Patent ID: 8043127

Claim:
An interlocking modular connector for side-by-side locking engagement with an other interlocking modular connector, the interlocking modular connector comprising: a housing having a front end and a rear end and a receiving cavity defined by a top wall, a bottom wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall and rear wall, the cavity having an opening positioned at the front end and a connector interface for mating with a complementary mating connector, the first sidewall including a first locking member and at least one of a tongue and groove having a stop and the second sidewall including a second locking member and at least one of the other of the tongue and groove having a stop, wherein the sliding engagement of the at least one tongue within the at least one groove of the other interlocking modular connector such that the at least one tongue contacts the stop of the at least one groove, joins the modular connectors together and engages first and second locking members and wherein the stop halts the progression of the tongue within the groove and prevents sliding disengagement in one direction and engagement of first and second locking members prevents sliding disengagement in the opposite direction to lock the joined modular connectors to each other, wherein the first locking member includes a first ramp portion extending to a first lock surface facing one direction and the second locking member includes a second ramp portion extending to a second lock surface facing the opposite direction.