Multipolar electrical connector

Claim 1

A multipolar electrical connector, comprising: a body having an insertion space for a counter electrical connector, said insertion space defining an opening portion; a plurality of contacts which protrude into said insertion space, said plurality of contacts being arranged at predetermined spaces relative to each other; a cover member which covers the opening portion of said insertion space, said cover member being displaceable in said insertion space in an insertion direction and an extraction direction relative to said counter electrical connector; a plurality of hole portions formed in said cover member in an arranged manner and into which a respective one of said plurality of contacts are loosely inserted; a spring member disposed between said body and said cover member for constantly urging said cover member in said extraction direction; and an engaging mechanism disposed between said body and said cover member, said engaging mechanism restricting the position of said cover member urged by said spring member thereby blocking said cover member from protruding from said insertion space, and, when the position of said cover member is restricted, permitting the tip ends of said plurality of contacts to assume intermediate positions in an axial direction of said hole portions, said hole portions respectively corresponding to said contacts, said engaging mechanism including a plurality of elongated claws which protrude outwardly from an edge of said cover member and are disposed on both sides of the center of said cover member, wherein: said engaging claws define engaging faces which oppose said opening edges, said body includes peripheral walls, openings are formed in said peripheral walls defining said insertion space, said openings respectively housing said engaging claws in such a manner that said engaging claws are displaceable in said insertion and extraction direction, and said opening edges defining a downstream end in an extraction direction of said openings for fitting said cover body inside said insertion space, each of said engaging faces for engaging a respective one of said opening edges, said opening edges and said engaging faces being positioned opposite to said plural openings of said cover member, said engaging mechanism further including a guide face for guiding said cover member including said guide face so as to be positioned in said extraction direction relative to said counter electrical connector, thereby fitting said cover body inside said insertion space, said plural claws elastically protruding outwardly from both edges of said cover member and which are housed inside said plural openings by elasticity, in fitting said cover member.