Hooded electrical connector with terminal position assurance means

In an electrical connector which includes housing means having a plurality of terminal-receiving passages extending between a forward mating end of the housing means and a rear end thereof,

• a plurality of terminals received in the passages,
• a terminal position assurance device mounted on the housing means for movement between first and second positions only when all of the terminals are properly positioned in their respective passages, and
• a cover for securing to the housing means over at least a portion of the rear end thereof,
• wherein the improvement comprises:
• means on the terminal position assurance device to prevent securing the cover to the housing means unless the terminal position assurance device is in said second position;
• wherein said terminal position assurance device includes a first portion operatively associated with the terminals such that the device can move to its second position only when the terminals are properly positioned, and a second portion operatively associated with the cover such that the cover can be secured to the housing means only when the device is in its second position;
• and
• wherein said first portion of the terminal position assurance device comprises a plate slidably mounted on the housing means, the plate having a plurality of apertures through which the terminals extend.