Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly is provided having a connector position assurance device (CPA) and a plug and header. The plug and header have mating interfaces that interconnect to form an electrical connection therebetween. A deflectable latch assembly is mounted on an exterior surface of one of the plug and header. The latch assembly includes at least one latch beam that is deflectable from side-to-side relative to the plug and header along an axis transverse to the direction of engagement between the plug and header. A CPA is provided having a beam blocking portion that blocks lateral movement of the latch assembly. The CPA is movable between first and second positions relative to the latch beam. The beam blocking portion is spaced laterally remote from the latch beam when the CPA is in its first pre-staged position, thereby permitting lateral deflection of the beam along an arcuate path transverse to the direction of engagement between the plug and housing. The beam blocking portion is moved to a position immediately adjacent the latch beam when the CPA is moved to a locking position to prevent lateral deflection of the latch beam along the arcuate path.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS (if applicable)  
         [0001]    Not applicable.  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH &amp; DEVELOPMENT (if applicable)  
         [0002]    Not applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an electrical connector assembly that includes a connector position assurance device (CPA) for assuring that matable connectable halves, such as a header and plug, are fully mated with one another.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,003 discloses a connector assembly including a plug housing with a housing latch formed thereon that includes grooves for slidably receiving a connector position assurance device (CPA). The CPA is inserted from a mating side face of the housing and is operable to assure that a further matable connector is fully mated to the housing. The CPA includes a deflectable beam and an embossment. The beam will deflect below projections of a latch as the CPA is moved into its final position. When the CPA is in its final position, the operator can readily observe that the housing has been fully mated to the further matable connector.  
           [0005]    Another known CPA is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,689. The &#39;689 patent discloses an electrical connector assembly that employs a CPA to detect and interlockably secure complete mating of a pair of electrical connectors. The CPA includes a yolk which traps a cantilevered beam to a locking member. A flexible arm is mounted to the yolk and extends between a pair of cantilevered beams. The yolk traps the cantilevered beam to a locking member.  
           [0006]    While conventional CPAs achieve their basic objectives of insuring that two connectors are fully mated with one another, as with most technologies, it is desirable to develop improvements and alternative designs. It is believed that the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide such improvements and alternatives to conventional CPA designs.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    An electrical connector assembly is provided including a connector position assurance device (CPA) and first and second connector housings arranged along a connector assembly mating longitudinal axis. The first and second connector housings each have rear ends and mating interfaces arranged orthogonal to, and located along, the longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a deflectable latch assembly mounted on an exterior surface of one of the first and second connector housings. The latch assembly includes at least one latch beam that is deflectable from side-to-side relative to the exterior surface and along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis between latched and unlatched positions. A CPA is provided having a beam blocking portion movable between first and second positions relative to the latch beam. The beam blocking portion is spaced laterally remote from the latch beam when in the first position to permit lateral deflection of the beam along the transverse axis. The beam blocking portion is moved to a position immediately adjacent the latch beam when in the second position to prevent lateral deflection of the latch beam along the transverse axis.  
           [0008]    In accordance with at least one alternative embodiment, the latch beam includes a pair of latch beams formed at one end of a plug connector housing. The latch beams extend parallel to the longitudinal axis when in a rest position and are deflectable laterally away from one another in opposite directions along the transverse axis. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the latch assembly includes a single latch beam centrally located on one of a plug and header housing. The single latch beam has one end mounted on one of the plug and header housing. The single latch beam extends parallel to the longitudinal axis when in a resting non-deflected position and is laterally deflectable in either direction along the transverse axis. The latch beam includes a latch member that latches an associated latch element on one of the first and second connector housings when in the beams resting non-deflected position. The latch member is moved along an arcuate path that substantially follows the transverse axis to engage and disengage the latch element.  
           [0009]    In accordance with at least one alternative embodiment, the first and second connector housings include a header having a pair of latch projections spaced apart from one another along the transverse axis. The latch beam includes latch projections formed on opposed outer sides thereof and arranged to be biased outward into an engaging relation with the latch projections when the first and second connector housings are fully mated with one another. The first and second connector housings may also include a header having a pair of latch elements extending downward from an interior surface of a top wall of the header. A pair of beams may be provided having latch projections arranged to be biased into an engaging relation with the latch elements when the pair of beams are located in resting non-deflected positions. At least one latch beam may have an outer end with a notch formed in an upper surface thereof. The notch may be laterally moved to engage a latch tooth located on an interior surface of the top wall of one of the first and second connector housings. The latch beam is moved laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis to disengage the notch from the tooth. In at least one embodiment having two latch beams, the beams may be formed with front and back portions that are arranged, with the back portions being flared away from one another to define a CPA pre-staging area therebetween that holds the CPA while in the first position. The front portions of the beams define a CPA fully mated area therebetween holding the CPA while in the second position.  
           [0010]    In at least one alternative embodiment, the beam blocking portion on the CPA include a V-shaped notch therein with one angled side divided into a blocking surface and a limit surface. The limit surface is located laterally remote from the latch beam when the latch beam is in the rest position permitting the latch beam to move laterally when the CPA is in its first position. The blocking surface is movable to a position immediately adjacent the latch beam when the latch beam is in its rest position, thereby holding the latch beam firmly in the latched position when the CPA is in the second position.  
           [0011]    In accordance with at least one alternative embodiment, an electrical connector assembly is provided including a header, a connector position assurance device (CPA), and a plug. The header and plug have mating interfaces and rear ends. The header and plug include at least one contact interconnection therebetween when fully mated. The assembly includes a plug/header latch assembly mounted to one of the plug and header. The latch assembly has at least one latch arm normally biased in a first latch position and pivotal along an arcuate path to a second latch position to engage and disengage, respectively, a latch member on one of the header and plug when moved between the first and second positions. The assembly further includes a CPA that is slidably mounted to one of the plug and header and is movable between first and second CPA positions relative to the latch assembly relative to the latch assembly. The CPA is movable along a length of the latch arm when moved between the first and second CPA positions. The CPA is based from the latch arm when in the first CPA position, thereby permitting the latch arm to move to the second latch position. The CPA is moved to a position spaced immediately adjacent the latch arm when in the second CPA position, thereby blocking movement of the at least one latch arm from the first latch position. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a plug and CPA assembly formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a plug housing formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a header assembly formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of a CPA formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 illustrates a plug, header and CPA assembly interconnected in a pre-staged, fully mated position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  in FIG. 5 illustrating a top plan view of a header, plug and CPA formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of a plug, header and CPA while in a fully mated fully locked position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  in FIG. 7 of a plug, header and CPA formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of a CPA formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of a plug housing formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of a plug and CPA in an initial pre-staged position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric top view of a CPA formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric bottom view of a CPA formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 illustrates an isometric front view of a CPA formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric view of a plug, header and CPA in a fully mated, pre-staged position in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 illustrates a sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  in FIG. 15 to illustrate a top plan view of the plug, header and CPA of FIG. 15.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 17 illustrates a plug, header and CPA while in a fully mated, locked position in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18 illustrates a sectional view taken along line  18 - 18  in FIG. 7 to show a top plan view of the plug, CPA and header in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 17. 
     
    
       [0030]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, embodiments which are present preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a plug housing  10  and CPA  12  formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The plug housing  10  includes a wire receiving rear end  14  and a mating end  16  formed at opposite ends of the plug housing  10  along a longitudinal axis  18  extending along the mating direction. The plug housing  10  includes top and bottom surfaces  20  and  22 , respectively and side walls  24  formed continuous with one another. The top surface  20  includes a latch assembly  26  mounted thereon and aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis  18 .  
         [0032]    The latch assembly  26  includes a pair of latch beams  28  having proximal ends  30  attached to the top surface  20 . The latch beams  28  extend parallel to one another and parallel to the longitudinal axis  18  of the plug housing  10 . The proximal ends  30  are located near the mating end  16 , while distal ends  32  of the latch beams  28  are located proximate the wire receiving rear end  14 . The latch beams  28  further include CPA retention portions  34  located between the proximal and distal ends  30  and  32 , but near the distal ends  32 . At least one latch beam  28  includes a latch projection  36  having a stop surface  38  and ramped surface  40 . The latch projections  36  are formed on the outer sides of the latch beams  28  and are directed outward therefrom.  
         [0033]    The plug housing  10  further includes posts  42  located proximate the wire receiving rear end  14  and extending upward from either side wall  24 . The posts  42  are L-shaped, have stop limit surfaces  44  on the outer ends thereof and are directed toward one another. The stop limit surfaces  44  are aligned with the CPA retention portions  34  on the latch beams  28 . The stop limit surfaces  44  and posts  42  function to prevent the latch beams  28  from being laterally deflected outward from one another by an excessive amount beyond the necessary operating range of the latch assembly  26 . The posts  42  prevent the latch beams  28  from being caught on foreign objects and overly flexed. The posts  42  also prevent foreign material from interfering with the latch beams  28 .  
         [0034]    The latch beams  28  normally rest in positions substantially parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis  18  of the plug housing  10 . The latch beams  28  are deflectable toward one another in lateral directions along a transverse axis  46 . During an interconnection operation, the latch beams  28  are deflected inward toward one another in the directions indicated by arrows A and B until the latch projections  36  engage corresponding latching features (described below in more detail) on the header  50 . Once the latch projections  36  engage corresponding latching features on the header  50 , the latch beams  28  return to their normal rest positions substantially parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis  18 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 illustrates the plug housing  10  in more detail with the CPA  12  removed. The wire receiving rear end  14  includes a cavity  52  housing a plurality of contact receptacles  54  into which contacts and associated wires are loaded. As also illustrated in FIG. 2, the CPA retention portions  34  include flared end walls  56  that extend parallel to another and are located further from one another than the remaining portion of the latch beams  28 . The flared end walls  56  define a CPA pre-staging region  58  that holds the CPA  12  before the plug housing  10  and header  50  are mated.  
         [0036]    The top surface  20  of the plug housing  10  includes recessed ledges  60  extending along either side of the plug housing  10 . The recessed ledges  60  cooperate with corresponding features in the header  50  to ensure proper alignment between the plug housing  10  and header  50 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the header  50 . The header  50  includes a mating end  70  and a rear end  72 . The header  50  includes a top wall  74 , bottom wall  76  and side walls  78 . Brackets  80  are mounted to the side walls  78  and have holes  82  therethrough. The brackets  80  and holes  82  enable the header  50  to be mounted to a support structure through any suitable fastening means. The rear wall  72  includes a plurality of electrical posts  84  extending forward therefrom and aligning with the contact receptacles  54  on the plug housing  10 . The electrical posts  84  electrically connect with contacts mounted to the contact receptacles  54  when the plug housing  10  and header  50  are joined in a fully mated position. The electrical posts  84  communicate with electrical pins  86  extending downward from the header  50  and that, in turn, are connected with wires, electrical paths and the like. The bottom wall  76  includes channels  88  cut therein and extending in a direction parallel to the mating direction of the header  50 . The mating direction corresponds to the longitudinal axis  18  of the plug housing  10 . The channels  88  slidably receive grooves (not shown) formed in the bottom surface  22  of the plug housing  10 .  
         [0038]    The top wall  74  includes a pair of lateral ledges  90  extending inward from either side of the header  50  and facing one another. The ledges  90  slidably engage the recessed ledges  60  on either side of the top surface  20  of the plug housing  10 . The ledges  90  include guide surfaces  92  that slidably engage guide surfaces  62  on the plug housing  10 . The top wall  74  further includes a shroud  94  mounted thereon and defining a cavity  96  that receives the latch assembly  26 . The shroud  94  includes a mating face  98  and a top wall  100 . The top wall  100  includes a U-shaped rib  102  formed thereon. A notch  104  is cut in the top wall  100  within the rib  102 . The notch  104  is bordered by fingers  106  extending inward toward one another. A pair of embossments  110  are formed on the lower surface of the top wall  100  and located proximate opposite sides thereof near the mating face  98 . The embossments  110  have a ramped surface facing the mating face  98  and a stop surface facing the rear wall  74 . At least one of the fingers  106  includes a latching projection  112  extending downward therefrom and located proximate an outer end of the finger  106 . The embossments  110  and latch projection  112  operate with different embodiments of the present invention to latch the plug housing  10  and header  50  to one another.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 4 and 9 illustrate isometric views of the CPA  12  in more detail. The CPA  12  includes a base  114  mounted to a vertical post  116 . The upper end of the vertical post  116  includes a ribbed platform  118  that is engaged by the operator to move the CPA  12  forward and backward. The base  114  includes longitudinal and lateral notches  120  and  122  cut therein. The longitudinal notches  120  are formed along either side of the bottom surface of the base  114  while the lateral notch  122  extends along the rear end  124  of the base  114 . The lateral notch  122  engages a ledge  126  formed along the rear end  14  of the plug housing  10 . Once the CPA  12  is mounted on the plug housing  10 , the base  114  drops into a pocket  128  on the top surface  20  between the post  42  and ledge  126 . The ledge  126  prevents the CPA  12  from being entirely removed from the plug housing  10  once the CPA  12  is inserted into its pre-staged position within pocket  128 . The CPA  12  further includes a wedge shaped body  130  having a main section  132  and a forked outer section  134 . The forked outer section  134  includes a notch  136  cut therein and extending rearward from the front face  138  of the CPA  12 . The main section  132  has a width greater than the width of the forked outer section  134 , with the main and forked sections  132  and  134  being joined by beveled surfaces  140 . The base  114  extends laterally beyond the main section  132  to define wings  142  on either side of the CPA  12 . The post  116  is formed with a T-shaped cross-section having a curved front face  144 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of the plug housing  10  and header  50  joined in a fully mated position, while the CPA  12  is located in an initial pre-staged position. FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  in FIG. 5 showing a top plan view of the plug housing  10  and header  50 , with the top wall  100  of the shroud  94  removed. As shown in FIGS.  5 - 6 , the CPA  12  is located with the main section  132  disposed between the flared end walls  56 . The CPA main sides  146  are spaced a distance D 1  from the end walls  56 . The CPA outer sides  148  are spaced a distance D 2  from the interior side surfaces  150  of the latch beams  28 . The distances D 1  and D 2  are sufficient to permit the latch beams  28  to be deflected in the direction of arrows A and B when the header  50  and plug housing  10  are joined in a mated relation. Once the header  50  and plug housing  10  are fully mated, the latch projections  36  snap behind the embossments  110 , thereby permitting the latch beams  28  to be deflected outward to their rest positions as illustrated in FIG. 6. Once the plug housing  10  and header  50  are fully mated, the CPA  12  may be moved to its engaged position as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of a plug housing  10  fully mated with a header  50 , and in which the CPA  12  is moved to its locked position. FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  in FIG. 7 showing a top plan view of the plug housing  10 , header  50  and CPA  12  configuration of FIG. 7. Once the CPA  12  is moved to its locked position the CPA main side walls  146  are located immediately adjacent the interior side surfaces  150  of the latch beams  28 . The CPA main side walls  146  prevent the latch beams  28  from being deflected inward in the direction of arrows A and B. When moving the CPA  12  from its initial pre-staged position (FIGS.  5 - 6 ) to its final locked position (FIGS.  7 - 8 ), the CPA  12  is moved forward until the front sides of the post  116  engage the fingers  106 . When the CPA  12  is in its final locked position, the ribbed platform  118  is received within the U-shaped rib  102 . Fingers  106  support the platform  118 .  
         [0042]    To disengage the plug housing  10  from the header  50 , the CPA  12  is first slid backwards in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 7) by the user pressing on the platform  118 . Once the CPA  12  is moved to the position shown in FIG. 6, the flared end walls  56  are squeezed inward towards one another in the directions of arrows D and E until the latch projections  36  move toward one another to slip past the embossments  110 . Thereafter, the plug housing  10  may be removed from the header  50 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 10 illustrates a plug housing  210  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The plug housing  210  includes a wire receiving rear end  214  and a mating end  216  located at opposite ends of the plug housing  210  extending along a longitudinal axis  218 . The longitudinal axis  218  represents the path along which the plug housing  210  and the header  50  are moved toward one another to form a mating connection therebetween. The plug housing  210  includes a top surface  220 , bottom surface  222  and side walls  224 . A latch assembly  226  is mounted to the top surface  220 . The latch assembly  226  includes a single latch beam  228  having a proximal end  230  and a distal end  232 . A latching notch  235  is cut out of the top surface in the latch beam  228  near the distal end  232 . The proximal end  230  is mounted on the plug housing  210  through a pivot member  237  which permits the latch beam  228  to be deflected in a lateral direction, from side-to-side along a transverse axis  246 . A CPA retention portion  234  is also formed on the top surface  220 . The CPA retention portion  234  is mounted at base  233  to the top surface  220 . The CPA retention portion  234  includes a pair of legs  239  extending toward the mating end  216  away from the base  233 . The legs  239  are divided by a groove  241  and have vertical posts  243  extending upward from outer ends of the legs  239 . The vertical posts  243  are divided by groove  241  and are joined by a cross member  245 . A gap  247  is located between the legs  239  and the top surface  220  of the plug housing  210 .  
         [0044]    The plug housing  210  further includes limit posts  242  extending upward along either side of the latch assembly  226  and directed inward, in an L-shape at upper ends thereof to define stop limit surfaces  244 . The stop limit surfaces  244  and limit posts  242  prevent excessive lateral deflection of the latch beam  228  and block foreign material from interfering with the operation of the plug housing  210 .  
         [0045]    The mating end  216  includes contact apertures  217 . The bottom surface  222  includes a pair of ridged runners  223  extending along the bottom of the plug housing  210  in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  218 . The runners  223  are received within the channels  88  in the bottom wall  76  of the header  50 .  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of the plug housing  210  with a CPA  212  arranged thereon in an initial pre-staged position. As better illustrated in FIG. 11, the latch beam  228  includes at the proximal end  230  a cross beam  231  forming a T-shape with the latch beam  228 . A base column  227  is centered laterally under the cross beam  231  and projects toward the top surface  220  of the plug housing  210 . The base column  227  is not secured to the top surface  220 , but instead rests on the top surface  227 , while being movable side-to-side. The cross beam  231  also includes opposed embossments  229  located laterally from the base column  227  proximate either end of the cross beam  231 . The embossments  229  project downward from the cross beam  231  to provide lateral support for the latch beam  228 , while permitting the latch beam  228  to be transversely deflected in the direction of arrow F, from side-to-side, while preventing the latch beam  228  from being twisted about its axis.  
         [0047]    FIGS.  12 - 14  illustrate isometric views of a CPA  212  in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The CPA  212  includes a base  314  having front and rear ends  323  and  324 . Raised portions  321  and  325  project upward from the base  314  and extends from the front to the rear ends  323 - 324 . The raised portions  325  include a ledge  326  projecting rearward beyond the end  324 . The ledge  326  includes a vertical post  316  extending upward therefrom and having a ribbed platform  318  mounted thereon. The ribbed platform  318  serves as a surface by which a user may engage the CPA  212  to move it between the initial pre-staged and final positions. The CPA  212  also includes a wedge-shaped notch  330  extending backward from the front end  323 . The notch  330  includes a flat side  331 , a beveled opposed surface  340 , and a latch beam blocking surface  333 . The rear end of the notch  330  includes an opening  335 . The CPA  212  includes side walls  337  and ledges  339  located on either side of the raised portions  321  and  325 . The raised portions  321  and  325  include top surfaces  341 .  
         [0048]    The CPA  212  is configured to fit the header  50  illustrated in FIG. 3. When the CPA  212  is moved to the final locked position, the ledges  339  are located immediately below embossments  110 , while top surfaces  341  are located immediately below the under surfaces  111  of the fingers  106 . The base  314  of the CPA  212  slides on top of the ledges  90 . A V-shaped latching projection  370  is formed on the interior surface of the top wall  100  and directed downward from the shroud  94 . The latching projection  370  fits within the latching notch  235  on the latch beam  228 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the plug housing  210 , and header  50  in a fully mated position and the CPA  212  in an initial pre-staged position. FIG. 16 represents a cross-sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  in FIG. 15 to provide a top plan view of the overall assembly. When in the initial pre-staged position, the CPA  212  is located such that the blocking surface  333  in notch  330  and opposing portion of the flat side  331  are located immediately adjacent the pivot member  237  about which the latch beam  228  pivots. The beveled surface  340  is located along side, but remote from the interior side surface  350  of the latch beam  228 , thereby permitting the latch beam  228  to pivot side ways in the direction of arrow G until the latch projection  236  on the end of the latch beam  228  clears the latch projection  370  on the header  50 . The latch beam  228  is then moved to its resting position (as shown in FIG. 16) in which the latching projection  112  resides in the latching notch  235 .  
         [0050]    Once the latch beam  228  is deflected back to its rest position, the CPA  212  may be moved to its locking position as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  18 - 18  in FIG. 17. When the CPA  212  is slid to its final position the blocking surface  313  is located proximate the distal end  232  of the latch beam  228  near the latching notch  235 . The blocking surface  313  is located immediately adjacent and engages the side surface  350  of the latching beam  228  and prevents lateral, side-to-side movement thereof. When in its final position, the CPA  212  ensures that the plug housing  210  and header  50  are in a final mated position with one another. To remove the header  50  from the plug housing  210 , the CPA  212  is first slid in the direction of arrow H (FIG. 17) back to its initial pre-staged position. Once the CPA  212  is located in its initial pre-staged position, the latch beam  228  may be laterally deflected in the direction of arrow G (FIG. 16) to disengage the latch projection  370  and permit the header  50  and plug housing  210  to be disconnected from one another.  
         [0051]    While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications as incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.