Abstract:
An electrical connector for a flat sheet-like cable includes an insulative housing with a plurality of terminals and an actuator. The actuator is moveable between a first insertion position and a second operational position with the first position permitting insertion of the cable into the connector and the second position being configured such that the contact pads of the cable engage the contact portions of the terminals. The actuator has an abutting part formed on opposite ends thereof. A pair of generally planar securing members is provided at opposite ends of the housing. Each securing member includes a stop surface to define a depth to which the cable may be inserted, a restraining member that interacts with said abutting part of said actuator upon positioning said actuator in the second position to define a restraining surface to prevent removal of said cable and a recess portion defined between the stop surface and said restraining surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a connector for cable connection. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Conventionally, a connector for cable connection, such as an FPC connector or an FFC connector, has been used for connecting a flexible flat sheet-like cable, such as one called as a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC), (for example, refer to Japanese Utility Model Registration Publication No. 2574041). The connector for cable connection is provided with auxiliary connector securing members, disposed at opposite ends of an opening through which a flat sheet-like cable is inserted. 
         [0005]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a major part of an auxiliary connector securing member in a conventional connector for cable connection. 
         [0006]    The conventional connector for cable connection has a housing formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and a plurality of terminals that are formed of a conductor material, such as metal, and are secured by the housing. Auxiliary connector securing members  301  are fixed to opposite ends of an opening. Further, an actuator formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin is rotatably secured to the opening, allowing the actuator to rotatably secured to the opening, allowing the actuator to rotate between its open position and its close position. A flat sheet-like cable is inserted into the opening in the open position of the actuator, and on completion of the insertion of the cable, the actuator is operated to rotate to its close position by the manual operation by an operator, so that the flat sheet-like cable is locked. Thus, a plurality of conductor lines contained in the cable are brought into contact with the corresponding terminals, thereby completing the connection of the cable to the cable connecting connector. 
         [0007]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the auxiliary connector securing member  301  has, at a portion corresponding to the end of the opening on the near side, a projecting part  302  for preventing a cable from being pulled out, and a restraining part  303  for restraining the cable from rotating. The restraining part  303  is formed by bending an end portion of a body part so as to have a U-shape in a plane, and the projecting part  302  is formed so as to project inwardly of the opening at a right angle with respect to the body part. The reference number  304  designates a fixing part to be fixed to a substrate by soldering, which is formed so as to project outwardly of the opening at a right angle with respect to the body part. The reference number  305  designates an engaging part to be engaged with the housing. 
         [0008]    On the other hand, a reinforcing plate is stuck to a lengthwise end of the cable. With the cable inserted and locked in the opening of the connector for cable connection, a lug-shaped projecting part projecting from a side of the reinforcing plate is positioned below the restraining part  303 . Therefore, the projecting part of the reinforcing plate abuts against the restraining part  303  thereby to prevent the rotation of the cable with respect to the cable connector. Moreover, the projecting part of the reinforcing plate abuts against the projecting part  302  thereby to prevent the cable from being pulled out of the cable connector. 
         [0009]    Nevertheless, in the above-described conventional connector for cable connection, since the projecting part of the reinforcing plate of the cable inserted into the opening is positioned below the restraining part  303 , an operator becomes incapable of visually confirming the position of the projecting part. For this reason, the operator may operate the actuator and lock the cable, failing to realize the fact that the cable is not inserted into the innermost end of the opening, or the cable is inserted obliquely, namely, the incomplete insertion of the cable. This results in no contact between the conductor lines of the cable and the terminals of the connector for cable connection, providing no electric connection between the two. Especially, since a connector for cable connection is presently miniaturized, the length of a contact portion in the conductor line of a cable and the length of a contact portion of the terminal of a connector for cable connection are extremely short. Consequently, any minor incomplete state of insertion of the cable can increase the danger of failure of contact between the conductor lines and the terminals. 
         [0010]    In addition, the auxiliary connector securing members  301  of the above-mentioned conventional cable connecting connector is provided with the projecting part  302 , the restraining part  303 , the fixing part  304 , and the engaging part  305 , resulting in a complicated structure. This may raise the cost of the auxiliary connector securing member  301 , and makes it difficult to carry out the assembling work of the auxiliary connector securing member  301  to the cable connecting connector, thus raising the total cost of the cable connecting connector. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems encountered by the conventional connector for cable connection, by providing a connector for cable connection in which lug parts projecting from opposite sides of the flat sheet-like cable are fitted in recess portions formed in flat sheet-like auxiliary connector securing members, so that it has a simple structure and yet it enables visual check whether a flat sheet-like cable is inserted in its complete state, easy manufacturing and fixing of the auxiliary connector securing members, and reliable connection of the flat sheet-like cable without the danger of disengagement thereof. 
         [0012]    To this end, a connector for cable connection, of the present invention, includes a housing having an inserting hole formed therein through which a flat cable is inserted; terminals attached to the housing and having contact portions electrically connected to conductor lines often used as signal lines of the flat sheet-like cable; an actuator being able to change its attitude between a first position to permit insertion of the flat sheet-like cable and a second position to bring conductor lines of the inserted flat sheet-like cable into contact with the contact portions, the actuator having a body part which is substantially parallel to a direction of insertion of the flat sheet-like cable at the second position, and abutting parts formed on opposite sides of the body part; a flat sheet-like auxiliary connector securing members attached to opposite sides of the housing; the flat sheet-like cable having lug parts projecting from opposite sides thereof; and the auxiliary connector securing member having a supporting surface, against which the abutting part abuts at the second position, and a fitting recess portion opening into the supporting surface, into which the lug part is fit. 
         [0013]    In the connector for cable connection according to another embodiment of the present invention, the fitting recess portion is arranged in such a position that the lug part can be fitted in the fitting recess portion when the flat sheet-like cable inserted into the inserting hole reaches a position where all the conductor lines of the flat sheet-like cable are electrically connected with corresponding contact portions of the terminals. 
         [0014]    In the connector for cable connection according to a still other embodiment of the present invention, the actuator has a lug holding part formed outside of the abutting part and abutting against the lug part fitted in the fitting recess portion at the second position. 
         [0015]    In the connector for cable connection according to a still other embodiment of the present invention, the abutting part closes off the fitting recess portion at the second position. 
         [0016]    In the connector for cable connection according to a still other embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a first locking portion, and the actuator has a second locking portion for locking the actuator by engagement with the first locking portion at the second position. 
         [0017]    In the connector for cable connection according to a still other embodiment of the present invention, the fitting recess portion has a restraining surface opposed to one end of the fitted lug part, a recessed surface opposed to the other end of the lug part, and an upper end projecting part being above and adjacent to the recessed surface and projecting toward the restraining surface, an upper surface of the upper end projecting part being contained in the supporting surface. 
         [0018]    In the connector for cable connection according to a still other embodiment of the present invention, the restraining surface abuts against one end of the lug part thereby to inhibit displacement in a reverse direction of a direction of insertion of the flat cable. 
         [0019]    In the connector for cable connection according to a still other embodiment of the present invention, the fitting recess portion has a bottom surface opposed to a downwardly directed surface of the fitted lug part, and a storage recess portion recessed downwardly from the bottom surface, and the storage recess portion is in a position in the vicinity of a substrate securing part in the auxiliary connector securing member to be soldered. 
         [0020]    In accordance with the present invention, the connector for cable connection is configured so that the lug parts projecting from opposite sides of a flat sheet-like cable is received within the recess portions formed in the flat auxiliary connector securing members. This simple structure enables visual check whether a flat sheet-like cable is inserted in its complete state, easy manufacturing and fixing of the auxiliary connector securing members, and reliable connection of the flat sheet-like cable without the danger of disengagement thereof. 
         [0021]    An electrical connector for a flat sheet-like cable includes an insulative housing with a plurality of terminals and an actuator. The actuator is moveable between a first insertion position and a second operational position with the first position permitting insertion of the cable into the connector and the second position being configured such that the contact pads of the cable engage the contact portions of the terminals. The actuator has an abutting part formed on opposite ends thereof. A pair of generally planar securing members is provided at opposite ends of the housing. Each securing member includes a stop surface to define a depth to which the cable may be inserted, a restraining member that interacts with said abutting part of said actuator upon positioning said actuator in the second position to define a restraining surface to prevent removal of said cable and a recess portion defined between the stop surface and said restraining surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0022]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be understood from the following description according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention which is shown in accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a first perspective view illustrating a connector for cable connection in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a second perspective view illustrating the connector for cable connection in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a major part of the connector for cable connection in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an auxiliary connector securing member in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a major part of an auxiliary connector securing member of a conventional connector for cable connection. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 1 , the reference numeral  10  designates a connector for cable connection in the preferred embodiment, which is mounted on a substrate such as a printed circuit board (not shown), and used to electrically connect a flat sheet-like cable  51  called as a flexible printed circuit, a flexible flat cable, or the like. In the preferred embodiment, it should be appreciated that the expressions indicating the directions, such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear, which are used to describe the constructions and operations of the parts of the connector  10  and the flat sheet-like cable  51 , are relative rather than absolute. These expressions are appropriate when the connector  10  and the flat sheet-like cable  51  are in the attitudes as shown in the drawings, but when the attitudes of the connector  10  and the flat sheet-like cable  51  are changed, these expressions shall be interpreted according to the change in attitude. 
         [0030]    The flat sheet-like cable  51  is suitable for use in a narrow mounting space, for example, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. The flat sheet-like cable  51  has an elongated strip-shaped cable body  52  provided with conductor lines or contact pads (not shown). In the interior of the cable body  52 , a plurality of, for example, about ten, conductor lines formed of a conductive metal in the shape of a foil extending lengthwise of the cable body  52  are arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch, for example, about 0.5 mm. The number and the pitch of the conductor lines may be changed suitably. The conductor lines are covered so as to be sandwiched from both of upper and lower surfaces by film-shaped insulating layers exhibiting electronic insulating property. 
         [0031]    Further, a reinforcing plate  53  is stuck to one of surfaces of the lengthwise end of the cable body  52 , and the conductor lines are exposed at one of the surfaces on the opposite side of the reinforcing plate  53  in the lengthwise end of the cable body  52 . The reinforcing plate  53  is formed of material having a relatively high hardness, such as polyimide, and covers one surface of the lengthwise end of the cable body  52 , in a predetermined range in the lengthwise direction and in the entire range in the widthwise direction. The cable body  52  is designed to be inserted into an inserting hole  32  of the connector  10 , with the surface having the exposed conductor lines facing down as viewed in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
         [0032]    Lug parts or projections  54  projecting laterally from opposite sides or edges of the flat sheet-like cable  51  in the direction of width of the flat sheet-like cable  51  are formed in the vicinity of the front end of the flat sheet-like cable  51  in the direction of length of the flat cable  51 . The lug parts  54  are arranged a predetermined distance away from the front edge of the flat sheet-like cable  51  in the direction of length of the flat cable  51 . Although the lug parts  54  are formed in the cable body  52  and the reinforcing plate  53 , they may be formed only in the reinforcing plate  53 . In the alternative, the cable may be rectangular and include openings or recesses that engage the connector  10 . 
         [0033]    The connector  10  has a housing  31  as a connector body integrally formed by an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and an actuator  11  as a movable member for fixing a cable, which is integrally formed by an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and attached to the housing  31  so that it is able to change its attitude. Specifically, the actuator  11  is disposed in the housing  31  so that it can move, by its attitude change, from an open or insertion position as a first position as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a closed position as a second operational position as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . For the clarity of describing the invention,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a state in which the widthwise one end portion of the housing  31  and the actuator  11  is cut away. 
         [0034]    The housing  31  also has a lower part  33 , an upper part  35 , right and left side parts  36 , and an inserting hole  32  formed between the lower part  33  and the upper part  35 , and between the side parts  36 , as an opening through which an end of the flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted from the front (the left as viewed in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). A housing side locking portion  37  as a first locking portion projecting inwardly is formed on the inner side surface of the side part  36 . In  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the end of the inserted flat sheet-like cable  51  closes off the inserting hole  32 . The flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted toward the rear (the right as viewed in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
         [0035]    The housing  31  has a plurality of terminal receiving grooves (not shown) formed therein, into which metallic terminals  41  are loaded. For example, about ten terminal receiving grooves are formed at approximately 0.5 mm pitch, and the terminals  41  are loaded one by one into the terminal receiving grooves. The pitch and the number of the terminal receiving grooves may be changed arbitrarily as required. The terminals  41  are not necessarily required to be loaded into all of the terminal receiving grooves, but some of the terminals  41  may be omitted suitably depending upon the array of the conductor lines of the flat sheet-like cable  51 . 
         [0036]    The terminal  41  has an upper arm beam extending in the direction of insertion of the flat sheet-like cable  51 , a lower arm beam extending in parallel with the upper arm beam, and a tale part connected by soldering to a wiring (not shown) in the substrate surface. The upper arm beam extends to just above a second shank of the actuator  11 , described later, and limits upward movement of the second shank. A contact portion projecting upwardly from the bottom surface (not shown) of the inserting hole  32  is formed at the tip of the lower arm beam, so that the contact portion can contact the corresponding conductor line of the flat sheet-like cable  51 , thereby establishing electrical conduction between the conductor line and the terminal  41 . In the predetermined range in the lengthwise direction of the conductor line which comes in contact with the contact portion of the terminal  41 , namely, in the contact range, the lower insulating layer is stripped and the conductor line is exposed. 
         [0037]    Further, auxiliary securing member receiving recess portions  38  in the shape of a slit extending in a direction of insertion of the flat sheet-like cable  51  are formed in the housing  31  at locations on the opposite sides of the lower part  36  and in the vicinity of the side parts  36 , and auxiliary connector securing members  21 , called “fitting or solder nails,” are inserted in the auxiliary securing member receiving recess portions  38 , thereby the latter is secured to the housing  31 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the auxiliary connector securing member  21  is a flat plate-like, planar metallic member integrally formed as a unit by applying a manufacturing process such as stamping, to a metallic plate member. The auxiliary connector securing member  21  comprises a metallic body part  22  in the shape of an elongated plate to be inserted into the auxiliary securing member receiving recess portion  38 , a substrate securing part  23  projecting downwardly at the rear end of the metallic body part  22  (the left end as viewed in  FIG. 4 ), an engaging part  24  formed on the upper surface of the front of the metallic body part  22  (the right as viewed in  FIG. 4 ) and having recessed and protruded portions formed therein to engage with the housing  31 , a supporting part  25  projecting upward at the rear of the metallic body part  22 , and a fitting recess portion  26  formed in the supporting part  25  to be fitted into the lug part  54  of the flat sheet-like cable  51 . 
         [0039]    By fixing the substrate securing part  23  to the surface of the substrate by soldering or the like, the auxiliary connector securing member  21  exhibits the function of securing the connector  10  to the substrate. The supporting part  25  has an upwardly facing supporting surface  25   a,  which abuts against the abutting part  16  of the actuator  11  in the closes position, thereby to support the actuator  11 . The supporting part  25  is divided in the lengthwise direction by the fitting recess portion  26  opening into the supporting surface  25   a,  and has a restraining part  25   b  generated by this division. The restraining part  25   b  projects upwardly at the rear end of the metallic body part  22 , and engages with the lug part  54  of the flat sheet-like cable  51  fitted into the fitting recess portion  26 , thereby preventing disengagement of the flat sheet-like cable  51 . The upper end surface of the restraining part  25   b  is flush with the supporting surface  25   a,  and abuts against the abutting part  16  of the actuator  11  in its close position, thereby supporting the actuator  11 . 
         [0040]    The fitting recess portion  26  has a restraining surface  26   a  opposed to the rear end of the lug part  54  of the flat sheet-like cable  51  fitted into the fitting recess portion  26 , a recessed or stop surface  26   b  opposed to the front end of the lug part  54 , an upper end projecting part  26   c  being above and adjacent to the recessed surface  26   b  and projecting rearward from the supporting part  25 , a generally linear bottom surface  26   d  opposed to a downward surface of the lug part  54  of the flat sheet-like cable  51  fitted into the fitting recess portion  26 , and a storage recess portion  26   e  that is recessed downwardly from the bottom surface  26   d  in the vicinity of the front end. 
         [0041]    The position where the fitting recess portions  26  are formed is, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a position where the lug parts  54  on opposite sides can be fitted into the fitting recess portions  26  of the auxiliary connector securing members  21  secured to the opposite sides of the housing  31  when the flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted in its complete state into the inserting hole  32  of the connector  10 , namely, when the flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted to reach such a position that the front end of the flat sheet-like cable  51  reaches the innermost end of the inserting hole  32 , and the flat sheet-like cable  51  is not obliquely inserted so that the contact range of all conductor lines of the flat sheet-like cable  51  reliably contact the corresponding contact portions of the terminals  41 . 
         [0042]    The dimension of the fitting recess portion  26  in the back-and-forth direction, namely, the distance from the restraining surface  26   a  to the recessed surface  26   b  is set to be equal to or slightly longer than the dimension of the lug part  54  with respect to the lengthwise direction of the flat sheet-like cable  51 , namely, in the back-and-forth dimension of the lug part  54 . The dimension of the fitting recess portion  26  in the height direction, namely, the distance from the opened end of the fitting recess portion  26  to the bottom surface  26   d  is set to be slightly longer than the dimension of the lug part  54  in the thickness direction. The dimension at the opened end of the fitting recess portion  26  in the back-and-forth direction, namely, the distance from the restraining surface  26   a  to the upper end projecting part  26   c  is shorter than the dimension of the lug part  54  in the back-and-forth direction. Hence, even if the back-and-forth dimension of the entire auxiliary connector securing member  21  and the back-and-forth dimension of the supporting part  25  are decreased to decrease the back-and-forth dimension of the connector  10  in accordance with the demand of miniaturization, the upper surface of the upper end projecting part  26   c  is contained in the supporting surface  25   a,  allowing the back-and-forth dimension of the supporting surface  25   a  to be increased, and as a result, the actuator  11  in its close position can be supported stably. Since the lug part  54  allows for slight deformation, even though the back-and-forth dimension at the opened end of the fitting recess portion  26  is small, the lug part  54  can be fitted into the fitting recess portion  26  by having the lug part  54  to be deformed when it is passed through the opened end. 
         [0043]    If the flat sheet-like cable  51  is subject to force in the direction in reverse to the direction of insertion into the inserting hole  32 , namely, the force by which the flat cable  51  can be disengaged from the connector  10 , the restraining surface  26   a  abuts against the rear end of the lug part  54  of the flat sheet-like cable  51  fitted into the fitting recess portion  26 , thereby preventing the flat sheet-like cable  51  from being displaced in the direction in reverse to the direction of insertion of the flat sheet-like cable  51 . That is, the restraining surface  26   a  functions as a stopper surface for preventing disengagement of the flat sheet-lie cable  51 . The restraining part  25   b  functions as a stopper part for preventing disengagement of the flat sheet-like cable  51 , and it will receive the force by which the flat sheet-like cable  51  can be disengaged from the connector  10 . Although the restraining part  25   b  is small in the back-and-forth dimension, it is integrally formed with the metallic body part  22  which is a flat plate-like metallic member, and therefore exhibits sufficiently high strength. This eliminates the danger of deformation under the above-mentioned force. 
         [0044]    Further, when the substrate securing part  23  is fixed to the surface of the substrate by soldering, there may occur the phenomenon that melted solder may rise along the side surfaces of the substrate securing part  23  and the metallic body part  22 , which is called “solder wicking.” In the case wherein the “wicked” solder enters into the fitting recess portion  26  and adheres to and solidifies along the restraining surface  26   a,  the recessed surface  26   b,  or the bottom surface  26   d,  the dimension of the fitting recess portion  26  will become smaller, and may fail to allow the lug part  54  to fit therein. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the storage recess portion  26   e  is shown as being formed at a position in the vicinity of the substrate securing part  23  in the bottom surface  26   d.  Therefore, if the phenomenon of solder wicking occurs, the solder can be stored in the storage recess portion  26   e,  so that it is less likely to adhere to the restraining surface  26   a,  the recess surface  26   b,  or the bottom surface  26   d.    
         [0045]    The actuator  11  has on the lower surface of the body part  15  a plurality of pressing parts  14 , by which, when the actuator  11  is in its close position, the flat sheet-like cable  51  inserted through the inserting hole  32  is pressed downwardly, namely, in the vicinity of the lower arm beam of each terminal  41  loaded in the terminal receiving groove. When the actuator  11  is in its open position, the pressing parts  14  permit insertion of the flat sheet-like cable  51 . Formed between the pressing parts  14  are a plurality of holding grooves  12  for holding the upper arm beams of the terminals  41 . The number and the position of the holding grooves  12  correspond to those of the terminal receiving grooves. When the actuator  11  is in its close position, the body part  15  is almost parallel with the direction of insertion of the flat sheet-like cable  51  as shown in  FIG. 2 . When the actuator  11  is in its open position, the body part  15  is located at 90° or more with respect to the direction of insertion of the flat sheet-like cable  51  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    The lower ends, as viewed in  FIG. 1 , of the abutting parts  16  formed on opposite sides of the actuator  11  abut against the supporting surfaces  25   a  of the supporting parts  25  of the auxiliary connector securing members  21  and supported from below and thus function as first shanks, when the actuator  11  changes its attitude from its open position to its close position. A second shank (not shown) is formed in each of the holding grooves  12  of the actuator  11 . Although the first shank and the second shank are located nearly on a common line, the axis of the first shank and that of the second shank are not necessarily required to be aligned with each other, and they may be shifted from each other within a predetermined range. The upper arm beam of each terminal  41  is located just above the second shank, and the upward movement of the second shank is limited by the upper arm beam. Accordingly, the upper arm beam prevents the actuator  11  from being withdrawn from the housing  31 . 
         [0047]    The actuator  11  is further provided with lug holding parts  17  formed on further outside of the opposite abutting parts  16 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the lug holding part  17  abuts against the upper surface of the lug part  54  when the actuator  11  is in its close position. Therefore, even if the lug part  54  is subject to upward force by the force applied to the flat sheet-like cable  51 , the lug part  54  may not displace upward, and so the function of the lug parts  54  and the auxiliary connector securing members  21  to prevent disengagement of the flat sheet-like cable  51  against the force causing the flat sheet-like cable  51  to disengage from the connector  10  is enhanced. 
         [0048]    Moreover, an actuator side locking portion  18  as a second locking portion projecting outwardly is formed on the outer side surface of the lug holding part  17 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the actuator  11  is in its close position, the actuator side locking portion  18  is engaged with the housing side locking portion  37  of the housing  31 . Thus, the actuator  11  is locked in its close position, and does not return to its open position even under external force such as vibration or shock. 
         [0049]    The following is the explanation of the operation of the connector  10  having the above-mentioned construction. Here, the operation of connecting the flat sheet-like cable  51  to the connector  10  will be discussed. 
         [0050]    In the present embodiment, the connector  10  is mounted on a substrate such as a circuit board, by connecting the tale parts of terminals  41  to the wiring formed on the surface of the substrate by soldering, and connecting the substrate securing parts  23  of the auxiliary connector securing members  21  to the connecting pads formed on the surface of the substrate by soldering. 
         [0051]    In the case where the flat sheet-like cable  51  is connected to the connector  10 , firstly, the end of the flat cable  51  in the lengthwise direction is inserted into the inserting hole  32  of the housing  31 . At this time, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the actuator  11  is brought into its open position in advance. With the flat sheet-like cable  51  tilted with respect to the upper surface (not shown) of the lower part  33  of the housing  31 , an operator moves the end of the flat sheet-like cable  51  in the lengthwise direction from obliquely above the housing  31  into the inserting hole  32 . This facilitates insertion of the lengthwise end of the flat sheet-like cable  51  into the inserting hole  32 , rather than the case of moving the flat sheet-like cable  51  in parallel with the upper surface of the lower part  33 . The flat sheet-like cable  51  is moved, with the reinforcing plate  53  facing up, and with the surface of the cable body  52  where the conductor lines are exposed facing down. 
         [0052]    At this time, opposite side end portions of the flat sheet-like cable  51  ahead of the lug parts  54  are guided by the inner side surfaces of the auxiliary connector securing members  21  secured to the opposite sides of the housing  31 . Consequently, the flat sheet-like cable  51  can be inserted into the inserting hole  32  in the state in which it is accurately positioned in the widthwise direction, and the position of each conductor line, with respect to the widthwise direction of the flat sheet-like cable  51 , is a position corresponding to the lower arm beam of a corresponding terminal  41 . When the flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted into the innermost end, the lug parts  54  on opposite sides are fitted into the fitting recess portions  26  of the auxiliary connector securing members  21  secured to opposite sides of the housing  31 , resulting in the state as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0053]    As above described, the position where the fitting recess portion  26  is formed is a position where the lug parts  54  on opposite sides can fit into the fitting recess portions  26  of the auxiliary connector securing members  21  secured to opposite sides of the housing  31  when the flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted in its complete state into the inserting hole  32  of the connector  10 . Therefore, by a visual check whether the lug parts  54  on opposite sides are fitted into the fitting recess portions  26  of the auxiliary connector securing members  21 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the operator can confirm that the front tip of the flat sheet-like cable  51  reaches the innermost end of the inserting holes  32 , and the flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted without tilting so that the contact range of every conductor line of the flat sheet-like cable  51  reliably contacts the contact portion of a corresponding terminal  41 . In other words, a visual check whether the lug parts  54  on opposite sides are fitted into the fitting recess portions  26  of the connector securing members  21  enables the operator to judge whether or not the flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted in its complete state into the inserting hole  32 . 
         [0054]    Subsequently, the operator urges the actuator  11  to change its attitude in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in  FIG. 1 , resulting in its close position as shown in  FIG. 2 . Hence, the pressing parts  14  rotate and face down, so that they are nearly parallel with the direction of insertion of the flat sheet-like cable  51 . Then, the pressing parts  14  abut against the upper surface of the reinforcing plate  53  of the flat sheet-like cable  51 , and then apply downward force to press the cable body  52  against the lower arm beams of the terminals  41 . As a result, the contact ranges of the conductor lines exposed at the lower surface of the cable body  52  abut against the contact portions, and the conductor lines and the terminals  41  are electrically connected to each other, thus completing the connection of the flat sheet-like cable  51  to the connector  10 . The lower arm beam has resilient property, and is elastically deformed under pressure applied to the cable body  52 , so that the connection between the contact ranges of the conductor lines and the contact portions of the terminals  41  can be well maintained. 
         [0055]    Additionally, when the actuator  11  is in its close position, the lower surface of the abutting part  16  is supported from below by abutting against the supporting surface  25   a  of the supporting part  25  of the auxiliary connector securing members  21  secured to the opposite sides of the housing  31  and the upper end surface of the restraining parts  25   b.  In this case, since the back-and-forth dimension of the supporting surface  25   a  is set long by forming the upper end projecting part  26   c,  the force received by the supporting surface  25   a  and the restraining part  25   b  in the abutting part  16  is dispersed widely, which eliminates the danger of deformation or damage of the abutting part  16 . Hence, if the back-and-forth dimension of the entire auxiliary connector securing members  21  and the back-and-forth dimension of the supporting part  25  are decreased to decrease the back-and-forth dimension of the connector  10  in accordance with the demand of miniaturization, the actuator  11  in its close position can be stably supported by the supporting parts  25 . 
         [0056]    Additionally, when the actuator  11  is in its close position, the lower surface of the abutting part  16  closes off the opened end of the fitting recess portion  26  as shown in  FIG. 2 , and the lug holding part  17  abuts against the upper surface of the lug part  54  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Hence, if the lug part  54  is subjected to upward force by the force applied to the flat sheet-like cable  51 , the lug part  54  may not displace upward. By this feature, against the force by which the flat sheet-like cable  51  can be disengaged from the connector  10 , the function of the lug parts  54  and the auxiliary connector securing members  21  for preventing disengagement of the flat sheet-like cable  51  is enhanced. 
         [0057]    Additionally, when the actuator  11  is in its close position, the actuator side locking portions  18  are engaged with the housing side locking portions  37  of the housing  31 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Therefore, the actuator  11  is locked in its close position, and does not return to its open position even under external force such as vibration or shock. This securely maintains the state in which the flat sheet-like cable  51  is connected to the connector  10 . In the case where the lug parts  54  on opposite sides are not fitted into the fitting recess portions  26  of the auxiliary connector securing members  21 , the actuator  11  does not take its close position. This eliminates the possibility of engagement between the actuator side locking portions  18  and the housing side locking portions  37 . Accordingly, a visual check whether or not the actuator  11  is locked enables the operator to judge whether the flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted in its complete state into the inserting hole  32 . 
         [0058]    Thus, in the present embodiment, the flat plate-like auxiliary connector securing members  21  secured to the opposite sides of the housing  31  of the connector  10  is provided with the supporting surface  25   a,  against which the abutting part  16  of the actuator  11  abuts in its close position, and the fitting recess portion  26  opening into the supporting surface  25   a,  into which the lug part  54  of the flat sheet-like cable  51  is fitted. Such a simple structure permits reliable prevention of disengagement of the flat sheet-like cable  51 . Further, an operator can visually confirm that the flat sheet-like cable  51  has been inserted in its complete state, achieving reliable connection of the flat sheet-like cable  51 . Furthermore, the auxiliary connector securing member  21  has a simple structure and thus facilitates its manufacturing and assembling work. 
         [0059]    Additionally, the position of the fitting recess portion  26  is the position where the lug part  54  can fit into the fitting recess portion  26  when the flat sheet-like cable  51  inserted into the inserting hole  32  reaches the position where the contact range of every conductor line electrically contacts the contact portion of a corresponding terminal  41 . Hence, a visual check whether or not the lug parts  54  are fitted into the fitting recess portions  26  enables an operator to easily confirm that the flat sheet-like cable  51  has been inserted in its complete state. 
         [0060]    Additionally, when the actuator  11  is in its closed position, the lug holding part  17  abuts against the lug part  54  fitted into the fitting recess portion  26 . The abutting part  16  closes off the fitting recess portion  26 . This eliminates the danger of upward displacement of the lug parts  54 , and thus ensures prevention of disengagement of the flat sheet-like cable  51  even under the force by which the flat sheet-like cable  51  can be disengaged from the connector  10 . 
         [0061]    Additionally, when the actuator  11  is in its closed position, the actuator side locking portion  18  is engaged with the housing side locking portion  37  of the housing  31 . Thus, the actuator  11  is locked in its close position, and does not return to the open position even under external force such as vibration or shock. When each of the lug parts  54  is not fitted into the fitting recess portion  26 , the actuator side locking portion  18  cannot be engaged with the housing side locking portion  37 . A visual check whether or not the actuator side locking portion  18  is engaged with the housing side locking portion  37  allows for ease in judgment about whether the flat sheet-like cable  51  is inserted in its complete state. 
         [0062]    In addition, the upper surface of the upper end projecting part  26   c  of the fitting recess portion  26  is contained in the supporting surface  25   a  of the supporting part  25 . Hence, if the back-and-forth dimension of the entire auxiliary connector securing member  21  and the back-and-forth dimension of the supporting part  25  are decreased to decrease the back-and-forth dimension of the connector  10  in accordance with the demand of miniaturization, the upper surface of the upper end projecting part  26   c  is contained in the supporting surface  25   a  thereby to elongate the back-and-forth dimension of the supporting surface  25   a.  This enables the actuator  11  in its close position to be stably supported. 
         [0063]    In addition, the fitting recess portion  26  has the storage recess portion  26   e  recessed downwardly than the bottom surface  26   d.  The storage recess portion  26   e  is in a position in the vicinity of the substrate securing part  23  to be soldered. Therefore, if the phenomenon of solder rise occurs and the risen solder enters into the fitting recess portion  26 , the storage recess portion  26   e  can store the solder, thereby eliminating the danger of adhesion of the solder to the restraining surface  26   a,  the recess surface  26   b , or the bottom surface  26   d.    
         [0064]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing preferred embodiment but it is susceptible of various changes and modifications based on the concept of the present invention, which may be considered as coming within the scope of the present invention.