Alignment post having an improved locking feature

Claim 2

An electrical connector, comprising: a housing having electrical contacts secured therein; an alignment post secured to said housing and extending forwardly from a mating face thereof, said alignment post having a forward end with a first width, a locking groove, and a flared portion disposed between said forward end and said locking groove, said flared portion having a second width that is greater than said first width, said flared portion having a locking shoulder; whereby upon mating said connector to a complementary mating connector having an alignment opening therein adapted to receive said alignment post, said forward end of said alignment post is received in said alignment opening to align said connector and said complementary connector prior to electrical engagement of respective complementary contacts and upon full mating, said locking shoulder is positioned to be engaged by a latching member of said complementary mating connector.

Claim 3

An electrical connector assembly comprising: a first connector having a housing with electrical contacts secured therein, said housing having a mating face and a pair of alignment posts extending forwardly from said mating face, said alignment post having a forward end with a first width, a locking groove, and a flared portion disposed between said forward end and said locking groove, said flared portion having a second width that is greater than said first width, said flared portion having a locking shoulder; and a second connector complementary to said first connector and matable thereto, said second connector including a housing having electrical contacts secured therein and complementary to said contacts of said first connector, said housing including a latching arm for securing said first and second connectors together upon full mating thereof and a pair of alignment openings adapted to receive said alignment posts of said first connector during and after mating of said first and second connectors, such that upon full mating said locking shoulders are in position for engagement by locking ends of said latching arms to secure said first and second connectors together.

Claim 4

An electrical connector assembly comprising: a first connector having a housing with electrical contacts secured therein, said housing having a mating face and a pair of alignment posts extending forwardly from said mating face, said alignment post having a forward end with a first width, a locking groove, and a flared portion disposed between said forward end and said locking groove, said flared portion having a second width that is greater than said first width, said flared portion having a locking shoulder; and a second connector complementary to said first connector and matable thereto, said second connector including a housing having electrical contacts secured therein and complementary to said contacts of said first connector, said housing including a latching arm for securing said first and second connectors together upon full mating thereof and a pair of alignment openings adapted to receive said alignment posts of said first connector during and after mating of said first and second connectors, such that upon full mating said locking shoulders are in position for engagement by locking ends of said latching arms to secure said first and second connectors together.

Claim 5

The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein said alignment openings of said second connector extend axially through alignment members having a selected axial length and adapted to extend along a portion of said alignment posts thereby essentially preventing said first and second connectors from tilting out of alignment during mating.

Claim 6

The connector assembly of claim 3 wherein said alignment opening in each said alignment member is configured to closely receive said alignment post.

Claim 7

An electrical connector including a housing having a housing having a pair of alignment posts secured to said housing and extending forwardly from a mating face thereof, each said alignment post having a forward end with a first width, and a locking groove adapted to receive a latching member of a mating connector, said connector being characterized in that: each said alignment post includes a flared portion disposed between said forward end and said locking groove, said flared portion having a second width that is greater than said first width, said flared portion having a locking shoulder; whereby upon mating said connector to a complementary mating connector having an alignment opening therein adapted to receive said alignment post, said forward end of said alignment post is received in said alignment opening to align said connector and said complementary connector prior to electrical engagement of respective complementary contacts and upon full mating, said locking shoulder is positioned to be engaged by a latching member of said complementary mating connector.

Claim 8

An electrical connector including a housing having a housing having a pair of alignment posts secured to said housing and extending forwardly from a mating face thereof, each said alignment post having a forward end with a first width, and a locking groove adapted to receive a latching member of a mating connector, said connector being characterized in that: each said alignment post includes a flared portion disposed between said forward end and said locking groove, said flared portion having a second width that is greater than said first width, said flared portion having a locking shoulder; whereby upon mating said connector to a complementary mating connector having an alignment opening therein adapted to receive said alignment post, said forward end of said alignment post is received in said alignment opening to align said connector and said complementary connector prior to electrical engagement of respective complementary contacts and upon full mating, said locking shoulder is positioned to be engaged by a latching member of said complementary mating connector.