Abstract:
A cable connector assembly ( 500 ) includes a number of connector bodies ( 100 ) each defining a mating port for mating with complementary connectors and a common housing ( 200 ) encapsulating the connector bodies therein with the mating ports exterior accessible. Each of the connector bodies includes a latch member ( 3 ) assembled on one side thereof. The connector bodies are arranged in an upper row and a lower row such that the mating ports of the upper row and lower row are in a substantially mirror-image disposition relative to a line between the upper and lower rows.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/201,521 filed on Aug. 11, 2005 and entitled “CABLE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH LATCHING MECHANISM”, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/201,461 filed on Aug. 11, 2005 and entitled “CABLE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH LATCHING MECHANISM”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/213,048 filed on Aug. 26, 2005 and entitled “CABLE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY WITH EMI GASKET”, all of which have the same applicant and assignee as the present invention. The disclosure of these related applications is incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,479 filed on Jul. 20, 2004, issued on Oct. 4, 2005 and entitled “STACKED CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A PAIR OF LATCH ARMS”, which has the same applicant and assignee as the present invention. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a connector assembly used for high-speed signal transmission. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   A committee called SFF is an ad hoc group formed to address storage industry needs in a prompt manner. When formed in 1990, the original goals were limited to define de facto mechanical envelopes within disk drives can be developed to fit compact computer and other small products. Specification SFF-8088 defines matable Compact Multilane Shielded connectors adopted for being used in laptop portable computer to connect small-size disk drives to a printed circuit board. The connectors comprise a cable connector assembly connecting with the small-size drive and a header mounted on the printed circuit board. The cable connector assembly defined in the specification comprises a pair of engageable metal housings together defining a receiving space therebetween, a PCB received in the receiving space, a cable comprising a plurality of conductors electrically connecting with the PCB, and a latching mechanism assembled to a top surface of the upper metal housing. The latching mechanism comprises an elongated T-shape latch member for latching with the header mentioned above and a pulling member cooperating with the latch member for actuating the latch member to separate from the header. With the compact trend of electronics, the density of the electronic components, including the cable connector assembly mentioned above, arranged on a panel of computer are increased rapidly. Such a cable connector assembly with latch member and pulling member will occupy relative more space than others, especially when using more than one such cable connector assembly. Thus, how to spare the occupied space of the cable connector assemblies is desired to be solved in the art. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a stacked connector assembly which spare occupied space thereof on a panel to which the cable connector assembly is mounted. 
   In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a cable connector assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of connector bodies respectively defining a mating port for mating with complementary connectors and a common shell encapsulating the connector bodies therein with the mating ports exterior accessible. Each of the connector bodies further comprises a latch member assembled on one side thereof. The connector bodies are arranged in an upper row and a lower row such that the mating ports of the upper row and lower rows are in a substantially mirror-image disposition relative to a line between the upper and lower rows. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an assembled, perspective view of a connector assembly in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , but viewed from a different aspect; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded, perspective view of a unit of the cable connector assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 1 , but viewed from a different aspect; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded, perspective view of the upper row of the cable connector assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a common base of the cable connector assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a common pulling member of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIGS. 8–11  are cross-section views taken along lines  8 — 8  to  11 — 11  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded, perspective view of a connector assembly in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a view similar to  FIG. 12 , but viewed from anther aspect; 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of a latch member of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
       FIG. 15  is an assembled, perspective view of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 12 ; and 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-section view taken along line  5 ′— 5 ′ of  FIG. 15 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the present invention in detail. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–4 , a connector assembly  500  in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is formed with four connector bodies  100 , a common housing  200  encapsulating the connector bodies  100  therein, four latch members  3  assembled on the common housing  200  for latching with complementary connectors and a pair of pulling members  5  each cooperating with a pair of juxtaposed arranged latch members  3  for actuating the juxtaposed arranged connector bodies  100  to unlatch from the complementary connectors. From another aspect, the connector assembly  500  in accordance with the present invention is formed with a pair of stacked cable assemblies  300 , and each of the cable assemblies  300  comprises a pair of juxtaposed connector bodies  100 , a shielding housing (not labeled) enclosing the connector bodies  100  and a latch mechanism (not labeled) assembled thereto. The connector assembly  500  also can be seemed as formed with four interconnecting sub-connectors  600  with a pair of pulling members  5  assembled thereon. The sub-connectors  600  are configured in the substantially same structure. As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , each of the sub-connectors  600  comprises a metal housing  1 , a printed circuit board (PCB)  2  located in the metal housing  1 , a cable  7  electrically connecting with the PCB  2 , a latch member  3  assembled to the metal housing  1  latchable to a complementary connector (not shown), a metal shell  4  assembled to the metal housing  1  to cooperate with the latch member  3 . The latch members  3  and the corresponding pulling member together form a manual operable latch mechanism (not labeled). 
   Please refer to  FIGS. 1–8 , the metal housing  1  comprises a base  11 , a cover  12  engageable with the base  11  and a receiving space  15  formed between the base and the cover  11 ,  12 . The metal housing  1  also comprises a rectangular base portion  13  and an elongated tongue portion  14  extending forwardly from the base portion  13 . 
   The base  11  comprises a first base section  11   a  and a first tongue section  11   b  extending forwardly from the first base section  11   a . The first base section  11   a  comprises a first flat portion  110 , a pair of first flanges  112  and a first rear wall  113  extending upwardly from opposite side edges and rear edge of the first flat portion  110 . The front portions of the first flanges  112  are cut to present the first flanges  112  L-shaped. A first substantially semicircular opening  1130  is defined in the first rear wall  113  and a pair of first screw holes  1312  are defined in the first rear wall  113  and located at opposite sides of the first semicircular opening  1130 . A first slit  1120  extends downwardly from a top surface of the first base section  11   a  and into the first flanges  112  and a front portion of the first rear wall  113 . The first tongue section  11   b  comprises a first panel  118  formed with a pair of ribs  114  located at opposite sides thereof. Each rib  114  forms a tip end  1140  extending beyond a front edge of the flat portion  118 . The first panel  118  also forms two pairs of first standoffs  115  spaced arranged thereon, and each first standoff  115  defines a first positioning hole  1150  therein. A pair of U-shape cutouts  117  extend rearward from the front edge of the first panel  118  and respectively locate adjacent to corresponding ribs  1140 . 
   The cover  12  comprises a second base section  12   a  and a second tongue section  12   b  extending forwardly from the second base section  12   a . The second base section  12   a  comprises a second flat portion  120 , a pair of second flanges  122  and a second rear wall  123  extending downwardly from opposite side edges and a rear edge of the second flat portion  120 . The rear portions of the second flanges  122  and the second rear wall  123  are cut to present the second flanges  122  L-shaped. A second substantially semicircular opening  1230  is defined in the second rear wall  123 . A pair of second screw holes  1232  are defined through the second rear wall  123  and locate at opposite sides of the second semicircular opening  1230 . Corresponding to the first slit  1120  of the base  11 , a continuous protruding ridge  1220  integrally extend downwardly from inner edges of the second flanges  122  and the second rear wall  123 . The second flat portion  120  defines a first recess section  127  consisting of different-size first and second recesses  1270 ,  1272 , and a deeper and narrower second recess section  128  formed in a front portion of the second flat portion  120  to communicate with a front surface of the second flat portion  120 . A deeper slit  1280  is defined in the front portion of the second flat portion  120  and extends in a direction perpendicular to that of the second recess section  128  to communicate with the second recess section  128 . A transversely-extending bar  1282  is formed at a front end of the second recess section  128  with a pair of projections  1284  arranged thereon. A pair of first channels  121  are respectively defined in opposite sides of the first flat portion  12   a  extending in a back-to-front direction. A pair of rims  129  are formed at the front portion of the first flat portion  12   a.    
   The second tongue section  12   b  comprises a second panel  124  formed with a long keyway  1244  and a pair of side walls  125  extending downwardly from opposite sides of the second panel  124 . A pair of second channels  1250  are defined in corresponding side walls  125  opened toward outside for guiding an insertion of a complementary connector (not shown). A pair of protrusions  126  extend rearward from a front surface of the second tongue section  12   b  and respectively locate below the side walls  125  to form a pair of gaps  1260  therebetween. The second panel  124  forms a enhancing portion (not labeled) on a bottom surface thereof for enhancing the strength thereof and three pairs of second standoffs  1240  are symmetrically arranged on the enhancing portion with two pairs of second standoffs  1240  formed with posts  1242  extending downwardly. The first and second standoffs  115 ,  1240  with the first and second positioning holes  1150 ,  1242  are served as first engaging means of the housing  1 . The first engaging means is not limited to the structures described above, it also can be protrusions protruding from the first and second tongue sections  11   b ,  12   b , or recesses recessed from the first and second tongue sections  11   b ,  12   b.    
   The PCB  2  is formed with a plurality of first conductive pads  21  aligned at a front end thereof and a plurality of second conductive pads  22  aligned at an opposite rear end thereof with different amount from that of the first conductive pads  21 . The first and second conductive pads  21 ,  22  electrically connect with one another through inner traces disposed in the PCB  2 . Two pairs of holes  23  are symmetrically arranged on the PCB  2  adjacent to the first conductive pads  21 . The holes  23  are served as second engaging means of the PCB  2 . The second engaging means is also not limited to the structures described above, it can be standoffs with holes to receive the respective protrusions of the first engaging means of the housing  1 , or different-shape projections formed on opposite surfaces of the PCB to be received in the recesses of the first engaging means of the housing  1 . 
   The latch member  3  is made of metal material and is a cantilever-type member. The latch member  3  comprises a N-shape engaging portion  30  located in a vertical surface, a flat latching portion  31  located in a horizontal surface perpendicular to the vertical surface and an inclined connecting portion  32  connecting the engaging portion  30  with the latching portion  31  to provide spring force to the latch member  3 . The engaging portion  30  comprises a transverse bar section  301  and a pair of side sections  302  extending downwardly from opposite sides of the bar section  301 . Each side section  302  is formed with barbs  304  on outmost edge thereof. The flat latching portion  31  defines a pair of rectangular holes  310  at a rear portion thereof adjacent to the connecting portion  32  and a pair of latches  312  bending downwardly from opposite sides of the front edge thereof. The connecting portion  32  connects with middle portion of the bar section  301  and extends upwardly from a lower edge of the bar section  301 . The connecting portion  32  also defines a hole therein for adjusting spring force of the latch member  3  through changing size and shape of the hole. 
   The conductive shell  4  comprises a body portion  40  formed with a plurality of bars  400  on a top surface for increasing friction and a pair of L-shape lateral walls  42  extending downwardly from opposite sides of the body portion  40 . A pair of holes  402  and a downwardly-extending first tab  404  are respectively formed in a rear portion and a front edge of the body portion  40 . A pair of second tabs  405  are formed with the body portion  40  extending downwardly from a rear edge of the body portion  40 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , the pair of pulling members  5  are made by insulative material and each comprises a rear ring-shape operating portion  50 , a pair of elongated forwardly extending engaging legs  51 . Each of the engaging legs  51  comprises a plurality of interference portion  510  formed on opposite sides thereof and a forward cooperating portion  511  at a front end thereof. The interference portion  510  comprises a pair of stop sections  5101  located adjacent to the cooperating portion  511  and two pairs of elastic sections  5102  formed at middle portion of the intermediate portion  510 . Each elastic section  5102  comprises a transverse block section  5103  and a V-shape claw section  5104  extending rearward from the block section  5103 . The cooperating portion  511  comprises a vertical section  5110  and a body section  5112  extending forwardly from the vertical section  5110 . The body section  5112  forms a pair of forwardly extending ribs  5114  with tip end formed with enlarged protrusions  5116 . A slanted surface  5118  ( FIG. 9 ) downwardly and rearward extends from a front surface of the body section  5112 . 
   Particularly referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , for simplifying assembling of the cable connector assembly  500 , the four bases  11  are arranged in an upper row and a lower row, moreover, the pair of bases  11  in the upper row are integrated into a first base portion  18  while the pair of bases  11  in the lower row are integrated into a second base portion  19 . The first flanges  112  of the pair of bases  11  are integrated together. Further, the first base portion  18  and the second base portion  19  are combined by three nails  9  and thus forms a common base  200   a . The common base  200   a  and the covers  12  together form the common housing  200  encapsulating the connector bodies  100  of the connector assembly  500 . The four covers  12  also can be integrated into two unitary cover members (not shown), if desired. 
   In assembly, conductors  70  of the cables  7  are respectively soldered to the second conductive pads  22  of the corresponding PCBs  2  to form the connector bodies  100 . The connector bodies  100  are positioned in the first and second base portions  18 ,  19  in a side-by-side manner. Specifically, the PCB  2  with the cable  7  is located on the first standoffs  115  of the base  11  with the holes  23  aligned with the first positioning holes  1150  and the cable  7  is located in the first semicircular opening  1130  of the base  11 . Each of the sub-connectors  600  of the present invention may have a cable holder  6  grasping a metal braiding area exposed outside of the cable  7  to provide strain relief to the cable  7 . The cover  12  is assembled to the base  11  and the PCB  2  with the posts  1242  protruding through the holes  23  and the first positioning holes  1150  to position the PCB  2  in the receiving space  15  of the housing  1 . The PCB  2  is sandwiched between the base  1  and the cover  12  by the first and second engaging means engaging with each other. The protruding ridge  1220  of the cover  12  is received in the first slit  1120  of the base  11  and the pair of tip ends  1140  received in the gaps  1260 , thus, the base  11  and the cover  12  are also securely assembled together. The first and second screw holes  1132 ,  1232  combine into a screw receiving space  17  ( FIG. 13 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 11  in conjunction with  FIGS. 1–2 , the latch mechanism are assembled to the covers  12  along a vertical direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The engaging legs  51  of the pulling member  5  are firstly pressed to the corresponding covers  12 . The cooperating portions  511  of the pulling member  5  are received in the second recess sections  128  of the covers  12 , and the interference portions  510  are respectively received in the first recess sections  127 . The stop sections  5101  and the elastic sections  5102  are respectively slideably received in the different-size first and second recesses  1270 ,  1272  with the block sections  5103  and the claw sections  5104  respectively abutting against opposite edges of corresponding large-size second recesses  1272 . The latch members  3  are respectively assembled to the covers  12  along the vertical direction with the engaging portions  30  interferentially received in the slits  1280 . The inclined connecting portion  32  is located on the slanted surface  5118  of the body section  5112  of the cooperating portion  511 . The bar section  301  of the latch member  3  are located on the ribs  5114  with the enlarged protrusions  5116  located in front of the bar section  301 . The projections  1284  of the cover  12  are respectively received in the rectangular holes  310  and the latches  312  exposed above the second tongue section  12   b.    
   The conductive shell  4  are finally assembled to the corresponding covers  12  with the L-shape lateral walls  42  slideably received in the first channels  121  of the covers  12  along a back-to-front direction until front edges of the conductive shells  4  abuts against the rims  129 . The first tab  404  is received in the second recess section  128  of the cover  12  and the second tabs  405  respectively locate on steps formed on rear edge of the cover  12 . The first tab  404  also presses on the latch member  31  to provide extra return force to the latch member  31  when disengaging the cable connector assembly  100  from the complementary connector. Four pairs of screws  8  are screwed through the holes  402  of the conductive shells  4 , the second screw holes  1232  of the covers  12  and the first screw holes  1132  of the bases  11  to retain the conductive shells  4  with the common base  200   a  and the covers  12 . 
   When the complementary connector mates with the sub-connectors  600  of the present invention, contacts of the complementary connectors may electrically connect with the first conductive pads  21  of the PCBs  2  with corresponding structure thereof latches with the latches  3112  of the latch members  3 . When the sub-connectors  600  disengage from the complementary connectors, a rearward pulling force exerts to the operating portions  50  of the pulling member  5  to actuate the pulling members  3  rearward move with the elastic sections  5102  and the stop sections  5101  sliding in the second and first recesses  1272 ,  1270  until the enlarged protrusions  5116  abutting against the bar sections  301  of the latch members  3 . The body section  5112  also rearward moves with the slanted surface  5118  sliding along a bottom periphery of the inclined connecting portion  32 , thus actuating the connecting portion  32  to pivot upwardly relative to the bar section  301  of the engaging portion  30  and the latches  312  to upwardly move to unlatch from the complementary connector. After the rearward pulling force is removed, restore force of the elastic sections  5102  actuates the pulling member  3  to move forwardly to its original position, and thus, the latch member  3  also reverts to its original position. 
   The connector assembly  500  of the first embodiment may have a gasket  60  assembled to the common shell  200  for reducing the Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) in the signal transmission. The gasket  60  is a rectangular frame and stamped from a metal sheet. 
   Please refer to  FIGS. 12–13 , a connector assembly  100 ′ in accordance with the present invention comprises a first insulative housing  10 ′ and a second insulative housing  20 ′, a cover  7 ′ receiving rear portions of the first and the second insulative housings  10 ′,  20 ′, two sets of contacts  3 ′ respectively received in the first and second housings  10 ′,  20 ′, a pair of cables  4 ′ respectively connecting with the contacts  3 ′ received in the first and second housings  10 ′,  20 ′, a pair of spacers  5 ′ respectively sealing the rear portions of the first and second housings  10 ′,  20 ′, and a pair of latch members  6 ′ respectively assembled to the first and second housings  10 ′,  20 ′ and the opposite upper and lower sides of the cover  7 ′. The first housing  10 ′, half part of the cover  7 ′, one set of contacts  3 ′, one of the cables  4 ′, one of the spacer  5 ′ and one of the latch member  6 ′ forms the first sub-connector, and the other members form the second sub-connector in a stacked relationship relative to the first sub-connector. The connector assembly  100 ′ also can be seen as a common connector housing  7 ′ assembled with a pair of latch members  6 ′ with stacked relationship. 
   The first insulative housing  10 ′ comprises a base portion  12 ′, and a pair of guiding posts  14 ′ extending backwardly and vertically along the opposite sides of the base portion  12 ′ and beyond the rear end of the base portion  12 ′. The base portion  12 ′ comprises an upper wall  121 ′, a lower wall  122 ′ opposite to the upper wall  121 ′, and a pair of sidewalls  123 ′,  124 ′ connecting with the upper wall  121 ′ and the lower wall  122 ′. The upper wall  121 ′, the lower wall  122 ′ and the sidewalls  123 ′,  124 ′ together define an L-shaped interface therebetween for matching with complementary connector (not shown). The lower wall  122 ′ of the base portion  12 ′ defines a plurality of passageways  15 ′ extending therethrough along a front-to-back direction. The upper wall  121 ′ of the base portion  12 ′ defines a depression  126 ′ recessed from an upper surface thereof. A flat portion  125 ′ protrudes upwardly and rearwardly from a middle portion of a front flange of the upper wall  121 ′ into the depression  126 ′. A gap  128 ′ is formed between the flat portion  125 ′ and a bottom surface of the depression  126 ′. The upper wall  121 ′ further defines a pair of first slots  129 ′ and two pairs of second slots  130 ′ in communication with the gap  128 ′. Each guiding post  14 ′ defines a free end  141 ′ with a cutout  1410 ′ thereon. 
   The second insulative housing  20 ′ has the same structure as that of the first insulative housing  10 ′. 
   The cover  7 ′ comprises a rectangular body portion  70 ′. The body portion  70 ′ is formed with a top wall  700 ′, an opposite bottom wall  702 ′, a pair of side walls  703 ′,  704 ′ parallelly extending between the top and the bottom walls  700 ′,  702 ′, and a rear wall  705 ′ connecting the top, the bottom and the side walls. A first and a second receiving space  71 ′,  72 ′ are parallelly arranged in an upper and lower manner between the top and the bottom walls  700 ′,  702 ′ for receiving corresponding portions of the first and second insulative housings  10 ′,  20 ′. A pair of passages  75 ′ vertically extend through the top wall  700 ′ to the bottom wall  702 ′ in communication with the receiving spaces  71 ′,  72 ′ and locate at opposite sides of the cover  7 ′ for receiving corresponding free ends  141 ′ of the guiding posts  14 ′. A first channel  74 ′ and a second channel  76 ′ are recessed forwardly from the rear wall  705 ′ of the body portion  70 ′ to communicate with corresponding receiving space  71 ′,  72 ′. The top wall  700 ′ further comprises a holding bar  712 ′ transversely formed thereon. The bottom wall  702 ′ has the same structure as that of the top wall  700 ′. 
   The two sets of contacts  3 ′ are respectively disposed in the passageways  15 ′ of the first and the second insulative housings  10 ′,  20 ′. Each of the contacts  3 ′ comprises a curved contact portion  31 ′ exposed in a corresponding passageway  15 ′ of the insulative housing  10 ′,  20 ′, a retention portion  32 ′ engaged with interior sides of the corresponding passageway  15 ′, and a tail portion  33 ′ horizontally extending from the retention portion  32 ′ to electrically connect with corresponding cable  4 ′. 
   Each cable  4 ′ comprises a plurality of individual conductors  40 ′ for being respectively soldered to the tail portions  33 ′ of the contacts  3 ′. 
   The spacers  5 ′ are respectively mounted to the first and second insulative housings  10 ′,  20 ′ in a rear-to-front direction and seal the rear ends of the housings  10 ′,  20 ′. Each spacer  5 ′ defines a plurality of through hole  51 ′ only allowing the tail portions  33 ′ of the contacts  3 ′ passing therethrough. The spacer  5 ′ can prevent plastic from seeping into the passageways  15 ′ of the first and second insulative housings  10 ′,  20 ′ during the molding process of the cover  7 ′. The contacts  3 ′ and the spacer  5 ′ can be integrally formed before mounting to the first and second insulative housings  10 ′,  20 ′, if desired. 
   Particularly referring to  FIG. 14 , each of the latch member  6 ′ is stamped and formed from a metallic plate and comprises a retaining portion  61 ′, a locking portion  62 ′ extending upwardly and rearwardly from the retaining portion  61 ′, a pressing portion  63 ′ extending rearwardly from the locking portion  62 ′, and a supporting portion  64 ′ extending rearwardly and downwardly from the pressing portion  63 ′. The retaining portion  61 ′ has two pairs of snap tabs  610 ′ extending rearwardly and upwardly from a front end thereof, a pair of forwardly extending positioning tabs  611 ′, and a pair of upwardly protruding curved stopping portions  612 ′. The locking portion  62 ′ has a pair of latch tabs  620 ′ protruding upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The pressing portion  63 ′ is formed with two holding ribs  630 ′ on a top surface thereof, and a pair of side beams  631 ′ extending downwardly from opposite ends thereof. Each side beam  631 ′ is stamped with a spring tab  6310 ′ extending outwardly therefrom. 
   In assembly, referring to  FIGS. 15–16  in conjunction with  FIGS. 12–14 , the individual conductors  41 ′ of the cable  4 ′ are soldered to the tail portions  33 ′ of the contacts  3 ′, and extend through the first channel  74 ′ and the second channel  76 ′ into the first and second receiving spaces  71 ′,  72 ′. The guiding posts  14 ′ of the first and second housings  10 ′,  20 ′ are partially and respectively received in corresponding receiving spaces  71 ′,  72 ′, and the free ends  141 ′ partially exposed beyond the passages  75 ′. 
   Particularly referring to  FIGS. 15–16 , one of the latch members  6 ′ is mounted onto the first insulative housing  10 ′ and the top wall  700 ′ of the cover  7 ′. The latch member  6 ′ is then assembled to the cover  7 ′ and the first insulative housing  10 ′ under a pressing force, with the side beams  631 ′ thereof respectively partially inserted into the rear portions of the passages  75 ′ and pushed adjacent to the free end  141 ′ of the first insulative housing  10 ′, with the positioning tabs  611 ′ and the snap tabs  610 ′ of the retaining portion  61 ′ respectively pushed into the gap  182 ′ and received in the corresponding first and second slots  129 ′,  130 ′ of the first insulative housing  10 ′, and with the supporting portion  64 ′ abutting against the top surface of the top wall  700 ′ of the cover  7 ′. The spring tabs  6310 ′ of the pressing portion  63 ′ are pressed into the cutouts  1410 ′ of the guiding posts  14 ′ and are slideable therealong. The latch member  6 ′ assembled on the bottom wall  702 ′ of the cover  7 ′ follows the same means of the latch member  6 ′ assembled on the top wall  700 ′ of the cover  7 ′. 
   It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.