Mechanical connector for electronic vapor provision system

A control unit for an electronic vapor provision system, the control unit separably connectable to a cartridge and housing a battery for providing electrical power to generate an aerosol from material stored in a connected cartridge, the control unit comprising:

• at least one latching element for connecting the control unit to the cartridge, the at least one latching element comprising a foot, and a leg joined at a first end to the foot by a flexible resilient joint and having a first latch member, the foot being anchored within the control unit, and the at least one latching element configured such that the flexible resilient joint joins the leg and the foot in a rest position at an angle of between 70 and 110 degrees;
• wherein the first latch member is configured to engage with a second latch member defined on a surface of the cartridge when the control unit and the cartridge are brought together with a substantially linear motion, and disengage with the second latch member when the control unit and the cartridge are pulled apart, the engagement and disengagement enabled by movement of the leg of the at least one latching element about the flexible resilient joint, the movement being a hinged movement that increases or decreases the angle of the flexible resilient joint from the rest position.

A cartridge for an electronic vapor provision system, the cartridge separably connectable to a control unit and configured to store material heatable to generate an aerosol when heated using electrical power from a battery housed in a connected control unit, the cartridge comprising:

• at least one latch member having the form of a protrusion or a recess defined on a surface of the cartridge, the at least one latch member configured to engage with a further latch member on a leg of a latching element anchored in the control unit when the cartridge and the control unit are brought together with a substantially linear motion, and disengage from the further latch member when the cartridge and the control unit are pulled apart, the engagement and disengagement enabled by movement of the leg of the latching element about a flexible resilient joint between the leg and a foot of the latching element by which the latching element is anchored in the control unit, the flexible resilient joint joining the leg and the foot in a rest position at an angle of between 70 and 110 degrees, and the movement being a hinged movement that increases or decreases the angle of the flexible resilient joint from the rest position.

An electronic cigarette comprising a cartomizer housing an aerosol source and a control unit housing a battery, wherein the cartomizer and the control unit are mechanically connectable together, and:

• the control unit comprises at least one latching element, the latching element comprising a foot, and a leg joined to the foot by a flexible resilient joint and having a first latch member, the foot secured within the control unit;
• and the cartomizer having a surface shaped to define at least one second latch member positioned and configured to engage with a first latch member when the cartomizer and the control unit are brought together with a linear motion and to disengage with the first latch member when the cartomizer and the control unit are pulled apart, the engagement and disengagement enabled by movement of the leg of the latching element about the flexible resilient joint.