Patent Publication Number: US-9853395-B2

Title: Connector and connector assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2015-190801 filed Sep. 29, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a connector having a male screw member. In addition, this invention relates to a connector assembly comprising the aforementioned connector and a mating connector having a female screw. 
     As shown in FIG. 56, JPA 2008-251248 (Patent Document 1) discloses a connector assembly which includes a plug 900 and a receptacle 930. The plug 900 and the receptacle 930 are designed so that a contact 920 of the plug 900 and a mating contact 960 of the receptacle 930 are properly brought into contact with each other when an end 910 of the plug 900 is brought into abutment with an inner wall 950 of a receiving portion 940 of the receptacle 930. 
     As shown in FIG. 57, JPU 3113056 (Patent Document 2) discloses a receptacle 970 which has female screw portions 980. A plug (not show) mateable with the receptacle 970 is provided with male screw members, which are connectable with the female screw portions 980, and screw holding members, which hold the male screw members, respectively. 
     Currently, a receptacle (hereinafter referred to as “receptacle A”) having a female screw portion has been supposed as a mating connector for a plug (hereinafter referred to as “plug A”) having a male screw member. Furthermore, another receptacle (hereinafter referred to as “receptacle B”) having no female screw portion is supposed as another mating connector for another plug (hereinafter referred to as “plug B”) having no male screw member. For example, the receptacle A is a receptacle like the receptacle 970 of Patent Document 2 while the plug A is a plug (not shown) which is mateable with the receptacle A. Furthermore, the plug B is a plug like the plug 900 of Patent Document 1 while the receptacle B is a receptacle like the receptacle 930 of Patent Document 1, for example. 
     Even when the plug A and the plug B have interfaces (fitting portions) same as each other, there is a case where the plug A cannot be properly connected with the receptacle B. The receptacle B like the receptacle 930 of Patent Document 1 is generally arranged in a housing of an electric device. When the plug A is tried to be connected with that kind of the receptacle B, a male screw member or a screw holding member is brought into abutment with the housing so that an end of the plug A cannot be brought into abutment with an inner wall of a receiving portion of the receptacle B. Therefore, the plug A cannot be properly connected with the receptacle B. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector which has a male screw member and which is properly mateable with not only a mating connector having a female screw connector but also another mating connector having no female screw connector. 
     One aspect (first aspect) of the present invention provides a connector having a front end in a predetermined direction and selectively connectable with a first connecting object and a second connecting object along the predetermined direction. The first connecting object comprises a first fitting portion having a mating contact, a female screw portion and a female screw seat. The second connecting object comprises a second fitting portion having a structure corresponding to the first fitting portion. The connector comprises a connector main, a male screw member and a screw holding member. The connector main is selectively mateable with the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion in the predetermined direction. The connector main has a contact which is brought into contact with the mating contact when the connector and the first connecting object are connected with each other. The screw holding member holds the male screw member. The screw holding member has a male screw seat which is brought into contact with the female screw seat when the male screw member is connected with the female screw portion. The screw holding member is attached to the connector main. The screw holding member is relatively movable with respect to the connector main in the predetermined direction. 
     Another aspect (second aspect) of the present invention provides a connector assembly comprising the connector of the first aspect and a mating connector as the first connecting object. The mating connector comprises the first fitting portion, the female screw portion and the female screw seat. 
     A connector of the present invention is mateable with a first connecting object like a mating connector which has a female screw portion corresponding to a male screw member. The connector of the present invention has a screw holding member which is relatively movable with respect to a connector main in a predetermined direction. Accordingly, when the connector is tried to be mated with a second connecting object like an electric device in which another mating connector having no female screw portion is arranged in a housing of the electric device, there is no case where the screw holding member is brought into abutment with the housing to keep on adding stress on the housing. Therefore, the connector main can be properly mated with a second fitting portion of the second connecting object. 
     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 top, perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1  and a first connecting object. The illustrated connector is not connected with the illustrated first connecting object. 
         FIG. 5  is another top, perspective view showing the connector and the first connecting object of  FIG. 4 . The illustrated connector is connected with the illustrated first connecting object. 
         FIG. 6  is a top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1  and a mating connector of a second connecting object. The illustrated connector is connected with the illustrated mating connector. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and the second connecting object of  FIG. 6 . In order to easily recognize outlines of the connector and the second connecting object, detailed illustration is omitted in the figure. 
         FIG. 8  is a top, perspective view showing the first connecting object of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is another top, perspective view showing the first connecting object of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front view showing the first connecting object of  FIG. 5 . A circuit board of the illustrated first connecting object is omitted in the figure. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view showing the second connecting object of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view showing the second connecting object of  FIG. 11 . In order to easily recognize an outline of the second connecting object, detailed illustration is omitted in the figure. 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 14  is another top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 15  is yet another top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 16  is still another top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom, perspective view showing a connector main which is included in the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 18  is a view showing a positional relationship among each of front recesses, each of rear recesses and each of positioning projections which are included in the connector of  FIG. 1 . The positioning projection is accommodated in the front recess. 
         FIG. 19  is a view showing another positional relationship among each of the front recesses, each of the rear recesses and each of the positioning projections which are included in the connector of  FIG. 1 . The positioning projection is accommodated in the rear recess. 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional, perspective view showing a screw accommodation member which is included in the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 21  is a view showing a positional relationship between a male screw member and the screw accommodation member which are included in the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 22  is a view showing another positional relationship between the male screw member and the screw accommodation member which are included in the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 23  is a top, perspective view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a front view showing the connector of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 26  is a top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 23  and a first connecting object. The illustrated connector is not connected with the illustrated first connecting object. 
         FIG. 27  is a front view showing the first connecting object of  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 28  is another top, perspective views showing the connector of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 29  is a view showing a positional relationship between each of positioning projections and each of positioned portions which are included in the connector of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 30  is a view showing another positional relationship between each of the positioning projections and each of the positioned portions which are included in the connector of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 31  is a top, perspective view showing a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a front view showing the connector of  FIG. 31 . 
         FIG. 33  is an exploded, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 31 . 
         FIG. 34  is a top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 31  and the first connecting object. The illustrated connector is not connected with the illustrated first connecting object. 
         FIG. 35  is a bottom, perspective view showing an upper part of a hood which is included in the connector of  FIG. 31 . 
         FIG. 36  is a bottom, perspective view showing a screw holding member which is included in the connector of  FIG. 31 . 
         FIG. 37  is a bottom, perspective view showing the upper part of the hood of  FIG. 35  and the screw holding member of  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 38  is another bottom, perspective view showing the upper part of the hood of  FIG. 35  and the screw holding member of  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 39  is a top, perspective view showing a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 40  is a bottom, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 41  is a front view showing the connector of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 42  is an exploded, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 43  is another top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 44  is a view showing a positional relationship among each of front recesses, each of rear recesses and each of positioning projections which are included in the connector of  FIG. 43 . The positioning projection is accommodated in the front recess. 
         FIG. 45  is yet another top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 46  is a view showing another positional relationship among each of the front recesses, each of the rear recesses and each of the positioning projections which are included in the connector of  FIG. 45 . The positioning projection is accommodated in the rear recess. 
         FIG. 47  is still another top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 48  is a top, perspective view showing a connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 49  is another top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 50  is a front view showing the connector of  FIG. 49 . 
         FIG. 51  is an exploded, top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 52  is an exploded, bottom, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 53  is a view showing a positional relationship between a positioning projection and a positioning recess which are included in the connector of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 54  is yet another top, perspective view showing the connector of  FIG. 48 . 
         FIG. 55  is a view showing another positional relationship between the positioning projection and the positioning recess which are included in the connector of  FIG. 54 . 
         FIG. 56  is a cross-sectional view showing a connector assembly of Patent Document 1. 
         FIG. 57  is a perspective view showing a receptacle of Patent Document 2. 
     
    
    
     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 
     First Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a connector  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a plug which is in accordance with Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C Standard. Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 6  in addition to  FIG. 1 , the connector  100  of the present embodiment has a front end  102  in a predetermined direction and is selectively mateable with a first connecting object  300  and a second connecting object  400  along the predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the predetermined direction is an X-direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a positive X-direction is a forward direction while a negative X-direction is a rearward direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5, and 8 to 10 , in the present embodiment, the first connecting object  300  is a mating connector connectable with the connector  100  and, more specifically, is a receptacle being in accordance with USB Type-C Standard. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the first connecting object  300  is mounted on and fixed to a circuit board  550  and provided with a first fitting portion  310 , two female screw portions  330  and two female screw seats  340 . In other words, the first connecting object  300  of the present embodiment is the receptacle having the female screw portions  330  while the first fitting portion  310  has a receiving portion  312 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the receiving portion  312  has an inner wall  314  in the predetermined direction. The first fitting portion  310  is located between the female screw portions  330  in a lateral direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, the lateral direction is a Y-direction. As shown in  FIG. 10 , in detail, the first fitting portion  310  is provided with mating contacts  320 , a mating holding member  322  and a mating shell  324 . The mating holding member  322  holds the mating contacts  320 . The mating shell  324  surrounds the mating holding member  322 . 
     As understood from  FIGS. 8 and 11 , though the second connecting object  400  is provided with a second fitting portion  430  having a structure corresponding to the first fitting portion  310 , it does not have female screw portions like the female screw portions  330 . As shown in  FIGS. 7, 11 and 12 , the second connecting object  400  of the present embodiment is a housing  410  of an electric device (not shown) with a mating connector  420  arranged therein. As understood from  FIGS. 8 and 11 , the mating connector  420  has a structure corresponding to the first connecting object  300 . Specifically, the mating connector  420  is a receptacle which is in accordance with USB Type-C Standard and which does not have the female screw portions like the female screw portions  330 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the mating connector  420  has the aforementioned second fitting portion  430 . The second fitting portion  430  has a receiving portion  440  having an inner wall  450  in the predetermined direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the connector  100  includes a connector main  110 , two male screw members  150  and a screw holding member  160 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the connector main  110  of the present embodiment is positioned between the two male screw members  150  in the lateral direction. The connector main  110  includes contacts  140 , a holding member  142 , a shell  144  and a hood  146 . As understood from  FIGS. 2 and 10 , when the connector  100  and the first connecting object  300  are connected with each other, the contacts  140  are brought into contact with the mating contacts  320 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the holding member  142  holds the contacts  140 . The shell  144  surrounds the holding member  142 . As understood from  FIG. 1 , a rear end of the shell  144  is positioned inside the hood  146 . A relay board (not shown), which connects a cable  500  with the contacts  140 , or the like is accommodated in the hood  146 . The cable  500  which is connected to the relay board (not shown) extends rearward from the hood  146  in the predetermined direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an end  112  of the connector main  110  forms a front end  102  of the connector  100 . As understood from  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the connector main  110  is selectively mateable with any of the first fitting portion  310  and the second fitting portion  430  along the predetermined direction. As understood from  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the connector  100  is connected with the first connecting object  300 , the connector main  110  is partially received in the receiving portion  312  of the first fitting portion  310 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 17 , each of an upper surface  114  and a lower surface  116  of the connector main  110  is provided with a slide surface  118 , a front facing portion  120  and a rear facing portion  122 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The slide surface  118 , the front facing portion  120  and the rear facing portion  122  may be provided on one of the upper surface  114  and the lower surface  116  of the connector main  110 . The slide surface  118  is positioned between the front facing portion  120  and the rear facing portion  122  in the predetermined direction. The front facing portion  120  is a wall which is positioned forward of the slide surface  118  and which stands in an up-down direction perpendicular to both of the predetermined direction and the lateral direction. In this embodiment, the up-down direction is Z-direction. Specifically, a positive Z-direction is upward while a negative Z-direction is downward. The rear facing portion  122  is a wall which is positioned rearward of the slide surface  118  and which stands in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, each of the slide surfaces  118 , the front facing portions  120  and the rear facing portions  122  is formed on the hood  146 . In addition, each of the front facing portions  120  functions as a regulated portion as described later. 
     Furthermore, each of the upper surface  114  and the lower surface  116  of the connector main  110  is provided with a front recess  130  and a rear recess  132  which are positioned away from each other in the predetermined direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front recess  130  and the rear recess  132  may be provided on one of the upper surface  114  and the lower surface  116  of the connector main  110 . In the present embodiment, the front recess  130  and the rear recess  132  are formed on the slide surface  118  of the hood  146 . 
     As understood from  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the screw holding member  160  is attached to the connector main  110 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 13 to 16 , the screw holding member  160  is relatively movable between a front predetermined position and a rear predetermined position with respect to the connector main  110  along the predetermined direction. 
     In detail, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the screw holding member  160  includes two screw accommodation members  170 , an upper movable member  180  and a lower movable member  190 . As understood from  FIGS. 1 and 3 , each of the upper movable member  180  and the lower movable member  190  couples the two screw accommodation members  170  with each other in the lateral direction. Each of the upper movable member  180  and the lower movable member  190  of the present embodiment principally has a plate-like shape and is provided with press-fit pieces  182 ,  192  at opposite ends thereof in the lateral direction. Each of the screw accommodation members  170  is provided with press-fit ditches  178 . The press-fit pieces  182 ,  192  are press-fit into the press-fit ditches  178  so that the two screw accommodation members  170  are coupled by the upper movable member  180  and the lower movable member  190 . As understood from  FIGS. 1 and 13 , the upper movable member  180  and the lower movable member  190  sandwich the connector main  110  in the up-down direction. The upper movable member  180  is movable on the upper surface  114  of the connector main  110  in the predetermined direction. The lower movable member  190  is movable on the lower surface  116  of the connector main  110  in the predetermined direction. As understood from  FIGS. 1, 3, 13 and 17 , specifically, the upper movable member  180  is slidable in the predetermined direction on the slide surface  118  which is positioned on an upper side of the connector main  110  in the up-down direction, and the lower movable member  190  is slidable in the predetermined direction on the slide surface  118  which is positioned on an lower side of the connector main  110  in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the upper movable member  180  and the lower movable member  190  has a front abutment portion  200  and a rear abutment portion  210 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front abutment portion  200  and the rear abutment portion  210  may be provided on one of the upper movable member  180  and the lower movable member  190 . As understood from  FIGS. 1 and 13 to 16 , in the present embodiment, the front abutment portion  200  faces the front facing portion  120  in the predetermined direction and is positioned rearward of the front facing portion  120 . The rear abutment portion  210  faces the rear facing portion  122  in the predetermined direction and is positioned forward of the rear facing portion  122 . Accordingly, in the predetermined direction, the front facing portion  120  regulates a forward movement of the front abutment portion  200  beyond the front facing portion  120 . Similarly, in the predetermined direction, the rear facing portion  122  regulates a rearward movement of the rear abutment portion  210  beyond the rear facing portion  122 . 
     As understood from above, the front abutment portion  200  of the present embodiment functions as a regulating portion for the front facing portion (regulated portion)  120 . In detail, the front abutment portion  200  is arranged rearward of the front facing portion (regulated portion)  120  in the predetermined direction while facing the front facing portion (regulated portion)  120 , and the front abutment portion  200  regulates a rearward movement of the front facing portion (regulated portion)  120  beyond the regulating portion in the predetermined direction. In other words, the screw holding member  160  of the present embodiment is provided with the regulating portion which is arranged rearward of the regulated portion in the predetermined direction while facing the regulated portion in the predetermined direction. The regulating portion regulates a rearward movement of the regulated portion beyond the regulating portion in the predetermined direction. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the upper movable member  180  and the lower movable member  190  has a spring portion  225  and a positioning projection  220 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The spring portion  225  and the positioning projection  220  may be provided on one of the upper movable member  180  and the lower movable member  190 . The spring portion  225  is resiliently deformable and supports the positioning projection  220 . The positioning projection  220  projects inward in the up-down direction. The positioning projection  220  is movable in the up-down direction by using resilience of the spring portion  225 . As understood from  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the positioning projection  220  of the present embodiment rides over a gap between the front recess  130  and the rear recess  132  by using resilience of the spring portion  225  to be accommodated in one of the front recess  130  and the rear recess  132  so that the positioning projection  220  relatively positions the screw holding member  160  with respect to the connector main  110  in the predetermined direction. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 1, 13, 14 and 18 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member  160  is positioned at the front predetermined portion, the front abutment portion  200  abuts against the front facing portion  120  while the positioning projection  220  is accommodated in the front recess  130 . In other words, a pair of the front abutment portion  200  and the front facing portion  120  and another pair of the positioning projection  220  and the front recess  130  define the front predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front predetermined position may be defined only by the pair of the front abutment portion  200  and the front facing portion  120 . In addition the front predetermined position may be defined only by the other pair of the positioning projection  220  and the front recess  130 . Furthermore, the front predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 15, 16 and 19 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member  160  is positioned at the rear predetermined position, the rear abutment portion  210  abuts against the rear facing portion  122  while the positioning projection  220  is accommodated in the rear recess  132 . In other words, a pair of the rear abutment portion  210  and the rear facing portion  122  and another pair of the positioning projection  220  and the rear recess  132  define the rear predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The rear predetermined position may be defined only by the pair of the rear abutment portion  210  and the rear facing portion  122 . In addition, the rear predetermined position may be defined only by the other pair of the positioning projection  220  and the rear recess  132 . Furthermore, the rear predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 1, 3, 21 and 22 , each of the screw accommodation members  170  partially accommodates the male screw member  150  and holds the male screw member  150 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , in detail, the screw accommodation member  170  is provided with a male screw seat  172 , an accommodation portion  174  and a projecting portion  176 . As understood from  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the male screw seat  172  is a surface which is brought into contact with the female screw seat  340  when the male screw member  150  is connected with the female screw portion  330 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , the male screw seat  172  of the present embodiment is a front surface of the screw accommodation member  170 . The accommodation portion  174  extends in the predetermined direction and partially accommodates the male screw member  150 . The projecting portion  176  projects into the accommodation portion  174  in a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 1 and 14 , in the present embodiment, the male screw member  150  is relatively movable along the predetermined direction with respect to the screw holding member  160 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in detail, the male screw member  150  is formed with a recess  152  which is recessed in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. As shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , under a state where the male screw member  150  is partially accommodated in the accommodation portion  174 , the projecting portion  176  is accommodated in the recess  152 . In the predetermined direction, the recess  152  has a size far greater than a size of the projecting portion  176 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 14 , the male screw member  150  is relatively movable along the predetermined direction with respect to the screw holding member  160 . Thus, a total sum of a movable distance of the male screw member  150  can be increased. 
     In the present embodiment, the front predetermined position and the rear predetermined position satisfy the following conditions: [condition  1 ] when the screw holding member  160  is positioned at the front predetermined position, the end  112  of the connector main  110  faces the inner wall  314  of the first fitting portion  310  but does not reach the inner wall  314  under a state where the male screw member  150  is connected with the female screw portion  330  and where the male screw seat  172  is brought into contact with the female screw seat  340 ; and [condition  2 ] when the screw holding member  160  is positioned at the rear predetermined position, under a state where the connector  100  is connected with the second connecting object  400 , the end  112  of the connector main  110  is able to reach the inner wall  450  of the second fitting portion  430 . In other words, when the end  112  of the connector main  110  reaches the inner wall  450  of the second fitting portion  430  under a state where the connector  100  is connected with the second connecting object  400 , the screw holding member  160  may be positioned at the rear predetermined position, or may not reach the rear predetermined position and is positioned forward of the rear predetermined position. 
     Under the condition  1 , a distance between the end  112  of the connector main  110  and the inner wall  314  of the first fitting portion  310  is arranged so that the end  112  of the connector main  110  does not just reach the inner wall  314  of the first fitting portion  310  when each of the connector  100  and the first connecting object  300  has maximum tolerance. Accordingly, even if each of the connector  100  and the first connecting object  300  has maximum tolerance, the end  112  of the connector main  110  can be prevented from applying unnecessary stress to the inner wall  314  of the first fitting portion  310 . 
     The condition  2  enables the end  112  of the connector main  110  to securely reach the inner wall  450  of the second fitting portion  430 . In other words, the connector  100  and the mating connector (receptacle)  420  which is included in the second connecting object  400  can be properly connected with each other. 
     As described above, the connector  100  of the present embodiment is provided with the regulating portion and the regulated portion. Accordingly, even if the cable  500  connected to the connector  100  is pulled rearward under a state where the male screw members  150  are connected with the female screw portions  330 , respectively, the connector main  110  can be prevented from being removed from the screw holding member  160 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 23 , a connector  100 A according to a second embodiment of the present invention is a plug which is in accordance with USB Type-C Standard. As shown in  FIG. 23 , the connector  100 A of the present embodiment has a front end  102 A in a predetermined direction. The connector  100 A of  FIG. 23  is mateable, along the predetermined direction, with not only a first connecting object  300 A of  FIG. 26  but also the second connecting object  400  of  FIG. 11 . That is, the connector  100 A of the present embodiment is selectively mateable with the first connecting object  300 A and the second connecting object  400  along the predetermined direction. Because the second connecting object  400  is same as that of the first embodiment, explanation thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the predetermined direction is the X-direction. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the positive X-direction is the forward direction while the negative X-direction is the rearward direction. In the present embodiment, a lateral direction is the Y-direction while an up-down direction is a Z-direction. A positive Z-direction is an upward direction while a negative direction is a downward direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 , in the present embodiment, the first connecting object  300 A is a mating connector connectable with the connector  100 A and more specifically, is a receptacle being in accordance with USB Type-C Standard. As shown in  FIG. 26 , the first connecting object  300 A is mounted on and fixed to a circuit board  550 A. As shown in  FIG. 27 , the first connecting object  300 A is provided with a first fitting portion  310 A, a single female screw portion  330 A and a single female screw seat  340 A. In other words, the first connecting object  300 A of the present embodiment is the receptacle having the female screw portion  330 A. The first fitting portion  310 A has a receiving portion  312 A. The receiving portion  312 A has an inner wall  314 A in the predetermined direction. The female screw portion  330 A is positioned above the first fitting portion  310 A. Specifically, the first fitting portion  310 A is provided with mating contacts  320 A, a mating holding member  322 A and a mating shell  324 A. The mating holding member  322 A holds the mating contacts  320 A. The mating shell  324 A surrounds the mating holding member  322 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the connector  100 A includes a connector main  110 A, a single male screw member  150 A and a screw holding member  160 A. The male screw member  150 A is positioned above the connector main  110 A in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , the connector main  110 A includes contacts  140 A, a holding member  142 A, a shell  144 A and a hood  146 A similar to the first embodiment. 
     The holding member  142 A holds the contacts  140 A. The shell  144 A surrounds the holding member  142 D. Explanation about those components is omitted. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 23 to 28 , an end  112 A of the connector main  110 A forms a front end  102 A of the connector  100 A. The connector main  110  A is selectively mateable with the first fitting portion  310 A of  FIG. 26  and the second fitting portion  430  of  FIG. 11  along the predetermined direction. As understood from  FIGS. 26 and 27 , when the connector  100 A is connected with the first connecting object  300 A, the connector main  110 A is received in the receiving portion  312 A of the first fitting portion  310 A in part. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , an upper surface  114 A of the connector main  110 A is provided with two slide surfaces  118 A and two pairs each of which consists of a front facing portion  120 A and a rear facing portion  122 A. The two slide surfaces  118 A correspond to the two pairs, respectively, of the front facing portions  120 A and the rear facing portions  122 A. In other words, the upper surface  114 A is provided with two sets of a slide surface  118 A, a front facing portion  120 A and a rear facing portion  122 A. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The upper surface  114 A of the connector main  110 A may be provided only with the single slide surface  118 A and a single pair of the front facing portion  120 A and the rear facing portion  122 A. In the predetermined direction, each of the slide surfaces  118 A is positioned between the front facing portion  120 A and the rear facing portion  122 A of the corresponding pair. Each of the front facing portions  120 A is a wall which is positioned forward of the corresponding slide surface  118 A and which stands in the up-down direction. Each of the rear facing portions  122 A is a wall which is positioned rearward of the corresponding slide surface  118 A and which stands in the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, each of the slide surfaces  118 A, the front facing portions  120 A and the rear facing portions  122 A is formed on the hood  146 A. Each of the front facing portions  120 A functions as a regulated portion as described later. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 25, 29 and 30 , the connector main  110 A has two pairs, each of which consists of two ditches  124 A, a pair of two spring portions  136 A and a pair of two positioning projections  134 A. Each of the ditches  124 A extends in the predetermined direction. The two spring portions  136 A correspond to the two positioning projections  134 A, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The connector main  110 A may only have a single pair of the two ditches  124 A, the pair of the two spring portions  136 A and the pair of the two positioning projections  134 A. The two spring portions  136 A are provided in the two ditches  124 A, respectively. Each of the spring portions  136 A is resiliently deformable and supports the corresponding positioning projection  134 A. Each of the positioning projections  134 A projects into the corresponding ditch  124 A in the lateral direction. Each of the positioning projections  134 A is movable in the lateral direction by using resilience of the corresponding spring portion  136 A. In the present embodiment, the ditches  124 A and the positioning projections  134 A are formed on the hood  146 A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 28 , the screw holding member  160 A is attached to the connector main  110 A and is relatively movable along the predetermined direction with respect to the connector main  110 A between a front predetermined position and a rear predetermined position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , in detail, the screw holding member  160 A of the present embodiment includes an upper accommodation member  170 A, two movable members  180 A and a lower plate  190 A. As shown in  FIG. 23 , the upper accommodation member  170 A is provided with a male screw seat  173 A. As understood from  FIG. 26 , the male screw seat  173 A is a surface which is brought into contact with the female screw seat  340 A when the male screw member  150 A is connected with the female screw portion  330 A. As shown in  FIG. 23 , the male screw seat  173 A of the present embodiment is a front surface of the upper accommodation member  170 A. As shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , each of the movable members  180 A corresponds to the aforementioned ditches  124 A and the positioning projections  134 A. The screw holding member  160 A may have the single movable member  180 A. As understood from  FIGS. 23 to 25 , the upper accommodation member  170 A is positioned above the connector main  110 A and partially accommodates the male screw member  150 A. The upper accommodation member  170 A accommodates the male screw member  150 A in a manner similar to a manner in which the screw accommodation member  170  of the aforementioned first embodiment accommodates the male screw member  150 . 
     As understood from  FIGS. 25, 29 and 30 , each of the movable members  180 A is held by the connector main  110 A so as to be movable in the predetermined direction. As shown in  FIG. 25 , each of the movable members  180 A has an upper portion  182 A and side portions  186 A. The upper portion  182 A is attached to the upper accommodation member  170 A. Each of the side portions  186 A extends downward in the up-down direction from the upper portion  182 A. In the present embodiment, the upper portion  182 A is formed with two projections  184 A, and the upper accommodation member  170 A is formed with holes  172 A. As understood from  FIGS. 23 and 25 , the projections  184 A of the upper portions  182 A are inserted into the holes  172 A of the upper accommodation member  170 A and are then crimped, so that the upper accommodation member  170 A is fixed to the movable members  180 A. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 23, 25 and 28 , the upper portions  182 A of the movable members  180 A are slidable on the slide surfaces  118 A, respectively. As shown in  FIG. 25 , each of the upper portions  182 A has a front abutment portion  200 A and a rear abutment portion  210 A. In the present embodiment, the front abutment portion  200 A is a front edge of the upper portion  182 A, and the rear abutment portion  210 A is a rear edge of the upper portion  182 A. As understood from  FIGS. 23, 25 and 28 , each of the front abutment portions  200 A faces the front facing portion  120 A corresponding thereto in the predetermine direction and is positioned rearward of the front facing portion  120 A corresponding thereto. In addition, each of the rear abutment portions  210 A faces the rear facing portion  122 A corresponding thereto in the predetermine direction and is positioned forward of the rear facing portion  122 A corresponding thereto. Accordingly, the front facing portion  120 A regulates a forward movement of the front abutment portion  200 A beyond the front facing portion  120 A in the predetermined direction. Similarly, the rear facing portion  122 A regulates a rearward movement of the rear abutment portion  210 A beyond the rear facing portion  122 A in the predetermined direction. 
     As understood from above, the front abutment portion  200 A of the present invention functions as a regulating portion for the front facing portion (regulated portion)  120 A. The regulating portion regulates a rearward movement of the regulated portion beyond the regulating portion in the predetermined direction. 
     Furthermore, the side portions  186 A of each of the movable members  180 A are, at least in part, accommodated in the ditches  124 A of the connector main  110 A. A lower end of each of the side portions  186 A projects downward of the connector main  110 A, and the lower ends of the side portions  186 A are coupled with each other by the lower plate  190 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , each of the side portions  186 A is provided with a positioned portion  188 A. As understood from  FIGS. 29 and 30 , when the movable member  180 A is moved along the predetermined direction, the positioned portions  188 A ride over the positioning projections  134 A which are supported by the spring portions  136 A, respectively. The movable member  180 A is positioned in the predetermined direction by positioning each of the positioned portions  188 A forward or rearward of the corresponding positioning projection  134 A. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 23, 25 and 29 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member  160 A is positioned at the front predetermined portion, the front abutment portion  200 A abuts against the front facing portion  120 A while the positioning projection  134 A is positioned rearward of the positioned portion  188 A. In other words, a pair of the front abutment portion  200 A and the front facing portion  120 A and another pair of the positioning projection  134 A and the positioned portion  188 A define the front predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front predetermined position may be defined only by the pair of the front abutment portion  200 A and the front facing portion  120 A. In addition, the front predetermined position may be defined only by the other pair of the positioning projection  134 A and the positioned portion  188 A. Furthermore, the front predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 25, 28 and 30 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member  160 A is positioned at the rear predetermined portion, the rear abutment portion  210 A abuts against the rear facing portion  122 A while the positioning projection  134 A is positioned forward of the positioned portion  188 A. In other words, a pair of the rear abutment portion  210 A and the rear facing portion  122 A and another pair of the positioning projection  134 A and the positioned portion  188 A define the rear predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The rear predetermined position may be defined only by the pair of the rear abutment portion  210 A and the rear facing portion  122 A. In addition, the rear predetermined position may be defined only by the other pair of the positioning projection  134 A and the positioned portion  188 A. Furthermore, the rear predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     In the present embodiment, the front predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition  1  described in the first embodiment, and the rear predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition  2  described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the connector  100 A of the present embodiment also has an effect similar to that of the first embodiment. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 31 , a connector  100 B according to a third embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the connector  100 A of the second embodiment of  FIG. 23  as described above. Specifically, similar to the connector  100 A of the second embodiment, the connector  100 B is to be connected with the connecting object. Accordingly, explanation about features of the connector  100 B in common with the connector  100 A of the second embodiment is omitted. In the present embodiment, a predetermined direction, a lateral direction and an up-down direction are the X-direction, the Y-direction and the Z-direction, respectively. In addition, in the present embodiment, the positive X-direction is the forward direction while the negative X-direction is the rearward direction. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the positive Z-direction is the upward direction while the negative direction is the downward direction. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 31 to 33 , the connector  100 B includes a connector main  110 B, a single male screw member  150 B and a screw holding member  160 B. The male screw member  150 B is positioned above the connector main  110 B in the up-down direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 32 , the connector main  110 B includes contacts  140 B, a holding member  142 B, a shell  144 B and a hood  146 B similar to the first embodiment. The holding member  142 B holds the contacts  140 B. The shell  144 B surrounds the holding member  142 B. Explanation about the contacts  140 B, the holding member  142 B and the shell  144 B is omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 33 , the illustrated hood  146 B consists of two parts of an upper part and a lower part. The upper part of the hood  146 B is formed with a slot  148 B. The slot  148 B has a rear edge  149 B. As shown in  FIG. 35 , the upper part of the hood  146 B is formed with a front facing portion  120 B which is positioned at lateral sides of a front end of the slot  148 B, and is formed with a rear facing portion  122 B which is positioned in the vicinity of the rear edge  149 B of the slot  148 B. Each of the front facing portion  120 B and the rear facing portion  122 B is provided inside the hood  146 B. In other words, in the present embodiment, each of the front facing portion  120 B and the rear facing portion  122 B is provided inside the connector main  110 B. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 31 to 33 , the screw holding member  160 B of the present embodiment is attached to the connector main  110 B in a state where the screw holding member  160 B is partially accommodated in the connector main  110 B. As understood from  FIGS. 31, 37 and 38 , the screw holding member  160 B is relatively movable with respect to the connector main  110 B along the predetermined direction between the front predetermined position and the rear predetermined position. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 33 and 36 , in detail, the screw holding member  160 B of the present embodiment has an upper accommodation portion  170 B and a movable portion  180 B. The movable portion  180 B and the upper accommodation portion  170 B of the present embodiment are formed integrally with each other. As shown in  FIG. 31 , the upper accommodation portion  170 B is provided with a male screw seat  173 B. As understood from  FIGS. 32 and 34 , the male screw seat  173 B is a surface which is brought into contact with the female screw seat  340 A when the male screw member  150 B is connected with the female screw portion  330 A. As shown in  FIG. 32 , the male screw seat  173 B of the present embodiment is a front end surface of the upper accommodation portion  170 B. As understood from  FIGS. 31 and 33 , the movable portion  180 B is accommodated in the connector main  110 B so as to be movable in the predetermined direction. As shown in  FIG. 36 , the movable portion  180 B is provided with a front abutment portion  200 B and a rear abutment portion  210 B. In the present embodiment, the front abutment portion  200 B is a front edge of the movable portion  180 B, and the rear abutment portion  210 B is a rear edge of the movable portion  180 B. As shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38 , the front abutment portion  200 B faces the front facing portion  120 B in the predetermine direction and is positioned rearward of the front facing portion  120 B. In addition, the rear abutment portion  210 C faces the rear facing portion  122 B in the predetermine direction and is positioned forward of the rear facing portion  122 B. Accordingly, the front facing portion  120 B regulates a forward movement of the front abutment portion  200 B beyond the front facing portion  120 B in the predetermined direction. Similarly, the rear facing portion  122 B regulates a rearward movement of the rear abutment portion  210 B beyond the rear facing portion  122 B in the predetermined direction. As understood from above, the front abutment portion  200 B of the present embodiment functions as a regulating portion for the front facing portion (regulated portion)  120 B. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 31 and 33 , the upper accommodation portion  170 B is provided on the movable portion  180 B and is exposed outside the connector main  110 B through the slot  148 B. Accordingly, the upper accommodation portion  170 B is positioned above the connector main  110 B. The upper accommodation portion  170 B partially accommodates the male screw member  150 B. The upper accommodation portion  170 B accommodates the male screw member  150 B in a manner similar to a manner in which the screw accommodation member  170  of the aforementioned first embodiment accommodates the male screw member  150 . As shown in  FIGS. 33 and 36 , the upper accommodation portion  170 B has a rear end portion  172 B. As understood from  FIGS. 31 and 33 , the rear edge  149 B of the slot  148 B faces the rear end portion  172 B of the upper accommodation portion  170 B in the predetermined direction and is positioned rearward of the rear end portion  172 B. Accordingly, the rear edge  149 B of the slot  148 B regulates a rearward movement of the rear end portion  172 B of the upper accommodation portion  170 B beyond the rear edge  149 B of the slot  148 B. 
     As understood from  FIG. 37 , in the present modification, when the screw holding member  160 B is positioned at the front predetermined position, the front abutment portion  200 B abuts against the front facing portion  120 B. In other words, the front abutment portion  200 B and the front facing portion  120 B define the front predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 34 and 38 , in the present modification, when the screw holding member  160 B is positioned at the rear predetermined position, the rear abutment portion  210 B abuts against the rear facing portion  122 B while the rear end portion  172 B of the upper accommodation portion  170 B abuts against the rear edge  149 B of the slot  148 B. In other words, a pair of the rear abutment portion  210 B and the rear facing portion  122 B and another pair of the rear end portion  172 B of the upper accommodation portion  170 B and the rear edge  149 B of the slot  148 B define the rear predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The rear predetermined position may be defined only by the pair of the rear abutment portion  210 B and the rear facing portion  122 B. In addition, the rear predetermined position may be defined only by the other pair of the rear end portion  172 B of the upper accommodation portion  170 B and the rear edge  149 B of the slot  148 B. Furthermore, the rear predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     In the present embodiment, the front predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition  1  described in the first embodiment, and the rear predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition  2  described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the connector  100 B of the present embodiment also has an effect similar to that of the first embodiment. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 39 , a connector  100 C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the connector  100  of the first embodiment of  FIG. 1  as described above. Specifically, similar to the connector  100  of the first embodiment, the connector  100 C is to be connected with the connecting object. Accordingly, explanation about features of  100 C in common with the connector  100  of the aforementioned first embodiment is omitted. In the present embodiment, a predetermined direction, a lateral direction and an up-down direction are the X-direction, the Y-direction and the Z-direction, respectively. In addition, in the present embodiment, the positive X-direction is the forward direction while the negative X-direction is the rearward direction. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the positive Z-direction is the upward direction while the negative direction is the downward direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 39 to 43 , the connector  100 C includes a connector main  110 C, two male screw members  150 C and a screw holding member  160 C. The connector main  110 C is positioned between the two male screw members  150 C in the lateral direction. As shown in  FIG. 41 , the connector main  110 C includes contacts  140 C, a holding member  142 C, a shell  144 C and a hood  146 C similar to the first embodiment. The holding member  142 C holds the contacts  140 C. The shell  1440  surrounds the holding member  142 C. Explanation about those components is omitted. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 42, 44 and 46 , each of an upper surface  114 C and a lower surface  116 C of the connector main  110 C is provided with a front facing portion  120 C and a rear facing portion  122 C. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front facing portion  120 C and the rear facing portion  122 C may be provided on one of the upper surface  114 C and the lower surface  116 C of the connector main  110 C. In the present embodiment, each of the front facing portions  120 C and the rear facing portions  122 C is formed on the hood  146 C. In the present embodiment, each of the front facing portions  120 C is a wall which is positioned at a front end of the hood  146 C and which stands in the up-down direction, and each of the rear facing portions  122 C is a projection which projects in the up-down direction. The front facing portion  120 C functions as a regulated portion as described later. 
     Furthermore, each of the upper surface  114 C and the lower surface  116 C of the connector main  110 C is provided with a front recess  130 C and a rear recess  132 C which are positioned away from each other in the predetermined direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front recess  130 C and the rear recess  132 C may be provided on one of the upper surface  114 C and the lower surface  116 C of the connector main  110 C. In the present embodiment, each of the front recesses  130 C and the rear recesses  132 C is formed on the hood  146 C. 
     The screw holding member  160 C is attached to the connector main  110 C and is relatively movable along the predetermined direction with respect to the connector main  110 C between a front predetermined position and a rear predetermined position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 42 , in detail, the screw holding member  160 C is formed with two side accommodation portions  170 C and a center accommodation portion  180 C. Each of the side accommodation portions  170 C and the center accommodation portion  180 C pierces the screw holding member  160 C in the predetermined direction. As shown in  FIG. 39 , each of the screw holding member  160 C is provided with two male screw seats  172 C. As understood from  FIGS. 4, 5 and 39 , the male screw seat  172 C is a surface which is brought into contact with the female screw seat  340  when the male screw member  150 C is connected with the female screw portion  330 . As shown in  FIG. 39 , the male screw seat  172 C of the present embodiment is a front end surface of the screw holding member  160 C. As understood from  FIGS. 39 and 42 , the side accommodation portions  170 C partially accommodate the male screw members  150 C, respectively. Each of the side accommodation portions  170 C accommodates the male screw member  150 C corresponding thereto in a manner similar to a manner in which the screw accommodation member  170  of the aforementioned first embodiment accommodates the male screw member  150 . The center accommodation portion  180 C is positioned between the side accommodation portions  170 C in the lateral direction while partially accommodating the connector main  110 C so as to be movable in the predetermined direction. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 42, 44 and 46 , the screw holding member  160 C is provided with two pairs each consisting of the front abutment portion  200 C and the rear abutment portion  210 A. The front abutment portion  200 C and the rear abutment portion  210 C of each pair are edge portions of the center accommodation portion  180 C. The front abutment portions  200 C are front edges of the screw holding member  160 C. The rear abutment portions  210 C are rear edges of the screw holding member  160 C. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front abutment portion  200 C and the rear abutment portion  210 C may be provided at one of an upper side and a lower side of the screw holding member  160 C. The front abutment portions  200 C face the front facing portions  120 C, respectively, in the predetermined direction and are positioned rearward of the front facing portions  120 C, respectively. In addition, the rear abutment portions  210 C face the rear facing portions  122 C, respectively, in the predetermined direction and are positioned forward of the rear facing portions  122 A, respectively. Accordingly, each of the front facing portions  120 C regulates a forward movement of the corresponding front abutment portion  200 C beyond the front facing portion  120 C in the predetermined direction, and each of the rear facing portions  122 C regulates a rearward movement of the corresponding rear abutment portion  210 C beyond the rear facing portion  122 C in the predetermined direction. As understood from above, each of the front abutment portions  200 C of the present embodiment functions as a regulating portion for the corresponding front facing portion (regulated portion)  120 C. 
     Furthermore, the screw holding member  160 C has two pairs each consisting of a spring portion  225 C and a positioning projection  220 C. The spring portions  225 C and the positioning projections  220 C of the two pairs are formed on opposite sides, respectively, of the screw holding member  160 C in the up-down direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The spring portion  225 C and the positioning projection  220 C may be provided on only one of an upper side and a lower side of the screw holding member  160 C. Each of the spring portions  225 C is resiliently deformable and supports the positioning projection  220 C paired therewith. Each of the positioning projections  220 C projects inside the center accommodation portion  180 C in the up-down direction. Each of the positioning projections  220 C is movable in the up-down direction by using resilience of the spring portion  225 C paired therewith. The positioning projections  220 C correspond to the front recesses  130 C and the rear recesses  132 C, respectively. Each of the positioning projection  220 C of the present embodiment rides over a gap between the corresponding front recess  130 C and the corresponding rear recess  132 C by using resilience of the spring portion  225 C paired therewith to be accommodated in one of the corresponding front recess  130 C and the corresponding rear recess  132 C so that each of the positioning projections  220 C relatively positions the screw holding member  160 C with respect to the connector main  110 C in the predetermined direction. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 39, 40, 43 and 44 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member  160 C is positioned at the front predetermined position, each of the front abutment portions  200 A abuts against the corresponding front facing portion  120 C while each of the positioning projections  220 C is accommodated in the corresponding front recess  130 C. In other words, a pair of the front abutment portion  200 C and the corresponding front facing portion  120 C and another pair of the positioning projection  220 C and the corresponding front recess  130 C define the front predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front predetermined position may be defined only by the pair of the front abutment portion  200 C and the corresponding front facing portion  120 C. In addition, the front predetermined position may be defined only by the other pair of the positioning projection  220 C and the corresponding front recess  130 C. Furthermore, the front predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 45 to 47 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member  160 C is positioned at the rear predetermined position, each of the rear abutment portions  210 C abuts against the corresponding rear facing portion  122 C while each of the positioning projections  220 C is accommodated in the corresponding rear recess  132 C. In other words, a pair of the rear abutment portion  210 C and the corresponding rear facing portion  122 C and another pair of the positioning projection  220 C and the corresponding rear recess  132 C define the rear predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The rear predetermined position may be defined only by the pair of the rear abutment portion  210 C and the corresponding rear facing portion  122 C. In addition, the rear predetermined position may be defined only by the other pair of the positioning projection  220 C and the corresponding rear recess  132 C. Furthermore, the rear predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     In the present embodiment, the front predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition  1  described in the first embodiment, and the rear predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition  2  described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the connector  100 C of the present embodiment also has an effect similar to that of the first embodiment. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 48 , a connector  100 D according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is another modification the connector  100  of the first embodiment of  FIG. 1  as described above. Specifically, similar to the connector  100  of the first embodiment, the connector  100 D is to be connected with the connecting object. Accordingly, explanation about features of the connector  100 D in common with the connector  100  of the aforementioned first embodiment is omitted. In the present embodiment, a predetermined direction, a lateral direction and an up-down direction are the X-direction, the Y-direction and the Z-direction, respectively. In addition, in the present embodiment, the positive X-direction is the forward direction while the negative X-direction is the rearward direction. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the positive Z-direction is the upward direction while the negative direction is the downward direction. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 48 to 52 and 54 , a connector  100 D includes a connector main  110 D, two male screw members  150 D and a screw holding member  160 D. The connector main  110 D of the present embodiment is positioned between the two male screw members  150 D in the lateral direction. As shown in  FIGS. 49 and 50 , the connector main  110 D includes contacts  140 D, a holding member  142 D, a shell  144 D and a hood  146 D similar to the first embodiment. The holding member  142 D holds the contacts  140 D. The shell  144 D surrounds the holding member  142 D. Explanation about those components is omitted. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 48, 49, 51 and 52 , the connector main  110 D is provided with two guide portions  230 D, two front wall portions  240 D, an operation portion (lever)  250 D and a positioning recess  258 D. The positioning recess  258 D is formed on a lower surface of the hood  146 D. 
     Each of the guide portions  230 D extends in the predetermined direction. In addition, the guide portions  230 D are positioned at opposite ends, respectively, of the connector main  110 D in the lateral direction. In other words, the guide portions  230 D are positioned away from each other in the lateral direction. The front wall portions  240 D correspond to the guide portions  230 D. In the predetermined direction, each of the front wall portions  240 D is positioned forward of the corresponding guide portion  230 D. The front wall portions  240 D are positioned away from each other in the lateral direction. Each of the front wall portions  240 D is formed with a through hole  242 D which pierces the front wall portions  240 D in the predetermined direction. Each of the front wall portions  240 D functions as a regulated portion as described later. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 48 to 51 , the operation portion  250 D extends upward from a vicinity of a front end of the hood  146 D. As shown in  FIG. 51 , in detail, the operation portion  250 D of the connector main  110 D is formed with a wide portion  252 D and a narrow portion  254 D. Specifically, the wide portion  252 D extends from the vicinity of the front end of the hood  146 D, and the narrow portion  254 D extends from the wide portion  252 D. In the lateral direction, the narrow portion  254 D has a size smaller than a size of the wide portion  252 D. The operation portion  250 D has a boundary portion between the wide portion  252 D and the narrow portion  254 D, and the boundary portion is formed with stopped portions  256 D. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 48 and 49 , the screw holding member  160 D is attached to the connector main  110 D and is relatively movable along the predetermined direction with respect to the connector main  110 D between a front predetermined position and a rear predetermined position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 51 , the screw holding member  160 D is formed with two side accommodation portions  170 D and a center accommodation portion  180 D. Each of the side accommodation portions  170 D and the center accommodation portion  180 D pierces the screw holding member  160 D in the predetermined direction. As understood from  FIGS. 48, 49 and 51 , the side accommodation portions  170 D partially accommodate the male screw members  150 D, respectively. Each of the side accommodation portions  170 D accommodates the corresponding male screw member  150 D in a manner similar to a manner in which the screw accommodation member  170  of the aforementioned first embodiment accommodates the male screw member  150 . As shown in  FIG. 51 , the center accommodation portion  180 D is positioned between the side accommodation portions  170 D in the lateral direction. As shown in  FIGS. 53 and 55 , the center accommodation portion  180 D partially accommodates the connector main  110 D so as to be movable in the predetermined direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 51 , in detail, the screw holding member  160 D of the present embodiment is provided with a rear portion  260 D and two arm portions  270 D. The center accommodation portion  180 D is provided on the rear portion  260 D. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 52, 53 and 55 , the rear portion  260 D is provided with a positioning projection  262 D which is positioned at a lower side thereof and which projects inward of the center accommodation portion  180 D. The positioning projection  262 D is accommodated in the positioning recess  258 D of the connector main  110 D. In the predetermined direction, the positioning recess  258 D has a size greater than a size of the positioning projection  262 D. Accordingly, the positioning projection  262 D is movable in the positioning recess  258 D. Meanwhile, the positioning projection  262 D cannot be moved rearward beyond the positioning recess  258 D. In other words, the positioning recess  258 D regulates a rearward movement of the positioning projection  262 D beyond the positioning recess  258 D in the predetermined direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 51 , the rear portion  260 D of the screw holding member  160 D is provided with stopping portions  264 D and a slot  266 D. The slot  266 D extends rearward from the stopping portions  264 D in the predetermined direction. As understood from  FIGS. 48, 49 and 51 , the slot  266 D partially accommodates the narrow portion  254 D of the operation portion  250 D. 
     As shown in  FIG. 48 , under a state where the operation portion  250 D is not operated, the stopped portions  256 D are positioned forward of the stopping portions  264 D, respectively, and regulate a forward movement of the screw holding member  160 D. As understood from  FIGS. 48, 49 and 54 , when the operation portion  250 D is operated so that the stopped portions  256 D are moved in the up-down direction, the stopping portion  264 D is released from the corresponding the stopped portion  256 D so that the screw holding member  160 D is movable forward. 
     As shown in  FIG. 51 , the arm portions  270 D are positioned away from each other in the lateral direction. Each of the arm portions  270 D extends forward from the rear portion  260 D in the predetermined direction. The side accommodation portions  170 D correspond to the arm portions  270 D, respectively, and each of the side accommodation portions  170 D is formed to continuously extend from the corresponding arm portion  270 D to the rear portion  260 D. 
     Each of the arm portions  270 D has a guided portion  272 D and a projecting portion  274 D. The projecting portion  274 D projects forward from the guided portion  272 D. Specifically, a part of each of the side accommodation portions  170 D is positioned in the corresponding projecting portion  274 D. The guided portions  272 D are received in the guide portions  230 D, respectively, of the connector main  110 D, and each of the guided portions  272 D is guided by the corresponding guide portion  230 D during its movement along the predetermined direction. Each of the arm portions  270 D has a boundary portion between the guided portion  272 D and the projecting portion  274 D, and the boundary portion is provided with an abutment portion  278 D which faces forward in the predetermined direction. Specifically, the abutment portion  278 D is positioned around a rear end of the projecting portion  274 D. Each of the projecting portions  274 D has a front end and the front end functions as a male screw seat  276 D. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 48 and 49 , the projecting portions  274 D are projectable forward through the through holes  242 D, respectively, by a relative movement of the screw holding member  160 D with respect to the connector main  110 D. As understood from  FIGS. 48 and 51 , the abutment portions  278 D face the front wall portions  240 D, respectively, in the predetermined direction, and each of the abutment portions  278 D is positioned rearward of the corresponding front wall portion  240 D. As shown in  FIGS. 49 and 54 , a maximum amount of projection of each of the projecting portions  274 D from the corresponding front wall portion  240 D is defined by the corresponding abutment portion  278 D abutting against the corresponding front wall portion  240 D. As understood form above, each of the abutment portions  278 D of the present embodiment functions as a regulating portion for the corresponding front wall portion (regulated portion)  240 D. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 49, 54 and 55 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member  160 D is positioned at the front predetermined position, each of the abutment portions  278 D abuts against the corresponding front wall portion  240 D. In other words, the abutment portions  278 D and the front wall portions  240 D define the front predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The front predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 48 and 53 , in the present embodiment, when the screw holding member  160 D is positioned at the rear predetermined position, each of the stopped portions  256 D is positioned forward of the corresponding stopping portion  264 D while the positioning projection  262 D is positioned in the positioning recess  258 D. In other words, a pair of the stopping portions  264 D and the stopped portions  256 D and another pair of the positioning projection  262 D and the positioning recess  258 D define the rear predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The rear predetermined position may be defined by other means. 
     In the present embodiment, the front predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition  1  described in the first embodiment, and the rear predetermined position is arranged to satisfy the condition  2  described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the connector  100 D of the present embodiment also has an effect similar to that of the first embodiment. 
     While the present invention has been described with specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the concept of the first, fourth or fifth embodiment may be applied to a connector having a single male screw member. Furthermore, the concept of the second or third embodiment may be applied to a connector having two male screw members. 
     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.