Patent ID: 7037130

Claim:
An electrical connector assembly comprising: a first connector element supporting first connector terminals, a second connector element supporting second connector terminals configured to electrically connect to the first connector terminals, wherein the second connector element is configured to be inserted in and mated with the first connector element, and a latch element having a cantilevered flexible portion supported at one end portion and projected to be freely deflectable at a second end portion, wherein when the latch element is inserted in an opening formed in the first connector element in a direction orthogonal to an insertion/mating direction of the second connector element, the second end portion of the cantilevered flexible portion is mated with and latchingly engaged with the first connector element, and wherein when the second connector element is inserted in and mated with the first connector element, which latchingly engages with the latch element, the cantilevered flexible portion contacts the second connector element and is deflected to force the second end portion of the cantilevered flexible portion to move in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the latch element and orthogonal to the insertion/mating direction of the second connector element so as to release the engagement of the latch element with the first connector element, thereby rendering the latch element movable in the insertion direction of the latch element.