Locking device for a shielded sub-miniature connection assembly

A shielded sub-miniature connection assembly comprising:

• first and second connectors constructed for engagement in a mating relation, wherein each of said first and second connectors comprises a housing for enclosing connectors mounted therein, said housings being molded of a thermoplastic material shielded by surface treatment;
• a latch having a shackle portion;
• a recess constructed in an external surface of the housing of the first connector for receiving the latch in a fixed relation, the recess being configured to allow positioning of the latch after a surface treatment of the housings;
• a slot constructed in an external surface of the housing of the first connector, the slot being configured to receive the shackle portion of the latch and allow positioning of the latch in the fixed relation with the recess, where the latch is configured to pivot about the shackle portion;
• a groove constructed in an external surface of the housing of the second connector, for releasably engaging the latch when the connectors are engaged;
• and
• wherein the latch is constructed of a flexible metal and fixed in the recess of the housing of the first connector and extending therefrom to engage the groove of the housing of the second connector, when the connectors are in the mating relation, the latch being configured to engage both the recess and the slot in the housing of the first connector for providing mechanical retention of the latch within the groove of the housing of the second connector.