Retaining clip for holding a connector to a panel

Claim 1

A retaining clip for releasably holding a socket electrical connector in engagement with a pin projecting from a circuit board, the socket electrical connector including a dielectric housing having an abutment shoulder and an aperture for fitting about the pin, said retaining clip being characterized by: a base adapted to seat on the circuit board and comprising a like pair of base members interconnected along one like lateral edge, means operative with each said base member for engaging one said pin, and means including a bracket extending upwardly from said interconnection for engaging one said abutment shoulder, each said base member including a pair of upwardly extending plate portions with each said plate portion having a V-shaped notch disposed therein to define a plurality of lances, said pin engaging means being defined by each respective pair of plate portions and associated notches cooperating to define an opening for receiving the respective pin with each said notch having an edge to frictionally engage an edge of the pin, and said bracket includes a pair of locking prongs each being directed downwardly from said bracket toward one respective base member.