Connector release tool

A tool for disengaging electrical connectors of the type including a male connector member, a female connector member compatible with the male connector member, said male and female connector members each including an opposed contact face and a side surface transverse to the contact face, an elastomeric retention flange on the side face of one connector member, overlying the side surface of the other member when the connectors are joined, and a retention stud on the side face of the other member said flange projecting from one member to engage on the stud of the other member when the connectors are joined, said tool comprising, in combination:

• an elongate, flat plate member having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second opposite end, said plate member being flat between the ends, said first end including first and second spaced prongs, axially projecting from the first end, each prong including a leading edge inclined surface to facilitate insertion of the prongs under the retention flange and around the stud thereby enabling disengagement of the flange from the stud by lifting the flange from the stud by inserting the prongs under the flange and optionally pivoting the tool about the leading edge to elastically deform the flange and release the flange from the stud, and said second end including spaced axially projecting third and fourth prongs formed on an arcuate bend of the plate member, whereby said third and fourth prongs extend toward the first end, said third and fourth prongs each including an inclined leading edge surface to facilitate insertion of the third and fourth prongs under a retention flange and around a stud thereby enabling disengagement of the loop from the stud by inserting the prongs under the flange and optionally pivoting of the tool to elastically deform the flange and release the flange from the stud, the first and second prongs being offset from the plate member in a first direction and the third and fourth prongs are offset from the plate member in the opposite direction by the arcuate bend of the flat plate and wherein the offsets of the first and second prongs and third and fourth prongs from the flat plate are substantially equal.