Device having engaging levers for connecting electrical members

A lever fitting connector for connecting electrical members includes a female connector having a hood-like outer peripheral wall, a male connector fitted into the female connector and an operation lever body pivotally supported on an outer face of a side wall of the male connector. An engaging projection is provided at one end of the operation lever body, for engaging with the outer peripheral wall of the female connector. An operation portion is provided at the other end of the operation lever body. A cooperation lever is supported pivotally on the outer face of the side wall of the male connector. One end of the cooperation lever is connected with the operation lever body, and an engaging projection is placed at the other end thereof. When the operational portion of the operation lever is pressed, the engaging projection of the operation lever is pivotally moved about a portion where the engaging projection is engaged with the outer peripheral wall. Similarly, the cooperation lever is pivotally moved about a portion where the engaging projection of the cooperation lever is engaged with the outer peripheral wall of the female connector. As a result, the male connector is fitted into the female connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This present invention relates to a lever fitting connector in which female 
and male connectors are fitted together by operating a lever. 
2. Background of the Related Art 
FIGS. 15 and 16 show a frame connecting connector 1 disclosed in Unexamined 
Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-251826. The connector 1 comprises: a 
female connector section 3 which is disposed on a box main body 2 such as 
an electrical junction box; a male connector 5 which is to be inserted and 
fitted into a hood portion 4 of the female connector section 3; and a 
frame 6 which causes the male connector 5 to be inserted and fitted into 
the female connector section 3. The frame 6 consists of a main body 7 in 
which the male connector 5 is rotatably housed, a rotation leg 8 which 
protrudes from one end of the main body 7, and an operating projection 9 
which projects from the other end. A sliding shaft 10 is formed at the tip 
end portion of the rotation leg 8. The sliding shaft 10 is inserted into 
and engagingly held to a slide groove 12 of a frame support 11 which is 
disposed in the periphery of the female connector section 3. 
As shown in FIG. 16, the sliding shaft 10 is engagingly held in the slide 
groove 12, and the operating projection 9 is pressed so that the frame 6 
is rotated in the direction of the arrow A about the sliding shaft 10, 
whereby the male connector 5 is inserted and fitted into the female 
connector section 3. In the state that the male connector 5 is fitted into 
the female connector section 3, the operating projection 9 is pressed in 
the reverse direction so that the frame 6 is rotated in the direction 
opposite to that of the arrow A, whereby the male connector 5 is removed 
from the hood portion 4 of the female connector section 3. 
In this case, the sliding shaft 10 functions as the fulcrum, so that the 
operating projection 9 becomes a point where force is applied. The portion 
of the male connector 5 which is rotatably supported by the frame 6 
becomes a point of action, thereby enabling the male connector 5 to be 
fitted into the female connector section 3 with a small force. Therefore, 
the operating force to be exerted when the male connector 5 is fitted into 
the female connector section 3 can be reduced. 
In the above frame connecting connector 1, however, the support portion 5a, 
at which the male connector 5 is pivotally supported on the frame 6, is 
provided at only one portion in the vicinity of a substantially central 
portion of the male connector 5. Therefore, if the male connector 5 is 
long, it is tilted when it is inserted into the hood portion 4. As a 
result, the operating force required for this inserting operation 
increases. 
Furthermore, in the above frame connecting connector 1, if the fitting 
resistance, which is developed when fitting the male connector 5 into the 
female connector portion 3, is uneven, the male connector 5 is tilted when 
the male connector 5 is to be inserted into the hood portion 4. More 
specifically, the male connector may be tilted if a fitting force, 
required for fitting terminals which are provided at one side portion of 
the male connector 5, is larger than the fitting force required for 
fitting the terminals provided at the other side portion of the male 
connector 5. This causes the terminals at one side portion to be connected 
together earlier while the terminals at the other side portion are 
connected together later. Therefore, the fitting load is increased, and 
also the operating force is increased, so that the leverage effect by the 
frame 6 is lowered. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of this present invention to provide a lever 
fitting connector in which a male connector can be easily inserted and 
fitted into a hood portion of a female connector portion without tilting. 
In order to achieve the above object, there is provided a lever fitting 
connector comprising a female connector having a hood-like outer 
peripheral wall and a male connector fitted into the female connector. An 
operation lever body is supported pivotally on an outer face of a side 
wall of the male connector. An engaging projection is provided at one end 
of the operation lever body, for engaging with the outer peripheral wall 
of the female connector, and an operation portion is provided at the other 
end of the operation lever body. A cooperation lever is supported 
pivotally on the outer face of the side wall of the male connector, one 
end of the cooperation lever is connected with the operation lever body 
and the other end of the cooperation lever has an engaging projection. 
When the engaging projection of the operation lever is pivotally moved 
about a portion where the engaging projection of the operation lever is 
engaged with the outer peripheral wall of the female connector by pressing 
the operation portion of the operation lever, the cooperation lever is 
pivotally moved about a portion where the engaging projection of the 
cooperation lever is engaged with the outer peripheral wall of the female 
connector consequently, thereby the male connector is fitted into the 
female connector. 
In this manner, for inserting and fitting the male connector into the 
female connector, the male connector is positioned relative to the female 
connector, and then the fitting side of the male connector is inserted 
into the female connector. When the fitting side of the male connector is 
inserted into the female connector, the engaging projection at one end of 
each lever wall is retained on the outer peripheral wall of the female 
connector, and also the engaging projection at the other end of the 
cooperation lever is retained on the outer peripheral wall of the female 
connector. 
In this condition, when the operating portion of the operation lever is 
operated to pivotally move the operation lever body, the operation lever 
body is pivotally moved about the portion of the engaging projection 
retained on the female connector, thereby pressing the male connector into 
the female connector. In accordance with the pivotal movement of the 
operation lever body, the cooperation lever is pivotally moved about the 
portion of the engaging projection retained on the female connector, 
thereby pressing the male connector into the female connector. Therefore, 
when the operation lever body is operated, the operation lever body and 
the cooperation lever are simultaneously pivotally moved, thereby fitting 
the male connector into the female connector. 
In this manner, through two support portions, that is, a support portion at 
which the operation lever body is pivotally supported on the male 
connector, and a support portion at which the cooperation lever is 
pivotally supported on the male connector, the male connector is pressed 
into the female connector. Therefore, even if the male connector is long, 
the male connector can be inserted into the female connector without 
tilting. Thus, the fitting force will not increase, and the operating 
force will not increase. 
According to the present invention, the female connector may further 
include at least one intermediate wall in the outer peripheral wall. The 
cooperation lever may include a plurality of cooperation lever bodies. One 
end of each cooperation body is connected with the operation lever body, 
each cooperation body has an engaging projection at the other end thereof. 
One of the engaging projections provided on the plurality of cooperation 
lever bodies is engaged with the outer peripheral wall of the female 
connector. The other engaging projections of the plurality of cooperation 
levers are engaged with the intermediate wall of the female connector. 
In this manner, when the operation lever is operated to pivotally move each 
operation lever body about the portion of the engaging projection retained 
on the female connector, each of the plurality of cooperation levers is 
also pivotally moved about the portion of the engaging projection retained 
on the female connector, thereby inserting the male connector into the 
female connector. 
In this case, not only through the support portion, at which the operation 
lever body is pivotally supported on the male connector, but also through 
the support portions at which the plurality of cooperation levers are 
pivotally supported on the male connector, respectively, the male 
connector is pressed into the female connector. Therefore, even if the 
connector has a long length, the male connector can be inserted into the 
female connector without tilting. 
According to the present invention, at least one of a support portion at 
which the operation lever body is supported on the male connector, and a 
support portion at which the cooperation lever is supported on the male 
connector, may be disposed at a portion of the male connector at which a 
larger fitting resistance is encountered when the male connector is fitted 
into the female connector. 
In this manner, the male connector can be efficiently pressed into the 
female connector through the leverage of the operation lever and 
cooperation lever, and the male connector can be inserted into the female 
connector without tilting 
According to the present invention, the portion of the cooperation lever 
that is connected with the operation lever body is located between the 
support portion at which the operation lever body is supported on the male 
connector and the support portion at which the cooperation lever is 
supported on the male connector. 
In this manner, simultaneously when the operation lever body is pivotally 
moved, the cooperation lever is pivotally moved, thereby pressing the male 
connector into the female connector through the support portions at which 
the levers are supported on the male connector, respectively. In this 
case, since the connection portion of the operation lever body and the 
cooperation lever is located between the support portion at which the 
operation lever body is supported on the male connector and the support 
portion at which the cooperation lever is supported on the male connector, 
the male connector can be pressed into the female connector uniformly 
through the support portions. 
According to the present invention, the portion of the cooperation lever 
which is connected with the operation lever body may be located outside of 
an area between the support portion at which the operation lever body is 
supported on the male connector and the support portion at which the 
cooperation lever is supported on the male connector. 
In this manner, for example, one support portion can be disposed at a 
portion of the male connector at which a large fitting resistance is 
encountered, and another support portion can be provided at a portion 
where another large fitting resistance is encountered. 
According to the present invention, the lever fitting connector may further 
include provisional fixing members for provisionally fixing the operation 
lever body in a position so that the engaging projections of the operation 
lever body and the engaging projection of the cooperation lever do not 
project from the male connector. 
In this manner, before the male connector is fitted into the female 
connector, the operation lever body is held in the provisional fixing 
position by the provisional fixing members. In this condition, the 
engaging projections of the operation lever body and cooperation lever do 
not project from the side faces of the male connector. Therefore, when the 
fitting side of the male connector is to be inserted into the female 
connector, the engaging projections of the operation lever body and the 
cooperation lever will not prevent this fitting operation. 
According to the present invention, the provisional fixing members may 
include a provisional fixing arm projecting from the operating lever body 
and having a retaining hole therein. A provisional fixing projection 
formed on the male connector which is releasably engaged with the 
retaining hole to provisionally retain the operating lever body in the 
provisional fixing position. A release projection formed on an inner face 
of the outer peripheral wall of the female connector, to flex the 
provisional fixing arm and thereby release the retaining engagement of the 
provisional fixing projection by the pivotal movement of the operation 
lever body when the male connector is fitted into the female connector. 
In this manner, the operation lever body of the operation lever and the 
cooperation lever are held in their respective provisional fixing 
positions by the provisional fixing members (that is, the provisional 
fixing projection, formed on the male connector, is releasably engaged in 
the retaining hole in the provisional fixing arm projecting from the 
operation lever body). In this condition the fitting side of the male 
connector is inserted into the female connector, and when the operation 
lever body is pivotally moved, the cooperation lever is pivotally moved at 
the same time, so that the engaging projections of the operation lever 
body and the cooperation lever are retained on the female connector. When 
the operation lever body is further pivotally moved, the provisional 
fixing arm abuts against the release projection on the inner face of the 
outer peripheral wall of the female connector, and is flexed, thereby 
releasing the retaining engagement of the provisional fixing projection in 
the retaining hole. As a result, the operation lever body and the 
cooperation lever can be pivotally moved, and when the operation lever 
body is operated, the cooperation lever is simultaneously pivotally moved 
respectively about the portions of the engaging projections of the 
operation lever body and the cooperation lever retained on the female 
connector, thereby inserting the male connector deeper into the female 
connector. 
According to the present invention, the connection portion of the operation 
lever body and the cooperation lever may include a connection shaft 
projecting from one of the operation lever body and the cooperation lever, 
and a slot formed in the other and supporting the connection shaft so as 
to be movable along the slot. 
In this manner, when the operation lever body is pivotally moved, the 
cooperation lever is also pivotally moved simultaneously with the pivotal 
movement of the operation lever body. At this time, the connection shaft, 
formed for example on the operation lever body, moves along the slot in 
the cooperation lever, so that the cooperation lever can be pivotally 
moved with almost no resistance in cooperation with the pivotal movement 
of the operation lever body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
A preferred embodiment of a lever fitting connector of the present 
invention will be described below in detail with reference to the 
drawings. 
First Embodiment 
FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a first embodiment of a lever 
fitting connector (hereinafter referred to as "connector") 15, FIG. 2 is a 
cross-sectional view showing a condition before a male connector 30 is 
fitted into a female connector portion 20, and FIGS. 3 and 6 show an 
operation lever 40 and a cooperation lever 50, respectively. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 15 comprises the female connector 20, 
having a hood portion 22 formed integrally with a female housing 21. The 
male connector 30 has a connector body 31 for fitting into the hood 
portion 22 of the female connector portion 20. The operation lever 40 is 
fitted on the connector body 31 of the male connector 30 so as to fit the 
connector body 31 into the hood portion 22 of the female connector portion 
20. The cooperation lever 50 is pivotally moved in cooperation with the 
operation lever 40 so as to fit the connector body 31 into the hood 
portion 22. 
As shown in FIG. 2, in the female connector portion 20, contact portions 
23a of male terminals 23, housed in the housing portion 21, project into 
the hood portion 22. Two through holes 25 are formed through each of the 
opposed walls 24 of the hood portion 22. The outside and inside of the 
hood portion 22 communicate with each other through these through holes 
25. A step portion 22a is formed at inner faces 26 of the hood portion 22, 
and is disposed close to one wall 24. The distance between the inner faces 
26, disposed close to the one wall 24, is smaller than the other portions 
of the inner faces 26 close to the other wall 24, so that a narrow portion 
26a and a wide portion 26b are formed. A lock portion 27 is formed on an 
upper end of the other wall 24. This lock portion 27 has a lock space 27a 
open to the inside of the hood portion 22. A retaining projection 27c is 
formed on an outer wall 27b forming the lock space 27a. Thickened portions 
28, to be abutted by engaging portions which are described later, are 
formed on the inner faces 26 of the hood portion 22, and are disposed 
below the through holes 25, respectively. The connector body 31 of the 
male connector 30 is fitted into the hood portion 22, and female terminals 
(not shown), received in the connector body 31, are electrically contacted 
respectively with the male terminals 23. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the male connector 30 comprises the connector body 31 
having three connector housings 32 fixedly mounted on each side of a 
printed board 31a, and the female terminals (not shown) received in these 
connector housings 32. A plurality of terminal receiving chambers 32a are 
formed in the connector housing 32, and the female terminals are received 
in the terminal receiving chambers 32a, respectively. The contact portions 
23a of the male terminals 23, projecting into the hood portion 22, are 
inserted respectively into the terminal receiving chambers 32a from one 
ends thereof, and wires W, connected respectively to ends of the female 
terminals, extend outwardly from the other ends of the terminal receiving 
chambers. 
Moreover, the connector housings 32 are fixedly mounted on each side of the 
board 31a in such a manner that these connector housings are 
interconnected by recess-projection fitting means. Rotation support shafts 
33 and 34, each provided between the adjacent connector housings 32, 
extend through the board 31a. Opposite ends of each of the rotation 
support shafts 33 and 34 project outwardly beyond outer side faces 32b of 
the connector housings 32, and the length of these shafts 33 and 34 is 
slightly shorter than the width of the wide portion 26b of the hood 
portion 22. Retaining projections 33a are formed on the opposite ends of 
the rotation support shaft 33, respectively. A provisional fixing 
protrusion 36 is formed on a lower portion of the outer side face of the 
connector housing 32. The rotation support shaft 34 is inserted in shaft 
holes 53 formed respectively in the cooperation levers 50 provided 
respectively on the opposite sides of the connector body 31. The rotation 
support shaft 33 is inserted in shaft holes 41 in the operation lever 40, 
fitted on the connector body 31, so as to allow the pivotal movement of 
the operation lever 40. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the operation lever 40 includes a lever body 42 
pivotally supported on the connector body 31 of the male connector 30. 
Engaging projections 43 are formed at one end of the lever body 42, and 
are retainingly engaged with the hood portion 22 when fitting the 
connector body 31 into the hood portion 22. An operating portion 44 is 
formed at the other end of the lever body 42, and causes the lever body 42 
to be pivotally moved about portions of the engaging projections 43, 
retainingly engaged with the hood portion 22, so as to fit the connector 
body 31 into the hood portion 22. When the connector body 31 is fitted in 
the hood portion 22, the lever body 42 is received in the hood portion 22. 
The lever body 42 comprises a pair of thin plate-like lever walls 45, each 
are pivotally supported over the side faces 32b of the connector housings 
32 provided at each side of the connector body 31. The engaging 
projections 43 are formed respectively at one end of the lever walls 45, 
and the operating portion 44 interconnects the other end of the pair of 
lever walls 45. A step portion 46 is formed at each lever wall 45 
intermediate the opposite ends thereof, so that the distance between the 
lever walls 45, disposed close to the engaging projections 43, is reduced. 
The shaft hole 41 is formed through a portion of each lever wall 45 
disposed on one side of the step portion 46 close to the engaging 
projection 43. The rotation support shaft 33 is inserted in the shaft 
holes 41, so that each lever wall 45 is pivotally movable over the side 
faces 32b of the connector housings 32. 
A provisional fixing arm 47 is formed on and projects from a lower edge of 
each lever wall 45 at one end portion thereof. A provisional fixing hole 
47a is formed in the provisional fixing arm 47. The provisional fixing 
projections 36, formed respectively on the connector housings 32, are 
retainingly inserted respectively in the provisional fixing holes 47a, 
thereby holding the operation lever 40 in a provisional fixing position 
relative to the connector body 31. In this condition, the engaging 
projections 43 are not projected from one end of the connector body 31. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a release wall 29 is provided on each inner wall 
26 of the hood portion 22. At that position the provisional fixing arm 47 
is inserted when the connector body 31 is fitted into the hood portion 22. 
In each release wall 29, as shown in FIG. 5, there is formed a tapered 
face 29a which slants to the inner wall 26 of the hood portion 22. 
Function and effect of the release walls 29 will be described later. 
A lock arm extends from the operating 44 interconnecting the lever walls 
45. A lock projection 48a extending outwards is formed on the lock arm 48. 
The lock arm 48 is inserted into the lock space 27a in the hood portion 
22. The lock projection 48a engages the retaining projection 27c, thereby 
preventing the pivotal movement of the operation lever 40. Connection 
shafts 49 are formed respectively on opposed faces of the lever walls 45, 
each disposed on the other side of the step portion 46. The connection 
shafts 49 are inserted respectively in shaft holes 52 formed respectively 
through end portions of the cooperation levers 50, so that the cooperation 
levers 50 are connected to the lever walls 45 so as to be able to 
pivotally move relative to the lever walls 45. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the shaft hole 52 is formed through one end 
portion of the cooperation lever 50, and an engaging projection 51 for 
retaining engagement with the hood portion 22 is formed on the other end 
of the cooperation lever 50. The shaft hole 52 is in the form of a slot, 
and the connection shaft 49 is movable along the length of the shaft hole 
52. The shaft hole 53 is formed through the cooperation lever 50 
intermediate the opposite ends thereof. The rotation support shaft 34 on 
the connector body 31 is inserted in the shaft hole 53, and with this 
arrangement the cooperation lever 50 is pivotally supported on the 
connector body 31. Hence, the cooperation lever 50 is pivotally connected 
to the lever wall 45, and also is pivotally supported on the connector 
body 31. 
Therefore, simultaneously when each lever wall 45 is pivotally moved about 
the portion of the engaging projection 43 retained in the through hole 25, 
the cooperation lever 50 is pivotally moved about a portion of the 
engaging projection 51 retained in the through hole 25, and the 
cooperation lever 50 thus cooperates with the pivotal movement of the 
lever wall 45. The inner peripheral edges of the shaft holes 41 and 53 
press the rotation support shafts 33 and 34, respectively, thereby 
pressing the connector body 34 into the hood portion 22. 
Next, the procedure of fitting the male connector 30 of connector 15 into 
the female connector portion 20 will be described. The operations of the 
operation lever 40 and cooperation levers 50 will be described with 
reference to FIGS. 11(a), 11(b) and 11(c) schematically showing these 
operations. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the provisional fixing projections 36 are inserted 
respectively in the provisional fixing holes 47a formed respectively in 
the provisional fixing arms 47, so that the operation lever 40 is held in 
the provisional fixing position relative to the connector body 31, and the 
cooperation levers 50 are held in their provisional fixing position. In 
this condition the fitting side of the connector body 31 is inserted into 
the hood portion 22. When the fitting side of the connector body 31 is 
inserted into the hood portion 22, the lower edges of the lever walls 45 
of the operation lever 40 and the lower edges of the cooperation levers 50 
abut respectively against the upper ends of the thickened portions 28, so 
that the engaging projections 43 and 51 are in position to be retainingly 
inserted respectively into the through holes 25, as shown in FIG. 7. 
In this condition, when the operation lever 40 is operated to slightly 
pivotally move the lever walls 45 about the rotation support shaft 33, the 
engaging projections 43 are inserted into and retained in the respective 
through holes 25, as shown in FIG. 8. At the same time, the cooperation 
levers 50 are slightly pivotally moved about the rotation support shaft 
34, so that the engaging projections 51 are inserted into and retained in 
the respective through holes 25. The provisional fixing arms 47 abut 
respectively against the tapered faces 29a of the release walls 29, and 
are flexed outwardly, that is, toward the inner face of the hood portion 
22, so that the provisional fixing projections 36 are withdrawn 
respectively from the retaining holes 47a. As a result, the holding of the 
operation lever 40 in the provisional fixing position relative to the 
connector body 31 is released. 
Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the operation lever 40 is further pivotally 
moved, each lever wall 45 is pivotally moved about the portion of the 
engaging projection 43 retained in the through hole 25, thereby further 
moving the connector body 31 into the hood portion 22 through the rotation 
support shaft 33. At the same time, each cooperation lever 50 is pivotally 
moved about the portion of the engaging projection 51 retained in the 
through hole 25, thereby further moving the connector body 31 into the 
hood portion 22. As a result, the connector body 31 is completely fitted 
into the hood portion 22 through the pivotal movement of the lever walls 
45 and cooperation levers 50, as shown in FIG. 10. 
Next, the relation between the operation lever 40 and the cooperation 
levers 50 during the above fitting operation will be described with 
reference to FIG. 11 showing a schematic view. When the operation lever 40 
is held in the provisional fixing position relative to the connector body 
31 as shown in FIG. 11(a), the cooperation levers 50 are also held in the 
provisional fixing position relative to the connector body 31. In this 
schematic view, a connection shaft 49 is formed on one side of the 
cooperation lever 50 while a shaft hole 52 is formed in the operation 
lever 40. 
In this condition, when the operation lever 40 is pressed in a direction of 
arrow B, the operation lever 40 is pivotally moved about the portion of 
the engaging projection 43 retained in the through hole 25. 
When the operation lever 40 is pivotally moved as shown in FIG. 11(b), the 
connection shaft 49 is also pivotally moved, and is moved along the shaft 
hole 52. As a result, one end portion of the cooperation lever 50 is 
pivotally moved. At this time, the cooperation lever 50 is pivotally moved 
about the portion of the engaging projection 51 retained in the through 
hole 25 as a fulcrum. When the operation lever 40 is pivotally moved, the 
operation lever 40 presses the connector body 31 toward the hood portion 
22, with the rotation shaft 33 serving as a point of action. When the 
cooperation lever 50 is pivotally moved, the cooperation lever 50 presses 
the connector body 31 toward the hood portion 22, with the rotation shaft 
34 serving as a point of action. As a result, the connector body 31 is 
inserted and fitted into the hood portion 22 through the leverage of the 
operation lever 40 and cooperation levers 50, as shown in FIG. 11(c). 
In this embodiment, the connector body 31 is pressed toward the hood 
portion 22 through two support portions, that is, the support portion at 
which the lever walls 45 are pivotally supported on the connector body 31, 
and the support portion at which the cooperation levers 50 are pivotally 
supported on the connector body 31. Therefore, even if the connector body 
31 has a large length, the connector body 31 can be pressed generally 
uniformly over its entire length, and therefore the connector body 31 can 
be smoothly inserted into the hood portion 22 without tilting. 
Since the connector body 31 can be smoothly inserted into the hood portion 
22 without tilting, the fitting force will not increase, and the operating 
force (required for pivotally moving the operation lever 40) will not 
increase. 
In this embodiment, the portion where the lever wall 45 of the operation 
lever 40 and the cooperation lever 50 are connected together is disposed 
between the support portion where the lever wall 45 is supported on the 
connector body 31 and the support portion where the cooperation lever 50 
is supported on the connector body 31. More specifically, the connection 
shaft 49 is disposed between the rotation support shafts 33 and 34. 
Therefore, the connector body 31 can be pressed generally uniformly toward 
the hood portion 22. and can be easily inserted into the hood portion 22 
without tilting. 
The shaft hole 52, receiving the connection shaft 49, is formed into a 
slot, and therefore the connection shaft 49 is moved along the shaft hole 
52, so that the cooperation lever 50 can be pivotally moved with almost no 
resistance from the operation lever 40. 
In this embodiment, before the connector body 31 is fitted into the hood 
portion 22, the operation lever 40 is held in the provisional fixing 
position by the provisional fixing members, and the engaging projections 
43 of the lever walls 45 and the engaging projections 51 of the 
cooperation levers 50 are not projected outwardly from the ends of the 
connector body 31. Therefore when the fitting side of the connector body 
31 is to be inserted into the hood portion 22, the engaging projections 43 
of the lever walls 45 and the engaging projections 51 of the cooperating 
walls 50 will not be caught by the hood portion 22, and hence will not 
prevent the inserting operation. 
In this embodiment, the operation lever 40 is held in the provisional 
fixing position relative to the connector body 31. In this condition the 
fitting side of the connector body 31 is inserted into the hood portion, 
and the lower edges of the lever walls 45 and cooperation levers 50 are 
abutted respectively against the upper ends of the thickened portions 28. 
When the lever walls 45 and the cooperation levers 50 are pivotally moved, 
the engaging projections 43 and 51 can be easily engaged in the through 
holes 25, respectively. This enhances the efficiency of the fitting 
operation in which the connector body 31 is fitted into the hood portion 
22. 
In this embodiment, the operation lever 40 is fitted on the connector body 
31, and the operation lever 40 is disposed inside the hood portion 22, and 
the cooperation levers 50 are disposed inside the operation lever 40. That 
is, each cooperation lever 50 is disposed between the lever wall 45 and 
the outer faces 32b of the connector housings 32 of the connector body 31, 
and therefore the rotation support shafts 33 and 34 will not be disengaged 
from the shaft holes 41 and 53 as a result of flexing of the lever walls 
45 and cooperation levers 50. 
Other embodiments will be describe below. Those portions identical to those 
of the above first embodiment will be designated by identical reference 
numerals, respectively, and explanation thereof will be omitted. 
Second Embodiment 
A second embodiment of a lever fitting connector 55, shown in FIG. 12, will 
be described below. In the above first embodiment, one pair of cooperation 
levers 50 is provided, and there are provided the two support portions 
(each serving as the point of action), that is, the support portion at 
which the lever walls 45 are pivotally supported on the connector body 31, 
and the support portion at which the cooperation levers 50 are pivotally 
supported on the connector body 31. On the other hand, in the second 
embodiment, in addition to cooperation levers 50, cooperation levers 60 
are provided which are parallel to and longer than the cooperation levers 
50. 
As shown in FIG. 12(a), the cooperation levers 60, longer than the 
cooperation levers 50, are provided above the cooperation levers 50 in 
generally parallel relation thereto. A connection shaft 59 is formed at 
one end portion of the cooperation lever 60, and a engaging projection 62 
for retaining engagement in a through hole 25 in a hood portion 22 is 
formed at the other end of the cooperation lever 60. The connection shaft 
59 is received in a shaft hole 61 (in the form of an slot) formed in a 
lever wall 45, so that the cooperation lever 60 is pivotally connected to 
an operation lever 40. A shaft hole 63 is formed in a portion of the 
cooperation lever 60 disposed between the engaging projection 62 and the 
shaft hole 61. A rotation support shaft 58, formed on a connector body 31, 
is inserted in the shaft hole 63, so that the cooperation lever 60 is 
pivotally supported on the connector body 31. 
In this embodiment, an engaging projection 51 of the cooperation lever 50 
is retainingly engaged with an engagement or intermediate wall 57 formed 
on an inner face of the hood portion 22. 
The operation lever 40 is held in a provisional fixing position relative to 
the connector body 31, and in this condition the fitting side of the 
connector body 31 is inserted into the hood portion 22 as shown in FIG. 
12(a). The operation lever 40 is then operated to pivotally move the lever 
walls 45 about a rotation support shaft 33, so that engaging projections 
43 of the lever walls 45 are retainingly engaged in the through holes 25, 
respectively. At the same time, each cooperation lever 50 is pivotally 
moved about a rotation support shaft 34, so that the engaging projection 
51 is retainingly engaged with the engagement or intermediate wall 57. 
Each cooperation lever 60 is also pivotally moved about the rotation 
support shaft 58, so that the engaging projection 62 is retainingly 
engaged in the through hole 25. 
When the operation lever 40 is further operated, each lever wall 45 is 
pivotally moved about a portion of the engaging projection 43 retained in 
the through hole 25, thereby pressing the connector body 31 toward the 
hood portion 22. At the same time each cooperation lever 50 is pivotally 
moved about a portion of the engaging projection 51 retainingly engaged 
with the engagement or intermediate wall 57, thereby pressing the 
connector body 31 toward the hood portion 22. Also, each cooperation lever 
60 is pivotally moved about a portion of the engaging projection 62 
retained in the through hole 25, thereby pressing the connector body 31 
toward the hood portion 22. 
As a result, the connector body 31 is completely inserted and fitted into 
the hood portion 22 as shown in FIG. 12(c). 
In this embodiment, there is provided one operation lever 40 and two pairs 
of cooperation levers 50 and 60. In addition, there are three support 
portions at which the levers press the connector body 31. Thus, even if 
the connector body 31 has a longer length, the connector body 31 can be 
pressed generally uniformly relative to the hood portion 22, and therefore 
the connector body 31 can be inserted into the hood portion 22 without 
tilting. 
In this embodiment, the fitting force, required for fitting the 15 
connector body 31 into the hood portion 22 is distributed to three 
portions, that is, the rotation support shafts 33, 34 and 58. Therefore 
the load acting on each of the rotation support shafts 33, 34 and 58, is 
reduced, and the burden on the rotation support shafts 33, 34 and 58 is 
reduced. As a result, damage to the rotation support shafts 33, 34 and 58 
can be positively prevented. 
Third Embodiment 
Next, a third embodiment of a lever fitting connector 65, shown in FIG. 13, 
will be described. In this embodiment, at least one of a support portion, 
at which lever walls 45 of an operation lever 40 are supported on a 
connector body 31 when inserting the connector body 31 into a hood portion 
22, and a support portion, at which cooperation levers 50 are supported on 
the connector body 31, is disposed at a portion of the connector body 31 
where a larger fitting resistance is encountered when fitting the 
connector body 31 into the hood portion 22. 
As shown in FIG. 13(a), the lever walls 45 of the operation lever 40 are 
pivotally connected to a rotation support shaft 33 (formed on the 
connector body 31) which is disposed at a position close to one end of the 
connector body 31. In addition, the cooperation levers 50 are pivotally 
connected to a rotation support shaft 34 (formed on the connector body 31) 
which is disposed at a position offset toward one end of the connector 
body 31. An engaging projection 51 of the cooperation lever 50 is able to 
engage with an engagement or intermediate wall 57 formed on the hood 
portion 22. 
Namely, in the lever fitting connector 65 shown in FIGS. 13(a), 13(b) and 
13(c), the fitting resistance, developing when fitting the connector body 
31 into the hood portion 22, is larger at the left side portion than at 
the right side portion in FIG. 13. 
In this lever fitting connector 65, the support portion (that is, the 
rotation support shaft 33 and shaft holes 41), at which the lever walls 45 
are pivotally supported on the connector body 31, and the support portion 
(that is, the rotation support shaft 34 and shaft holes 53), at which the 
cooperation levers 50 are pivotally supported on the connector body 31, 
are disposed at the left side portion in FIG. 13 where the larger fitting 
resistance is encountered. Therefore, through the leverage of the lever 
walls 45 and cooperation levers 50, the connector body 31 can be easily 
inserted into the hood portion 22 without tilting. 
Fourth Embodiment 
Next, a fourth embodiment of a lever fitting connector 75, shown in FIG. 
14, will be described. In this embodiment, a connection portion, at which 
lever walls 85 of an operation lever 80 are connected to cooperation 
levers 90, is not disposed between a support portion at which the lever 
walls 85 are pivotally supported on a connector body 31 and a support 
portion at which the cooperation levers 90 are pivotally supported on the 
connector body 31. 
As shown in FIG. 14(a), the lever fitting connector 75 of this embodiment 
comprises the operation lever 80, and the cooperation lever 90 pivotally 
connected to the operation lever 80. Like the operation lever 40 of the 
first embodiment, the operation lever 80 has shaft holes 81, engaging 
projections 83, and the lever walls 85. A rotation support shaft 33, 
formed on the connector body 31, is inserted in the shaft holes 81, so 
that the operation lever 80 is pivotally supported. A shaft hole 92 in the 
form of an slot is formed in each lever wall 85. 
Like the cooperation lever 50 of the first embodiment, the cooperation 
lever 90 has an engaging projection 91 and a shaft hole 93. A rotation 
support shaft 34, formed on the connector body 31, is inserted in the 
shaft hole 93, so that the cooperation lever 90 is pivotally supported. A 
connection shaft 89 is formed on the cooperation lever 90. The connection 
shaft 89 is received in the shaft hole 92, and is movable therealong. With 
this construction, the lever walls 85 and the cooperation levers 90 are 
pivotally connected together. 
In the lever fitting connector 75 of this embodiment, the connection shafts 
89 are inserted respectively in the shaft holes 92 at a position disposed 
outside of a space defined as being between a support portion at which the 
lever walls 85 are pivotally supported on the connector body 31 and a 
support portion at which the cooperation levers 90 are pivotally supported 
on the connector body 31, that is, at a position which is outside of the 
space defined as being between the rotation support shafts 33 and 34. 
The operation lever 80 is disposed at a provisional fixing position, and 
the cooperation levers 90 are disposed at their provisional fixing 
position, and in this condition the fitting side of the connector body 31 
is inserted into a hood portion 22, as shown in FIG. 14(a). Then, when the 
operation lever 80 is operated to pivotally move the lever walls 85, the 
engaging projections 83 are inserted and retained in the through holes 25, 
respectively, and the engaging projections 91 of the cooperation levers 90 
are inserted and retained in the through holes 25, respectively. When the 
operation lever 80 is further operated as shown in FIG. 14(b), each lever 
wall 85 is pivotally moved about a portion of the engaging projection 83 
retained in the through hole 25, thereby pressing the connector body 31 
deeper into the hood portion 22 through the rotation support shaft 33. At 
the same time, each cooperation lever 90 is pivotally moved about a 
portion of the engaging projection 91 retained in the through hole 25, 
thereby pressing the connector body 31 deeper into the hood portion 22 
through the rotation support shaft 34. At this time, the lever walls 85 
and the cooperation levers 90 are connected together at a position which 
is outside of the space defined as being between the rotation support 
shafts 33 and 34, and each connecting shaft 89 moves along the shaft hole 
92. 
In this embodiment, effects similar to those of the above embodiments can 
be obtained. When it is desired to locate a support portion (that is, the 
rotation support shaft 33 and the shaft holes 81), at which the operation 
lever 80 is pivotally supported on the connector body 31, and a support 
portion (that is, the rotation support shaft 34 and the shaft holes 93), 
at which the cooperation levers 90 are pivotally supported on the 
connector body 31, where the fitting resistance, developing when fitting 
the connector body 31 into the hood portion 22, is larger, the lever walls 
85 and the cooperation levers 90 can be pivotally connected together at a 
position which is outside of the space defined as being between the 
support portions. Therefore, the support portions can be set at desired 
positions, and the degree of freedom of the design is improved. 
According to the present invention, through the two support portions, that 
is, the support portion, at which the lever body is pivotally supported on 
the connector body, and the support portion at which the cooperation lever 
is pivotally supported on the connector body, the connector body is 
pressed into the hood portion, and therefore even if the connector body 
has long length, the connector body can be smoothly inserted into the hood 
portion without tilting. 
Since the connector body can be inserted into the hood portion without 
tilting, the fitting force will not increase, and the operating force will 
not increase. 
According to the present invention, not only through the support portion, 
at which the lever body is pivotally supported on the connector body, but 
also through the support portions at which the plurality of cooperation 
levers are pivotally supported on the connector body, respectively, the 
connector body is pressed into the hood portion, and therefore even if the 
connector has long length, the connector body can be inserted into the- 
hood portion without tilting. 
According to the present invention, at least one of the support portions, 
at which the lever body is pivotally supported on the connector body, and 
the support portion, at which the cooperation lever is pivotally supported 
on the connector body, is disposed at the portion of the connector body at 
which a larger fitting resistance is encountered. With this construction 
the connector body can be efficiently pressed into the hood portion 
through the leverage of the operation lever and cooperation lever, and the 
connector body can be inserted into the hood portion without tilting. 
According to the present invention, the connection portion, at which the 
lever body of the operation lever and the cooperation lever are connected 
together, is disposed between the support portion, at which the lever body 
is supported on the connector body, and the support portion at which the 
cooperation lever is supported on the connector body, and therefore the 
connector body can be pressed into the hood portion uniformly through the 
support portions. 
The connection portion, at which the lever body of the operation lever and 
the cooperation lever are connected together, may be disposed at a 
position which is outside of the space defined as being between the 
support portion at which the lever body is supported on the connector body 
and the support portion at which the cooperation lever is supported on the 
connector body. In this manner, for example, one support portion can be 
disposed at the portion of the connector body at which a larger fitting 
resistance is encountered, and another support portion can be provided at 
the portion where a larger fitting resistance is encountered. 
According to the present invention, the connection shaft, formed on the 
lever body, moves along the slot in the cooperation lever, so that the 
cooperation lever can be pivotally moved with almost no resistance in 
cooperation with the pivotal movement of the lever body. 
According to the present invention, the engaging projections of the lever 
body and cooperation lever do not project from the side faces of the 
connector body, and therefore when the fitting side of the connector body 
is to be inserted into the hood portion, the engaging projections of the 
lever body and cooperation lever will not prevent the fitting operation. 
According to the present invention, the lever body and the cooperation 
lever are held in their respective provisional fixing positions by the 
provisional fixing members, and in this condition the connector body is 
inserted into the hood portion, and when the operation lever is operated, 
the lever body and the cooperation lever are simultaneously pivotally 
moved respectively about those portions of the projections of the lever 
body and cooperation lever retained on the hood portion, thereby inserting 
the connector body deeper into the hood portion. Therefore, the 
operability is enhanced.