Patent ID: 6699059
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly comprising:a first component for supporting a first electrical connector element; a second component for supporting a second electrical connector element inserted in the first electrical connector element to be fitted therein; a short-circuit element, fitted in the first component, for electrically short-circuiting the first electrical connector element; and a locking element engageable with the second component in a locked manner, the locking element being so structured that when the second component is inserted in the first component to be fitted therein, the locking element can make the short-circuit element move back to its non-short-circuit position and also can move to engage with the first component, wherein the locking element has a pair of first legs and a pair of second legs, the pair of first legs and the pair of second legs being so disposed as to be in the planes meeting at generally right angles with each other and being arranged in such a relation that the first legs are symmetrically spaced to confront each other, wherein the first legs have locking portions, one for each, at the opposite side to the mutually confronting side and are so structured that when the locking portions are biased, the first legs can be deflected first and then resiliently restored to bring the locking portions into engagement in a locking recess formed in the first component, so as to fit in it so that the locking element is engaged with the first component, and wherein the first legs have recessed portions at opposed portions thereof on substantially the back sides of the locking portions, and the second component has, on its portions located in a sandwich relation between the first legs confronting each other and having flexibility, lug portions formed to extend along a part of the recessed portions, so that when an external force acts on the second component when the locking portions are in engagement in the locking recess, the portions having flexibility are deflected so that the lug portions can press the recessed portions in the direction for the locking portions and the locking recess to be engaged with each other and thereby the first component and the second component are locked against disconnection.