Connector locking mechanism having a sliding connection retention component

A male OBD-II connector for connecting to a vehicle comprising:

• a connector body, configured to mate with a female OBD-II port associated with the vehicle;
• a plurality of connector pins, the connector pins configured to pass at least one signal or message from an on board diagnostic system of the vehicle to a device in electrical communication with the connector;
• a connection retention component, configured to move from an unlocked position to a locked position to prevent unintentional loss of connection between the connector and the female OBD-II port;
• wherein the connection retention component is configured to physically interfere with a protrusion from an upper surface of the female OBD-II port if the connector body is pulled away from the female OBD-II port while in the connection retention component is in the locked position;
• and
• wherein the connection retention component is substantially rigid wherein the connection retention component moves from the unlocked to the locked position by sliding laterally along a direction parallel to the upper surface of the female port.

A method of securing a diagnostic port connector, the method comprising:

• providing a male connector comprising a connector body and a plurality of connector pins, the connector pins configured to pass at least one signal or message from an on board diagnostic system of a vehicle to a device in electrical communication with the connector;
• engaging the male connector with a female port associated with the vehicle such that the connector pins form an electrical connection between the male connector and the vehicle;
• moving a connection retention component from an unlocked position to a locked position to prevent unintentional loss of connection between the connector and the female port;
• wherein the connection retention component is configured to physically interfere with a protrusion from an upper surface of the female port if the connector body is pulled away from the female port while in the connection retention component is in the locked position wherein the connection retention component moves from the unlocked to the locked position by sliding laterally along a direction parallel to the upper surface of the female port.