Patent ID: 6019629
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector, comprising:a first connector housing having a lock arm formed thereon, said lock arm being resiliently deflectable from an original position to a retracted position;a second connector housing having front and rear ends and defining a receptacle extending into the front end, the second connector housing being configured for enabling said first connector housing to be selectively movable between an unengaged condition, a partly engaged condition and a fully engaged condition relative to the receptacle of the second connector housing without direct locked engagement between the second connector housing and the lock arm of the first connector housing;at least one spring disposed in the receptacle from the front end of the second connector housing and extending forwardly from a location in proximity to the rear end of the second connector housing;a movable member movably secured in the receptacle from the front end of the second connector housing for movement between a front position in proximity to the front end of the second connector housing and a rear position further from the front end of the second connector housing, said movable member being biased by the spring toward the front position, the movable member further having a forwardly facing receiving portion engaged against the lock arm when the first connector housing is in the partly engaged condition in the receptacle, said receiving portion of the movable member being configured to deflect the lock arm to the retracted position when the movable member reaches the rear position and when the first connector housing reaches the fully engaged condition, thereby enabling the spring to move the movable member over the lock arm and to the front position of the movable member, said movable member further having a locking recess formed thereon at a location for releasable locked engagement with the lock arm only when the first connector housing is in the fully engaged condition and when the movable member has been moved by the spring to the front position, whereby the locking recess of the movable member releasably locks with the lock arm when the first connector housing reaches the engaged condition and whereby the movable member and the spring cooperate to urge the first connector housing from the receptacle when the first connector housing is in the partly engaged condition.