Patent Publication Number: US-10763615-B2

Title: Connector structure having a longitudinal movement restricting protrusion

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. National Stage entry of International Application Number PCT/JP2018/020060 filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty having a filing date of May 24, 2018, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-111318 having a filing date of Jun. 6, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a connector structure, and more particularly to a connector structure including a device side connector and a plurality of plug side connectors to form a multi-pole connector structure. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A known connector structure for establishing electrical connection comprises a device side connector including a device side housing configured to be attached to a printed circuit board or the like and a plurality of device side terminals provided on the device side housing, and a plurality of plug side connectors each including a plug side housing and a plug side terminal provided on the plug side housing. The plug side connectors are configured to be selectively connected to the device side connector, and are mutually joined to and separated from one another (see Patent Documents 1 and 2, for instance). 
     In such a connector structure, when the plug side connectors are not connected to the device side connector (or when the plug side connectors are removed from the device side connector), the adjoining plug side connectors are not restricted from moving relative to each other in the connecting/disconnecting direction so that the plug side connects may move relatively to each other in the connecting/disconnecting direction. Therefore, the handling efficiency of the plug side connectors is impaired, and the work efficiency in connecting the plug side connects to the device side connector is impaired. 
     To overcome this problem, it is has been proposed to restrict the relative movement between the plug side connectors in the connecting/disconnecting direction by using a side retainer. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT(S) 
     Patent Document(s) 
     Patent Document 1: JP2005-322487A 
     Patent Document 2: JP2014-78370A 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Task to be Accomplished by the Invention 
     However, when a side retainer is used, and the plug side connectors are connected to the device side connector, it is not possible to pull out only one of the plug side connectors from the device side connector. All of the plug side connectors joined to one another by the side retainer have to be pulled out from the device side connector at the same time even when only one of the plug side connectors is desired to be pulled out. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a connector structure in which a plurality of plug side connectors are prevented from moving relative to each other in the connecting/disconnecting direction with respect to the device side connector when the plug side connectors are disconnected from the device side connector, and one of the plug side connectors can still be individually disconnected from the device side connector when the plug side connectors are connected to the device side connector. 
     Means to Accomplished the Task 
     A connector structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a connector structure having a first connector ( 10 ) including a first housing ( 12 ) and a plurality of first terminals ( 16 ) provided in the first housing ( 12 ), and a plurality of second connectors ( 30 ) each including a second housing ( 32 ) and a second terminal ( 36 ) provided in the second housing ( 32 ), the second connectors being configured to be inserted into and pulled out from the first connector in a longitudinal direction in a mutually aligned and adjoining relationship in a lateral direction, the connector structure comprising: a moveable member ( 48 ) provided on at least one of side surfaces of each second housing ( 32 ) facing in a vertical direction which is orthogonal to the lateral direction so as to be resiliently moveable in the vertical direction; a locking engaging portion ( 50 ) provided on the moveable member ( 48 ); a locking engaged portion ( 18 ) provided on the first housing ( 12 ) so as to be engaged by the locking engaging portion ( 50 ) when the second housing ( 32 ) is received in the first housing ( 12 ); a longitudinal movement restricting protrusion ( 54 ) provided on one of side surfaces of the moveable member ( 48 ) facing in the lateral direction so as to move in the vertical direction in synchronism with the locking engaging portion ( 50 ); and a stopper portion ( 56 ,  58 ) provided on another of the side surfaces of the moveable member ( 48 ) facing in the lateral direction so as to move in the vertical direction in synchronism with the locking engaging portion ( 50 ), and configured to restrict a movement of the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion ( 54 ) of the laterally adjoining second housing ( 32 ) in the longitudinal direction when the said second housing positionally coincide with the laterally adjoining second housing ( 32 ) with respect to the longitudinal direction; wherein the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion ( 54 ) and the stopper portion ( 56 ,  58 ) are configured to be placed out of alignment with each other with respect to the vertical direction to allow the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion to move in the longitudinal direction relative to the stopper portion of the laterally adjoining second housing when the moveable member ( 48 ) is moved in the vertical direction so as to disengage the locking engaging portion ( 50 ) from the locking engaged portion ( 18 ). 
     According to this arrangement, when the second connectors ( 30 ) are removed from the first connector ( 10 ), the relative longitudinal movement between the laterally adjoining second housings ( 32 ) can be prevented without requiring a side retainer. When the second connectors ( 30 ) are pulled out from the connector insertion chamber ( 14 ) of the first connector ( 10 ), the second connectors ( 30 ) positionally coincide with one another with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the handling of the second connectors ( 30 ) is facilitated, and the work efficiency in connecting the second connectors to the first connector is improved. 
     When the second connectors ( 30 ) are inserted in the first connector ( 10 ), once the locking engaging portion ( 50 ) of one of the second connectors ( 30 ) is disengaged from the locking engaged portion ( 18 ), this second connector ( 30 ) is enabled to move in the longitudinal direction relative to the adjoining second connector ( 30 ) or the adjoining second connectors ( 30 ) so that this second connector ( 30 ) can be individually removed from the first connector ( 10 ). 
     In the above connector structure, preferably the locking engaging portion ( 50 ) is configured to move the moveable member ( 48 ) in the vertical direction in a resilient manner by abutting against the first housing ( 12 ) as the second housing ( 32 ) is inserted into the first housing ( 12 ), and engage the locking engaged portion ( 18 ) by regaining an original configuration thereof when the second housing ( 32 ) is completely inserted in the first housing ( 12 ). 
     According to this arrangement, upon completion of the insertion of the second housing ( 32 ), the locking engaging portion ( 50 ) is engaged by the locking engaged portion ( 18 ) in an automatic and reliable manner. 
     In the above connector structure, preferably the moveable member ( 48 ) is formed by a piece ( 48 ) provided on the second housing ( 32 ) made of plastic material with a gap defined with respect to a side surface of the second housing facing in the vertical direction, the piece ( 48 ) being integrally molded with the second housing ( 32 ) so as to form a single piece molded product. 
     According to this arrangement, since the piece ( 48 ) forming a part of the moveable member ( 48 ), and the second housing ( 32 ) jointly form an integrally molded single-piece member, no separate component is required for the moveable member, and the need for an assembly process for the moveable member can be eliminated so that the moveable member can be simple in structure and economical to manufacture. 
     In the above connector structure, preferably the piece ( 48 ) forms a beam extending along the second housing ( 32 ) in the longitudinal direction and having both longitudinal ends ( 48 A,  48 B) connected to the second housing ( 32 ). 
     According to this arrangement, since the piece ( 48 ) has no free end, inconveniences such as the entangling of the pieces ( 48 ) of the different second connectors ( 30 ) during the manufacturing process and the assembling process can be avoided. 
     In the above connector structure, preferably the piece ( 48 ) is provided with a lock release operation portion ( 52 ) configured to move the piece ( 48 ) in the vertical direction to disengage the locking engaging portion ( 50 ) from the locking engaged portion ( 18 ) by being pressed in the vertical direction. 
     According to this arrangement, the unlocking operation can be performed both reliably and easily by operating the unlocking operation portion ( 52 ). 
     In the above connector structure, preferably each second housing ( 32 ) is provided with a vertical movement restricting portion ( 40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ) on each side surface thereof facing in the lateral direction to restrict a movement of the second housing in the vertical direction relative to the laterally adjoining second housing ( 32 ) by engaging with the corresponding vertical movement restricting portion provided on the laterally adjoining second housing. 
     According to this arrangement, the laterally mutually adjoining second housings ( 32 ) are prevented from moving relative to each other in the vertical direction during the insertion process or the like. 
     In the above connector structure, preferably each vertical movement restricting portion ( 40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ) extends linearly along the second housing ( 32 ) in the longitudinal direction, and serves as a guide rail to slidably guide a movement of the laterally adjoining second housing ( 32 ) in the longitudinal direction. 
     According to this arrangement, the work efficiency of inserting and removing the second connector ( 30 ) with respect to the first connector ( 10 ) is improved. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     Thus, the present invention provides a connector structure in which a plurality of second connectors are prevented from moving relative to each other in the connecting/disconnecting direction with respect to the first connector when the second connectors are disconnected from the first connector, and still allows one of the second connectors to be individually disconnected from the first connector when the second connectors are connected to the first connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a connector structure according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of plug side connectors of the connector structure according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the plug side connectors of the connector structure according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing a lock mechanism of the connector structure according to the embodiment during a connecting process; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing a longitudinal movement restricting portion of the connector structure according to the embodiment during the connecting process; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view showing the lock mechanism of the connector structure according to the embodiment upon completion of the connecting process; and 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing the longitudinal movement restricting portion of the connector structure according to the embodiment upon completion of the connecting process. 
     
    
    
     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of a connector structure according to the present invention is described in the following with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 7 . In the following disclosure, the lateral direction (arranging direction) corresponds to the left and right direction as seen in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the longitudinal direction (connecting/disconnecting direction) corresponds to the up and down direction as seen in  FIGS. 1 to 7 , and the vertical direction is a direction orthogonal to both the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction and corresponds to the left and right direction as seen in  FIGS. 4 to 7 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7 , the connector structure  1  includes a device side connector  10  that may be referred to as a first connector, and a plurality of plug side connectors  30  that may be referred to as second connectors. 
     The device side connector  10  is an electrical connector (header) which may be a surface mount connector, and includes a device side housing  12  formed by injection molding plastic material. The device side housing  12  is provided with four side walls  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D and a bottom wall  12 E so as to define a rectangular box shape with an open top side ( FIG. 1 ), and internally defines a single connector insertion chamber  14  having a rectangular space, and free of any partition wall. The connector insertion chamber  14  receives therein a plurality of plug side connectors  30  which are laterally arranged one closely next to the other in a single row and configured to be connected to and disconnected from (inserted into and pulled out from) the device side connector  10  in the longitudinal direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the device side connector  10  is provided with a plurality of male terminals (device side terminals)  16 . The male terminals  16  are arranged in two rows that are arranged in the vertical direction, and the male terminals  16  in each row are arranged in the lateral direction at a regular interval. Each male terminal  16  extends through the bottom wall  12 E in the longitudinal direction, and is provided with a projection  16 A that projects into the connector insertion chamber  14 . The male terminal  16  indicated by “GND” in  FIG. 4  is a grounding terminal, and the projection  16 A of the grounding terminal has a greater projecting length than the projection  16 A of the other male terminal  16 . When connecting the plug side connector  30  to the device side connector  10 , the grounding male terminal  16  establishes a conductive connection to the corresponding female terminal  36  (which will be described hereinafter) earlier than the non-grounding male terminal  16  establishes a conductive connection to the corresponding female terminal  36  so that static electricity is eliminated, and the device is protected from electrostatic charges when connecting the plug side connector  30  to the device side connector  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the plug side connectors  30  are configured to be inserted into and pulled out from the connector insertion chamber  14  of the device side connector  10  in a laterally lined up and mutually closely adjoining condition. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 7  each plug side connector  30  is provided with a plug side housing  32  made of a molded plastic material. The plug side housing  32  has a pair of side surfaces  32 A and  32 B facing in the lateral direction in parallel to each other, and a pair of side surfaces  32 C and  32 D facing in the vertical direction in parallel to each other so as to define a substantially rectangular shape. When the plug side connectors  30  are laterally aligned, either the side surfaces  32 A and  32 B of the plug side housing  32  oppose the side surfaces  32 A and  32 B of the adjoining plug side housing  32  on either side thereof, or one of the side surfaces  32 A and  32 B of the plug side housing  32  opposes the corresponding side surface of the adjoining plug side housing  32  on the corresponding side while the other side surface  32 A,  32 B opposes the corresponding side surfaces  32 A,  32 B of the adjoining plug side housing  32 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6 , the plug side housing  32  of each plug side connector  30  defines a pair of terminal chambers  34  arranged in the vertical direction and extending in the longitudinal direction. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , each terminal chamber  34  of the plug side connector  30  receives a metallic female terminal (plug terminal)  36  therein. Each female terminal  36  is electrically connected to an end of an insulated electric wire (cable)  38 . Each female terminal  36  is configured to be electrically connected to the corresponding male terminal  16  when the plug side connector  30  is inserted into the connector insertion chamber  14  of the device side connector  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , one of the laterally facing side surfaces (the right side surface in  FIG. 2 ) of each plug side housing  32  is provided with a groove  40  defined by a pair of side walls and an engagement surface  42  delimited by a single side wall, the groove  40  and the engagement surface  42  extending linearly in the longitudinal direction in parallel to each other in a spaced apart relationship. The other laterally facing side surface (the left side surface in  FIG. 2 ) is provided with a pair of ribs  44  and  46  extending linearly in the longitudinal direction in parallel to each other in a spaced apart relationship. 
     The groove  40 , the engagement surface  42 , and the ribs  44  and  46  jointly form a vertical movement restricting portion. The groove  40  and the engagement surface  42  of each plug side housing  32  engage with the ribs  44  and  46  of the adjoining plug side housing  32  so that the two mutually adjoining plug side housings  32  are enabled to slide relatively to each other in the longitudinal direction while keeping the two adjoining plug side housings  32  vertically aligned with each other by preventing the two adjoining plug side housings  32  moving vertically relative to each other. 
     The grooves  40 , the engagement surfaces  42 , and the ribs  44  and  46  thus jointly perform the function of a guiderail that slidably guides the relative longitudinal movement between the laterally adjoining plug side housings  32 . Thereby, the work efficiency in inserting and pulling the plug side connectors  30  into and out of the connector insertion chamber  14  can be improved. 
     The grooves  40 , the engagement surfaces  42 , and the ribs  44  and  46  may be varied in vertical position and/or in shape for each pair of opposing side surfaces of the adjoining plug side housings  32  so that the plug side connectors  30  may be arranged in a prescribed order. In the illustrated embodiment, whereas the grooves  40  and the ribs  44  extend over the entire longitudinal length of the plug side housings  32 , the engagement surfaces  42  and the ribs  46  extend over one half of the entire longitudinal length of the plug side housings  32 . However, it may also be arranged such that the engagement surfaces  42  and the ribs  46  also extend over the entire longitudinal length of the plug side housings  32 . 
     A piece  48  that serves as a moveable member is formed integrally on one of the vertically facing side surfaces  32 C of the plug side housing  32 . The piece  48  is thus molded integrally with the plug side housing  3 . The piece  48  extends in the longitudinal direction with a gap  49  defined with respect to the side surface  32 C, and has the longitudinal end parts  48 A and  48 B that are connected to the plug side housing  32  so as to form a beam supported at the two ends. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the piece  48  is configured to elastically deform in a bow shape, and thus has an intermediate part  48 C that is moveable in the vertical direction between the end parts  48 A and  48 B. 
     The intermediate part  48 C (locking engaging portion) is integrally formed with a locking protrusion  50 . The locking protrusion  50  protrudes away from the side surface  32 C of the plug side housing  32 , and the front surface of the locking protrusion  50  with respect to the insertion direction (longitudinal direction) is formed as an inclined surface  50 A while the rear surface of the locking protrusion  50  is formed as a vertical upright surface  50 B. 
     The inner surface (the surface defining the connector insertion chamber  14 ) of the side wall  12 A of the device side housing  12  is provided with a locking recess  18  (locking engaged portion) configured to detachably engage the locking protrusion  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the locking protrusion  50  is configured to advance into the connector insertion chamber  14  while abutting against the side wall  12 A of the device side housing  12  so as to cause the piece  48  to be deformed toward the side wall  12 A. Once the plug side housing  32  is received in the device side housing  12  (upon completion of the insertion of the plug side connector  30 ) as shown in  FIG. 6 , the locking protrusion  50  is engaged by the locking recess  18 . In this engaged state, the plug side connector  30  is placed in a locked state wherein the plug side connector  30  is prevented from being pulled out of the device side connector  10  (moving in the longitudinal direction) by the vertical upright surface  50 B of the locking protrusion  50  abutting against a vertical surface  18 A of the opposing locking recess  18 . 
     The engagement between the locking protrusion  50  and the locking recess  18  is effected in a resilient manner upon completion of the insertion of the plug side housing  32  into the device side housing  12  owing to the movement of the piece  48  to regain the original shape so that the engagement between the locking protrusion  50  and the locking recess  18  is achieved in a reliable manner upon completion of the insertion of the plug side housing  32  without requiring any special measure. 
     The piece  48  is provided with a lock release operation portion  52  in the vicinity of the end part  48 B. More specifically, the lock release operation portion  52  is integrally molded with the piece  48  in a part thereof adjacent to the end part  48 B of the piece  48  so as to project away from the side surface  32 C of the plug side housing  32 . In the locked state shown in  FIG. 6 , as the unlocking operation portion  52  is pressed in the vertical direction toward the side surface  32 C, the piece  48  is elastically deflected toward the side wall  12 A so that the locking protrusion  50  is removed from the recess  18 . As a result, an unlocked state is achieved in which the engagement between the locking protrusion  50  and the locking recess  18  is released. In the unlocked state, the plug side housing  32  can be pulled out from the device side housing  12  by moving the plug side connector  30  in the corresponding longitudinal direction. 
     Thus, an unlocking operation or releasing of the locked state can be achieved both easily and reliably simply by pushing the unlocking operation portion  52 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 5, and 7 , one of the side surfaces  48 D of the intermediate part  48 C of the piece  48  is integrally formed with a longitudinal movement restricting protrusion  54  which extends laterally, and moves in the vertical direction in synchronism with the locking protrusion  50  as a result of the elastic deformation mentioned earlier. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2, 5, and 7 , the other side surface  48 E of the intermediate part  48 C of the piece  48  is integrally formed with a pair of stopper projections  56  and  58  positioned one behind the other. The stopper projections  56  and  58  project laterally from the side surface  48 D by a distance which allows the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion  54  of the piece  48  of the laterally adjoining plug side housing  32  to be received therebetween in the vertical direction. The stopper projections  56  and  58  are thus configured to move in the vertical direction in synchronism with the locking projection  50  as the piece  48  undergoes the elastic deformation mentioned earlier. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the stopper projections  56  and  58  are positioned such that when the plug side housing  32  positionally coincides with the laterally adjoining plug side housing  32  of the adjoining plug side housing  32  with respect to the longitudinal direction, the stopper projections  56  and  58  align with the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion  54  of the laterally adjoining plug side housing  32  with respect to the longitudinal direction to prevent the relative longitudinal movement of the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion  54 , and as a result, the relative longitudinal movement between the adjoining plug side housings  32  is prevented. In other words, when the laterally adjoining plug side housings  32  are aligned such that the positions thereof with respect to the longitudinal direction coincide with each other, the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion  54  is engaged between the stopper projections  56  and  58  of the laterally adjoining plug side housing  32  and restricts the longitudinal movement of the laterally adjoining plug side housings  32  relative to each other. 
     Owing to the engagement between the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion  54  and the stopper projections  56  and  58  of the laterally adjoining plug side housings  32 , the laterally adjoining plug side housings  32  are prevented from moving longitudinally relative to each other when the plug side connectors  30  are pulled out from the connector insertion chamber  14  of the device side connector  30  (in the disconnected state) without requiring a side retainer. As a result, when the plug side connectors  30  are pulled out from the connector insertion chamber  14  of the device side connector  30 , the plug side connectors  30  positionally coincide with each other in the longitudinal direction, and the handling of the plug side connectors  30  is facilitated, and the work efficiency of connecting the plug side connectors  30  to the device side connector  10  is improved. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the piece  48  is elastically deformed toward the side wall  12 A by an unlocking operation, the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion  54  thereof is disengaged from the stopper projections  56  and  58  of the adjoining plug side housing  32 . Similarly, when the piece  48  is elastically deformed toward the side wall  12  by the unlocking operation, the stopper projections  56  and  58  thereof are disengaged from the longitudinal movement restricting protrusion  54  of the other adjoining plug side housing  32 . Owing to these disengaging actions on either side, the middle plug side housing  32  can be moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the adjoining plug side housings  32 . 
     Thus, when the unlocked state is produced by pushing the lock release operation portion  52  of one of the plug side connectors  30  while the plug side connectors  30  are received in the connector insertion chamber  14  of the device side connector  20  in the mutually laterally adjoining relationship, and the locking protrusion  50  is disengaged from the locking recess  18 , this plug side connector  30  is enabled to move in the longitudinal direction relative to the laterally adjoining plug side connectors  30 , and can be individually removed from the device side connector  10 . 
     Since the piece  48  is formed as a moveable member integral with the plug side housing  32 , no separate component part is required as the moveable member, and no assembly of the moveable member is required so that the connector structure can be simplified in structure and reduced in cost. The piece  48  may be provided with a cantilever structure having only one end part  48 A thereof connected to the plug side housing  32 , but it is more preferable to form the piece  48  as a beam supported at the both ends because owing to the absence of a free end, inconveniences such as the entangling of the pieces  48  of different plug side connectors during the manufacturing process and the assembling process can be avoided. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment, but is not limited by such an embodiment, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention, as can be appreciated by a person skilled in the art. 
     For instance, the locking mechanism including the locking recess  18  and the locking protrusion  50  may be provided on each of the vertically facing side walls of the plug side housing  32  as required. The grooves  40  and the ribs  44  may be configured as dovetail joints so that the lateral movement of the laterally adjoining plug side housings  32  may be restricted. The number of plug side connectors  30  that are to be connected to the device side connector  10  at the same time is not limited to five as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but may be otherwise. The connector structure of the present invention is not limited to a combination of a device side connector  10  and plug side connectors  30 , but may also be a combination of plugs and sockets which connected to respective wires or cables. 
     The various components of the illustrated embodiments are not entirely essential for the present invention, but can be retained and omitted as required without departing from the spirit of the present invention, 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 GLOSSARY OF TERMS 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 10: device side connector 
                 12: device side housing (first 
               
               
                 (first connector) 
                 housing) 
               
               
                 12A: side wall 
                 12B: side wall 
               
               
                 12C: side wall 
                 12D: side wall 
               
               
                 12E: bottom wall 
                 14: connector insertion chamber 
               
               
                 16: male terminal (first terminal) 
                 16A: protruding part 
               
               
                 18: locking recess (locking engaged portion) 
               
               
                 18A: vertical surface 
                 30: plug side connector (second 
               
               
                   
                 connector) 
               
               
                 32: plug side housing (second housing) 
                 32A: side surface 
               
               
                 32B: side surface 
                 32C: side surface 
               
               
                 32D: side surface 
                 34: terminal chamber 
               
               
                 36: female terminal (second terminal) 
                 38: insulated wire 
               
               
                 40: groove (vertical movement restricting portion) 
               
               
                 42: engagement surface (vertical movement restricting 
               
               
                 portion) 
               
               
                 44: rib (vertical movement restricting portion) 
               
               
                 46: rib (vertical movement restricting portion) 
               
               
                 48: piece (moveable member) 
                 49: gap 
               
               
                 48A: end part 
                 48B: end part 
               
               
                 48C: intermediate part 
                 48D: side surface 
               
               
                 48E: side surface 
               
               
                 50: locking protrusion (locking engaging portion) 
               
               
                 50A: inclined surface 
                 50B: vertical upright surface 
               
               
                 52: lock release operation portion 
               
               
                 54: longitudinal movement restricting protrusion 
               
               
                 56: stopper projection (stopper portion) 
                 58: stopper projection (stopper 
               
               
                   
                 portion)