Abstract:
A molding device is provided for the manufacture of a connector. Two mold halves are provided movable relative to one another, which provide molding spaces when the molds are closed for forming the connector housing and a retainer. One mold half includes a space with a core portion for forming a retainer insertion hole in the connector housing, and a retainer forming portion for forming the retainer in a position lateral of the core portion. The mold is also provided with inserting means for inserting the retainer into the insertion hole after the molding of the two pieces.

Description:
This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/098,440, filed Jun. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,915, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/939,092, filed Sep. 26, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,935, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/636,694 filed Apr. 23, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,761. The entire disclosures of the prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a connector that can doubly secure terminal members in a connector housing. The connector comprises a retainer mounted in the connector housing, where the retainer can be moved in a reciprocating manner with respect to connector housing to secure the terminal member. The invention also provides for a method for manufacturing the connector, a molding device for manufacturing the connector, and a method for mounting the retainer in the connector housing. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A conventional connector or front retainer-type connector secures a terminal member in a double manner by pushing a retainer into a connector housing from the front surface. This conventional front retainer-type connector will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27. 
     A connector housing a has an interior with a plurality of cavities c, which receives a metal terminal member b. The terminal member b is inserted into the connector housing from a backside. In the bottom surface of the connector housing a, a plurality of flexible lances d are provided. The lances d are each engageable with a corresponding terminal member b. In the front surface of the connector housing a, a retainer insertion hole e is formed. A retainer g can be mounted into the insertion hole e. The retainer g includes an insertion portion h that is insertable into flexibly deformable spaces f formed in each lance d. 
     As the retainer g is inserted into the retainer insertion hole  3  in the connector housing a, the retainer g is initially held at a shallow insertion depth in a temporarily secured position, shown by a solid line in FIG.  26 . In the temporarily secured position, the insertion portion h of the retainer g is in front of the flexibly deformable spaces f for each lance d. Therefore, if the terminal member b is inserted into the cavities c, it will deform the lance d. When the terminal member b is inserted to its normal or fully inserted position, each lance d is elastically deformed and returns to the original condition, thereby engaging the terminal member b so that the terminal member b is secured. If the retainer g is further pushed into a fully secured position, as shown in FIG. 27, the insertion portion h of the retainer g is inserted into the flexibly deformable space f of the lance d. This assures that the terminal member b cannot be removed and the terminal member b is doubly secured. 
     In the conventional connector, the direction the retainer g is pushed toward the temporarily secured position is the same as the direction the retainer g is pushed from the temporarily secured position toward the fully secured position. In the temporarily secured position, although the retainer g is tentatively held, there is a possibility that the retainer g can be erroneously pushed into the fully secured position. If the retainer g is pushed into the fully secured position before the terminal member b is inserted, each lance d cannot be flexibly deformed. Thus, it is impossible to insert the terminal member b. This inevitably requires a complicated extra operation, where the retainer g must be returned back to the temporarily secured position, and the terminal member b must be reinserted, before the retainer g can be again pushed into its fully secured position. 
     In a conventional connector, when a male side front retainer-type connector is mounted into the male side of a connector housing, a hood can be provided. Since a tab of a male-type terminal member projects into the hood, it is impossible for a user to insert his or her hand into the housing. Therefore, a specially made tool or jig must be used to mount the retainer. This results in a poor and inexact operability. Also, the tab of the terminal member can be deformed as the retainer is mounted. 
     Further, the costs of conventional connectors can be high. In the above-mentioned conventional connectors, the connector is provisionally assembled so the retainer g is held in the temporarily secured position, and the connector is then transported to a terminal insertion location. Prior to the temporary assembling of the connector housing a and retainer g, the connector housing a and retainer g are separately molded by separate molding devices. After molding, the connector housing a and retainer g are carried to a assembly site, where they can be assembled by an automatic assembly machine, for example a parts feeder. Alternatively, they can be assembled manually by an operator. 
     The molding of the connector housing a and retainer g is separate from their assembly, and a temporarily assembled connector can be completed through the steps of molding, carrying and assembling the connector housing a and retainer g. Also, when the housing a and retainer g are manually connected together, an inspection step is required. Therefore, since a large number of steps are necessary for completion of the connector, the manufacturing costs increase. It is also necessary to separately manage and maintain the separate molds for the connector housing a and retainer g. This further adds to the cost of manufacturing of the connector. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to solving the problems found in conventional connectors. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a connector, which can prevent a retainer from being erroneously inserted from a temporarily secured position to a fully secured position. Another object of the invention is to provide a method and molding device for manufacturing the connector. Further, it is another object of the invention to provide a method for mounting a retainer into a connector housing, where the retainer can be simply mounted into the connector housing without causing a terminal member to become deformed. 
     In accordance with one object of the invention, a connector comprises a connector housing, which includes cavities that are formed in an interior of the connector housing and into which a terminal member can be inserted, and a retainer that can be mounted into the connector housing so it can be moved between a temporarily secured position and a fully secured position. The movement is in a back-and-forth direction along the connector housing. The retainer is able to secure the terminal member to prevents its removal when the retainer is in the fully secured position. The connector housing includes a retainer insertion hole with an opening in the side surface, so the retainer can be inserted. When inserted into the retainer insertion hole, the retainer can be moved between the temporarily secured position and the fully secured position. The retainer is configured such that, after it is inserted into the retainer insertion hole and is held in the temporarily secured position, it can be further moved into the fully secured position. 
     A further object of the invention is achieved by providing a mounting method where the retainer is first inserted from the opening in the side surface of the connector housing into the retainer insertion hole. The retainer is held in the temporarily secured position and then, is further pushed into the retainer insertion hole in a back-and-forth direction of the connector housing to be moved into the fully secured position. The direction in which the retainer is pushed into the retainer insertion hole toward the temporarily secured position is different from the direction in which the retainer is further pushed into the retainer insertion hole from the temporarily secured position toward the fully secured position and is preferably orthagonal. Thus, it is possible to prevent the retainer, which must be held in the temporarily secured position, from being erroneously pushed into the fully secured positions. Therefore, the need for a retainer return operation, as discussed above, is eliminated. The retainer assembling operation can then be efficiently conducted. 
     According to another object of the invention, a method for manufacturing a connector is provided. The connector comprises a connector housing including cavities, which are formed in an interior of the connector housing to allow a terminal member to be inserted thereunto, and a retainer that can be mounted in the connector housing by pushing it into the connector housing to secure the terminal member preventing removal. The method comprises the steps of: closing together a pair of metal molds, which are disposed so they can be moved into contact with each other and separated from each other; simultaneously molding the connector housing and retainer, where the connector housing including a retainer insertion hole formed with an opening in a side surface so that the retainer can be inserted into the retainer insertion hole and moved in a back-and-forth direction of the connector housing, additionally where the retainer is positioned laterally of the retainer insertion hole; and inserting the retainer from the opening formed in the side surface of the connector housing into the retainer insertion hole, after opening the two molds to assemble the retainer with the connector housing. 
     According to another object of the invention, a molding device for manufacturing a connector is provided. The connector comprises a connector housing including cavities, which are formed in an interior of the connector housing and into which a terminal member can be inserted, and a retainer that can be pushed into and mounted in the connecting house in a back-and-forth direction, and when mounted in the connecting house can secure the terminal member in a removal preventive manner. The molding device comprises a pair of metal molds which can be moved into contact with and separated from each other. Molding spaces are provided between the two molds, which mold the connector housing including a retainer insertion hole with an opening in a side surface into which the retainer can be inserted to be moveable in the connector housing. An inserting means is provided for molding the retainer, which is situated laterally of the retainer insertion hole. After the two molds are separated from each other, the inserting means allows the retainer to be inserted into the connector housing from the opening formed in the side surface of the retainer insertion hole. 
     With the pair of molds closed, the connector housing is molded including the retainer insertion hole with an opening opened up in the side surface. The retainer is molded with the connector housing at a position lateral of the retainer insertion hole. After the two molds are opened, the retainer is inserted from the opening formed in the side surface of the connector housing into the retainer insertion hole by inserting means. The retainer and connector housing are then assembled together into an integral, single body. 
     Since the molding and assembling of the connector housing and retainer can be carried out within in a single molding device, which consists of the two molds, the number of manufacturing steps of the connector is shortened. Thus, an inexpensive connector formed integral with the retainer can be achieved. 
     According to yet another object of the invention, a connector comprises a connector housing including cavities, which are formed in an interior of the connector housing and into which a terminal member can be inserted, and a retainer that can be mounted into the connector housing so it can be moved along an insertion direction of the terminal member between a temporarily secured position and a fully secured position. The retainer is able to secure the terminal member to when the retainer is in the fully secured position. A retainer insertion hole is formed with an opening in the side surface of the connector housing. The retainer can be inserted into the retainer insertion hole so it can be moved between the temporarily and fully secured positions. The retainer is configured such that, with part of the retainer remaining in the opening, the retainer can be inserted into the temporarily secured position. The retainer can then be pushed into the fully secured position from the side surface side of the connector housing. 
     According to a further object of the invention, a method for mounting a retainer into a connector housing is provided. The connector comprises a connector housing including cavities, which are formed in an interior of the connector housing and into which a terminal member can be inserted, and a retainer that can be mounted into the connector housing so it can be moved between a temporarily secured position and a fully secured position. The movement is in an insertion direction of the terminal member. The retainer is able to secure the terminal member to prevent removal when the retainer is in the fully secured position. The method for mounting the retainer into the connector housing comprises the steps of: inserting the retainer into the temporarily secured position from the side surface of the connector housing at an intersecting direction at right angles to the insertion direction of the terminal member; and, pushing the retainer into the fully secured position along the insertion direction of the terminal member by moving the retainer from the side surface side of the connector housing. 
     The retainer is inserted into the connector housing from the opening formed in the side surface of the connector housing along the direction intersecting at right angles to the insertion direction of the terminal member. The retainer is mounted at the temporarily secured position, with the retainer staying in the opening. The retainer is further pushed into the connector housing from the side surface side of the connector housing in an insertion direction of the terminal member. The retainer is held at the fully secured position. Thus, the terminal member can be secured so that it is prevented from being removed. Since the retainer push operation is carried out from the side surface side of the connector housing, without any interference, the operation can be effectively performed. It is possible to prevent the retainer from butting against the terminal member thus preventing the terminal member from being deformed. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention, illustrating a retainer before it is mounted into a female housing; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector in FIG. 1, where the retainer is mounted at a temporarily secured position; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the connector in FIG. 1, where the retainer is mounted at a fully secured position; 
     FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section view of the connector of FIG. 1, where the retainer is mounted at the temporarily secured position; 
     FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view of the connector of FIG. 1, where the retainer is mounted at the fully secured position; 
     FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view of the connector in FIG. 1, where half-insertion of a terminal member is detected; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a retainer and a lock piece; 
     FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the retainer and lock piece, illustrating where the retainer is locked at the temporarily secured position; 
     FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the retainer and lock piece, where the retainer is locked at the fully secured position; 
     FIG. 10 is a section view of a molding device made of metal, illustrating a retainer and connector housing molded by the molding device; 
     FIG. 11 is a section view of the molding device, where a movable mold is being opened from a fixed mold; 
     FIG. 12 is a section view of the molding device, where the retainer is assembled to the connector housing; 
     FIG. 13 is a section view of the molding device, where an finished or assembled connector is taken out; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a connector, illustrating a retainer before it is mounted; 
     FIG. 15 is a longitudinal section view of the second preferred embodiment, illustrating when the retainer is mounted at a temporarily secured position; 
     FIG. 16 is a longitudinal section view of the second preferred embodiment, illustrating when the retainer is mounted at a fully secured position; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention, illustrating a retainer before it is mounted; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment, illustrating a retainer inserted to a temporarily secured position; 
     FIG. 19 is a longitudinal section view of the third preferred embodiment, illustrating the retainer inserted to the temporarily secured position; 
     FIG. 20 is a longitudinal section view of the third preferred embodiment, illustrating the retainer in a fully secured position; 
     FIG. 21 is a longitudinal section view of the third preferred embodiment, illustrating where half-insertion of a terminal member is detected; 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a retainer and a lock piece; 
     FIG. 23 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the retainer and lock piece, where the retainer is locked at a temporarily secured position; 
     FIG. 24 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the retainer and lock piece, illustrating where the retainer is locked at a fully secured position; 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a modification of the third preferred embodiment, illustrating where the retainer is inserted to the temporarily secured position; 
     FIG. 26 is a longitudinal section view of a conventional connector, illustrating where a retainer is mounted at a temporarily secured position; and, 
     FIG. 27 is a longitudinal section view of the above conventional connector, illustrating where the retainer is mounted at a fully secured position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Now, a description will be given below in detail of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.  1  through FIG. 13 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention. The first preferred embodiment illustrates a female side connector on a front retainer-type connector. The connector includes a female side connector housing or female housing  1  and a retainer  3 , which can be pushed and mounted into the female housing  1 . The retainer  3  can doubly secure a female terminal member  2  in the housing, as described below. 
     The female housing  1 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, is an integral member formed of synthetic resin in a suitable shape, for example a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The interior of the female housing  1  has a plurality of cavities  5  formed therein. A female terminal member  2  can be inserted into the female housing  1  from the rear surface side of the female housing  1  (the right side in FIG.  4 ). On the front surface side of the female housing  1 , a terminal insertion hole  6  is formed. A tab  60  (FIG. 15) of a male terminal member  52  can be provided in the hole  6 , as described hereinafter. The cavities  5  are formed in two stages: four cavities are arranged in a side-by-side lateral relationship in a lower stage; and, in an upper stage, two cavities are formed at the right and left end portions of the female housing  1 . Thus, a total of six cavities are formed. However, any suitable number of cavities  5  may be formed, and the above is merely exemplary of the number of cavities, and is in no way meant to be limiting. 
     The upper and lower cavities  5  are symmetrically arranged with respect to a vertical direction. On the ceiling surfaces of each of the lower cavities  5  and on the bottom surfaces of each of the upper cavities  5 , a flexibly deformable lance  7  is provided. Each lance  7  has a cantilever shape and functions to secure the female terminal member  2  in a first position. The operation of a lance  7  in each lower cavity is substantially similar therefore, reference to one cavity will be described. 
     Referring to a lower cavity  5 , if the female terminal member  2  is inserted from the rear surface side of the cavity  5 , the female terminal member  2  is pushed while the lance  7  is flexibly deformed within its flexibly deformable space  8 . When the female terminal member  2  is inserted into a fully inserted position, the lance  7  returns to its original position due to its own recovering elasticity. In the fully inserted position, the lance  7  fits into a jaw portion or opening  9  of the female terminal member  2 , thereby securing the female terminal member  2  to prevent removal. Each upper lance  7  functions similarly to the lower lances, except that their flexibly deforming direction is opposite. 
     In the front surface of the female housing  1 , between the upper and lower cavities  5 , a retainer insertion hole  10  is formed. The retainer insertion hole  10  extends toward an opposite side of the female housing  1  so the retainer  3  can be inserted into the retainer insertion hole  10 . The furthest or deepest portion of the retainer insertion hole  10  communicates with the flexibly deformable space  8  for each lance  7 . Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the retainer insertion hole  10  opens on a side surface of the female housing  1 . An opening  11  of the retainer insertion hole  10  has a length substantially equal to a width of the retainer  3 . 
     The retainer  3  is formed of synthetic resin, similar to the female housing  1 . As shown in FIG. 1, the retainer  3  is formed as a flat plate that can be inserted into the retainer insertion hole  10 . A front edge side of the retainer  3  is formed with a projection portion  3   a,  which projects into the flexibly deformable spaces  8  of the lances  7 . The retainer  3  is inserted into the retainer insertion hole  10  from the opening  11  in the side surface of the female housing  1  in the direction of arrow A, FIG.  1 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the retainer  3  is inserted and held in a position where the rear end edge (the left edge in FIG. 4) projects from the opening  11  formed in the retainer insertion hole  10  on the front surface side of the female housing  1 . This position is the temporarily secured position of the retainer  3 , where the projection portion  3   a  remains in front of the flexibly deformable spaces  8  of the lances  7 . 
     In order to hold the retainer  3  in the temporarily secured position, a flexibly deformable lock piece  13  projects forwardly in a cantilevered manner (to the left side in FIG.  4 ). The lock piece  13  is formed on the portion of the ceiling surface substantially central of the retainer insertion hole  10 . A lock projection  14  is provided on the lower surface leading end portion of the lock piece  13 . As shown in FIG. 7, the front surface side in the projecting direction of the lock projection  14  is formed as a tapered surface  15 . The side surface side of the lock projection  14  is located on this side as seen in FIG. 7, and is also formed as a tapered surface  16 . 
     A guide groove  18  is formed in the upper surface of the retainer  3  on the side of the projection portion  3   a.  The guide groove  18  extends in an insertion direction, shown by arrow A in FIGS. 1 and 7, so the lock projection  14  of the lock piece  13  fits in to the guide groove  18 . The side wall of the guide groove  18  is formed as a tapered surface  19  and corresponds to the tapered surface  15  of the lock projection  14 . A securing portion  20  is formed in the middle of the guide groove  18  in the longitudinal direction. The front surface side of the securing portion  20  in direction A is also formed as a tapered surface  21 . 
     Referring now in detail to the insertion of the retainer  3 , while the lock projection  14  is fit into the guide groove  18 , the retainer  3  is inserted in the direction, of arrow A, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. The lock projection  14  then intersects with the tapered surface  21  of the securing portion  20 , while the lock piece is flexibly deformed. The retainer  3  butts against the side wall of the female housing  1  on the opposite side, as shown in FIG.  8 . The lock piece  13  is deformed and returns to its original condition, with the lock projection  14  fit within the rear surface side of the securing portion  20 . Thus, the retainer  3  is held in the temporarily secured position. 
     If the retainer  3 , which is held in the temporarily secured position, is pushed from the front side of the female housing  1  in a direction of arrow B, shown in FIG. 2, the retainer  3  is further inserted into the female housing  1 . Thus, the retainer  3  is held in the fully secured position. At the fully secured position, as shown in FIG. 5, the projection portion  3   a  of the retainer  3  is projected into a respective flexibly deformable space  8  of a lance  7 , to restrict deformation of the lance  7 . 
     As shown in FIG. 7, a securing groove  23  is formed in the upper surface of the retainer  3  to hold the retainer  3  at the fully secured position. The securing groove  23  extends at right angles to the guide groove  18 , so the lock projection  14  of the lock piece  13  fits into the securing groove  23 . The securing groove  23  begins at a position just on the rear side of the securing portion  20  in the insertion direction A. The securing groove  23  is spaced a given distance to the left of the guide groove  18 , as in FIG.  7 . Therefore, the retainer  3  can be further pushed from the temporarily secured position, into the retainer insertion hole  11  in the direction of arrow B, FIG.  2 . The lock projection  14  slides along the tapered surface  19  of the guide groove  18  and the upper surface of the retainer  3 , while the lock projection  13  is flexing and deforming. When the retainer  3  is pushed into the fully secured position, the lock projection  14  fits into the securing groove  23 , while the lock piece  13  has deformed and returns to its original position. 
     Next, a description will be given below of the operation of the connector. The retainer  3  is first inserted from the opening  11  in the side surface of the female housing  1 , in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 1, into the retainer insertion hole  10 . The retainer  3  is then held in the temporarily secured position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In the temporarily secured position, the projection portion  3   a  of the retainer  3  remains in front of each flexibly deformable spaces  8  for the lances  7 . Therefore, the lances  7  are in a flexibly deformable position. 
     In this position, if the female terminal member  2  is inserted into the cavities  5 , the female terminal member  2  can be pushed into the female housing  1 , while flexibly deforming each lance  7  toward the interior of the respective flexibly deformable space  8 . When the female terminal member  2  is inserted to its fully inserted position, the lance  7  is elastically deformed and returns to its original position. The lance  7  then fits with the jaw portion  9  of the female terminal member  2 . As shown in FIG. 4, the female terminal member  2  is secured so it is prevented from being removed. 
     From the position shown in FIG. 2, the rear edge portion of the retainer  3 , which projects from the front surface of the female housing  1 , is pushed the direction of arrow B in FIG.  2 . The retainer  3  can then be held in the fully secured position, which is further into the housing  1  than the temporarily secured position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. In the fully secured position, the projection portion  3   a  of the retainer  3  projects into each flexibly deformable space  8  of a lance  7 . Flexible deformation of the lance  7  is restricted to prevent the female terminal member  2  being removed. Thus, the retainer  3  is doubly secured. 
     When the female terminal member  2  is inserted into each cavity  5  and it is in a half-insertion position, as shown in FIG. 6, each lance  7  is flexed and projects into each space  8 . The retainer  3  then butts against the lance  7  and cannot be pushed into the fully secured position. This indicates that the female terminal member  2  is in a half-insertion position. 
     As described above, the direction to push the retainer  3  toward the temporarily secured position extends at right angles to the direction to push the retainer  3  from the temporarily secured position more deeply toward the fully secured position. The two retainer directions are distinct and preferably orthagonal to assure that there is no possibility that the retainer  3 , which must be held in the temporarily secured position, can be erroneously pushed directly into the fully secured position. This eliminates a need for an operation to return the retainer  3 , so the retainer  3  can be assembled with the female housing  1  with a high efficiency. 
     Also, with the connector as described above, molding of the female housing  1  and retainer  3 , and the provisional assembly of the female housing and retainer  3  can be conducted using a single metal molding device consisting of a pair of metal molds. Next, a description will be given in detail of a molding device for manufacturing the female housing  1  and retainer  3 , and a method for manufacturing and assembling the female housing  1  and retainer  3  using the same molding device. 
     The molding device for manufacturing the female housing  1  and retainer  3  is incorporated into an injection molding system. The main portions of the molding device are as described below. In FIGS. 10 through 13, the molding device and the connector are shown in a simplified manner to facilitate explanation. The front portion side of the female housing  1  refers to the left side in FIG. 10, while the front portion side of the retainer  3  refers to the right side in FIG.  10 . 
     The molding device, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of metallic molds, a fixed metal mold  31  and a movable metal mold  32 . A retainer molding recessed portion  34  is formed on the molding surface of the fixed mold  31 . The retainer molding recessed portion  34  is used to mold the rear and portion of the retainer  3  that projects from the front surface of the female housing  1  when the retainer  3  is in a temporarily secured position. In FIG. 10, a core portion  35  projects above the retainer molding recessed portion  34  and includes an inverted “T-shaped” front surface. The core portion  35  also includes a horizontal portion  36 , which is used to mold the upper surface of the remaining front portion side of the retainer  3  and the lower surface of a part of the front portion side of the female housing  1 . A vertical portion  37  of the core portion  35  extends from a position slightly lower than the upper end of the interior of the housing molding recessed portion  39 . The vertical portion  37  molds the retainer insertion hole  10 , which is opened to extend from the front surface of the female housing  1  over the lower surface. 
     The movable mold  32  is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) that advances and retreats the movable mold  32  at given strokes in the right and left directions (as seen in the figures). The movable mold  32  can thus be moved into contact with and separate from the fixed mold  31 . In the molding surface of the movable mold  32 , a housing molding recessed portion  39  is formed, that molds the female housing  1  in cooperation with the horizontal portion of the core portion  35  of the fixed mold  31 . In a deeper surface of the housing molding recessed portion  39 , an insertion hole  41  is formed. A projecting pin  40  is inserted in into the insertion hole  41  so it is free to advance and retreat. 
     On a lower surface side of the housing molding recessed portion  39 , a retainer molding recessed portion  44  is formed corresponding to the retainer molding recessed portion  34  of the fixed mold  31 . The retainer molding recessed portion  44  is used to mold the front portion side of the retainer  3 . In the lower surface of the retainer molding recessed portion  44 , an insertion hole  45  extends in the vertical direction of the retainer molding recessed portion  44 . An inserting pin  46  is in the insertion hole  45 . The inserting pin  46  can be driven by an appropriate drive, such as a cylinder drive mechanism (not shown), so it can advance and retreat. 
     A description of a procedure for molding the female housing  1  and retainer  3 , and assembling them together using the molding device, will now be provided. 
     As shown in FIG. 10, the projecting pin  40  and inserting pin  46  are in their retreated position. The movable mold  32  is advanced to close the two molds  31  and  32 . The vertical portion  37  of the core portion  35  of the fixed mold  31  is fit into the housing molding recessed portion  39  of the movable mold  32 . Then, the cavity for the female housing  1  and retainer  3  is filled with molten resin. The female housing  1 , including the retainer insertion hole  10  that extends from the front surface of the female housing  1  over the lower surface due to existence of the vertical portion  37  of the core portion  35  and the retainer  3  that is situated below the female housing  1 , can then be molded. 
     After a given time, the molten resin hardens and the movable mold  32  is retracted. The two molds  31  and  32  are then separated from each other, as shown in FIG.  11 . At this time, the female housing  1  and retainer  3  are held by the movable mold  32 . 
     When the molds  31  and  32  are opened, as shown in FIG. 12, the inserting pin  46  on the lower surface side of the retainer molding recessed portion  44 , is advanced. The retainer  3  is then driven or lifted, while being guided by the deep side surface of the retainer molding recessed portion  44 . The retainer  3  is thereby inserted into the opening  11  on the lower side of the retainer insertion hole  10  (in FIG.  12 ), where the retainer  3  can be provisionally assembled at the temporarily secured position. On completion of the provisional assembly of the retainer  3 , the inserting pin  46  is retracted to its original position, FIG.  13 . The projecting pin  40  is simultaneously extended, so the retainer  3  is provisionally assembled to the female housing  1  and can be projected out of the movable mold  32 , and removed from the movable mold  32 . 
     As described above, the molding the female housing  1  and retainer  3  and their provisional assembly can be carried out at the same time. This eliminates a need for delivery of the female housing  1  and retainer  3  to another site for assembly. Thus, the number of the steps required for manufacturing the connector is reduced, which in turn shortens the time necessary for completion of the product. The manufacturing cost of the connector is reduced. Also, since two different molded products, i.e., the female housing  1  and retainer  3 , can be molded within a single molding device, the invention is also advantageous for control purposes. 
     FIGS. 14 through 16 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a connector. In the second preferred embodiment, a male side connector of a front retainer-type, which can be fit with the female side connector of the first embodiment, includes a male side connector housing or male housing  51  and a retainer  53  used to secure a male terminal member  52 . 
     The male housing  51  is similar to the female housing  1 . It is an integral member formed of synthetic resin and includes a main body  54 . On the front side (right side in FIG. 15) of the main body  54 , a hood portion  55  is provided onto which a female housing, such as, for example, the female housing employed in the first preferred embodiment, can be fit. In the interior portion of the main body  54 , a plurality of cavities  56  are formed, such as but not limited to six cavities corresponding to cavities in the female housing  1 . 
     When a male terminal member  52  is inserted into the cavities  56  from the rear surface side of the male housing  51  (left side in FIG.  15 ), lances  57 , which are provided in each cavity  56 , are elastically deformed. Each lance  57  fits into the jaw portion  59  of the male terminal member  52 . Thereby, the male terminal member  52  has its tab  50  projecting into the hood portion  55 , so the male terminal member  52  is primarily secured in a removal prevention position. 
     On the front surface of the main body  54  of the male housing  51 , a retainer insertion hole  62  is formed. The retainer insertion hole  62  extends to the flexibly deformable spaces  58  for each of the lances  57 . The retainer insertion hole  62 , as shown in FIG. 14, extends from one side surface of the main body  54  on the front end side to a portion of a groove  64  formed in the hood portion  55 . The retainer insertion hole  62  continues on the same side surface of the main body, while an opening  63  of the retainer insertion hole  62  is formed so that it has a length, in a back-and-forth direction, greater than the width of the retainer  53 . 
     The retainer  53 , similar to the other preferred embodiments, is formed as a flat plate that can be inserted into the retainer insertion hole  62 . An end edge of the retainer  53  is formed as a projection portion  53   a,  which can project into the flexibly deformable spaces  58  for each of the lances  57 . If the retainer  53  is inserted in the opening  63  in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 14, the retainer  53  can be held in a temporarily secured position. In the temporarily secured position, the projection portion  53   a  of the retainer  53  remains in front of the flexibly deformable spaces  58  of the lances  57 . Also, the rear edge side of the retainer  53  in the insertion direction C projects from the opening  63 , as shown by the broken line in FIG.  14 . 
     The retainer  53  is then further inserted into the retainer insertion hole  62 , in the direction of arrow D, and is held in the fully secured position. In the fully secured position, the projection portion  53   a  of the retainer  53  projects into the flexibly deformable spaces  58  for each of the lances  57 . This mechanism holds the retainer  53  at the temporarily and fully secured position, similarly as the first preferred embodiment. Therefore, the similar parts are given the similar reference characters, and a duplicative description is omitted. 
     A description of the operation of the second preferred embodiment will now be provided. At first, the retainer  53  is inserted from the right side (FIG. 14) of the opening  63  formed in the side surface of the male housing  51  into the retainer insertion hole  62 . The retainer  53  is inserted along in the direction of arrow C (FIG.  14 ), and temporarily held in the securing position, shown in FIG.  15 . In this position, the projection portion  53   a  of the retainer  53  remains on the side of the flexibly deformable spaces  58  of the lances  57 , thus the lances  57  are in a flexibly deformed position. In this position, if the male terminal member  52  is inserted into the cavities  56 , the male terminal member  52  can be pushed and the lances  57  flexibly deformed. When the male terminal member  52  is inserted to its fully inserted position, the lances  57  are then elastically deformed and restored back to their original positions. Each lance  57  then fits into a corresponding jaw portion  59  of the male terminal member  52 . The male terminal member  52  is secured in a removal prevention position. 
     When a finger or other object contacts a retainer  53  projecting from an opening  63  formed in the side surface of a groove  64  on the hood portion  55 , the retainer  53  can be pushed in the direction of arrow D, FIG.  14 . As shown in FIG. 16, the retainer  53  is held in the fully secured position, where the projection  53   a  of the retainer  53  projects into the flexibly deformable spaces  58  of the lances  57 . Flexible deformation of the lances  57  is restricted to prevent the male terminal member  52  from being removed. Thus, the male terminal member  52  is further secured. Although not illustrated, if the male terminal member  52  is held in a half-inserting position, the half-insertion position can be detected, similar to the first preferred embodiment. 
     As described above, according to this preferred embodiment, the direction that the retainer  53  is pushed to the temporarily secured position is different from the direction the retainer  53  is pushed from the temporarily secured position to the fully secured position. Therefore, the retainer  53  held in the temporarily secured position cannot be erroneously pushed into the fully secured position. Thus, similarly to the first preferred embodiment, the need for an operation to return the retainer  53  is eliminated, so that the retainer assembly operation can be effectively conducted. 
     In conventional connectors, the retainer is simply inserted from the front surface of the male housing. However, as described herein, a hood portion  55  interferes when the retainer is mounted at a temporarily secured position. When the retainer  53  is pushed further into the fully secured position from the temporarily secured position, the tab  60  of the male terminal member  52  which projects into the hood portion  55 , interferes with the retainer. In either case, it takes a substantial amount of time and effort to insert the retainer. On the other hand, the retainer  53  can be inserted from the side surface side of the male housing  51 , where no obstacles are found. Thus, the insertion operation of the retainer  53  can be conducted with high efficiency. 
     Also, in the first or second preferred embodiments, the molding of the housing and retainer and the provisionally assembly of the housing and retainer together can be executed in a single metal molding device. 
     A description will be given of a connector according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to FIGS. 17-24. The third preferred embodiment, similarly to the second preferred embodiment, illustrates a male side connector of a front retainer-type. 
     In the third preferred embodiment, the connector includes a male housing  101  and a retainer  103 , used to secure a male terminal member  102 . The male housing  101  is an integral member formed of synthetic resin and includes a main body  105 . On a front surface side of the main body  105  the left side in FIG. 19, a hood  106  is provided. A mating female housing (not shown) can be fit into the interior portion of the hood  106 . In the interior of the main body  105 , a plurality of cavities  107  are formed. In particular, in the two ends of the main body  105 , the cavities are arranged as upper and lower cavities. In the central portion of the main body  105 , the cavities are arranged as a single lower cavity. The upper and lower cavities  107  are formed symmetrical to each other with respect to the vertical direction. In the ceiling surfaces of the lower cavities  107  of the lower cavities and in the bottom surface of the upper cavities, lances  108  are provided. The lances  108  are formed in a cantilever shape and can be flexibly deformed. FIGS. 19-21 respectively illustrate longitudinal section views of the portion of the male housing  101 , in which only lower cavities  107  are formed. 
     The lances  108  each secure a male terminal member  102 . For each lower cavity  107 , if the male terminal member  102  is inserted into the cavities  107 , the lance  108  is flexibly deformed into the flexibly deformable spaces  110  formed above the lances  108 . The male terminal member  102  can then be pushed into the cavities  107 . If the male terminal member  102  is inserted to a fully inserted position, the lances  108  then return back to their original positions. The lances  108  cooperate with a jaw portion  111  of the male terminal member  102 , thereby causing a tab  112  of the male terminal member  102  to project into the hood  106 . The male terminal member  102  can be secured preventing removal. The lances  108  in the upper cavities also operate similarly to the lower cavity lances, except that their direction of flexible deformation is opposite. 
     In the front surface of the main body  105  of the male housing  101 , a retainer insertion hole  114  extends to the flexibly deformable spaces  110  for the lances  108 . The retainer insertion hole  114 , as shown in FIG. 17, extends from one side surface of the main body  105  to a portion of the hood  106 , continuing with the side surface. The opening  115  of the retainer insertion hole  114  has a length larger than the width of the retainer  103  in a back-and-forth direction i.e., a direction extending along the insertion direction of the male terminal member  102 . 
     The retainer  103  is formed of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 17, the retainer  103  is formed in a flat plate-like shape and can be inserted into the retainer insertion hole  114 . The front edge side (right side in FIG. 19) of the retainer  103  is formed as a projection portion  117 , which can project into each of the flexibly deformable space  110  of each lance  108 . The retainer  103  is inserted into the retainer insertion hole  114  from the left side of the opening  115  (in FIG. 17) in the direction of arrow E. On a rear edge of the retainer  103  in the insertion direction E, an operation projection  118  is integrally provided with the rear edge. If the retainer  103  is inserted into the retainer insertion hole  114 , the retainer  103  is held and the operation projection  118  extends outwardly from the opening  115 . This is the temporarily secured position of the retainer  103 , where the projection portion  117  of the retainer  103  is in front of the flexibly deformable spaces  110  of the lances  108 . 
     In order to hold the retainer  103  in the temporarily secured position, the ceiling surface of the retainer insertion hole  114  is provided with a flexibly deformable lock piece  120 . The lock piece  120  projects forwardly (the left side in FIG. 19) in a cantilever fashion. The lock piece  120  includes a lock projection  121  on its lower leading end portion and, as shown in FIG. 22, the front surface side of the lock projection  121  is formed as a tapered surface  122 . The side surface of the lock projection  121  is also formed as a tapered surface  123 . 
     A guide groove  125  is formed on the upper surface of the retainer  103  on the projection portion  117  side. The guide groove  125  extends along the insertion direction arrow E, in FIGS. 17 and 22. The lock projection  121  of the lock piece  120  can be fit in the guide groove  125 . The side wall of the guide groove  125  is formed as a tapered surface  126  and corresponds to the tapered surface  122  of the lock projection  121 . At the middle position of the guide groove  125  thereof, a securing portion  127  is provided. A front surface side of the securing portion  127  formed as a tapered surface  128  in the insertion direction E. 
     When the lock projection  121  is fit into the guide groove  125 , the retainer  103  is inserted into the retainer insertion hole  114 . During insertion, when the lock piece  120  is flexibly deformed, the lock projection  121  intersects with the securing portion  127  from the tapered surface  128 . Thus, the retainer  103  butts against the opposite side wall of the male housing  101 . When lock piece  120  is deformed and returns back to its original position, the lock projection  121  is fit with the rear surface side of the securing portion  127 . Thereby, the retainer  103  is held in the temporarily secured position. 
     The retainer  103  after being held in the temporarily secured position, is then pushed in the direction of arrow F (FIG.  18 ), deeper into the retainer insertion hole  114 . This position is the fully secured position, where projection portion  117  of the retainer  103  extends into the respective flexibly deformable space  110  of each lance  108 , thereby restricting the flexible deformation of each lance  108 . 
     As shown in FIG. 22, a securing groove  129  is formed in the upper surface of the retainer  103  to hold the retainer  103  in the fully secured position. The securing groove  129  extends at right angles to the guide groove  125 . The lock projection  121  of the lock piece  120  fits into the securing groove  129 . The securing groove  129  extends from a rear surface side of the securing portion  127  in the insertion direction E, and is spaced a given distance from the guide groove  125 . 
     If the retainer  103  is pushed from the temporarily secured position, into the retainer insertion hole  114  in the direction of arrow F (FIG. 18) while the lock piece  120  is flexibly deformed, the lock projection  121  slides along the tapered surface  126  of the guide groove  125  onto the upper surface of the retainer  103 . When the retainer  103  is pushed into the fully secured position, the lock piece  120  has been deformed and is returned back to its original position. The lock projection  121  is then fit into the securing groove  129 . The retainer  103  is held in the fully secured position to prevent removal. 
     Next, a description of the operation of the third preferred embodiment of the invention structured will now be provided. 
     The retainer  103  is inserted from the left side (FIG. 17) of the opening  115  formed in the side surface of the male housing  101 , and moved in the direction of arrow E into the retainer insertion hole  114 . As shown by a solid line in FIG. 18 the broken line in FIG. 19, the retainer  103  is held in the temporarily secured position. In the temporarily secured position, the projection portion  117  of the retainer  103  is in front of the flexibly deformable spaces  110  of each of the lances  108 , which are in a flexibly deformable condition. From this position, if the male terminal member  102  is inserted into the cavities  107 , the lances  108  can be flexibly deformed. When the terminal  102  is moved to its fully inserted position, the lances  108  are elastically deformed and returned to their original positions, where they fit within the jaw portion  111  of the male terminal member  102 . Thus, that the retainer  103  is secured in a removal prevention manner. 
     When a finger or other object is put on the operation projection  118 , which projects from the opening  115 , the retainer  103  can then be pushed into the retainer insertion hole in the direction of arrow F in FIG.  18 . The retainer  103  is held in the fully secured position, is located further into the housing than the primarily securing position, as shown by the broken line in FIG.  18  and the solid line in FIG.  20 . At this position, the projection portion  117  of the retainer  103  projects into the flexibly deformable spaces  110  of the lances  108 , so flexible deformation of the lances  108  is restricted. This assures that the male terminal member  102  is retainer against removal. 
     When the male terminal member  102  is inserted into the cavities  107 , as shown in FIG. 21, and the metal member  102  can only be inserted to a half-insertion position because the lances  108  are flexed within the flexibly deformable spaces  110 . Therefore, even if one tries to push the retainer  103  from the temporarily secured position to the fully secured position, the retainer  103  cannot be pushed in because it abuts against a lance  108 . This indicates that the male terminal member  102  is in a half-insertion position. 
     As described above, since insertion of the retainer  103  into the temporarily secured position and the pushing of the retainer  103  into the fully secured position can be carried out from the side surface side of the male housing, without interference from obstacles, the mounting of the retainer  103  can be conducted with a very high efficiency. As there is no need to insert a hand, tool or the like into the hood  105  to move the retainer. Thus, the tab  112  of the male terminal member  102  will not be deformed. 
     Further, since the insertion direction of the retainer  103  toward the temporarily secured position and the pushing direction of the retainer  103  from the temporarily secured position to the fully secured position intersect each other at right angles, i.e., the directions are normal to each other, the retainer  103  cannot be erroneously pushed into the fully secured position. This eliminates a need for a complex operation to return the retainer  103 . Thus, a retainer assembling operation can be efficiently conducted. 
     The invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, the following modifications also fall within the technical scope of the invention. Other modifications and changes than the following embodiments can also be included, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     In the first preferred embodiment, when the retainer  3  is inserted to the temporarily secured position, the rear edge of the retainer  3  in direction A passes through the opening  11  and is inserted into the female housing  1 . Thus, the width of the opening  11  may allow the retainer  3  to be inserted into the temporarily secured position. 
     In the second preferred embodiment, when the retainer  53  is inserted into the temporarily secured position, the rear edge of the retainer  3  in the direction A passes through the opening  63 , and is inserted into the male housing  51 . When the retainer  53  is further pushed into the fully secured position, the retainer  53  can be pushed by a finger, jig or other tool from within the hood portion  55 . The width of the opening  63  may have a length to allow the retainer  53  to be inserted into the temporarily secured position. 
     In the molding device, the retainer inserting pin may also be driven or advanced and retreated by use of any appropriate assembly, such as a cam mechanism. 
     In the third preferred embodiment, when the retainer  103  is inserted into the temporarily secured position, the projection  118  projects from the opening  115 . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 25, an operation projection  118   a  can be formed at a similar level with the side surface of the male housing  101 . When the retainer  103  is pushed into the fully secured position, a jug, such as a driver and the like, may be used. Due to the formation of the operation projection  118   a  with the side surface of the male housing  101 , the outer appearance of the connector can be neat. Further, external objects cannot bump against the operation projection  118   a  causing improper operation. Further, as an alternative to the operation projection, a recessed portion may be formed to facilitate operation. 
     The invention is not limited to the connector of a front retainer-type, as described in the preferred embodiments. It can also be applied to other front retainer-type connectors. For example, by pushing a retainer into a fully secured position, an elastic securing piece, separate from the lances, can be provided to be brought into engagement with another portion of a terminal member to secure the terminal member. Further, the invention can also be applied similarly to a rear retainer-type connectors, by pushing a retainer from the rear surface side of a connector housing. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes amy be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.