Abstract:
The present invention relates to a release tab ( 37 ) for an electrical connector ( 1 ), comprising a body ( 38 ) and an unlocking nose ( 42 ) for unlatching a latch ( 13 ) securing the electrical connector ( 1 ) connected with a mating connector ( 2 ), as well as to an electrical connector ( 1 ) comprising a housing ( 4 ), a latch ( 13 ) for securing the housing ( 4 ) to a mating connector ( 2 ), the latch ( 13 ) extending from the housing ( 4 ), having an opening ( 19 ), as well as being transferable to an unlatched position, and a release tab ( 37 ) being arranged movable between a released position and an actuated position, and having an unlocking nose ( 42 ) extending into the opening ( 19 ) to transfer the latch ( 13 ) to the unlatched position when moving the release tab ( 37 ) from the released position to the actuated position. For providing an improved release tab and an improved electrical connector of a simple and compact design, allowing the connector to be unplugged in high density applications, the unlocking nose ( 42 ) is arranged at a cantilever ( 41 ) projecting from the body ( 38 ), and the release tab ( 37 ) of the present invention is arranged at the electrical connector.

Description:
This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2012/052036, filed 7 Feb. 2012, which claims benefit of Serial No. P201130168, filed 8 Feb. 2011 in Spain and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a release tab for an electrical connector, comprising a body and an unlocking nose for unlatching a latch securing the electrical connector connected with a mating connector. 
     The present invention further relates to an electrical connector comprising a housing; a latch for securing the housing to a mating connector, the latch extending from the housing, having an opening, as well as being transferable to an unlatched position; and a release tab being arranged moveable between a released position and an actuated position, and having an unlocking nose extending into the opening to transfer the latch to the unlatched position when moving the release tab from the released position to the actuated position. 
     In the electronics industry, and in particular the telecommunications industry, there is a trend towards more densely packaged connectors and connector systems. For example, in switching networks, such as patch panels, the connectors are positioned tightly spaced in multiple rows. 
     Because the rows are positioned in such close proximity, difficulties arise when accessing the latching mechanism that is securing the connector to the mating connector of the panel. The spacing between the adjacent connectors, in particular in high density applications, is too small to accommodate the fingers to release the latching mechanism. A further problem arises in that the latching mechanism is typically positioned at the mating interface of the connector with the panel so that the cables and/or the adjacent connectors block access to the latching mechanism. 
     To overcome the above problems, special tools have been developed to reach into the tight spaces to release the latching mechanism such that the electrical connector may be removed. However, such tools are cumbersome to use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,361 B2 discloses an electrical connector having a housing, a latch extending from the housing for securely coupling the housing to a mating connector, said latch being depressible to an unlatched position, and a tether mated with the latch. The tether is moveable between a released position and an actuated position and depresses the latch to the unlatched position, when being moved to the actuated position. The tether is mated with the latch by including an embossment, which extends into a window of the latch and engages an edge of the window to transfer the latch to the unlatched position. 
     The connector of U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,361 B2 requires a specific design of the connector housing. In particular, the latch profile is specifically arranged and designed for being actuable by the tether. Furthermore, the specifically designed hood portion is necessary for the connector of U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,361 B2. The hood is elevated from the housing and so that the connector U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,361 B2 requires extra space. 
     In view of the above, the objective technical problem of the present invention is to provide an improved release tab and an improved electrical connector of a simple and compact design, comprising such release tab allowing the connector to be unplugged in high density applications. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention solves this problem by arranging the unlocking nose at a cantilever projecting from the body of the release tab. 
     The initially mentioned electrical connector solves the above-defined technical problem by comprising a release tab according to the present invention. 
     This easy and simply solution allows for a flexible arrangement and alignment of the locking nose with respect to the body of the tab. Due to this flexibility, the release tab can be used for an arbitrary plug, in particular a standard plug, whose latch is provided with a window for receiving the unlocking nose. Due to the arrangement of the unlocking nose at the cantilever projecting from the body of the release tab, the cantilever and the unlocking nose form a hook-like structure that allows for secure accommodation of the unlocking nose in the window of the latch. The hook-like structure furthermore facilitates the accommodation of the unlocking nose in the window of the latch, and the body of the release tab can be arranged closer to the housing of the electrical connector since the body does not need to arrange the body of the electrical connector above the latch, like in the connector of U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,361 B2. Rather, only the cantilever elevates the unlocking nose above the latch for engaging the nose in the opening, while the reminder of the tab body can be close to the housing allowing a compact design. 
     The solution according to the present invention may be combined in any way with the following advantageous embodiments of the present invention respectfully and further improved. 
     According to an embodiment of the release tab, the cantilever projects from the body against the direction in which the unlocking device protrudes from the cantilever and/or in which the latch is transferred to the unlatched position upon moving the release tab from the released position to the actuated position. 
     According to a further embodiment of the release tab, a tip of the unlocking nose and a free end of the cantilever are arranged, in the projection of the actuations direction along which the release tab is moved from the released position to the actuated position, at opposite sides of the body. In particular, the free end of the cantilever is arranged before the body, with respect to the unlatching direction, along which the latch is transferred to the unlatched position when moving the release tab to the actuated position, while the tip of the unlocking nose I arranged after the body in the projection along the unlatching direction or depression direction in case of a depressible latch. The unlocking nose may be arranged at the retaining end at the free end of the cantilever. 
     These embodiments allow for a compact design of an electrical connector having the release tab assembled a close distance to the connector housing. Contrary to the release tab of U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,361 B2, according to which the entire body of the release tab is located further away from the housing than the latch, the release tab according to the present invention makes it possible to arrange the body of the release tab close to the connector housing. It minimises the distance at which the release tab body is arranged from the connector housing. The release tab according to the present invention can be arranged closer to the connector housing because only the cantilever projects to such an extent form the body allowing the free or distal end of the cantilever to be arranged before the latch, in the projection along the unlatching or depression direction. Nevertheless, the release tip of the present invention is capable of depressing the latch for unlatching since the cantilever projecting from the body may be designed such that the cantilever rises from the connector housing above the free end of the latch. Since the unlocking nose is arranged at the cantilever, in particular at the free end thereof, it is then still possible to extend the unlocking nose into the opening of the latch. 
     For avoiding that the unlocking nose is moved out of the opening when moving the release tab from the released position to the actuated position, the tip of the nose may comprise a stopper limiting the displacement of the latch, relative to the nose in the unlatching or depression direction. The stopper may be a catch protruding from the tip of the nose. 
     According to a further embodiment, the electrical connector of the present invention may further comprise a detachment device for transferring the latch to the unlatched position. The detachment device and/or the release tab may be adapted to allow transfer of the latch to the unlocked position by the detachment device even if the release tab is arranged at the connector. According to this embodiment, the latch does not necessarily has to be released by means of the release tab. Alternatively, the latch be released using the detachment device, which might be more convenient in certain situations depending on the mating connector with which the electrical connector is mated, e.g. in case the detachment device is freely accessible from the outside or when the electrical connector is densely packed with adjacent connectors. The release tab may be adapted for allowing to actuate the detachment device for transferring the latch to the unlatched position, at least in the released position of the release tab. 
     According to a further embodiment of the release tab, the cantilever has a window. The latch may extend through the window of the cantilever, such that, viewed from the side, the cantilever crosses the latch. This allows for a compact design, according to which it is not even necessary for the free end of the cantilever to be arranged, with respect to the connector housing, above the free tip of the latch. Further the window provides a guidance for the transfer of the latch to the unlatched position and at the same time a cover avoiding a deformation of the latch other than the intended transfer to the unlatching position. Moreover, the window makes room for moving the detachment device for transferring the latch the unlatched position, so that the detachment device may be actuated even if the release tab is arranged at the connector in the released position. 
     In a further embodiment of the electrical connector, the connector further comprises a hood covering at least the free tip of the latch. The free tip of the latch, in particular in connectors used for ethernet links, generally points in the direction in which the electrical connector is removed from the mating connector. Thus, there is the risk that the free tip of the latch gets caught in an adjacent connector or cable when removing a connector, which may damage the latch and the electrical connector. This is avoided by providing the electrical connector with a hood covering at least the free tip of the latch, which is thus protected by the hood. 
     According to a further embodiment, the hood may comprise the unlatching device and thereby fulfil the double function of providing the cover protecting the tip of the latch and at the same time providing in a simple and compact manner the unlatching device of the electrical connector. The hood may be hinged to a part of the electrical connector, e.g. the housing, a shielding element or a boot. In one embodiment, the hood may be integrally formed with the connector housing, the shielding or the boot of the connector. 
     According to a further embodiment, the release tab may comprise a handle. The handle facilitates the operation of the release tab. In a further embodiment, an actuation device can be attached to the body of the release tab. The actuating device may either be formed integrally with the body of the release tab or the handle thereof, or directly be attached thereto, e.g. by connecting the actuating tool with an adhesive joint, a positive-fit or non-positive fit. The actuating device can be either also be made as a separate part providing a tool for actuating the release tab from even a longer distance than if using a release tab without the actuation device. In one embodiment, the actuation device may be a tail made from a plastic or textile that is attached to the body of the release tab. This tail may simultaneously be used as label for the connector or as a means of color codification for distinguishing an electrical connector in a high density application. 
     In a further embodiment, the release tab may comprise a coupling element for attaching the actuation device to the body. The coupling element may be for example a hook or an opening in the body, which can be engaged with the actuation tool. The release tool, e.g. a bar or rod, may be provided at one end with a counter coupling element to be engaged with the coupling end of the release tab. The actuation device may be adjustable in length for adapting the length of the actuation device to the environment in which the electrical connector is used. Further, the end of the actuation tool that is opposite the end, which is attached to the release tab, can be fastened, e.g. at the cable of the connector. 
     According to a further embodiment, the release tab of the present invention may comprise a catch for securing the release tab against lifting off from the electrical connector, in particular, against lifting off against the unlatching direction provided by the resilience of the latch when transferred to the unlatched position. 
     The catch may be provided at the cantilever or at the body in a region that is aligned with or is adjacent to or close to the unlocking nose of the release tab. The catch achieves that the release tab is not pushed away from the connector housing when the latch is transferred to the unlatched position. Thus, the unlocking nose remains principally at the same distance with respect to the connector housing when transferring the release tab into the actuated position so that the reactive forces acting from the latch to the unlocking nose when the latch is released are compensated and lead into the catch and a hood portion, such as the hood of the connector according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,361 B, is not necessary to avoid the release tab being moved away from the electrical connector. 
     For directing the movements of the release tab, when assembled with the connector, according to a further embodiment, the release tab of the present invention may comprise at least one guide element. The electrical connector may comprise at least one counter-guide element for engaging with and forming a guiding with a guide element of the release tab. The guide element in conjunction with the counter-guide element realise that the release tab is moveable only in and against a pre-determined actuation direction with respect to the connector housing. In an embodiment, the body and/or the catch may comprise a guide element of the release tab according the present invention. Alternatively, the body of the tab may form or comprise a guide element of the release tab. 
     In a further embodiment, the release tab comprises at least two guide-elements. This realises in a simple and easy construction a uni-translation movement of the release tab with respect to the connector housing only in and against the pre-determined actuation direction, without the risk of tilting due to the two-point guidance. 
     In a further embodiment, the catch forms or comprises a guide element of the release tab. 
     The electrical connector according to the present invention may, in a further embodiment, comprise a counter-guide element, such as a slot, groove, rib or rail, forming a guidance with a guide bar or a guide rib or guide gip of the release tab. 
     In a further embodiment, the detachment device and/or the hood of the electrical connector may comprise the counter guide element so that the detachment device and/or the hood serve at least two functions, one of which is to guide the relative movement of the release tab with respect to the electrical connector housing and the other is the above-mentioned advantages of the attachment device and the hood. 
     According to a further embodiment, the electrical connector of the present invention may comprise a boot surrounding at least section-wise the housing. The boot may serve as a strain relief element and furthermore comprise at least one of the detachment device, the hood and/or a counter guide element according to one of the above-described embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described hereafter by means of examples referring to exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The various features of the described embodiments can be combined or omitted independently of one another as already described above. 
       In the Figures: 
         FIG. 1 : shows a schematic representation of an electrical connector in a first embodiment comprising a first embodiment of a release tab according the present invention; 
         FIG. 2 : shows a schematic representation of the release tab according to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic top view of the release tab of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4 : shows a side view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1  comprising the release tab of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in the released position; 
         FIG. 5 : shows a side view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1  comprising the release tab of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in the actuated position; 
         FIG. 6 : shows the electrical connector of  FIG. 1  having its latch depressed and the release tab not yet arranged at the electrical connector; 
         FIG. 7 : shows a schematic illustration of an electrical connector according to a second embodiment comprising a release tab according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 8 : shows a side of the electrical connector of the  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9 : shows a schematic representation of the release tab according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10 : is a longitudinal cut of the release tab of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11 : shows a cross-sectional view of the release tab according to the second embodiment shown along the section line A-A of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12 : shows a schematic rear view of the boot according to the electrical connector of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 13 : shows a schematic front view of the boot according to the electrical connector of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 14 : shows a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 8  cut along section line B-B; 
         FIG. 15 : shows a side view of the electrical connector with a release tab according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  shows a side view of the electrical connector with a release tab according to a forth embodiment; and 
         FIG. 17  shows a side view of the electrical connector with a release tab according to a fifth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary electrical connector  1 , formed in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment. The electrical connector  1  represents a plug connector that may be mated with a mating connector  2 , represented by a receptacle connector in  FIG. 1 . The electrical connector  1  and the mating connector  2  are modular connectors, such as the types of electrical connectors used for connected telecommunications equipment or computer networking equipment, such as an RJ45. The exemplary electrical connector  1  of  FIG. 1  is coupled to an end of the cable  3 . The electrical connector  1  comprises a housing  4  and a ferrule  5  building a shielding element extending from the housing. The ferrule  5  is coupled to the housing  4  using a latch mechanism  6 . However, any other type fastener could be used for coupling the ferrule  5  to the housing  4 . 
     The ferrule  5  surrounds the cable  3  and the individual wires (not shown) that form the cable  3 . The ferrule  5  is securely coupled to the cable  3  to avoid removal of the cable  3  from the electrical connector  1 . For example, the ferrule  5  may comprise a crimping barrel  7 , or may be otherwise secured to the cable  3  The ferrule  5  may be fabricated from a metal and thus provide shielding around the end of the cable  3  and the wires of the cable  3 . 
     The housing extends between a mating end  8  at the front of electrical connector and facing against the actuation direction D, and a cable end  18  at the rear facing in the actuation direction A. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing has a cavity (not shown) defined by mating end  8  in the front, a top wall  9 , a bottom wall  10  and two opposing side walls  11 ,  12  of the housing  4 . 
     The electrical connector  1  comprises a latch  13  for securing the electrical connector  1  with the mating connector  2 . In the shown embodiment, the latch  13  is integrally with the housing  4  on the exterior surface of the top wall  9 . 
     The latch  13  extends between the fixed end  14  and a distal end or free tip  15 . The latch is cantilever such that the distal end  15  is elevated from the top wall  9  of the housing  4  against the unlatching or deflection direction D, in which the latch  13  is moved for being transferred to the unlatched position. In the following, the unlatching direction will be referred to as depression direction D. The latch is connected with the housing  4  via a hinge  16  and is moveable between a latched position, such as the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , and an unlatched position, depicted in  FIG. 5 . The latch may be depressed in the depression direction D from the released position by rotating about the hinge  16  and the fixed end of the latch  13  principally towards the top wall  9  of the housing  4 . 
     The latch  13  comprises a latching surface  17  that is capable of being engaged with the corresponding counter-latching surface (not shown) of the mating connector  2  to securely connector the electrical connector  1  to the mating connector  2 . For example, the latching surface  17  of the latch  13  can be brought into engagement with the counter latching surface of the mating connector  2  such that the counter-latching element abuts against the latching surface  17  of the latch  13 . In abutment, the latching surface  17  rests along the insertion direction I, along which the connector  1  is inserted into the mating connector  2 , behind the counter-latching surface. The insertion direction I principally corresponds to the direction extending from the cable end  18  of the housing towards the mating end  8 . This engagement or abutment prohibits the removal of the electrical connector  1  from the mating connector  2 . 
     The latch comprises a window  19  that is designed proximate to the tip  15  of the latch  13 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the window  19  is rectangular and is defined by a front edge  20 , a rear edge  21  and opposing side edges  22  (the front edge  20 , the rear edge  21  and the side edges  22  are not shown for the electrical connector  1  according to the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 6 , but only for the electrical connector  1  according to the second embodiment of  FIGS. 7 to 14 ). In the exemplary embodiments shown in the Figures, the opening  19  of the latch  13  is a through-hole extending entirely through the latch  13  from its top surface  23  to the bottom surface  24 . 
     The electrical connector  1  according to the first embodiment further comprises a boot  25 . The boot  25  comprises a strain relief portion  26  that surrounds and is coupled to the cable  3 . The strain relief portion  26  is provided at the rear of the boot  25  facing away from the mating end  8  of the housing  4  of the electrical connector  1 . Boot  25  can be coloured providing a colour identification to the connector  1 . In case of a boot  25  made with clear material, a color codification tag  27 , such as a colored clamp  27  can be attached to the boot  25  to serve them as color identification. 
     The boot  25  further comprise a connector portion  28  that at least section-wise surrounds at least a portion of the electrical connector  1 , such as the ferrule  5 , as shown in the exemplary embodiment of the electrical connector according to the present invention shown in the Figures. The connector portion  28  is provided at the front of the boot  25 , facing in the insertion direction I, and is securely coupled to the ferrule  5  of the electrical connector  1  via a further latching mechanism  29 . However, the connector portion  28  of the boot  25  could likewise be securely coupled to the ferrule  5  by a friction fit, an adhesive and the like. 
     The boot  25  is furthermore provided with a hood  30 . The hood  30  extends between a fixed end  31  and a distal tip  32 . The hood  30  is cantilevered such that the distal tip  32  is elevated from the top wall  33  of the boot  25 , i.e. against the depression direction D. The hood  30  has the form of a lug or tongue whose width w 30  decreases from the fixed  31  to the distal tip  32 . The distal tip  32  extends and is elevated against the depression direction D above the free tip  15  of the latch  13 . Due to this alignment of the distal tip  32  of the hood  30  with the free tip  15  of the latch, when the hood  30  is depressed downwards, the hood  30  rotates about its fixed end  31  generally towards the top wall  33 . During this movement, the distal tip  32  of the hood  30  engages with and abuts against the free tip  15  of the latch and simultaneously depresses the latch  13  downwards towards the top wall  9  of the housing into the unlatched position. That is, the lug-shaped hood  30  provides a detachment device  34  for transferring the latch  13  to the unlatched position. 
     The hood  30  includes a slot-shaped opening  35  approximate the fixed end  31 . This slot  35  provides a counter-guide element  36  for engaging with part of the release tab  37  according to the present invention, in particular with the body  38 . The slot  35  and the body  38  in the exemplary embodiment form a guidance directing the movement of the release tab  37  relative to the housing  4  in and against the actuation direction A. The actuation direction A is generally parallel to but opposing the insertion direction I of the electrical connector  1 . The movement of the release tab  37  from the released position along the actuation direction A into an actuated position will be described in detail below. 
     The release tab is arranged at the top wall  9  of the housing  4  and the top wall  33  of the boot  25 . The release tab  37  configured to be pulled in the actuation direction A, shown by the arrow, to actuate the latch  13 , i.e. for transferring the latch  13  to the unlatched position. The release tab  37  is moveable between a released position (see e.g.  FIG. 4 ) and an actuated position (see e.g.  FIG. 5 ). When the release tab is pulled with sufficient force in the actuation direction A, the release tab is moved from the released position to the actuated position. When the release tab  37  is released, the release tab can move back to the released position in the direction generally opposing to the actuation direction A, i.e. in the insertion direction I. The release tab  37  may be automatically returned to the released position due to elasticity of the latch  13  so that the person operating the electrical connector  1  does not have to manually push the release tab  37  back to the released position. 
     In the following, the release tab  37  according to the first embodiment of the electrical connector  1  of the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is described in detail. 
     The release tab  37  comprises a body  38  extending between a mating end  39  and an actuation or pulling end  40 . The body  38  according to the shown embodiment is designed as a strip-like body  38 . The mating end  39  is designed for engaging with the latch  13  and the cantilever  41  with the unlocking nose  42  are provided at the mating end  39 . The engagement of the mating end  39  of the release tab  37  with the latch  13  will be described in detail below. 
     The pulling end  40  is placed at a distance d from the nose  42  arranged at the mating end  39 . The body  38  extends through the slot-like opening  35  in the hood  30 , whereby the cross-section of the body  38  corresponds to the slot-shape of the opening  35 . Thereby, the body  38  of the release tab  37  forms a guide element  43  for engaging with the counter-guiding element  36  provided by the slot  35  of the hood  30 , and for directing the movement of the release tab  37  in the actuation direction A. The strip-shaped or rod-shaped body  38  of the release tab  37  is arranged in the proximity of the top surface of the electrical connector  1 , that faces against the depression direction D. The pulling end  40  is freely accessible to the operator for pulling in the actuation direction A that, in the shown embodiment, faces away from the mating end  8  of the housing  4 . A plurality of grip elements designed as ribs  44  are provided at the pulling end  40  of the release tab  37 , which facilitate pulling the release tab  37  in the actuation direction A by providing a better grip on the body  38 . 
     The cantilever  41  is arranged at the mating end  39  of the release tab  37 . In the shown embodiment, the cantilever  41  is integrally formed with the body  38  of the release tab  37  and projects from the body  38  in the direction opposite to the depression direction D. A base portion  45  of the cantilever  41  is arranged at the mating end  39  of the release tab body  38 . In the base portion  45 , the width of the release tab  37  is widened so that the width W 38  of the body strip  38  is smaller than the width W 41  of the cantilever. The base  45  of the cantilever  41  is principally arranged in the plane defined by the body strip  38 . 
     The cantilever  41  extends from the base portion  45  via a slant portion  46  up to a retaining end  47  that is the free end of the cantilever  41 . In the following, the retaining end  47  is also referred to as the free end  47  of the cantilever  41 . While the base  45  of the cantilever  41  is principally arranged in the plane defined by the body strip  38 , the slant portion  46  is elevated against the depression direction D from the top surface  48  of the body  38  and the base  45 . The slant portion  46  is provided with a window  49 . The window is of a rectangular shape in the shown exemplary embodiment and is defined by the forward edge  50 , at the retaining end  47 , a rearward edge  51 , the base  45 , and side edges  52 . The distance between the side edges  52 , i.e. the width W 49  of the window  49  principally corresponds to the width W 38  of the release tab body  38  in the shown embodiment. However the width W 49  and width W 38  can also have different measure in width. 
     The retaining end  47  of the cantilever  41  principally runs parallel to the tab body  38  but is elevated with respect to the body  38  against the depression direction D. An embossment forming the unlocking nose  42  is provided in the retaining end  47  of the cantilever  41 . The unlocking nose  42  includes a ramp surface  53  that extends from a base  54  to a tip  55 . The ramp surface  53  is generally rearward-facing, i.e. facing towards the pulling end  40 , while the unlocking nose  42  generally is arranged perpendicular to the plane of the tab body  38 , i.e. parallel to the depression direction D. At the tip  55 , the unlocking nose  42  is provided with a stopper  56 . The stopper  56  is designed as a hook, protruding generally in the actuation direction A towards the pulling end  40  of the release tab  37 . The retaining end  47 , that is the free end of the cantilever  41  is arranged, in the projection along the depression direction D, before the body  38 . The tip  55  of the is arranged, in the projection along the depression direction D, after the body  38 . Thus the free or retaining end  47  of the cantilever  41  and the tip  55  of the nose  42  are arranged on opposite side of the body, namely, the free or retaining end  47  at the top side of surface  48 , and the tip at the bottom side of surface  48   a.    
     The assembly of the release tab  37  with the electrical connector  1  and the unlatching of the latch  13  by transferring the release tab  37  from the released position ( FIG. 4 ) to the unlatched position ( FIG. 5 ) will now be explained in detail with respect to  FIG. 4  (assembly of electrical connector  1  with the release tab  37  in the released position),  FIG. 5  (assembly of electrical connector  1  with the release tab  37  in the actuated position) and  FIG. 6  (electrical connector  1  in a pre-assembled state, where the release tab  37  is not yet assembled with the other parts of the electrical connector  1 ). 
     Assembly of the electrical connector  1 , more particular, positioning arrangement of the release tab  37  is accomplished in the exemplary embodiment, by loading the release tab  37  from the front at the mating end  8  of the electrical connector  1 . For the assembly, the latch  13  has to be depressed down in the depression direction D making way for inserting the release tab  37  with the pulling end  40  first along the actuation direction A between the depressed latch  13  and beneath the hood  30  through the slot-like opening  35  provided in the proximity of the fixed end  31  of the hood  30 . The release tab  37  is inserted until the mating end  39  of the release tab  37  engages with the latch  13 . When the unlocking nose  42 , particularly the tip  55  of the nose  42 , is arranged in the opening  19  of the latch  13 , which is the case when the elevated retaining portion  47  upon insertion of the release tab  37  abuts against the distal tip  32  of the hood, the depressed latch  13  can be released. 
     Upon release, the latch  13  snaps back into the latching position and the electrical connector  1  is assembled with the release tab  37  in the released position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this position, the free tip  15  of the latch  13  rests against the bottom surface  32   a  of the distal tip  32  of the hood  30 . However, it is not mandatory for the tip  32  of the hood  30  to be in contact with the free tip  15 . The unlocking nose  42  extends through the opening  19  in the latch  13  and, in this position where the unlocking nose  42  is received in the opening  19 , the ramp surface  53  is generally facing the rear edge  21  of the opening  19 . The distal portion  15  of the latch  13  itself is received in and extends through the window  49  provided in the slant portion  46  of the cantilever  41 . The cantilever comprises side walls  57  provided with side edges  42  of the window, which guide the movement of the latch  13 , when depressed downwards in the depression direction D and avoid tilting of the latch  13  out of the plane defined by the depression direction D and the actuation direction A. 
     For releasing the electrical connector  1  from the mating connector  2 , the latch has to be transferred to the unlatched position. This can be done by actuating the release tab  37 . The tab  37  is actuated by moving the release tab  37  from the released position, shown in  FIG. 4 , to the actuated position shown in  FIG. 5 , in the actuation direction A. For this transfer, the release tab  37  is gripped in the pulling end  40  and pulled in the actuation direction A. When pulling the release tab  37  in the actuation direction A, the ramp surface  53  engages the rear edge  21  of the opening  19  and the rear edge  21  slides down the ramp surface  53  from the base  54  to the tip  55  until the latch  13  abuts against the inner surface  55   a  of the stopper  56  that faces against the depression direction D. Thereby, the stopper  56  avoids that the unlocking nose  42  can be moved out of the opening  19  in the release tab  37  and thus limits the movement of the release tab  37  relative to the rest of the electrical connector  1  in the actuation direction A and against the depression direction D. 
     As the release tab  37  is pulled in the actuation direction A, the latch  13  is moved from the released position of  FIG. 4  to the unlatched position, as shown in  FIG. 5 , whereby the free tip  15  of the latch  13  is rotated about the fixed end  14  at the hinge  16  generally towards the top wall  9  of the housing  4 . In the released position, the latching surface  17  of the latch  13  engages with a counter-latching surface (not shown) of the mating connector  2 . When moving the latch  13  in the depression direction D, the latching surface  17  of the latch  13  is moved out of the engagement with the counter-surface (not shown) of the mating connector. In the unlatched position, the latching surface  17  does not longer block disconnecting the mating connector  2  against the insertion direction I from the mating connector  2 . 
     As an alternative to transferring the latch  13  to the unlatched position by pulling the release tab  37  in the actuation direction A, the operator may push on the upper side  58  of the hood  30 . Such push deflects the distal tip of the hood  32  towards the top wall  33  of the boot  25 , i.e. in the depression direction D. During the deflection, the tip  32  of the hood  30  engages with the distal end  15  of the latch  13  taking the latch  13  along with the hood  30  in the depression direction D. The cantilever  41  of the release tab  37  does not interfere with the depression of the hood  30  since the tip  32  of the hood can enter the window  49  provided in the slant portion  46  of the cantilever  41 . The window thus guide the deflection of the latch  13  and the hood  30  in and against the depression direction D. 
     In the following, a second embodiment of the electrical connector  1  comprising a release tab  37  according to a second embodiment is described with reference to the  FIGS. 7 to 14 . For elements having a similar or identical structure/function as elements of the first embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the same reference signs are used. In the following, only the differences between the further embodiment of the electrical connector  1  and the release tab  37  with respect to the first embodiment are described. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view and  FIG. 8  is a side view of an exemplary electrical connector  1  according to a second embodiment. The electrical connector  1  principally corresponds to the first embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6 . In the following, the main differences lie basically in the design of a release tab  37  according to a second embodiment as well as the design of the boot  25 . 
     The release tab  37  according to the second embodiment is shown in detail in perspective view in  FIG. 9 , in a longitudinal cut along the longitudinal axis corresponding to the actuation direction A, in  FIG. 10  and in a cross-sectional representation cut perpendicular to the actuation direction A along the section line A-A at the retaining end  47  of  FIG. 9 . 
     The body  38  according to the second embodiment is provided at the mating end  39  with a handle  59  that can be gripped by the operator. The handle is generally wing-shaped, arranged along the centre line C that is parallel to the actuation direction A of the body  38 , and elevates from the top surface  48  of the body. At the bottom  48   a , the body  38  is provided along its longitudinal centre line C with a groove  60 . The groove  60  extends from the mating end  39  of the body  38  in the actuation direction A through the complete body  38  up to the free end of the handle  59 . The groove  60  forms a second guiding element  61 , in addition to the first guiding element  43  formed by the side walls  38   a  of the body. 
     The release tab  37  according to the second embodiment further differs in the design of the side walls  57  of the cantilever. The side walls  57  generally extend from the top of the cantilever at the retaining end  47  down to the level of the body  38 . 
     The side walls  57  of the cantilever  41  and the retaining end  47  of the cantilever  41  forms a dome with the retaining end  47  building the yoke between the side walls  57 . The unlocking nose  42  protrudes downwards from the yoke or the top of the dome, i.e. the retaining portion  47 . At its bottom  62 , the cantilever  41  is provided with two guide rails  63 . Guide rails  63  extend from the front of the release tab  37 , facing against the actuation direction A, generally along the actuation direction A, at the lengths that principally correspond to the sum of the retaining portion  47  and the slant portion  46 . 
     The guide rails  63  are formed by providing grooves  64  extending substantially parallel to the actuation direction A at the exterior sides  65  of the side walls  57 . The guiding grooves  64  open at the rearward-facing end  67  of the guide rails  63  but do not extend completely through the guide rails  63 . Rather, the groove  64  end in the proximity of the front of the release tab  37  in a dead end forming a limit stop  67  of this third guide element  63 ,  64  of the release tab  37 . The grooves furthermore provide a catch  79  for securing the release tab  37  against lifting off from the electrical connector  1  against the depression direction D. 
     The boot  25  of the electrical connector  1  according to the second embodiment is shown in a perspective view from the rear part with a strain relief portion  26  in  FIG. 12  and from the front with a connector portion  28  in  FIG. 13 . In the boot  25  according to the second embodiment, the opening  35  in the hood  30  is adapted to the design of the release tab  37  according to the second embodiment. Since the body  38  of the release tab is provided with a handle  59 , extending substantially perpendicular from the centre line C out of the top surface of the body  48 , the opening  35  in the boot  25  according to the second embodiment has a substantially T-shape. 
     Furthermore, on the top wall  33  of the boot  25 , a rail  68  is provided that substantially runs parallel to the actuation direction A in the centre of the top wall  33  of the boot  25 . The rail  68  extends from the front of the connector portion  28  up to the fixed end  31  of the hood  30 , namely extends up into the opening  35  that is T-shaped in the boot  25  according to the second embodiment of the electrical connector  1 . 
     The boot  25  of the second embodiment is furthermore provided with further counter-guiding elements  69  that are designed as guide grooves  70  in the top wall of the boot. The grooves  70  form a guidance with the guide rail  63  of the release tab  37 . The grooves  70  open at the front at the connector portion  28  and extend substantially parallel to the actuation direction A. 
     The guide rails  68  that are elevated against the depression direction D from the exterior surface of the top wall  33  of the boot and form a counter-guide element  69  for the groove  60  at the bottom of the body  38 . The T-shaped opening  35  at the fixed end  31  of the hood forms a further guidance with the T-shaped cross-section of the body  38  of the release tab provided with the handle  59  arranged substantially parallel thereto. A third guidance is built by the channels or grooves  70  provided at a connector portion  28  in the top wall  33  of the boot  25  on one hand and by the guide rails  63  and the guide grooves  64  at the bottom of the cantilever  41  on the other hand. The electrical connector  1  according to the second embodiment is thus provided with three guideways for directing the movement of the release tab  37  in the actuation direction A. 
     The guidance formed between the guide rails  63 /guide grooves  64  at the bottom  62  of the cantilever  41  and the channel  60  provided at the connector portion  28  of the top wall  33  of the boot  25  is shown in detail in  FIG. 14 . As can be seen, the guide rails  63  and/or guide grooves  64  simultaneously provide a catch  79  for securing the release tab  37  against lifting off from the electrical connector  1  against the depression direction D due to the counteracting forces the latch  13  acts on the nose  42  and the cantilever  41  when being depressed in the depression direction D. 
     In the  FIGS. 15 to 17 , variations of the electrical connector  1  according to the second embodiment in side view, corresponding to  FIG. 8 . The electrical connectors  1  shown in  FIGS. 15 to 17  are provided with variations of the release tab  37  shown in  FIG. 8 , according to a third to a fifth embodiment. In the following, only the differences with respect to the release tab  37  according to the third to fifth embodiment are described. 
     In the release tab  37  according to third embodiment, the body  38  comprises a coupling element  71 . The coupling element  71  of the third embodiment is designed as a hole  72  provided in the handle  59  of the release tab  37 . Alternatively, the hole  72  constituting the coupling devices  71  could be provided in any other part of the release tab that is freely accessible from the rear. An actuation device  73  can be attached to and coupled with the coupling element  71 . 
     In the shown embodiment, the actuation device  73  is a rod  74 , one end of which is provided with a hook  75 , that can be coupled with the hole  72  in the handle  59  that constitutes a coupling device  71  of the release tab  37 . The other end of the actuation device  73 , i.e. at the end of the rod  74  opposite to the hook  75 , is provided a loop  75  or an eye that can be used as a grip or handle for holding the actuation device  73  and manipulating the actuating device  73  for coupling the hook  75  with the hole  72  so that the release tab  37  can be moved from the released position into the actuated position by pulling the actuation tool  73  that takes along the release tab  37  in the actuation direction A. Thus, the electrical connector  1  having a release tab  37  according to the third embodiment can be unlatched from a greater distance by using the actuating device  73  so that the operator does not need to grip the body  38  of the release tab  37 , but can use the elongated actuation device  73 . 
     The release tab  37  according to a fourth embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 16 , is likewise provided with a coupling element  71 . In this exemplary embodiment, the coupling element  71  is also arranged in the handle  59 . Contrary to the hole  72  forming the coupling element  71  in the third embodiment, the rear end of the handle  59  facing in the actuation direction A is provided with a hook  76 . This hook  76  can be coupled with an actuation device  73  having at one end thereof a loop or an eye  75 . Upon coupling such loop  75  with the hook  76  of the release tab  37 , the release tab can be moved into the actuated position from a distance using the actuation device  73 . The actuating device  73  can be the same actuating device  73  shown in  FIG. 15 , when used with a release tab  37  according to the fourth embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 . In case of the fourth embodiment of  FIG. 16 , however, the loop  76  is coupled with the hook  77  of the release tab  37  and the hook  75  at the opposite side of the rod  74  thereof can be used as a grip or handle for pulling the actuating device  73  once attached to the release tab  37 . 
     The actuation tool  73  used a puller tool for moving the release tab  37  in the actuated position may be attached to and detached from the release tab  37 . Likewise, the actuation device or tool  73  can be permanently attached to the release tab  37 . The length of the actuating devices  73  can be easily adapted by providing the desired rod length of the rod  74 . 
     In order to avoid rather lengthy actuating devices  73  from hanging down from the release tab  37 , the end of the actuating device  73  that is provided with a handle may be attached to the cable of the electrical connector  1 , for example by using a cable, a clip or tape, or any other means. 
     The fifth embodiment of the release tab  37  shown in  FIG. 17  comprises an actuation device  73  that is attached to the body. In the fifth embodiment, the actuation device  73  is a label that may be made from plastic or cloth, one end of which is attached to the pulling end  40  of the release tab  37 . In the shown embodiment, one side of the label  78  is attached to, e.g. by an adhesive with the rear part of the handle  59  facing in the actuation direction A. Using a label made from plastic or cloth has the advantage that it can be easily adjusted to the desired length. Furthermore, this label likewise forms a handle, i.e. representing an elongation of the handle  59 . Moreover, the label  78  can be used to provide information, e.g. about the electrical connector  1  and the mating connector  2  or may be provided with a color codification.