Patent ID: 8562028

Claim:
A connector assembly comprising: a locking element that is movable in a locking direction and an opposite unlocking direction, the locking element comprising a first locking profile for locking engagement with a second locking profile formed on a tubular member; an activation sleeve operatively coupled to the locking element; an inclined locking surface disposed on at least one of the locking element and the activation sleeve; an inclined unlocking surface disposed on at least one of the locking element and the activation sleeve; a guiding element disposed on at least one of the locking element and the activation sleeve, the guiding element in sliding engagement with the inclined unlocking surface; a plurality of axially extending activation sleeve protrusions extending from the activation sleeve, a space being formed between adjacent activation sleeve protrusions of the plurality of axially extending activation sleeve protrusions; wherein the locking element is moved in the locking direction responsive to movement of the activation sleeve in a first direction; wherein movement of the activation sleeve in a second direction results in movement of the locking element in the opposite unlocking direction; and wherein the locking element comprises a plurality of rearwardly extending side walls defining a void therebetween, wherein an axially extending activation sleeve protrusion of the plurality of axially extending activation sleeve protrusions extends into the void.