Patent ID: 6066008
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector comprising:a molded plastic connector body having a plurality of terminal cavities arranged in several vertical and horizontal rows,terminals attached to the ends of electric cables and disposed in the terminal cavities a forward portion of the connector body, anda lock member that is disposed in an intermediate hollow portion of the connector body for holding the terminals in the terminal cavities,the lock member being moveably attached to the connector body and having a pre-stage position and a lock position with respect to the connector body,the lock member having a plurality of flexible latch tangs engaging the terminals to hold the terminals in the terminal cavities when the lock member is in the pre-stage position,the lock member having a plurality of rigid terminal locks engaging the terminals to hold the terminals in the terminal cavities when the lock member is in the lock position,the connector body having a rearward portion that has a grid that defines a plurality of rectangular openings that are aligned with respective ones of the terminal cavities, andwherein the terminal cavities are aligned in a number of vertical rows and wherein the lock member has a corresponding number of vertical channels that are aligned with respective ones of the vertical rows of terminal cavities and the plurality of rigid terminal locks guide the terminals from the grid into the terminal cavities when the lock member is in the pre-stage position, the rigid terminal locks locking the terminals in the terminal cavities when the lock member is in the lock position.