Holding frame for a plug-type connector

A holding frame for a plug-type connector adapted to receive a plurality of connector modules, the holding frame comprising:

• a rigid metallic base frame having a rectangular frame structure with a module receiving cavity extending through the rectangular frame structure to insertably receive the plurality of connector modules;
• and
• resilient cheek parts distinct from but coupled to opposing sides of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame such that at least a portion of each of the resilient cheek parts extends along a respective external facing surface of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame,
• wherein each of the resilient cheek parts includes an upper end portion that is adapted to flex outwardly away from the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame to enable insertion of at least one of the connector modules into the module receiving cavity of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame and the upper end portion is to move back toward the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame to a holding state to secure the connector module within the module receiving cavity,
• wherein, for each of the resilient cheek parts, at least one region of the upper end portion is immediately adjacent to the respective external facing surface of the rectangular frame structure without any intermediate structure when the connector modules are received in the module receiving cavity and the resilient cheek parts are in the holding state, and
• wherein the upper end portion of each of the resilient cheek parts includes resilient tabs extending in a direction parallel to a receiving direction of the connector modules, the resilient tabs each having an upper free end with a respective locking window extending through each of the resilient tabs.

A holding frame for a plug-type connector adapted to receive a plurality of connector modules, the holding frame comprising:

• a rigid metallic base frame having a rectangular frame structure including opposing longitudinal sidewalls and transverse end walls that define a rectangular frame structure with a module receiving cavity extending completely through the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame from one of opposing ends of the rigid metallic base frame to the other one of opposing ends of the rigid metallic base frame to insertably receive the plurality of connector modules, and wherein each of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame include a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions that are arranged to define open recesses spaced apart along a longitudinal length at an upper end of the longitudinal sidewall between the upwardly extending protrusions adjacent to each other to receive lugs of the connector modules that extend transversely toward the longitudinal sidewall when the connector modules are received in the rectangular frame structure;
• and
• resilient cheek parts made of sheet metal that are distinct from but coupled to the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame such that at least a portion of each of the resilient cheek parts extends along a respective external facing surface of one of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame,
• wherein each of the resilient cheek parts includes an upper end portion having a plurality of resilient tabs extending in a direction parallel to a receiving direction of the connector modules, the resilient tabs each having an upper free end with a respective locking window extending through each of the resilient tabs and each being aligned with a respective one of the open recesses and adapted to flex outwardly away from the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame independent of each other to enable insertion of at least one of the connector modules into the module receiving cavity of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame and the upper end portion is to move back toward the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame to a holding state to secure the connector module within the module receiving cavity, and
• wherein portions of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame adjacent the open recesses defined between the upwardly extending protrusions of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls of the rectangular frame structure of the rigid metallic base frame cooperate with the respective locking windows formed in the upper free end portions of the resilient cheek parts to collectively form lug receiving devices to secure the connector modules within the module receiving cavity.