Break-away electrical connector

A connector comprising:

• a plug member and a socket portion configured for mating with the plug member;
• the plug member including a first engagement claw having a first angled surface positioned to engage a first complementary angled surface associated with the socket portion;
• a lever arm pivotally mounted on the plug member and movable between a first position for coupling the plug member to the socket portion and a second position for uncoupling the plug member from the socket portion, the lever arm including a second engagement claw having a second angled surface configured to engage a second complementary angled surface associated with the socket portion when said lever arm is in said first position;
• the second engagement claw also including a chamfered side edges that form angled surfaces on both sides of the second angled surface to provide angled surfaces around the second engagement claw where it engages the complementary second angled surface associated with the socket portion;
• a biasing member disposed between said plug member and said lever arm for biasing said lever arm toward said first position with a biasing force;
• the plug portion being adapted to uncouple from the socket portion when a break-away force is applied to the plug member to cause said second angled surface, an angled surface of the chamfered side edge, or a combination of those angled surfaces to slide over the second complementary angled surface associated with the socket portion by overcoming the biasing force.

A connector comprising:

• a plug member configured for mating with a socket portion and including a first engagement claw having a first angled surface positioned to engage an angled surface associated with the socket portion;
• a lever arm pivotally mounted on the plug member and movable between a first position for coupling the plug member to a socket portion and a second position for uncoupling the plug member from the socket portion, the lever arm including a second engagement claw having a second angled surface configured to engage another angled surface associated with the socket portion when said lever arm is in said first position;
• the lever arm including a first gripping surface having a concave profile portion and raised rear lever portion proximate the concave profile portion;
• a second gripping surface formed in the plug member generally opposite the lever arm and first gripping surface, the second gripping surface including at least one concave surface and a raised grip bump located rearwardly of the at least one concave surface for engaging a user's fingers when the lever arm is manually actuated;
• the first gripping surface concave profile portion and second gripping surface concave surface cooperating to create a rearward force to direct the plug member away from the socket portion when the plug member is squeezed and lever arm moved to the second position;
• a biasing member disposed between said plug member and said lever arm for biasing said lever arm toward said first position with a biasing force;
• the plug portion further being adapted to uncouple from the socket portion when a break-away force is applied to the plug member to cause said second angled surface to slide over the another angled surface associated with the socket portion by overcoming the biasing force.