Connector

Claim 2

A connector, comprising: a pair of connector housings, one connector housing including a flexible arm having an engaging projection, the other connector housing including an engaging portion adapted to be engaged by said engaging projection when said pair of connector housings are connected to one another; and a locking member for preventing said engaging projection from being disengaged from said engaging portion by moving said locking member from a temporary engaging position to a completely engaging position at which said locking member prevents said flexible arm from being flexed, wherein said one connector housing includes a stopper projection thereon and said locking member including a flexible locking arm having an engaging portion corresponding to said stopper projection, and wherein said locking member is moveable from said temporary engaging position to said completely engaging position by bending said flexible locking arm to enable said locking member to be moved such that said engaging portion is moved from one side of said stopper projection to the other side thereof.

Claim 3

A connector, comprising: a pair of connector housings, one connector housing including a body portion and a flexible arm extending from said body portion and having an engaging projection, the other connector housing including an engaging portion adapted to be engaged by said engaging projection when said pair of connector housings are connected to each other, said one connector housing including an accommodating space partially defined by said flexible arm and a stepped portion provided in said body portion; and lock release prevention means, accommodated in said accommodating space, for preventing said engaging projection from being disengaged from said engaging portion by moving said lock release prevention means from a temporary engaging position to a completely engaging position, wherein said lock release prevention means includes a lock member slidably disposed on said flexible arm and having a protrusion, which, when moved from said temporary engaging position toward said completely engaging position, contacts said stepped portion when said flexible arm is in a deformed position and contacts an outer surface of the other connector when said flexible arm is in a released, non-deformed, position.

Claim 4

A connector, comprising: a pair of connector housings, one connector housing including a body portion and a flexible arm extending from said body portion and having an engaging projection, the other connector housing including an engaging portion adapted to be engaged by said engaging projection when said pair of connector housings are connected to each other, said one connector housing including an accommodating space partially defined by said flexible arm and a stepped portion provided in said body portion; and lock release prevention means, accommodated in said accommodating space, for preventing said engaging projection from being disengaged from said engaging portion by moving said lock release prevention means from a temporary engaging position to a completely engaging position, wherein said lock release prevention means includes a lock member slidably disposed on said flexible arm and having a protrusion, which, when moved from said temporary engaging position toward said completely engaging position, contacts said stepped portion when said flexible arm is in a deformed position and contacts an outer surface of the other connector when said flexible arm is in a released, non-deformed, position.

Claim 5

A connector, comprising: a first connector housing including a body portion and a flexible arm extending from said body portion to define a space therebetween, said flexible arm having an engaging projection; a second connector housing including an engaging portion adapted to be engaged by said engaging projection when said pair of connector housings are connected to one another, said flexible arm being temporarily deflected during engagement of said engaging projection with said engaging portion and disengagement therefrom; a locking member slidably disposed on said flexible arm and being at least partially disposed in said space, said locking member being moveable from a first position in which said flexible arm can be deflected to a second position which prevents said flexible arm from being deflected, wherein when said connector housings are locked together by engagement of said engaging projection of said flexible arm with said engaging portion of said second connector housing, said locking member is disposed in said second position to prevent flexing of said locking member so as to attendantly prevent disengagement of said engaging projection from said engaging portion.

Claim 6

A connector, comprising: a first connector housing including a body portion and a flexible arm extending from said body portion to define a space therebetween, said flexible arm having an engaging projection; a second connector housing including an engaging portion adapted to be engaged by said engaging projection when said pair of connector housings are connected to one another, said flexible arm being temporarily deflected during engagement of said engaging projection with said engaging portion and disengagement therefrom; a locking member slidably disposed on said flexible arm and being at least partially disposed in said space, said locking member being moveable from a first position in which said flexible arm can be deflected to a second position which prevents said flexible arm from being deflected, wherein when said connector housings are locked together by engagement of said engaging projection of said flexible arm with said engaging portion of said second connector housing, said locking member is disposed in said second position to prevent flexing of said locking member so as to attendantly prevent disengagement of said engaging projection from said engaging portion.

Claim 7

The connector of claim 3, wherein said body portion includes an outer surface having a recessed portion partially defining said space, said locking member being disposed adjacent said recessed portion when in said first position.

Claim 8

The connector of claim 3 wherein said flexible lock arm includes a retaining projection at an end thereof for retaining said locking member thereon.