Structure for interlocking connectors

A structure for interlocking connectors, one of them being a socket connector having a flat socket housing in which disposed side by side are socket contacts secured on respective wire ends, with the other connector being a base connector of a shape to be surface-mounted on a printed circuit board and comprising a flat box-shaped base housing for engagement with the socket housing, the base housing having a rear wall and rear edge, and contacts within the flat box-shaped base housing, each contact having a lead portion extending rearward from the rear wall and being adapted for soldering to the printed circuit board,

• the socket housing having a pair of lock arms extending forwards from a rear end of the socket housing, and along lateral sides thereof,
• the socket housing further having tie pieces capable of elastic deformation and formed integral with lateral sides of the socket housing so as to support and operatively connect the lock arms thereto,
• the lock arms having their fore ends respectively formed integral with hooks projecting inwards and towards each other, the lock arms having fore extensions protruding rearwardly of the rear edge of the base housing and rearwardly beyond a rear end of the lead, such that the fore extensions protect sides of the leads respectively extending rearward beyond the rear wall of the base housing, and
• the lock arms further having push lugs integrally extending backwards from rear ends of the lock arms so as to be located rearwardly of the tie pieces,
• wherein when engaging the connectors one with the other, the lock arms of the socket housing are guided forwards along respective sides of the base housing until latched in place by and with the rear edge thereof.