Patent ID: 6863463

Claim:
A lever-type connector for connection with a mating connector, comprising: a housing having a receptacle with a front opening edge and configured for receiving the mating connector along a fitting direction; a lever supported on the housing for rotation between an initial position and a connection position; cam means formed at least partly on the lever for pulling the mating connector into the receptacle when the lever is rotated from the initial position to the connecting position; and a resilient latch cantilevered on the lever and extending substantially parallel to the fitting direction when the lever is at the initial position, the resilient latch having a base end unitary with the lever at a location rearward of the front opening edge of the receptacle when the lever is at the initial position, the latch further having a locking projection forward of the front opening edge of the receptacle when the receptacle is at the initial position, the locking projection having a locking surface configured for releasably engaging a portion of the front opening edge of the receptacle for releasably holding the lever at the initial position, the locking projection further having a guide surface forward of the locking surface and configured for engagement by the mating connector during an early stage of connection for urging the locking surface out of engagement with the front opening edge of the receptacle so that the lever can be rotated.