Patent ID: 7384282

Claim:
A lock assembly adapted to be detachably attached to a LAN-cable connector which is integrally fixed to a LAN cable and adapted to be removably inserted into a socket and latched at an inserted position thereof, said lock assembly being operable, when attached to the LAN-cable connector, to allow said LAN-cable connector after being inserted into said socket to be locked at said inserted position, and, when detached from said LAN-cable connector, to allow said LAN-cable connector to be removed from said socket, said lock assembly comprising: first and second encircling members adapted to be separatably assembled together along a circumferential direction and to be attached to the LAN-cable connector in such a manner as to encircle an outer periphery of said LAN-cable connector substantially in close contact therewith; engagement means formed in said first encircling member and adapted to, in a state after said first and second encircling members are attached to the LAN-cable connector in such a manner as to encircle the outer periphery of said LAN-cable connector, prevent said first encircling member from being moved relative to said LAN-cable connector in an axial direction of said LAN-cable connector; and restriction means formed in said second encircling member and adapted to, in the state after said first and second encircling members are attached to the LAN-cable connector in such a manner as to encircle the outer periphery of said LAN-cable connector, restrict a latching-flap fixed to said LAN-cable connector from being moved in a latch-release direction.