Connector

An electrical connector, comprising:

• a housing connectable to a mating housing, the housing having opposite first and second side surfaces and first and second support shafts projecting respectively from the first and second side surfaces, each of the support shafts having a plurality of circumferentially spaced jaws projecting out from the respective support shaft at a position spaced from the respective side surface;
• and
• an operating member including a coupling portion and first and second arms projecting from the coupling portion to define a U-shape that straddles the housing, the first and second arms of the operating member being formed respectively with first and second long linear grooves and escaping recesses extending from the long linear grooves, the escaping recesses being disposed and dimensioned to receive the jaws on the support shafts so that the long linear grooves can be engaged respectively with the first and second support shafts so that the operating member is linearly movable from an initial position to a connection position while the arms slide on the side surfaces of the housing and generate a cam action with the mating housing to urge the housing and the mating housing toward or away from one another,
• wherein each of the first and second long grooves includes an engaging edge engaged slidably between the respective side surface of the housing and the respective jaws of the respective support shaft to prevent deflection of the arms in an opening direction of the arms away from the housing in response to forces exerted on the operating member.