Patent ID: 7736161

Claim:
A connector assembly, comprising: (a) a generally-rectangular housing ( 1 ; 1 ′) including a plurality of side ( 52 ; 52 ′) and end ( 54 ; 54 ′) walls defining a chamber; (b) a first electrical connector component ( 2 ) mounted in said chamber, said housing walls containing an access opening ( 56 ; 56 ′) affording access to the contacts of said first connector component; (c) a second connector component ( 3 ) arranged outside said housing, said second connector component being displaceable between an engaged position adjacent and in electrical engagement with said first connector component, and a disengaged position remote from said first connector component; and (d) separating means ( 4 ) for displacing said second connector component from said engaged position toward said disengaged position, said separating means including: (1) a separating lever ( 4 ; 4 ′) pivotally connected with said second connector component, said separating lever has a generally U-shaped configuration defining a transverse portion ( 4 a ; 4 b ) extending transversely across said second connector component remote from said first connector component, and a pair of leg portions ( 4 b ; 4 b′) extending from said transverse portion on opposite sides of said second connector component; (2) pivot means ( 6 ) connecting said leg portions with said second connector component for pivotal movement about a common pivot axis ( 6 ); and (3) cam means ( 10 ) arranged on said separating lever for cooperation with a fixed surface ( 11 ) on said housing, said cam means comprising cam surfaces ( 10 ) carried by the end surfaces of said separating lever leg portions for cooperation with corresponding generally linear surfaces ( 11 ) arranged on said housing adjacent said housing opening, said cam surfaces being eccentric relative to said pivot axis such that pivotal movement of said separating lever in one direction from an initial first position toward a second position causes said second connector component to be axially displaced from said engaged position toward said disengaged position relative to said first connector component.