Locking mechanism for coupling and uncoupling electrical connectors

A locking mechanism for coupling together and uncoupling first and second electrical connector parts, comprising:

• at least one actuator pivotally mounted on said first connector part and having a means for applying force in both an insertion and an extraction direction as said actuator pivots, said actuator further including a latch member;
• at least one engagable means on said second connector part cooperating with said actuator to receive said force in both an insertion and an extraction direction;
• and a locking means on said second connector part for latching with said latch member when said actuator is pivoted in said insertion direction until said connector parts are fully coupled together;
• said latch member comprising a hooked portion resiliently attached to said actuator;
• and said locking means comprising a fixed complementary hooked portion over which said resiliently attached hooked portion snap fits when said connector parts are fully coupled together.

A locking mechanism for coupling together and uncoupling first and second electrical connector parts, comprising:

• a pair of actuators pivotally mounted on said first connector part and having respective means for applying force in both an insertion and an extractive direction as said actuators pivot, said actuators further including respective latch members;
• engagable means on said second connector part cooperating with said actuators to receive said force in both an insertion and an extraction direction;
• and a locking means on said second connector part for latching with said latch members when said actuators are pivoted in said insertion direction until said connector parts are fully coupled together;
• said pair of actuators being located one on each side of an opening in said first connector part, said opening receiving said second connector part;
• and said second connector part having a pair of said locking means extending therefrom, one adjacent each end of a top wall of said second connector part;
• said first connector part having a main body portin for housing a plurality of electrical contacts, and a pair of spaced support legs extending from said main body portion and defining said opening;
• each actuator having a relatively thinned portion and a relatively thick portion, said thinned portion being contained within said slot, and the interface between the thinned and thick portions defining a shoulder which acts as a stop against the end of said support leg to limit the movement of said actuator when pivoting in the extraction direction.