Abstract:
A plug connector for use with electronic devices provides a latching member that engages a mating hole in a guide frame with a hook, and which can be easily delatched from the guide frame or opposing connector or housing. The hook locks the plug connector into engagement with the guide frame or housing, but is readily released by actuation of an actuator (e.g., a pulling member), which causes the latching member to translate in a vertical direction so that the hooks are lifted upward and disengaged from the guide frame or housing.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/906,287, filed Oct. 1, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is incorporated herein by referenced in its entirety and which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/241,545, filed Sep. 30, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,937, which in turn claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/654,762, filed Feb. 18, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to small and low-profile connectors. More particularly, the present invention is directed to pluggable-style connectors that are received within a housing, or guide frame, and which require some sort of exterior latch to retain the connector in its mated engagement with the housing or guide frame. 
         [0003]    Small and low-profile connectors, such as those used in SFP (Small Form Factor Pluggable) applications are desired in electronic devices in which space is a premium. Such connectors are widely used to make connections with routers and servers. They are small in size. A problem with many electronic connectors of this type, however, is the tendency for them to separate or be disconnected from the component to which they are connected. 
         [0004]    Connectors, and particularly plug connectors, can be made more reliable and separation less likely by latching them together. U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,987 issued Jun. 29, 1999 to Reed et al. entitled, “Latched Electrical Connector” discloses a plug-receptacle connector assembly with a latching mechanism incorporated into the housing of the plug connector. One problem with the locking plug connectors such as those disclosed in the &#39;987 patent is that they are not usable with low-profile, high-density receptacle connectors. Their size and the side locations of the actuators for the latching mechanisms of such plug connectors would increase the size required in a system. Such a connector also requires a specially configured housing to receive the plug connector. As connectors become smaller and as the density of receptacle connectors in electronic devices increases, the simple act of disengaging a plug connector latch mechanism becomes increasingly more difficult. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,665, issued Nov. 18, 2003 discloses another plug connector in which a latching mechanism is incorporated into the plug connector housing. This connector has a complex mechanical structure with a plurality of parts, such that manufacturing and assembly costs will be increased. It uses two latching elements that extend longitudinally and sideways along the inner walls of the plug connector housing. It is constructed of many separate pieces and is relatively difficult to manufacture, and it requires excessive space at its rear end for an actuator to project. 
         [0006]    The present invention is directed to a small size, and low profile pluggable connector that overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention is to provide a low profile connector with a latching mechanism that secures it to an opposing receptacle. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a low profile plug connector that is usable in high-density electronic devices, but which has a latching mechanism that is not positioned alongside of the plug connector housing. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector usable in high-density electronic devices, and which has a latching mechanism that is simple to assemble and simple to operate, using a minimum number of components and is reliable. 
         [0010]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a connector for mating with a guide frame or other housing that houses a receptacle connector, the connector including a housing, the housing including a plurality of conductive contacts that are terminated to conductors in a cable, the housing having a forward mating end that is received within a portion of the guide frame and further having a body portion that remains exterior of the guide frame, the connector including a latching mechanism disposed on an exterior surface of the connector housing and including means responsive to a pulling action that disengages the latching mechanism from engagement with the guide frame or housing. 
         [0011]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector for mating with a receptacle connector encompassed by a guide frame, the plug connector and guide frame each having respective aligned first surfaces, the plug connector including a housing with a recess disposed thereon proximate to the first surface thereof, the recess containing a roll pin or wedge member and the recess being covered by a portion of an elongated latching member that extends lengthwise of the plug connector, the latching member having a free end with hook members that are engageable with corresponding openings formed on the guide frame first surface, the roll pin or wedge member having an elongated pull tab attached thereto, whereby pulling on the pull tab moves the roll pin or wedge member into con tact with the latching member and deflecting its hook members out of the guide frame slots. 
         [0012]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a low-profile latching plug connector is provided that is comprised of a two-section plug connector housing, each section of which preferably includes a rectangular cross-section. A front, or first, section of the plug connector housing is sized, shaped and arranged to fit within a mating receptacle connector and this section includes a mating end with exposed terminals for connecting to opposing terminals in the receptacle connector. 
         [0013]    A second, or rear, section of the plug connector may have a larger cross-section than the first section such that it will not fit within the opposing housing or guide frame, and thus may be considered as a body portion of the plug connector. The rear section of the plug connector is also preferably rectangular in cross-section and includes its own terminal end. 
         [0014]    The plug connector is latched into a receptacle connector by a latching arm that extends longitudinally of the plug connector, and the rear end of the latching arm is attached to the top of the rear shell and the second end of which is free to provide a cantilevered arrangement. Barbs, or hooks, are disposed at the second, or free end, and are biased in one direction by the structure of the latching arm, downwardly in the preferred embodiment, at the plug connector mating end, where they engage with holes or depressions formed in the exterior surface of the opposing guide frame or housing. 
         [0015]    A sliding actuator is provided so that a user may lift the latching member with a simple pull action. The actuator is interposed between the latching arm and an exterior surface of the plug connector housing and it preferably lies below the latching arm but above the top surface of the plug connector housing. The actuator preferably includes a lobe, or enlarged portion, at one end that rides on an inclined surface which is formed as part of the plug connector housing. As the actuator is moved in one direction, preferably away from the mating end of the plug connector, the lobe is likewise moved in the same direction on the inclined surface and in so doing, it contacts the underside of the latching arm and raises it. This raising, lifts the free end of the latching arm and its associated engagement hooks in order to move the engagement hooks out of engagement with the opposing housing. 
         [0016]    The actuator preferably includes a pull tab in the form of a finger hole at its rear end into which a user can place a finger to pull the actuator rearwardly. The actuator and plug connector housing include cooperating structure that limits the travel of the actuator. In the preferred embodiment, the housing has a stop member formed on an exterior surface and the actuator has a slot formed in its body that engages the stop member. The length of the slot determines the extent to which the actuator may be moved on the housing. 
         [0017]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator includes a flat grasping end with an opening that may be either grasped by a user or pulled by insertion of a finger into an opening formed in the tail end of the actuator. In another embodiment of the invention, the actuator has its tail configured into a loop that encircles the cables entering the plug connector. The loop may be easily grasped to unlatch the plug connector from an opposing guide frame or housing. The loop and actuator are preferably formed from a plastic or other resilient material and a metal sleeve may be inserted into the loop to provide stiffness in the area encircling the cable leading to the plug connector. 
         [0018]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    In the course of this detailed description below, references will be made to the drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a plug connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the plug connector of  FIG. 1  inserted into a mating receptacle connector, and illustrating the latching member hooks barb engaged with the guide frame that houses a receptacle connector; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is the same view as  FIG. 2 , but illustrating that latching member hooks disengaged from the guide frame; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the plug connector installed into a guide frame and in mating engagement with a receptacle connector housed within the guide frame; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a plug connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, taken from the rear end thereof; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of  FIG. 5 , but with the actuator and EMI gasket in place upon the connector; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is the same view as  FIG. 6 , but with the actuator and EMI gasket shown exploded from their positions on the connector housing; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view, taken from the front end thereof, of the connector of  FIG. 5 , illustrating the location of the EMI gasket relative to the connector latching arm; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged side detail view of the connector mating face, illustrating the latching arm and the EMI gasket; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10A  is a side elevational view of the latching arm of the connector of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10B  is a front elevational view of the latching arm of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the actuator, removed form the connector; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11B  is a side elevational view of the actuator of the connector of  FIG. 5 ; and, 
           [0033]      FIG. 12A  is a sectional view of the connector  8  taken along a central longitudinal axis thereof. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12B  is the same view as  FIG. 12A , but with the latch member exploded away for clarity to illustrate the relationship between the actuator lobe and the ramped surface of the plug connector housing; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12C  is an enlarged detail view of the actuator lobe and the connector housing ramped surface; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a plug connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is the same view as  FIG. 13 , but with the latch member exploded away for clarity to show the placement of the actuator upon the plug connector housing; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a perspective, exploded view of the actuator used in the plug connector of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a connector constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and, 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is the same view as  FIG. 16 , but with the components illustrated in an exploded format for clarity. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a low-profile plug connector  10  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The plug connector  10  is seen to include an elongated connector housing  12  having two opposing ends identified in the Figures by reference numerals  14  and  16 . The first, or front end,  14  of the plug connector body  12  defines a mating end  18  of the front portion  20  of the plug connector housing  12 . This front portion  20  of the connector housing  12  is shown as having has the shape of a rectangular parallelpiped or cuboid, the cross section of which is rectangular. One or more electrical terminals are contained within the front shell  20  in order to make electrical contact with mating terminals in a mating receptacle connector (not shown) which is enclosed within an outer protective guide frame  22 , both the receptacle connector and guide frame being mounted to a printed circuit board  2 . 
         [0042]    The dimensions of the connector housing front portion  20  are such that the front end n fits within an opening of the guide frame  22  that encompasses the receptacle connector. Electrical contacts in the form of traces on a circuit board (not shown) in the preferred embodiment are disposed at the mating end  18  of the front portion  20  for connection to contacts or terminals within the receptacle connector. Typically, the contacts will be arranged along the surface of an edge card or other similar blade for mating to a like plurality of terminals or contacts in the receptacle connector  24 . Inasmuch as the front portion  20  is shown as having a rectangular shape, it has a planar top surface  24 , which is insertable into the interior portion of the guide frame  22 . 
         [0043]    The connector housing  12  has a second (or terminating) end  16  that is generally opposite to its first end  14 . This second end  16  of the connector housing  12  defines part of a larger body portion  28  of the connector housing  12  that has rear end  26  which may be referred to herein as a terminating end. This body portion  28  has a shape that resembles a parallelpiped and it too has a rectangular cross section, but the rectangular cross section of the body portion  28  is larger in size than the cross-section of the front portion  20 . The difference in size between the large body portion  28  and the front portion  20  prevents the body portion  28  from being introduced during mating, into the guide frame  22 . 
         [0044]    The large body portion  28  has its own top surface  30  that is disposed in a plane that is preferably separate from and spaced apart from the plane in which the mating end surface  24  extends. The large body portion  28  is larger than the front portion  20 , and thus the top surface  30  of the large body portion  28  may be considered as located “above” the top surface  24  of the front portion  20 . As described more fully below, the elevation or height difference between the second top surface  30  of the large body portion  28  and the first top surface  24  of the front portion  20  enables the formation of an inclined surface, or ramp  40 , between them. This defines a cam surface as explained in detail below. The inclined ramp surface  40  serves to converts lateral translation (or movement) of a portion of the actuator  60  into vertical movement of the latching arm  42  to disengage the plug connector  10  from a corresponding opposing guide frame  22 . 
         [0045]    As can be best seen in  FIG. 1 , the second top surface  30  of the connector housing large body portion  28  is formed with a rectangular cross-sectioned slot or channel  32 , that is open at its top, and which has a bottom  34  and two opposing sides  36  and  38 . The channel  32  in the second top surface  30  extends completely from the rear end  26  of the plug connector large body portion  28  to the front end  14  of the connector body  12 , where it meets the ramped surface  40 . 
         [0046]    The front portion  20  of the connector housing  12  and the large body portion  28  of the connector housing  12  meet at a point  25  that is shown in the drawings as being located approximately midway between the first end  14  of the connector housing  12  and the second end  16  of the connector body portion  28 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the channel  32  extends from the second end  26  of the rear shell  28  to the inclined ramp surface  40 , which extends downwardly from the channel bottom  34  toward the first top surface  24  and, at preferably an acute angle to the first top surface  24  of the front portion  20 . 
         [0047]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a thin, elongated rectangular plug connector actuator  60  is provided and it is sized and shaped to fit into the channel  32  such that it lies between the opposing sides  36  and  38  of the channel, while being able to freely slide toward and away from the first end  14  of the connector body  14 . One end, the rear end  62 , of the actuator  60  is shown as flared outwardly in order to define a pull tab, as shown in  FIG. 1  to make it readily graspable. 
         [0048]    The opposite or second (front) end  64  of the actuator  60  is shown as being formed with an enlarged cam portion, shown in  FIGS. 1-4  as a rounded “lobe” or cam shape, similar to a horizontal cylinder. 
         [0049]    The actuator  60  preferably has an overall length  66  is such that the rear end  62  thereof lies beyond the second end  16  of the connector housing  12  where it can be grasped, but also so that the front end  64  end will ride against the inclined ramp surface  40  as the actuator  60  is pulled and slides away from the first end  14  of the connector body  14 . As will be appreciated, the lateral movement of the second end  64  against the ramp segment  40  causes the lobe to rise and fall relative to both the first top surface  24  and the second top surface  30 . Thus, the lateral movement of the actuator  60  is converted to vertical movement of the latching arm  42 , the limit of which is established in part by the difference in height of the channel bottom  34  and the top surface  24  of the front portion  20 . 
         [0050]    The plug connector  10  can be locked or “latched” into a mating receptacle connector  22  by way of hooks or “barbs”  56  which are located at the free end of a resilient, cantilevered latching arm  42  which is partially fixed to the top surface  30  of the rear shell  28 . In a preferred embodiment, the latching arm  42  is made of a relatively stiff sheet metal or plastic. By fixing one end  44  of the latching arm  42  to the top surface  30  of the body portion  28 , and by leaving the opposite end  46  free, the flexural rigidity of the latching arm  42  acts to bias the latching arm  42  (and the barbs  56  at the second end  46  of the latching arm  42  downwardly, i.e., toward the first top surface  24  of the front shell  20 . By bending the latching arm  42  downwardly at the inflection point  50 , the barbs  56  at the second end  46  of the latching arm  42  can be made to engage openings or slots  57  that are formed in the guide frame  22 , thereby locking (i.e., latching) the plug connector  10  into engagement with the guide frame  22 . The forward edges of the engagement hooks may be angled as shown, so that when the plug connector is pushed into place, the engagement hooks  56  ride up onto the surface of the guide frame and into the openings  57 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3 , the latching member  42  preferably has a configuration that generally conforms to the ramp surface  40 . By shaping the latching member  42  to conform to the ramp surface  40 , the underside of the latching arm  42  that is above the ramp surface  40  lies against the lobe that is formed at the second end  64  of the actuator  60 . When the lobe moves rearward in response to the actuator  60  being pulled away from first end  14  of the connector body  14 , the movement of the lobe up the ramp surface  40  causes the latching member  42  to rise relative to both the first top surface  24  and the second top surface  30 . Likewise, when the lobe is pushed back forwardly, the movement of the lobe down the ramp surface  40  causes the latching arm to lower. This raising and lowering of the latching arm  42  results in the engagement hooks raising out of their slots  57 . 
         [0052]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the simplicity of the plug connector&#39;s  10  disengagement from a mating receptacle connector simply by pulling on the easily grasped end  62  of the actuator  60 , which causes the engagement hooks  56  at the second end  46  of the latching arm  42  to be lifted out of the slots  57  into which the hooks  56  extend to engage the guide frame  22 . 
         [0053]    The latching arm  42  has first and second opposing ends  44 ,  46  respectively. A rectangularly-shaped mid section  48  lies between the first end  44  and a deflection point  50  where the latching arm  42  is bent downwardly toward the first top surface  24 . From the deflection point  50 , there is an inclined segment  52  that terminates at the second end  46  which is formed to have engagement hooks  56 , which in the preferred embodiment project downwardly from the second end  46  and into receiving slots  57 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mid-section  48  lies above the actuator  60  and above the channel bottom  34 . As is also shown, the deflection point  50  located near the “top” of and is also above the ramp surface  40 . The deflection point  50  bend follows the slope of the ramp segment  40 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the plug connector  10  engaged into the guide frame  22 . The inset of  FIG. 2  is an enlargement of the plug connector  10  showing the engagement of the hook  56  into the slot  57  in the opposing guide frame  22 . It is also contemplated that the engagement hooks  56  may extend into slots or other openings that may be formed in a receptacle connector, rather than a guide frame, although such is not shown in the drawings.  FIG. 2  also shows the ramp surface  40  that extends from the channel bottom  34  at an acute angle to the first top surface  24 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the lobed second end  64  of the actuator  60  rides on the surface of the ramp segment  40  causing it to rise and fall as the actuator  60  moves longitudinally (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) in the channel  32 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 3  is another side view of the plug connector  10 , but illustrating the lobed second end  64  of the actuator  60  moved further to the “left” of the connector, and therefore higher on the ramp surface  40 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , movement of the actuator  60  to the left of  FIG. 3  causes the lobed second end  64  to rise and lift the latching arm  42 , and the engagement hooks  56  out of the slots  57  in the guide frame  22 , releasing the plug connector  10  for its removal from the guide frame. The rearward extent of the actuator  60  assists in incorporating this type of latching mechanism in server and router applications where clearances are minimal and free space is at a premium. 
         [0056]    Finally,  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the plug connector  10  installed into a guide frame  22  with the engagement hooks  56  not visible because they are extended into the slots  57  in the guide frame  22 . When the engagement hooks  56  are so engaged, the plug connector  10  cannot be removed from the guide frame  22 , helping to insure the integrity of electrical connections between contacts in the front portion  20  and mating contacts in the receptacle connector  24 . 
         [0057]    The engagement hooks  56  of the plug connector that hold the plug connector in place are readily removed from their engagement with their corresponding slots  57  by pulling on the free rear end  62  of the actuator  60 . The actuator  60  may be formed from a plastic or a metal or other similar material. As explained above and as depicted in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , pulling on the actuator  60  in a direction away from the guide frame  22  causes the latching arm  42  to be lifted upwardly, bringing the engagement hooks  56  with it and freeing the plug connector from engagement with the guide frame  22 . 
         [0058]    In the preferred embodiment shown, the channel  32  formed into the top surface  30  of the rear shell  28  is “T” shaped (when viewed from above the connector housing  12 ) as is the first end  44  of the latching arm  42 . Alternate and equivalent embodiments of the plug connector  10  may include using a linear channel  32 , i.e., one that extends directly from the second end  16  of the connector body  16  to the ramp surface  40  without any sort of sideways extensions and a latching arm  42  that straddles the channel  32 . Yet another embodiment contemplates a latching arm  42 , the first end  44  of which is round or pan shaped such that the sliding of the underlying disengagement member  60  is not interfered with. By forming the channel  32  into a “T” shape, however, and forming the latching arm  42  first end  44  into such a mating shape, the material of the rear shell into which the channel  32  is formed becomes structure that resists removal force exerted on the latching arm  42  by forces exerted on the plug connector  10 . The latching arm  42  is preferably a spring steel or rigid plastic. It is affixed to the top surface  30  of the rear shell  28  by rivets, adhesive or screws. 
         [0059]    Alternate embodiments of the plug connector  10  contemplate an actuator  60 , and the rear end  62  of which may include specific surface treatment to aid its being grasped. Corrugations, dimpling or stippling can be added to the rear end  62  to make it easier to grasp. In yet other embodiments, a pull string can be added to the rear end to which a fabric or otherwise flexible strip can be attached providing yet another improved structure for grasping the actuator that also helps identify a particular plug connector to be removed. 
         [0060]    The connector housing  12  is preferably a molded plastic, the exterior surface of which may be metallized to provide EMI shielding to signals carried through the interior of the plug connector. In an alternate embodiment, the connector housing  12  may be die-cast or stamped from metal. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 5-12  illustrate another embodiment of a plug connector  200  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , this connector  100  includes a connector housing  102  that is formed of two halves, a top half  104  and a bottom half  105 , that cooperatively define the connector. The connector housing  102  has a front mating part  107  and a rear terminating part  106 . The mating part  107  houses a plurality of electrical contacts, typically in the form of conductive traces on a circuit card that is mated to a connector of the style shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/176,515, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0062]    The terminating part  106  is hollow and accommodates the free ends of wires (not shown) that are enclosed in a cable  1025 . The cable  1025  enters the terminating part  106  through an opening in its rear wall and the individual cables wires are terminated to the traces of the internal circuit card  1020  by means well known in the art, such as soldering and the like. The terminating part  106  is larger in dimension than the mating part  107 , as explained above, so that the extent to which the plug connector can be inserted into an opposing connector housing or guide frame is limited. In this manner, the front wall, or edge  157 , of the terminating part  106  may be considered as a stop surface of the plug connector  100 . 
         [0063]    The connector includes a selectively manipulatable latch member  120  that takes the shape of a T-shaped arm and which includes an elongated body portion  121  that has two wing portions  123  that extend sideways thereof at and end portion  122  thereof. The end portion  122  (and preferably the body portion  121 ) is elevated slightly with respect to the wing portions  123  to create a cavity or recess therebetween, which is designated as gap  128  in  FIG. 7 . The wing portions  123  have holes formed therein that receive fasteners, such as rivets  140  and these fasteners  140  retain the rear portion of the latch member  120  fixed with respect to the free or latching end  125  thereof. 
         [0064]    The latching end  125  is free to deflect and it includes one or more engagement members which are shown in the form of lugs or hooks,  127  that depend downwardly from the latching end. The latching end  125  is also offset from the latch member body portion  121  by an angled or ramped portion  126  which may be easily stamped and formed as part of the latch member. The latching end  125  has an extent sufficient to preferably space the engagement hooks  127  away from the front edge  157  of the terminating portion so that a space E ( FIG. 9 ) is defined. This space accommodates a ring gasket  130  that is used to provide EMI shielding between the plug connector  100  and the housing into which it is inserted. The gasket  130  is preferably formed from a continuous band of elastomeric material that contains conductive matter so as to render it conductive in ways known in the art. The spacing of the engagement hooks  125  permits the mating part  107  to accommodate both the gasket  160  and the front end  125  of the latch member  120 . 
         [0065]    The plug connector  100  also includes an actuator by which the latch member is moved in or out of locking engagement with an opposing housing or guide frame. The actuator  110  preferably has an elongated shape as shown, with an elongated body portion  111 , an actuating end  112  and a manipulating end  113 , which has an opening  114  formed therein. A user may place their finger in the opening  114  or may grasp the ring surrounding the opening  114  in order to pull on the actuator and thereby move the latching arm up or down. The actuator body portion is held within a channel, or recess,  150  that is formed in the connector housing as well as that defined in part by the gap  28 . This channel  150  includes a body portion  151  that extends longitudinally of the connector housing, a rear portion  155 , two wing portions  154  and a front portion  152   
         [0066]    The actuating end  112  includes a transverse member, shown in the drawings as a cylindrical pin or lobe  117  that is preferably disposed in an offset manner relative to the actuator body portion  111 . This offset may be accomplished by way of an angled extent  116  that joins the pin  117  to the body portion  112 . The body portion  114  of the actuator is disposed within a channel  150 . 
         [0067]    The channel  150  further includes a ramped surface  153  near its forward end  152 , and as best shown in  FIG. 12B , it accommodates the end lobe  117  of the actuator  110 . The ramped surface  153  of the channel  150  defines an enclosure in which the lobe  117  is confined between the connector housing ramped surface  153  and the latch member  150 . This confinement and the ramped surface translates the lateral motion of the actuator, when it is pulled or pushed, into an upward movement of the latching end  125  of the latch member  120 . When the actuator  110  is pulled rearwardly, the lobe  117  rides along the ramped surface  153  and it contacts the underside of the latch member  120 . Continued pulling of the actuator  110  results in the lobe  117  contacting the body portion  121  of the latch member and lifting that up. The cantilevered nature of the latch member  110  permits only movement of the free end  125  of the latch member, thereby disengaging the engagement hooks  127  from openings in the opposing guide frame or housing. 
         [0068]    In order to facilitate the sliding movement of the actuator, the body portion  121  thereof may be raised with respect to the connector housing  102 . This elevation is accomplished by offsetting the body portion  121  from the two wing portions  123  of the latch member  120 . As seen best in  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 , this gap  128  is equivalent in dimension to the height of the angled portions  124  that join the wing portions  123  to the latch member body portion  121 . Rivets or other similar fasteners  140  may be used to fasten the latch member near its rear end to the connector housing. 
         [0069]    In order to provide a means for limiting the extent to which the actuator may be pulled, a stop member is provided on the connector housing and is disposed in the channel  150 . This stop member is shown in the form of a raised lug, or boss  156  that rises up from the base of the channel  150 . A slot  115  is formed in the actuator body portion  111 , and preferably it has an elongated nature and a lengthwise dimension that is greater than that of the stop member  156 . The difference, which is illustrated at T in  FIG. 6  is the “throw” or the distance which the lobe  117  may be pulled rearwardly by an operator. This stop member  156  prevents the actuator from being pulled out of its position from underneath the latch member  120  and away from the plug connector housing. 
         [0070]    The plug connectors of the invention may also be provided with means for orienting or keying the connector into engagement with an opposing connector. Such a means are illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7  as a central slot  160  formed in the upper surface of the mating part  107  that is intended to engage a corresponding projection on an opposing guide frame or housing. It may also include one or more (and preferably a pair thereof) slots  161  that are formed in the sides of the mating part  107  and which also are intended to engage projections from the sides of the guide frame or housing. The central slot  160  is aligned as shown with the latch member  120  and as such, it may assist in aligning the engagement hooks  127  of the latch member  120  with their opposing openings when the plug connector is inserted into a guide frame or housing. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 13-15  illustrate another embodiment of a plug connector  200  of the invention, in which the actuator  220  has a different configuration than those previously described. The connector  200  has a housing  201  that receives multiple cables  1025 , each cable containing multiple wires therein. The housing  201  supports a circuit card  205  as its mating portion, the leading edge of which extends in a forward direction away from the connector housing  201 . The connector includes a latching member  210  of the type previously discussed above, with a pair of engagement hooks  211  formed at a front end  212  thereof. The latching member  210  has two wing portions  213  that extend to the side of the center body portion  214  thereof, and these wing portions  213  are fastened to the connector housing so as to enclose the actuator  220 . 
         [0072]    The actuator  220  is shown in  FIG. 14  in place on the connector housing  201  with the latching member  210  removed and it can be seen that is has a body portion  221  that is received within a channel  218  formed in the top surface of the connector housing. The actuator has a free end with an enlarged portion that serves as a cam and is illustrated as a lobe, or cylindrical pin  222  that extends sideways or transverse to the actuator body portion  221 . An angled portion  223  is interposed between the lobe  222  and the body portion  221  to offset the lobe with respect to the body portion  221 . The actuator also includes a slot  224  that receives a lug  224  in order to limit the extent of longitudinal travel of the actuator  220 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 15  illustrates best the difference in the structure of this actuator  220  with that of the previous embodiments. The actuator body portion  221  mates with a loop portion  225  that is continuous in its extent transverse to the body portion  221 . The loop portion  225  is relatively thick and includes an inner annular slot  228  that receives a metal sleeve  229  therein to provide a sufficiently strong and reliable gripping surface. If desired, the loop may be provided with an annular, raised ridge  226  for a positive grasping surface. The forward end of the actuator  220  may also be formed at a slight downward angle, to facilitate its movement upon the ramped surface  250  of the channel  249 . With such a structure, an operator may utilize a simple push-pull motion to lift or lower the engagement hooks. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 16 &amp; 17  illustrate another embodiment of a connector of the invention, but one in which the actuator is formed of multiple parts. A plug connector  300  is shown having a multi-wire cable  1025  entering its rear. The connector has a housing that is shown having two portions, a front mating portion  302  that is inserted into the guide frame or housing of an opposing connector (not shown) and a rear portion  301  which holds the exposed ends of the wires of the cable  1025 . Those wires are terminated to a circuit card  325  which serves as the preferred style of mating blade for the connector. The rear portion  301  is larger in size than the mating portion  302  and the connector thus has a “stepped” appearance when viewed from one of its side. The difference in size prevents the plug connector  300  from being inserted too far into engagement with the mating connector. 
         [0075]    A flexible EMI gasket  330  is provided and it encircles the mating portion  302  and sits thereon near the face of rear portion  301  to provide a seal against EMI radiation when in use. The rear portion  301  has a channel  320  formed therein that receives a latching assembly. This channel  320  has a ramped surface  321  at its leading edge for providing a cam surface for the actuator to ride upon. It further includes a pair of blocks  340  that rise up in the channel  320  and each of the blocks  340  has a retainer section  341  formed therewith which are spaced apart from the surface of the channel  320  by an intervening airspace. 
         [0076]    The latching assembly includes a latching member  304  having a general T-shaped configuration with a wing or arm portion  307  extending transversely to an elongated body portion  305 . A pair of clips  307  are disposed at ends of the wing portion  306  and one or more engagement hooks  308  are disposed at the leading end of the latching member  304 . An actuator  310  is provided and serves as a means by which to raise and lower the engagement hooks  308 , which engage openings formed in an opposing guide frame or housing (not shown). A base plate  3060  is provided and it sits within the channel  320 . It has a pair of legs, or lugs  3080 , that extend away from it into contact with the channel  320  and particularly, the ramped surface  321 , thereof. The base plate  3060  has a pair of return arms  3070  formed at an end thereof and also includes one or more bosses  3050  by which to engage an actuator handle  311  that has a pull ring  303  formed on a trailing end thereof and a pair of arms separated by an intervening space  314  at the leading end thereof. These arms include openings  312  that engage the bosses  3050  of the base plate  3060 . 
         [0077]    When the pull ring  303  is pulled rearwardly, the actuator handle  311  also draws rearwardly. Because it is connected to the base plate by way of the its openings  312  and the base plate bosses, the base plate moves rearwardly and rides up on the ramped surface  321  against the latching member  304 , thereby causing the engagement hooks  308  to lift up out of engagement with the openings in the opposing guide frame or housing. The extent to which the actuator handle can be pulled rearwardly is controlled by the two clips  307  of the latching member, which are partly received in the slots between the retainer sections  341  of the blocks  340 . The clips  307  are further received in slots  313  that are formed along the side edges of the actuator handle  310 , thereby limiting the extent to which the actuator handle can be moved. The base plate return arms  3070  contact and bear against the front edges of the blocks  340  when the actuator handle is pulled rearwardly and they provide a forward biasing force to return the actuator handle  310  to its initial position when the pull ring  303  is released. 
         [0078]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.