;at least one lockable cantilever arm formed on and integral with a top of the second housing at a position corresponding to a position of the locking lug when the male and female connectors are connected to each other,the cantilever arm capable of elastically swaying away from the second housing and having a free end and a basal end, the basal end being attached to a remainder of the second housing, and further having a pawl on one side of the cantilever arm adjacent to the free end and engageble with and disengageable from the locking lug; anda tapered ridge extending inwardly beside and along the cantilever arm;wherein a gap between the tapered ridge and the remainder of the second housing gradually decreases as the ridge extends from a portion near the basal end towards the free end, wherein at least a portion of the tapered ridge is provided adjacent the pawl such that a portion of the pawl and a portion of the tapered ridge are provided side by side at a predetermined distance from the basal end, whereby a flat and narrow tool end is capable of being inserted in between the tapered ridge and the top of the second housing from a rear end of basal end to the free end, so as to sway the arm outwardly so that the free end thereof is displaced outwards until the pawl is disengaged and unlocked from the locking lug.