Patent Publication Number: US-8523603-B2

Title: Connector assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Applicants claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application No. JP2010-150448 filed Jun. 30, 2010. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a connector assembly which includes at least two connectors. 
     For example, a connector assembly including a connector and a mating connector is disclosed in JP-A 2000-215951, contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The connector of JP-A 2000-215951 has a first member and a second member. The first member is configured to be mounted on a circuit board. The second member is configured to be connected to the mating connector. 
     The second member has contacts which are brought into contact with contacts of the mating connector when the connector is engaged with the mating connector. The contacts of the second member might be abraded if the connector is engaged with and removed from the mating connector many times. As for the connector of JP-A 2000-215951, only the second member of the connector can be replaced with new one when the contact of the second member is abraded. 
     It is preferable that connectors of a connector assembly are easily engaged with and removed from each other under a condition that the connectors are frequently engaged with and removed from each other. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connector assembly including at least two connectors which are configured to be connected to each other more easily. The connectors of the connector assembly according to the present invention are engaged with and removed from each other with enhanced operability. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is configured to be mounted on a connection object. The first connector includes a first contact and a first holding member. The first holding member holds the first contact. The second connector is configured to be engaged with the first connector along a downward direction in a state where the first connector is positioned below the second connector. The second connector includes a second contact, a second holding member and an operated portion. The second holding member holds the second contact. The second contact is configured to be connected to the first contact under an engaged state where the second connector is engaged with the first connector. The operating portion is held by the second holding member so that a positional relation between the operating portion and the second holding member is kept when a force is applied to the operating portion along a upward direction and when a force is applied to the operating portion along a first horizontal direction perpendicular to the upward direction or a second horizontal direction opposite to the first horizontal direction. The second connector is removable from the first connector when a force is applied to the operating portion either along the upward direction or along the first horizontal direction or the second horizontal under the engaged state. 
     An appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its structure may be had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a first connector of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a third connector of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector of  FIG. 2 , taken along lines IV-IV. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing the third connector of  FIG. 3 , taken along lines V-V. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing the first connector of  FIG. 2  and the third connector of  FIG. 3 , wherein the first connector and the third connector are engaged with each other. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a second connector of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded, perspective view showing the second connector of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the second connector of  FIG. 7  and the third connector of  FIG. 3 , wherein the third connector is placed on the second connector. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial, enlarged, cross-sectional view showing about a holding-member-side hooked portion and a cover-side hooked portion of the second connector of  FIG. 1 , taken along lines X-X. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial, cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken along lines XI-XI, wherein the first connector and the second connector are not yet engaged with each other. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken along lines XI-XI, wherein the first connector and the second connector are in an engaged state. 
         FIG. 13  is a partial, cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 , taken along lines XIII-XIII. 
         FIG. 14  is a partial, perspective, cross-sectional view showing a locking member and a first shell of a modification of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 15  is a partial, perspective, cross-sectional view showing a locking member and a first shell of another modification of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 16  is a partial, perspective view showing a locking member and a first shell of yet another modification of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first connector  100 , a second connector  200  and a third connector  300 . The first connector  100  and the third connector  300  are configured to be engaged with each other (see  FIG. 6 ). Each of the first connector  100  and the third connector  300  has contacts. The contact of the first connector  100  and the contact of the third connector  300  are brought into contact with each other when the first connector  100  and the third connector  300  are engaged with each other. The first connector  100  is configured to be mounted on a connection object (not shown). For example, the connection object is a circuit board. The circuit board on which the first connector  100  is mounted needs to be checked whether the circuit board works properly. The connector assembly according to the present embodiment may be used for a product inspection including the aforementioned check. 
     In the product inspection of the first connector  100  fixed on the circuit-board, it is necessary to connect the first connector  100  with the third connector  300  electrically. In an existing product inspection, the third connector  300  which was produced as a product similar to the first connector  100  was engaged with the first connector  100  by an engaging operation and was removed from the first connector  100  by a removing operation. Moreover, a common third connector  300  was used in a plurality of the existing product inspections. Therefore, the contacts of the common third connector  300  were abraded in each of the engaging operations and the removing operations so that the third connector  300  needed to be replaced every predetermined number of the product inspections. Therefore, the product inspection cost might increase. 
     The connector assembly according to the present embodiment has structures described below so that it is possible to connect the first connector  100  with the third connector  300  electrically via the second connector  200 . Therefore, it is possible to perform a plurality of the production inspections of the first connectors  100  by engaging each of the first connectors  100  with a common second connector  200  which is kept to be engaged with a common third connector  300 . In this case, not the contacts of the common third connector  300  but the contacts of the common second connector  200  are abraded. If the second connector  200  costs lower than the third connector  300 , it is possible to reduce the product inspection cost. Moreover, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make the engaging operation and the removing operation more efficient while keeping the first connector  100  and the second connector  200  to be connected reliably to each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the first connector  100  includes first contacts  110 , a first holding member  120  and a first shell  130 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first contact  110  has an SMT terminal  112 , a U-shaped portion  114  and a connecting portion  116 . The U-shaped portion  114  is bent so as to have a U-like shape. The connecting portion  116  connects the SMT terminal  112  and the U-shaped portion  114  with each other. The U-shaped portion  114  is formed with a first contact portion  118 . The first contact portion  118  is located at a curvature part of the U-shaped portion  114 . The first contacts  110  according to the present embodiment are insert-molded so as to be installed in the first holding member  120 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first holding member  120  has a body portion  122  and two side portions  124 . The body portion  122  has opposite ends in the X-direction (third horizontal direction). The side portions  124  are formed so as to protrude from the respective ends of the body portion  122  in the negative Y-direction (first horizontal direction). As a whole, the first holding member  120  has a square bracket-like shape. The body portion  122  of the first holding member  120  holds the first contacts  110 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first shell  130  has a body portion  132  and two side portions  140 . The body portion  132  has opposite ends in the X-direction. The side portions  140  are formed so as to protrude from the respective ends of the body portion  132  in the positive Y-direction (second horizontal direction). As a whole, the first shell  130  has a square bracket-like shape. The first shell  130  is attached to the first holding member  120 . The side portions  140  are positioned so as to overlap the respective side portions  124  of the first holding member  120  in the Z-direction. On the other hand, the body portion  132  is positioned so as not to overlap the first holding member  120  in the Z-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the side portions  140  of the first shell  130  has a fixed portion  142 , a side surface  144 , a top surface  146 , a side surface  148 , a bent portion  150 , a fixed portion  152  and a connecting portion  160 . The fixed portion  142  is configured to be fixed to the circuit board. The side surface  144  extends upwardly from the fixed portion  142 . The top surface  146  extends along the Y-direction from the side surface  144 . The side surface  148  extends downwardly from the top surface  146 . The bent portion  150  has a side surface  154 . The side surface  154  has a lower end in the Z-direction. The fixed portion  152  is formed on the lower end of the side surface  154 . The bent portion  150  has another lower end opposite to the lower end of the side surface  154  in the Y-direction. The connecting portion  160  connects the opposite lower end of the bent portion  150  and the side surface  148  with each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the third connector  300  includes third contacts  310 , a third holding member  320  and a third shell  330 . The third connector  300  is configured to be engaged with the second connector  200 . The third connector  300  is also configured so that a cable  340  is connected thereto. The cable  340  has signal lines  342 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the third contact  310  has a hook-like shape. In detail, the third contact  310  has a bent portion and a linearly extending portion. The bent portion of the third contact  310  is formed with two connect-to-second-connector portions  312 . The connect-to-second-connector portions  312  are formed so as to face each other in the Z-direction. The linearly extending portion of the third contact  310  has a connect-to-cable portion  314  formed at an end thereof. The connect-to-cable portion  314  is configured to be connected to the signal line  342  of the cable  340 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the connect-to-second-connector portions  312  put the U-shaped portion  114  of the first contact  110  therebetween in the Z-direction when the third connector  300  and the first connector  100  are engaged with each other so that the third connector  300  and the first connector  100  are electrically connected to each other. As can be seen from  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the first connector  100  and the third connector  300  are engaged with each other in a manner described below. At first, the third connector  300  is moved along the Z-direction so as to be placed on the first connector  100 . Then, the third connector  300  is moved in the negative Y-direction so that the first contact  110  and the third contact  310  are brought into contact with each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the second connector  200  includes a plurality of second contacts  210 , a second holding member  220 , a cover portion  240 , an operating portion  250  and a locking member  260 . The second connector  200  according to the present embodiment is engageable with both the first connector  100  and third connector  300 . In other words, either the first connector  100  or third connector  300  is configured to be engaged with the second connector  200 . The second connector  200  is configured to electrically connect the first connector  100  and the third connector  300  with each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 11 , the second contact  210  has a body portion  211 , a connect-to-third-connector portion  212 , a press-fit portion  213 , a connect-to-first-connector portion  214  and an elastic support portion  216 . The body portion  211  extends in the Y-direction. The connect-to-third-connector portion  212  extends upwardly from the body portion  211  so as to have an L-like shape. The press-fit portion  213  is formed at a tip of the body portion  211  in the negative Y-direction. The elastic support portion  216  is shaped in an S-like shape. The elastic support portion  216  connects the connect-to-first-connector portion  214  and the body portion  211  with each other. The second holding member  220  is formed with a press-fitted portion  229 . As described later, the press-fit portion  213  is press-fitted into the press-fitted portion  229  so that the second contact  210  is fixed to and held by the second holding member  220 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the connect-to-first-connector portion  214  is formed with a second contact portion  218  and a surmounting portion  219 . The surmounting portion  219  is formed below the second contact portion  218  in the Z-direction. The surmounting portion  219  has a protrusion protruding in the negative Y-direction. The protrusion of the surmounting portion  219  is shaped in a wedge-like shape. According to the present embodiment, the connect-to-first-connector portion  214  is formed ahead of the elastic support portion  216  so that the elastic support portion  216  supports both the second contact portion  218  and the surmounting portion  219  of the connect-to-first-connector portion  214  elastically. The elastic support portion  216  has an S-like shape so that the elastic support portion  216  has a long spring-length and flexibility. 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the second connector  200  is configured to be engaged with the first connector  100  along the negative Z-direction (downward direction) in a state where the first connector  100  is positioned below the second connector  200 . As described below, the second connector  200  is moved toward the first connector  100  so as to be engaged with the first connector  100 . At first, the second connector  200  is in a separated state where the second connector  200  is separated from the first connector  100 . The second connector  200  in the separated state is moved in the downward direction so as to be located at an engaged position where the second contact portion  218  is brought into contact with the first contact portion  118  of the first connector  100 . When the second connector  200  is located at the engaged position, the second connector  200  is in an engaged state where the second connector  200  is engaged with the first connector  100 . In other words, the second contact  210  is configured to be connected to the first contact  110  under the engaged state. While the second connector  200  moves from the separated state to the engaged state, the surmounting portion  219  is located below the second contact portion  218  in the negative Z-direction (downward direction) and brought into abutment with the first contact portion  118  of the first connector. The first contact portion  118  pushes the surmounting portion  219  in the positive Y-direction so that the surmounting portion  219  surmounts the first contact portion  118 . When the surmounting portion  219  surmounts the first contact portion  118 , the second connector  200  reaches the engaged state. The elastic support portion  216  presses the second contact portion  218  against the first contact portion  118  along the negative Y-direction (first horizontal direction) under the engaged state so that the second contact portion  218  is brought into contact with the first contact portion  118  and the second connector  200  is electrically connected to the first connector  100 . The surmounting portion  219  is located obliquely bellow the first contact portion  118  (i.e. bellow the first contact portion  118  in the Z-direction) under the engaged state so that the engaged state is maintained. 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  12 , the second holding member  220  covers the first holding member  120  in the negative Y-direction (first horizontal direction) and the positive Y-direction (second horizontal direction) under the engaged state. As can be seen from  FIG. 12 , under the engaged state, the second contact portion  218  receives a reaction force along the positive Y-direction from the first contact portion  118  while applying a force along the negative Y-direction to the first contact portion  118 . This reaction force is applied to the second connector  200  so that some parts of the second holding member  220  are pressed against parts of the first connector  100 , namely, the first holding member  120  and the first shell  130  along the positive Y-direction (second horizontal direction). For example, as can be seen from  FIG. 13 , a part of the second holding member  220  is pressed against the side surface  144  of the first shell  130 . As can be seen from the above description, the first connector  100  receives both a force along the negative Y-direction from the second contact portion  218  and a force along the positive Y-direction from a part of the second holding member  220 . In other words, the first connector  100  is put between the forces facing each other so that the engaged state is maintained. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second holding member  220  has a body portion  222 , a side portion  224  and a connecting portion  242 . The body portion  222  has opposite ends in the X-direction. The side portion  224  is formed on one of the end of the body portion  222  and rises along the positive Z-direction. The connecting portion  242  is formed on the other end of the body portion  222  so as to be opposite to the side portion  224  in the X-direction. The body portion  222  has a plurality of accommodate-second-contact portions  226 , accommodate-locking-member portions  228 , the press-fitted portions  229  (see  FIG. 11 ) and an accommodating portion  230 . Each of the accommodate-second-contact portions  226  is configured to accommodate each of the second contacts  210 . Each of the accommodate-locking-member portions  228  is configured to accommodate each of the locking members  260 . Each of the press-fitted portions  229  is configured so that each of the press-fit portions  213  (see  FIG. 11 ) of the second contact  210  is press-fitted thereinto. The accommodating portion  230  is configured so that the third connector  300  is placed thereon and accommodated therein. 
     The side portion  224  is formed with a hole which pierces the side portion  224  in the X-direction. The hole has an upper surface formed inside of the hole. As described later, the upper surface of the hole functions as a holding-member-side hooked portion  232 . 
     The cover portion  240  has two end portions in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the negative Y-direction (first horizontal direction). The cover portion  240  is integrally formed with the second holding member  220  and is connected to the connecting portion  242 . Specifically, one of the end portions of the cover portion  240  is hinged to the second holding member  220  so that the cover portion  240  is pivotable on the hinged part. The opposite end portion of the cover portion  240  is formed with a cover-side hooked portion  244 . The cover-side hooked portion  244  is formed as a protrusion. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the cover portion  240  is configured to pivot on the connecting portion  242  so that the cover portion  240  is openable and closable relative to the second holding member  220 . Specifically, the cover portion  240  moves between an opened state where the cover portion  240  rises up from the second holding member  220  and a closed state where the cover portion  240  covers the second holding member  220 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the third connector  300  is able to be placed on the accommodating portion  230  when the cover portion  240  is in the opened state. As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the cover portion  240  is turned over the third connector  300  under a state where the third connector  300  is placed on the accommodating portion  230 , the cover portion  240  transit to the closed state, the cover portion  240  covers a top surface of the third connector  300  and the third connector  300  is accommodated in the accommodating portion  230 . As described above, the cover portion  240  is fixed to the second holding member  220  so that the cover portion  240  is coverable the top surface of the third connector  300  in a state where the third connector  300  is accommodated within the accommodating portion  230 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the cover-side hooked portion  244  formed on the cover portion  240  and the holding-member-side hooked portion  232  formed in the hole of the side portion  224  of the second holding member  220  are hooked on each other under the closed state so that the cover portion  240  is locked in the closed state. As can be seen from  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the third connector  300  is configured to be placed on the accommodating portion  230  and engaged with the second connector  200 . The third contacts  310  are connected to the second contacts  210  when the third connector  300  is engaged with the second connector  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the cover portion  240  is formed with an operating portion  250 . The operating portion  250  is shaped in a board-like shape so that the operating portion  250  extends both in the positive Z-direction (upward direction) and in the predetermined direction perpendicular to the negative Y-direction. In other words, the cover portion  240  extends in a plane perpendicular to the negative Y-direction (first horizontal direction). The operating portion  250  is formed with a hole  252 . The hole  252  is formed on a central region of the operating portion  250  and pierces the operating portion  250  along the negative Y-direction (first horizontal direction). Under the closed state, the cover-side hooked portion  244  is hooked on the holding-member-side hooked portion  232  so that the cover portion  240  is fixed to the second holding member  220 . Therefore, a positional relation between the operating portion  250  and the second holding member  220  is not changed even if any force is applied to the operating portion  250  along any direction. In other words, the operating portion  250  is held by the second holding member  220  so that the positional relation between the operating portion  250  and the second holding member  220  is kept when a force is applied to the operating portion  250  along the positive Z-direction (upward direction) and when a force is applied to the operating portion  250  along the negative Y-direction (first horizontal direction) or the positive Y-direction (second horizontal direction). As can be understood from the above description, the operating portion  250  and the second holding member  220  move together with each other under the closed state so that it is possible to move the whole second connector  200  including the second holding member  220  by moving the operating portion  250 . The operating portion  250  according to the present embodiment is used to put the cover portion  240  in the opened state or the closed state. Furthermore, as described later, the operating portion  250  is used to force the second connector  200  to be engaged with and removed from the first connector  100 . Moreover, the hole  252  is formed on the operating portion  250  so that the operating portion  250  is operated easily, for example, with a tape threading the hole  252 . 
     The cover portion  240  according to the present embodiment is connected with the second holding member  220  by the connecting portion  242  and is formed with the second holding member  220  integrally. However, the cover portion  240  may be formed as a separated member from the second holding member  220  on condition that the cover portion  240  is configured to be fixed to the second holding member  220  under the closed state. According to the present embodiment, the hole  252  pierces not only the operating portion  250  but also the cover portion  240 . The hole  252  splits the cover portion  240  in two pieces. Accordingly, the operating portion  250  has a square bracket-like shape. However, the cover portion  240  may be formed continuously and the operating portion  250  may have an O-like shape. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the locking member  260  has a top portion  261 , a first-hook support portion  262 , a second-hook support portion  264  and fixing portions  266  and  268 . The top portion  261  extends in parallel with the XY-plane. The first-hook support portion  262  extends in the negative Z-direction (downward direction) from the positive Y-side end of the top portion  261 . The second-hook support portion  264  extends in the negative Z-direction from the negative Y-side end of the top portion  261 . The fixing portions  266  and  268  extend in the negative Z-direction (downward direction) from opposite ends in the X-direction of the top portion  261 , respectively. The fixing portions  266  and  268  are press-fitted into the second holding member  220  so that the locking member  260  is fixed to and held by the second holding member  220  of the second connector  200 . The fixing portions  266  and  268  define a positional relation between the locking member  260  and the second holding member  220 . 
     The first-hook support portion  262  and the second-hook support portion  264  are formed with a first hook portion  272  and a second hook portion  282 , respectively. In other words, the locking member  260  of the second connector  200  has two hook portions (i.e. at least one hook portion). The first hook portion  272  and the second hook portion  282  according to the present embodiment protrude in the negative Y-direction (first horizontal direction) and the positive Y-direction (second horizontal direction), respectively. The first hook portion  272  and the second hook portion  282  are held elastically by the first-hook support portion  262  and the second-hook support portion  264 , respectively, so as to protrude toward each other. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the first hook portion  272  has an upper edge  274  and a lower edge  276 . The upper edge  274  and the lower edge  276  extend in directions each oblique to the negative Z-direction (downward direction) so that the first hook portion  272  has an acute triangle-like shape, as seen along the X-direction. One of apexes of the acute triangle protrudes in the negative Y-direction. In other words, the upper edge  274  and the lower edge  276  are designed to form a wedge-like shape and to make an angle less than  90  degrees. Similarly, the second hook portion  282  has an upper edge  284  and a lower edge  286 . The upper edge  284  and the lower edge  286  extends in directions each oblique to the negative Z-direction so that the second hook portion  282  has an acute triangle-like shape, as seen along the X-direction. One of apexes of the acute triangle protrudes in the positive Y-direction. In other words, the upper edge  284  and the lower edge  286  are designed to form a wedge-like shape and to make an angle less than  90  degrees. The first shell  130  of the first connector  100  is formed with a first hooked portion  164  and a second hooked portion  168 . In other words, the first connector  100  has two hooked portions (i.e. at least one hooked portion). As shown in  FIG. 13 , under the engaged state, the first hook portion  272  and the second hook portion  282  are hooked in the first hooked portion  164  and the second hooked portion  168  of the first shell  130 , respectively, so as to put the first shell  130  therebetween. Therefore, the maintenance of the engaged state of the first connector  100  and the second connector  200  is secured. The first-hook support portion  262  and the second-hook support portion  264  are configured to press the first hook portion  272  and the second hook portion  282  against the first hooked portion  164  and the second hooked portion  168  under the engaged state, respectively, so that the maintenance of the engaged state is further secured. 
     The upper edge  274  of the first hook portion  272  and the upper edge  284  of the second hook portion  282  are designed to extend downwardly. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the second connector  200  in the engaged state is able to be removed from the first connector  100  by applying a force (F 1  in  FIG. 12 ) along the positive Z-direction to the operating portion  250 . Furthermore, the second connector  200  in the engaged state is able to be removed easily from the first connector  100  by applying a force (F 2  in  FIG. 12 ) along the positive Y-direction to the operating portion  250 . Specifically, when the force (F 2 ) is applied to the operating portion  250 , the second connector  200  pivots on an edge  291  of the second holding member  220  of the second connector  200 , and moves in the positive Y-direction, and is removed from the first connector  100 . Similarly, when a force (F 3  in  FIG. 12 ) along the negative Y-direction is applied to the operating portion  250 , the second connector  200  pivots on an edge  292  of the second holding member  220  of the second connector  200 , and moves in the negative Y-direction, and is removed from the first connector  100 . As described above, the second connector  200  is able to be easily removed from the first connector  100  when a force is applied to the operating portion  250  either along the positive Z-direction (upward direction) or along the negative Y-direction (first horizontal direction) or the positive Y-direction (second horizontal) under the engaged state. 
     As previously described, the second connector  200  according to the present embodiment is configured to be engaged with the first connector  100  by being moved only in the Z-direction. Therefore, it is possible to make the engaging operation more efficient. Furthermore, when the second connector  200  is in the closed state, the operating portion  250  according to the present embodiment is fixed to and held by the second holding member  220  so that the operating portion  250  does not move relative to the second holding member  220 . Thus configured second connector  200  is able to be pulled out of the first connector  100  not only when the operating portion  250  is pulled in the upward direction but also when the operating portion  250  receives a force in the negative Y-direction or the positive Y-direction. More specifically, the second connector  200  is removable from the first connector  100  by pushing down the operating portion  250  frontward along the negative Y-direction or rearward along the positive Y-direction. The second connector  200  is also removable from the first connector  100  by pivoting the operating portion  250  on a fulcrum opposite to a pivoting force across the operating portion  250 . Therefore, it is also possible to make the removing operation more efficient. It is possible to perform the product inspection more efficiently by using the connector assembly according to the present embodiment. Moreover, the spirit of the present invention is applicable to other usages than the product inspection. 
     According to the present embodiment, the second connector  200  functions as an inter-connector which electrically connects the first contact  110  of the first connector  100  and the third contact  310  of the third connector  300  with each other. In other words, the first connector  100  is connected with the third connector  300  through the second connector  200  which costs lower than the third connector  300 . In a product inspection of the first connector  100  fixed on a circuit board (not shown), not the third contact  310  of the third connector  300  but the second contact  210  of the second connector  200  may abrade. In the case of abrasion thereof, not the third connector  300  but the second connector  200  is replaced. Thus, the third connector  300  may be used more repeatedly so that it is possible to reduce the cost for the product inspection. 
     It is shown below various modifications of the locking member according to the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , a connector assembly according to the present invention may comprise a first connector  100   a  and a second connector  200   a  instead of the first connector  100  and the second connector  200 . The first connector  100   a  includes a first shell  130   a . The first shell  130   a  has a bent portion  150   a  having a side surface  154   a . The side surface  154   a  is formed with a hooked portion  174   a . The second connector  200   a  includes a second holding member  220   a  and a locking member  260   a . The locking member  260   a  has a first-hook support portion  262   a  and a first hook portion  272   a . The first-hook support portion  262   a  is formed at the positive Y-side end of the second connector  200 . The first hook portion  272   a  is configured so that the first hook portion  272   a  is hooked in the hooked portion  174   a  under an engaged state where the first connector  100   a  and the second connector  200   a  are engaged with each other. As can be seen from  FIG. 14 , under the engaged state, the first hook portion  272   a  receives a reaction force along the positive Y-direction from the first shell  130   a  while applying a force along the negative Y-direction to the first shell  130   a . The second holding member  220   a  is pressed against a side surface  144   a  of the first shell  130   a  along the positive Y-direction by the reaction force. As can be seen from the above description, the engaged state of the second connector  200   a  with the first connector  100   a  is maintained by the force from the first hook portion  272   a  along the negative Y-direction and the force from the second holding member  220   a  along the positive Y-direction. The first hook portion  272   a  has an upper edge  274   a . The upper edge  274   a  according to the present embodiment extends in the Y-direction. According to the present embodiment, the removing operation is able to be performed more easily when a force (F 3  in  FIG. 14 ) along the negative Y-direction is applied to an operating portion (not shown) of the second connector  200   a  than when a force (F 1  in  FIG. 14 ) along the positive Z-direction is applied to the operating portion. Specifically, when the force (F 1 ) is applied to the operating portion, the second connector  200   a  pivots on a lower edge  290   a  located at the negative Y-side of the second holding member  220   a . The second connector  200   a  is removed from the first connector  100   a  while turning down in the negative Y-direction. On the other hand, when a force along the positive Y-direction is applied to the operating portion, the upper edge  274   a  is brought into abutment with an upper surface of the hooked portion  174   a  so that the second connector  200   a  is prevented from being removed from the first connector  100   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , a connector assembly may comprise a first connector  100   b  and a second connector  200   b . The first connector  100   b  includes a first shell  130   b . The first shell  130   b  is formed with a hooked portion  174   b . The second connector  200   b  includes a second holding member  220   b  and a locking member  260   b . The locking member  260   b  has a first hook portion  272   b . The first hook portion  272   b  is configured so that the first hook portion  272   b  is hooked in the hooked portion  174   b  under an engaged state where the first connector  100   b  and the second connector  200   b  are engaged with each other. The first hook portion  272   b  has an upper edge  274   b . The upper edge  274   b  according to the present embodiment extends in the Y-direction. According to the present embodiment, the removing operation is able to be performed more easily when a force (F 3  in  FIG. 15 ) along the negative Y-direction is applied to an operating portion (not shown) of the second connector  200   b  than when a force (F 1  in  FIG. 15 ) along the positive Z-direction is applied to the operating portion. Specifically, when the force (F 1 ) is applied to the operating portion, the second connector  200   b  pivots on a lower edge  290   b  located at the negative Y-side of the second holding member  220   b . The second connector  200   b  is removed from the first connector  100   b  while turning down in the negative Y-direction. On the other hand, when a force along the positive Y-direction is applied to the operating portion, the upper edge  274   b  is brought into abutment with an upper surface of the hooked portion  174   b  so that the second connector  200   b  is prevented from being removed from the first connector  100   b . As can be seen from  FIG. 15 , under the engaged state, the first hook portion  272   b  receive a reaction force along the positive Y-direction from the first shell  130   b  while applying a force along the negative Y-direction to the first shell  130   b . The second holding member  220   b  is pressed against a side surface  144   b  of the first shell  130   b  along the positive Y-direction by the reaction force. As can be seen from the above description, the engaged state of the second connector  200   b  with the first connector  100   b  is maintained by the force from the first hook portion  272   b  along the negative Y-direction and the force from the second holding member  220   b  along the positive Y-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , a connector assembly may comprise a first connector  100   c  and a second connector  200   c . The first connector  100   c  includes a first shell  130   c . The first shell  130   c  is formed with a hooked portion  174   c . The second connector  200   c  includes a locking member  260   c . The locking member  260   c  has a first hook portion  272   c  and a second hook portion  282   c . Either the first hook portion  272   c  or the second hook portion  282   c  is configured to protrude only in the positive Y-direction (second horizontal direction). The first hook portion  272   c  and the second hook portion  282   c  have upper edges  274   c  and  284   c , respectively. Either the upper edge  274   c  or  284   c  extends in the Y-direction. According to the present embodiment, the removing operation is able to be performed more easily when a force (F 2  in  FIG. 16 ) along the positive Y-direction is applied to an operating portion (not shown) of the second connector  200   c  than when a force (F 1  in  FIG. 16 ) along the positive Z-direction is applied to the operating portion. When a force along the negative Y-direction is applied to the operating portion, the upper edge  274   c  is brought into abutment with an upper surface of the hooked portion  174   c  so that the second connector  200   c  is prevented from being removed from the first connector  100   c.    
     The present application is based on a Japanese patent application of J JP2010-150448 filed before the Japan Patent Office on Jun. 30, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.