Patent Publication Number: US-8992234-B2

Title: Holding metal fitting, connector element, and connector

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2012/052360, filed on Feb. 2, 2012, which in turn claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2011-024199, filed on Feb. 7, 2011 and Japanese Application No. 2011-196665, filed Sep. 9, 2011, the disclosures of which Applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a holding metal fitting, to a connector element using the holding metal fitting, and to a connector. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Heretofore, a connector has been known, in which a holding metal fitting is embedded in a peripheral wall portion of a housing of a socket (one of connector elements) (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1). 
     The holding metal fitting of Patent Literature 1 includes a substantially L-shaped body portion having a side plate portion and a bottom plate portion, and anchor portions which bite into a housing are provided on the side plate portion of the body portion, whereby it is made possible to enhance rigidity and strength of the housing. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         [PTL 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-270099 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, in the above-described conventional holding metal fitting, the anchor portions which bite into the housing are only bent from the side plate portion in a direction intersecting a height direction of the housing, and accordingly, there has been an apprehension that the holding metal fitting may come off from the housing by external force and the like. 
     In this connection, it is an object of the present invention to obtain: a holding metal fitting capable of making itself difficult to come off from the housing of the connector element; a connector element using the holding metal fitting; and a connector. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to achieve the foregoing object, the present invention relates to a holding metal fitting embedded in a housing of a connector element, including: a substantially L-shaped body portion that has a side plate portion and a bottom plate portion; an anchor portion that is bent from the side plate portion in a direction intersecting a height direction of the housing and bites into the housing; and a hook portion that is bent from the anchor portion in a direction intersecting an extended direction of the anchor portion. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, there are provided: the anchor portion that bites into the housing; and the hook portion that is bent from the anchor portion in the direction intersecting the extended direction of the anchor portion, so that the holding metal fitting can be further suppressed from coming off from the housing. 
     That is to say, according to the present invention, there can be obtained: the holding metal fitting capable of making itself difficult to come off from the housing of the connector element even if the external force and the like are inputted thereto; the connector element using the holding metal fitting; and the connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an entire socket of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from obliquely above. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an entire header of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from obliquely above. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a coupling state of the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, cut along a portion corresponding to a line I-I in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4(   a ) and  FIG. 4(   b ) are views showing a holding metal fitting embedded in a socket housing shown in  FIG. 1 :  FIG. 4(   a ) is a perspective view; and  FIG. 4(   b ) is a side view. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing, in a see-through manner, an attached state of the holding metal fitting shown in  FIG. 1  to the socket housing. 
         FIG. 6(   a ) and  FIG. 6(   b ) are views showing a holding metal fitting embedded in a socket housing according to a second embodiment of the present invention:  FIG. 6(   a ) is a perspective view; and  FIG. 6(   b ) is a side view. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing, in a see-through manner, an attached state of the holding metal fitting shown in  FIG. 6  to the socket housing. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing, in a see-through manner, an attached state of a conventional holding metal fitting to the socket housing. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an entire socket of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention when viewed from obliquely above. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing, in a see-through manner, an attached state of a holding metal fitting shown in  FIG. 9  to the socket housing. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing, in a see-through manner, an attached state of a holding metal fitting according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention to the socket housing. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a view showing a modification example of the connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing, in a see-through manner, an attached state of a holding metal fitting shown in  FIG. 14  to the socket housing. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A description is made below in detail of embodiments of the present invention while referring to the drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  to  FIG. 5  show a first embodiment of a connector  1  according to the present invention, and as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the connector  1  according to this embodiment includes a socket  2  and a header  3 , which are fitted to each other. Note that, in describing this embodiment, the description is made on the assumption that, as shown in these drawings, an X-direction in the drawings is defined as a width direction, a Y-direction therein is defined as a longitudinal direction, and a Z-direction therein is defined as a vertical direction (height direction). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the socket  2  includes: an elongated rectangular socket housing  21  formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin; and a plurality of contacts  22  mounted along long sides of the socket housing  21 , which are opposite to each other, at a predetermined pitch. 
     The socket housing  21  includes: a peripheral wall portion  26  formed continuously into a substantially rectangular ring shape along a peripheral edge portion thereof; and a substantially rectangular island portion  27  formed on a center portion thereof to be spaced apart from the peripheral wall portion  26  at a predetermined interval. Then, a recessed portion  23  for fitting the header  3  into the socket  2  concerned is formed between these peripheral wall portion  26  and island portion  27 . 
     In this embodiment, a pair of the contacts  22  is provided on both sides in the width direction X of the socket  2  provided with the recessed portion  23 , and a plurality of the pairs of contacts  22  are individually arrayed in the longitudinal direction Y of the socket  2 , to thereby constitute a socket-side terminal group  22 G. 
     Each of the contacts  22  is formed by bending an elastic material such as elongated metal having conductivity. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the contact  22  includes: a terminal portion  221  that protrudes outward in the width direction X of the socket housing  21 ; and a held portion  222  extended upward from an inner end portion of the terminal portion  221  and held on the socket housing  21 . Moreover, the contact  22  includes: a first contact portion  223  extended downward while being curved from an upper end portion of the held portion  222  inward of the socket housing  21 ; and a coupling portion  224  further extended inward of the socket housing  21  from a lower end portion of the first contact portion  223 . Furthermore, the contact  22  includes a second contact portion  225 , which is erected upward from an inner end portion of the coupling portion  224 , and allows a tip end portion thereof to protrude while being curved in a direction of being opposite to the first contact portion  223 . As described above, the contact  22  of this embodiment includes the terminal portion  221 , the held portion  222 , the first contact portion  223 , the coupling portion  224 , and the second contact portion  225 . 
     Then, the first contact portion  223  and the second contact portion  225  are provided with repulsive force in directions to oppose each other, and these first contact portion  223  and second contact portion  225  are arranged so as to be exposed in the recessed portion  23  of the socket housing  21  mentioned above. Moreover, the terminal portion  221  is arranged so as to protrude outward along a lower end of the socket housing  21 . The terminal portion  221  that protrudes from the socket housing  21  as described above is mounted on one of wiring boards (not shown). 
     Meanwhile, the header  3  includes: an elongated rectangular header housing  31  made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin in a similar way; and a plurality of posts  32  mounted along the long sides of this header housing  31 , which are opposite to each other, at a pitch equal to the pitch of the contacts  22 . 
     The header housing  31  includes a peripheral wall portion  33  formed continuously into a substantially rectangular ring shape along a peripheral edge portion thereof, in which a substantially flat bottom wall portion  34  is formed inward of this peripheral wall portion  33 . 
     Then, a pair of the posts  22  are provided on both ends in the width direction X of the header  3  provided with the peripheral wall portion  33 , and a plurality of the pairs of posts  32  are individually arrayed in the longitudinal direction Y of the header  3 , whereby a header-side terminal group  32 G is composed. 
     Each of the posts  32  is formed by bending an elastic material such as elongated metal having conductivity in a similar way to the contacts  22 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the post  32  includes: a first contact portion  321  exposed to an outer side surface of the housing  321 ; and a second contact portion  322  bent downward in a U-shape from an upper end portion of the first contact portion  321 . Moreover, the post  32  includes a terminal portion  323  that protrudes from the second contact portion  322  outward in the width direction X of the header housing  31 . 
     Then, the first contact portion  321  and the second contact portion  322 , which are bent in the U-shape, sandwich the peripheral wall portion  33  of the header housing  31  from above, and in this state, the terminal portion  323  is arranged so as to protrude outward along a lower end of the header housing  31 . Thus, the terminal portion  323  that protrudes from the header housing  31  as described above is mounted on other wiring board (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the connector  1  that includes the socket  2  and the header  3  as described above inserts the peripheral wall portion  33 , to which the posts  32  are individually attached, into the recessed portion  23 , to which the contacts  22  are individually attached. In such a way, each of the first contact portions  321  of the posts  32  is brought into pressure contact with the first contact portion  223  of the contact  22  so as to be able to freely contact therewith and separate therefrom, and in addition, each of the second contact portions  322  of the posts  322  is brought into pressure contact with the second contact portion  225  of the contact  22 . In this state, the contact  22  and the post  32  are electrically connected to each other, and can allow electrical conduction between the one wiring board and the other wiring board. 
     At this time, as shown in  FIG. 3 , on each of the first contact portions  223  of the contacts  22  and each of the first contact portions  321  of the posts  32 , lock portions  10  are provided, which engage with such other-side terminals and maintain a coupling state between the socket  2  and the header  3 . 
     Hence, when fitting the header  3  into the socket  2 , the first and second contact portions  321  and  322  of the post  32  are inserted into the first and second contact portions  223  and  225  of the contact  22  while pushing open the first and second contact portions  223  and  225  concerned against such elastic force thereof, and the lock portions  10  are locked. Then, step difference surfaces of the lock portions  10  are engaged with each other as illustrated, whereby the coupling state between the socket  2  and the header  3  is maintained. 
     Meanwhile, when separating the socket  2  and the header  3  from each other, both of them are removed from each other in a direction of detaching the same from each other, whereby, while the step difference surfaces of the lock portions  10  are sliding relatively to each other, the first and second contact portions  223  and  225  of the contact  22  are pushed open, and such engagement of the lock portions  10  is released. In such a way, the socket  2  and the header  3  can be separated from each other. 
     Here, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a holding metal fitting  40  is attached to each end portion in the longitudinal direction Y of the socket housing (housing)  21 . Each of the holding metal fittings  40  has attachment piece portion  42   a  which protrudes outward, and the attachment piece portions  42   a  are soldered to the one circuit board. In such a way, in combination with the fact that the terminal portions  221  of the contacts  22  are soldered to the one circuit board, the socket  2  is configured to be coupled strongly to the one circuit board. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ), the holding metal fitting  40  is one formed by performing press molding for a metal plate with a predetermined thickness. Then, the holding metal fitting  40  is schematically configured by including, as a body portion: aside plate portion (body portion)  41  extended in the width direction X of the socket housing  21 ; and bottom plate portions (body portion)  42  formed by bending lower sides of both end portions of the side plate portion  41  at a substantially right angle toward a center side in the longitudinal direction Y of the socket housing  11 . That is to say, the body portion of this embodiment is formed of the side plate portion  41  and the bottom plate portions  42  into a substantially L shape. Moreover, both end portions of the bottom plate portions  42  are protruded from both sides in the width direction X of the socket housing  21 , whereby the attachment piece portions  42   a  to the circuit board are formed. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing, in a see-through manner, an attached state of the holding metal fitting  40  to the socket housing  21 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , when die-molding the socket housing  21 , the holding metal fitting  40  is configured to be subjected to insert molding on the peripheral wall portion  26  of the socket housing  21 . At this time, the holding metal fitting  40  is attached to the socket housing  21  in a state where the body portion is exposed along an outer wall surface of the peripheral wall portion  26  of the socket housing  21 . 
     That is to say, an outer side surface  41   b  of the side plate portion  41  is exposed along an end surface (outer wall side surface)  21   b  in the longitudinal direction of the socket housing  21  in a state of becoming substantially flush with the end surface  21   b  concerned. Moreover, a top surface  41   a  of the side plate portion  41  is exposed along an outer wall top surface  21   a  of the socket housing  21 . Meanwhile, lower surfaces  42   c  of the bottom plate portions  42  are also exposed along an outer wall lower surface  21   c  of the socket housing  21 . 
     Then, the attachment piece portions  42   a  soldered to the circuit board are arranged so as to protrude outward from both end surfaces  21   d  of the socket housing  21  in the width direction X by a required amount. 
     Here, the holding metal fitting  40  includes anchor portions  45  which bite into an inside of the peripheral wall portion  26  of the socket housing  21 . The anchor portions  45  are bent from the side plate portion  41  in a direction intersecting the height direction (vertical direction) Z of the socket housing  21 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, along the longitudinal direction Y perpendicular to the height direction (vertical direction) Z, the longitudinal direction Y serving as the direction intersecting the height direction (vertical direction) Z, the anchor portions  45  are extended by being formed to be bent from the side plate portion  41 . Then, a pair of the anchor portions  45  are individually allowed to bite into the inside of the peripheral wall portion  26  on the respective long sides of the socket housing  21 . 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 5 , on tip end sides of the bottom plate portions  42 , engagement piece portions  47  are formed, which are bent from the pair of bottom plate portions  42  toward the outer wall top surface  21   a  of the socket housing  21 . Then, when the holding metal fittings  40  are subjected to simultaneous insert molding into the holding metal fitting  40 , both of the engagement piece portions  47  and the anchor portions  45  are embedded in the socket housing  21  in a state of biting into the socket housing  21 . By the engagement piece portions  47  embedded in the socket housing  21 , relative movement of the whole of each holding metal fitting  40  to the socket housing  21  can be regulated. 
     Incidentally, as shown in  FIG. 8 , with a configuration of a conventional holding metal fitting  140 , anchor portions  145  which bite into a socket housing  121  are only bent from a side plate portion  141  in the longitudinal direction Y intersecting the height direction (vertical direction) Z, and accordingly, there has been an apprehension that the holding metal fitting  140  may come off by external force and the like. That is to say, in the case where a strong impact is applied to a socket  102 , then with regard to the holding metal fitting  140 , the side plate portion  141  rotationally moves about bent portions  143  of a body portion, which are taken as fulcrums, outward in the longitudinal direction Y of the socket housing  121 , to cause a malfunction that the anchor portions  145  fall off the socket housing  121 . In particular, in the case where the holding metal fitting  140  is exposed on a top surface  121   a  of the socket housing  121 , there is an apprehension that the side plate portion  141  of the holding metal fitting  140  may rotationally move when an operator grasps a top surface  141   a  of the holding metal fitting  140  by the fingers and the like, and unexpected force acts in a direction of pushing down the side plate portion  141 . 
     Accordingly, in this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , on the anchor portions  45  of the holding metal fitting  40 , there are provided hook portions  48  bent in a direction intersecting an extended direction (longitudinal direction) Y of the anchor portions  45  concerned. 
     In this embodiment, the hook portions  48  are formed by bending the respective tip end sides of the pair of anchor portions  45  substantially at a right angle toward the outer wall lower surface  21   c  of the socket housing  21 . That is to say, in this embodiment, along the height direction (vertical direction) Z vertical to the extended direction (longitudinal direction) Y of the anchor portions  45 , the height direction Z serving as the direction intersecting the extended direction (longitudinal direction) Y, the hook portions  48  are extended by being formed to be bent from the anchor portions  45 . Then, the hook portions  48  are also subjected to the insert molding in a state of being embedded in the socket housing  21 . Note that, in this embodiment, the hook portions  48  are formed to be bent from the anchor portions  45  in the height direction (vertical direction) Z; however, as a matter of course, the hook portions  48  may be formed to be bent in the width direction X perpendicular thereto. 
     As described above, the holding metal fitting  40  of this embodiment is formed into a shape in which, with regard to the hook portions  48 , the anchor portions  45 , the side plate portions  41 , the bottom plate portions  42  and the engagement piece portions  47 , members arranged adjacent to each other are bent substantially at 90°, that is, substantially at a right angle with respect to each other. In other words, with regard to the holding metal fitting  40  of this embodiment, the hook portions  48 , the side plate portion  41  and the engagement piece portions  47  are extended along the height direction (vertical direction) Z where the hook portions  48  are parallel to each other, the side plate portions  41  are parallel to each other, and the engagement piece portions  47  are parallel to each other, and the bottom plate portions  42  and the anchor portions  45  are extended along the longitudinal direction Y where the bottom plate portions  42  are parallel to each other and the anchor portions  45  are parallel to each other. 
     As described above, in accordance with the holding metal fitting  40  of this embodiment, also in the case where force acts in a direction where the side plate portion  41  falls by the external force and the like, the hook portions  48  hook on and are engaged with the resin in the socket housing  21  subjected to the insert molding. Hence, the holding metal fitting  40  can be further suppressed from coming off the socket housing  21 . 
     As described above, in this embodiment, there are provided: the anchor portions  45  which bite into the socket housing  21  (housing); and the hook portions  48  bent in the height direction (vertical direction) Z intersecting the extended direction (longitudinal direction) Y of the anchor portions  45  concerned. Therefore, also in the case where the force acts in the direction for the side plate portion  41  to fall outward, the holding metal fitting  40  is engaged by the hook portions  48 , and the holding metal fitting  40  can be suppressed from coming off the socket housing  21 . 
     That is to say, according to this embodiment, there can be obtained: the holding metal fitting  40  capable of making itself difficult to come off the socket housing  21  even if the external force and the like are inputted thereto; the socket (connector element: connector connecting body) using the holding metal fitting  40  concerned; and the connector  1 . 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, the side plate portion  41  is arranged so as to be exposed on the outer wall side surface  21   b  and outer wall top surface  21   a  of the socket housing  21 . Then, the anchor portions  45  are provided by being bent from upper sides of both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the side plate portion  41 , and the hook portions  48  are formed to be bent from the pair of anchor portions  45  toward the outer wall lower surface  21   c  of the socket housing  21 . Hence, even in the case where the operator grasps the top surface  41   a  of the holding metal fitting  140  by the fingers and the like, and unexpected force acts in the direction of pushing down the side plate portion  41 , the hook portions  48  located in the vicinity of the top surface  21   a  are engaged, and the holding metal fitting  40  can be suppressed from rotationally moving about the bent portions  43  taken as the fulcrums. In such a way, the anchor portions  45  can be inhibited more surely from falling off the socket housing  21 . 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, the hook portions  48  are provided on the tip ends of the anchor portions  45 . That is to say, the hook portions  48  are provided at positions apart from the side plate portion  41 . Therefore, the holding metal fitting  40  can be further suppressed from rotationally moving about the bent portions taken as the fulcrums in the case where the force acts in the direction where the side plate portion  41  falls outward. 
     Still further, in this embodiment, the anchor portions  45  which bite into the socket housing  21  are provided on both end portions in the longitudinal direction Y of the side plate portion  41 . Therefore, free end regions of the holding metal fitting  40  are reduced, resulting in an advantage that it can be made difficult for the holding metal fitting  40  to come off from the socket housing  21 . 
     Note that, in this embodiment, the anchor portions  45  are formed to be bent from the side plate portion  41  along the perpendicular direction (longitudinal direction Y) perpendicular to the height direction (vertical direction) Z, the perpendicular direction serving as the direction intersecting the height direction (vertical direction) Z of the socket housing  21 ; however, the present invention is not limited to this. That is to say, the direction intersecting the height direction (vertical direction) Z includes directions other than that described above. Specifically, when the holding metal fitting  40  is viewed from the side (state of  FIG. 4(   b )), the anchor portions  45  may be provided so as to obliquely intersect the side plate portion  41 , for example, within ranges of 45° to 90° (perpendicular), 90° (perpendicular) to 135° and the like from the side plate portion  41 . Moreover, when the holding metal fitting  40  is viewed from above (state where the side plate portion  41  is viewed from above), the anchor portions  45  may be provided so as to obliquely intersect the side plate portion  41 , for example, within ranges of 45° to 90° (perpendicular), 90° (perpendicular) to 135° and the like from the side plate portion  41 . 
     Moreover, this also applies similarly to the direction of the hook portions  48 , which intersects the extended direction (longitudinal direction) Y of the anchor portions  45 . That is to say, when the holding metal fitting  40  is viewed from the side (state of  FIG. 4(   b )), the hook portions  48  may be provided so as to obliquely intersect the anchor portions  45 , for example, within ranges of 45° to 90° (perpendicular), 90° (perpendicular) to 135° and the like from the anchor portions  45 . Moreover, when the holding metal fitting  40  is viewed from above (state where the anchor portions  45  are viewed from above), the hook portions  48  may be provided so as to obliquely intersect the anchor portions  45 , for example, within ranges of 45° to 90° (perpendicular), 90° (perpendicular) to 135° and the like from the anchor portions  45 . 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  are views showing a second embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same constituent portions as those of the above-described first embodiment, and the second embodiment is described by omitting a duplicate description. 
     A main difference of a holding metal fitting  40 A of this embodiment from that of the above-described first embodiment is that anchor portions  45 A are formed to be extended toward the center side in the longitudinal direction Y of the socket housing  21 , and that the hook portions  48  are allowed to hook on the engagement piece portions  47 . 
     That is to say, the holding metal fitting  40 A includes: the side plate portion  41  arranged so as to be exposed on the outer wall side surface  21   b  and outer wall top surface  21   a  of the socket housing  21 ; and the bottom plate portions  42 , which is bent from the lower sides of both end portions in the longitudinal direction Y of the side plate portion  41 , and is exposed on the outer wall lower surface  21   c  of the socket housing  21 . Then, on a pair of the bottom plate portions  42 , the engagement piece portions  47  are provided, which are bent from the pair of bottom plate portions  42  toward the outer wall top surface  21   a  of the socket housing  21 . A pair of the hook portions  48  are made to be individually engaged with the engagement piece portions  47 . 
     With the configuration described above, according to the holding metal fitting  40 A of this embodiment, there can be exerted similar functions and effects to those of the above-described first embodiment. 
     That is to say, according to this embodiment, there can be obtained: the holding metal fitting  40 A capable of making itself difficult to come off the socket housing  21  even if the external force and the like are inputted thereto; a socket  2  (connector element: connector connecting body) using the holding metal fitting  40 A concerned; and the connector  1 . 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, the hook portions  48  are made engageable with the engagement piece portions  47 . Therefore, also in the case where the force acts in the direction where the side plate portion  41  falls outward, the hook portions  48  are engaged with the engagement piece portions  47 , and accordingly, the holding metal fitting  40  can be suppressed from rotationally moving about the bent portions  43  taken as the fulcrums, and the anchor portions  45  can be suppressed from coming off the socket housing  21 . Moreover, in comparison with the above-described first embodiment, because of such a configuration with members (hook portions  48 , engagement piece portions  47 ) of the holding metal fitting  40 A engaged with each other is adopted, strength of the wall (socket housing  21 ) can be further enhanced. Hence, there is such an advantage as that the rotational movement of the holding metal fitting  40  (side plate portion  41 ) can be suppressed against stronger external force than in the above-described first embodiment. 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 9  to  FIG. 11  are views showing a third embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same constituent portions as those of the above-described first and second embodiments, and the third embodiment is described by omitting a duplicate description. 
     A main difference of a holding metal fitting  40 B of this embodiment from those of the above-described first and second embodiments is that first nail portions  48   a  and second nail portions  47   a  are provided on tip end sides of the hook portions  48  and tip end sides of the engagement piece portions  47 , respectively, and that the nail portions  47   a  and  48   a , which make pairs, are arranged to oppose each other. 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , in the holding metal fitting  40 B of this embodiment, the hook portions  48  are formed to extend downward individually from tip end portions  45   a  of a pair of the anchor portions  45 . Then, on tip end sides (lower side in  FIG. 11 ) of the pair of hook portions  48 , the first nail portions  48   a  are individually provided in an extended manner, which are extended substantially in parallel to the anchor portions  45  toward the outside in the longitudinal direction Y of the socket  2 . Meanwhile, the holding metal fitting  40 B, is provided with the engagement piece portions  47  in a form to be bent upward individually from the pair of bottom plate portions  42 . Then, on tip end sides (upper side in  FIG. 11 ) of a pair of the engagement piece portions  47 , the second nail portions  47   a  are individually provided to extend substantially in parallel to the anchor portions  45  toward the center side in the longitudinal direction Y of the socket  2 . 
     Hence, each of the first nail portions  48   a  and each of the second nail portions  47   a  are extended in mutually opposite directions along the longitudinal direction Y of the socket  2 , which serves as the extended direction of the anchor portions  45 . Then, in this embodiment, the second nail portion  47   a  is allowed to enter a space surrounded by the first nail portion  48   a  and the hook portion  48 , and these first nail portion  48   a  and second nail portion  47   a  are arranged to oppose each other with a slight gap therebetween. With such a configuration as described above, the resin in the socket housing  21  is sandwiched between the first nail portion  48   a  and the second nail portion  47   a  in such a manner that the holing metal fitting  40 B is subjected to the insert molding into the socket housing  21 . 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, when opposing each first nail portion  48   a  and each second nail portion  47   a  to each other, the second nail portion  47   a  is provided on the tip end side of the engagement piece portion  47  at a position to exceed at least the first nail portion  48   a  in the height direction Z of the socket housing  21 . In such a way, the second nail portion  47   a  on the bottom plate portion  42  side can always be located above the first nail portion  48   a  on the anchor portion  45  side, in the height direction Z. Hence, in the case where the holding metal fitting  40 B rotationally moves about the bent portions  43  as the fulcrums, it is made possible to engage the first nail portions  48   a  with the second nail portion  47   a  sides, and the holding metal fitting  40 B can be further suppressed from coming off the socket housing  21 . 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, on wall surfaces of the anchor portions  45 , which bite into the socket housing  21 , engagement portions  50  are provided, with which the resin in the socket housing  21  is engaged. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, each of the engagement portions  50  is formed as a through hole  50   a  that penetrates an outer wall surface  45   b  and inner wall surface  45   c  of the anchor portion  45 . 
     In this embodiment, each of the through holes  50   a  is formed as a substantially L-shaped through hole  50   a  formed of: a band plate-like long hole extended along the longitudinal direction Y of the anchor portion  45 ; and a band plate-like short hole extended downward from one end on an outside in the longitudinal direction Y of this long hole. By the through hole  50   a  as described above, the resin in the socket housing  21  is interposed into the through hole  50   a  and is engaged with the through hole  50   a  when each of the anchor portions  45  is subjected to the insert molding into the socket housing  21 . Hence, in the case where the force acts in the direction where the side plate portion  41  falls outward, the anchor portion  45  hooks on and is engaged with the resin in the through hole  50   a , whereby the holding metal fitting B can be further suppressed from coming off the socket housing  21 . 
     With the configuration described above, according to the holding metal fitting  40 B of this embodiment, similar functions and effects to those of the above-described first embodiment can be exerted. 
     That is to say, according to this embodiment, there can be obtained: the holding metal fitting  40 B capable of making itself difficult to come off the socket housing  21  even if the external force and the like are inputted thereto; a socket  2  (connector element: connector connecting body) using the holding metal fitting  40 B concerned; and the connector  1 . 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, on each of the hook portions  48 , the first nail portion  48   a  extended substantially in parallel to the anchor portion  45  is provided in an extended manner. Meanwhile, the second nail portion  47   a  extended substantially in parallel to the anchor portion  45  is provided in an extended manner on the tip end side of the engagement piece portion  47  at a position to exceed at least the first nail portion  48   a  in the height direction Z of the socket housing  21 . Then, these first nail portion  48   a  and second nail portion  47   a  are arranged to oppose each other, and accordingly, in the case where the holding metal fitting  40 B rotationally moves about the bent portions  43  as the fulcrums, it is made possible to engage these first nail portion  48   a  and second nail portion  47   a  with each other. Hence, it is made possible to suppress further rotational movement of the holding metal fitting  40 B, and there are advantages that the holding metal fitting  40 B can be further suppressed from coming off the socket housing  21 , and in addition, that further breakage of the socket housing  21  can be prevented. 
     Here, in the above-described second embodiment, the hook portions  48  are engaged with the engagement piece portions  47 ; however, depending on an acting direction of the force inputted to the holding metal fitting  40 A, there is an apprehension that the hook portions  48  may come off the engagement piece portions  47  following the rotational movement of the holding metal fitting  40 A. In this point, it is made possible to more widely cope with the acting direction of the force in the direction where the holding metal fitting  40 B comes off, and accordingly, this embodiment is more suitable. 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, the gap is provided between the first nail portion  48   a  and the second nail portion  47   a , and the resin in the socket housing  21  is sandwiched between these first nail portion  48   a  and second nail portion  47   a . Therefore, when the force acts in the direction where the holding metal fitting  40 B comes off, the resin in the socket housing hooks between the first nail portion  48   a  and the second nail portion  47   a , so that strength of the holding metal fitting  40 B against the rotation direction thereof can be enhanced. 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, the engagement portion  50  with which to engage the resin in the socket housing  21  is provided in the wall surface (outer wall surface  45   b , inner wall surface  45   c ) of each of the anchor portions  45 . Therefore, the holding metal fitting  40 B can be further suppressed from coming off the socket housing  21 , and the peripheral wall portion  25  of the socket housing  21  can be further prevented from being broken by such coming-off of the holding metal fitting  40 B. 
     Furthermore, in this embodiment, the engagement portion  50  is formed as the through hole  50   a  that penetrates the outer wall surface  45   b  and inner wall surface  45   c  of each of the anchor portions  45 . Therefore, it is made possible to allow the resin in the socket housing  21  to communicate between the outer wall surface  45   b  side and inner wall surface  45   c  side of the anchor portion  45 . In such a way, engaging strength between the engagement portion  50  and the resin can be enhanced, and the holding metal fitting  40 B can be further suppressed from coming off. 
     Still further, in this embodiment, the anchor portion  45  is extended from the side plate portion  41  so as to go along the longitudinal direction Y of the socket  2 . Therefore, the through hole  50   a  as the engagement portion  50  can be formed in the width direction X perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y serving as the direction where the side plate portion  41  falls (comes off), so that the holding metal fitting  40 B can be further suppressed from rotationally moving about the bent portions  43  as the fulcrums. 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 , in this embodiment, when the holding metal fitting  40 B is subjected to the insert molding into the socket housing  21 , the top surface  41   a  of the sideplate portion  41  is configured not to be exposed along the upper end surface  21   a  of the socket housing  21 . Therefore, the operator can be suppressed from grasping the top surface  41   a  of the side plate portion  41  by the fingers and the like, thereby reducing a risk for the operator to push down the side plate portion  41  to rotationally move the holding metal fitting  40 B. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  are views showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same constituent portions as those of the above-described first to third embodiments, and the fourth embodiment is described by omitting a duplicate description. 
     A main difference of a holding metal fitting  40 C of this embodiment from that of the above-described third embodiment is that each of the first nail portions  48   a  and each of the second nail portions  47   a  are provided in contact with each other, and that these first nail portion  48   a  and second nail portion  47   a  are engaged with each other. 
     With the configuration described above, according to the holding metal fitting  40 C of this embodiment, there can be exerted similar functions and effects to those of the above-described first embodiment. 
     That is to say, according to this embodiment, there can be obtained: the holding metal fitting  40 C capable of making itself difficult to come off the socket housing  21  even if the external force and the like are inputted thereto; a socket  2  (connector element: connector connecting body) using the holding metal fitting  40 C concerned; and the connector  1 . 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, the first nail portion  48   a  and the second nail portion  47   a  are provided in contact with each other, and these first nail portion  48   a  and second nail portion  47   a  are engaged with each other. Therefore, members of the holding metal fitting  40 C can be engaged with each other, and accordingly, strength of the holding metal fitting  40 C against the rotation direction can be further enhanced, and it can be made further difficult for the holding metal fitting  40 C to come off from the socket housing  21 . 
     The description has been made above of the preferred embodiments of the present invention; however, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and is modifiable in various ways. 
     For example, in the above-described embodiments, the description has been made of the cases where the connector element according to the present invention is embodied as the socket; however, needless to say, the connector element can be embodied also as the header. 
     Moreover, specifications such as shapes, sizes and materials of the housing, contacts, posts and the like of the connector element are also changeable as appropriate. 
     Moreover, in the above-described third and fourth embodiments, the hook portions are formed to be bent downward from the anchor portions; however, the hook portion may be formed to be bent upward from the anchor portion. Also in this case, the first nail portion extended substantially in parallel to the anchor portion can be provided. Moreover, for this, for example, the engagement piece portion is formed to be bent so as to go around from the tip end side of this engagement piece portion, and the second nail portion is provided on the tip end side of the engagement piece portion, at the position to exceed the first nail portion in the height direction, whereby such an operation in the rotation direction of the holding metal fitting can be regulated. 
     Moreover, in the above-described third and fourth embodiments, the through hole that penetrates the anchor portion is provided as the engagement portion; however, without being limited to this, recessed portions and protruding portions may be provided as engagement portions on the wall surfaces (outer wall surface, inner wall surface) of the anchor portion, for example. Moreover, a plurality (two or more) of these engagement portions may be provided for each of the pair of anchor portions. 
     Furthermore, in the above-described third and fourth embodiments, the anchor portions of the holding metal fitting are configured so as to be exposed on the respective peripheral wall portions of both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the socket housing; however, they may be configured so as not to be exposed thereon as in a modification example shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 . 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1  CONNECTOR 
           2  SOCKET (ONE OF CONNECTOR ELEMENTS) 
           3  HEADER (OTHER CONNECTOR ELEMENT) 
           21  SOCKET HOUSING (HOUSING) 
           21   a  OUTER WALL TOP SURFACE 
           21   b  OUTER WALL SIDE SURFACE 
           21   c  OUTER WALL LOWER SURFACE 
           40  HOLDING METAL FITTING 
           40 A HOLDING METAL FITTING 
           41  SIDE PLATE PORTION (BODY PORTION) 
           42  BOTTOM PLATE PORTION (BODY PORTION) 
           42   a  ATTACHMENT PIECE PORTION 
           45  ANCHOR PORTION 
           45 A ANCHOR PORTION 
           47  ENGAGEMENT PIECE PORTION 
           48  HOOK PORTION 
         Z VERTICAL DIRECTION (HEIGHT DIRECTION)