Low-profile D-subshell connector system with interlocking components

A D-subshell connector system, comprising:

• a connector plug, comprising:
• a connector;
• a backshell that houses a portion of the connector and is affixed to the connector;
• and
• a latch that is formed as a separate piece and is affixed to the connector and backshell, the latch comprising:
• an angled tab that is resiliently pivotally mounted to a front portion of the latch, the tab comprising a wide region adjacent to the pivot, a narrow region on a side of the wide region opposite the pivot, and a release protrusion extending perpendicular from a top surface of the tab at a distal end of the tab;
• and a cutout through which the connector extends;
• the connector system further comprising:
• a catch assembly, comprising:
• a body portion having a mounting surface;
• and
• a catch extending in a generally perpendicular direction from the mounting surface, the catch comprising a front portion having a notch therein;
• wherein:
• a part of the catch front portion serves to engage the wide region of the tab, thereby forcing the tab to pivot when the connector is partially inserted;
• and
• the narrow region of the tab resides in the catch notch when the connector is fully inserted.