Connector lever lock

A lever-type electrical connector assembly that reduces required connecting mating forces comprising:

• a first connector comprising a cam follower projection;
• a base housing including a guide channel;
• a cover housing pivotally mounted on the base housing, the cover housing comprising a cover housing projection and further comprising arms pivoted on opposite sides of the base housing on a common axis and an operating member linking the arms for arcuate movement of the cover housing, the operating member and the base housing each having a latch member, the latch members being releasably engageable with each other to hold the operating member at one extreme end of the arcuate movement;
• and
• a slide cam housing mounted on the base housing and including a projection guide track for receiving the cover housing projection, the slide cam housing extending into the guide channel of the base housing,
• wherein the base housing prevents flexing of the cover housing thereby preventing flexing of the cover housing in a manner that would cause inadvertent release of the latch members when the lever is in a secured state;
• and
• wherein the base housing guide channel includes an arcuate stop to prevent further travel of the cover housing.

A lever-type electrical connector assembly that reduces required connecting mating forces comprising:

• a first connector comprising a cam follower projection;
• a base housing comprising a guide channel and a latch member;
• a cover housing pivotally mounted on the base housing for arcuate movement of the cover housing, the cover housing comprising a cover housing projection and an operating member;
• and
• a slide cam housing mounted on the base housing comprising a projection guide track for receiving the cover housing projection a cam groove to engage the cam follower projection of the first connector,
• wherein the operating member comprises a latch member releasably engageable with the base housing latch member to hold the operating member at one extreme end of the arcuate movement;
• and
• wherein the base housing guide channel includes an arcuate stop to prevent further travel of the cover housing.

A method of locking a connection member into secure electrical engagement with a housing member, said method comprising:

• inserting the connection member into the housing member, the connection member comprising a first cam follower projection and a second cam follower projection, and the housing member comprising:
• a base housing, the base housing comprising a guide channel and a latch member;
• a slide cam housing mounted on the base housing and including a first cam groove, a second cam groove, and a projection guide track, the slide cam housing extending into the guide channel;
• and
• a cover housing pivotally mounted on the base housing, the cover housing having a cover housing projection engaged in the projection guide track and a latch member to engage the base housing latch member,
• rotating the cover housing from an open position to a closed position thereby engaging the cover housing projection in the projection guide track and further engaging the cover housing latch member and the base housing latch member wherein the rotation of the cover housing from an open position to a closed position is complete upon the cover housing rotating until the cover housing latch member engages the base housing latch member and the cover housing contacts an arcuate stop to prevent further travel of the cover housing;
• and
• sliding the slide cam housing from an open position to a closed position thereby engaging the first cam follower projection in the first cam groove and further engaging the second cam follower in the second cam groove thereby drawing the connection member into the base housing to a connected position.