Connector with lever

Claim 2

A connector assembly, comprising: at least one first connector housing comprising opposing first and second sidewalls; at least one second connector housing comprising opposing third and fourth sidewalls, said third and fourth sidewalls slidably engaging within said first and second sidewalls, said third and fourth sidewalls each comprising first and second cam projections; and a lever pivotally supported on said first and second sidewalls by respective first and second pivot elements extending through said first and second sidewalls, respectively, said lever comprising first and second lever portions adapted (a) to engage said opposing first and second sidewalls, respectively, in a first lever position to prevent pivotal movement of said lever, and (b) to be disengaged from said opposing first and second sidewalls by a respective of said first cam projections in a second lever position to permit pivotal movement of said lever, said first and second pivot elements each comprising a first region which comprises a cam follower, each cam follower being adapted to engage a respective of said second cam projections in an engagement and disengagement mode when said lever is pivoted in an engagement direction or in an opposite disengagement direction, respectively, to urge said first and second connector housings towards or away from each other, respectively.

Claim 3

The connector assembly of claim 1 further comprising a mounting plate, said at least one second connector housing extending from said mounting plate.

Claim 4

The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second sidewalls each comprise an aperture extending therethrough, said aperture comprising a circular portion intersected by a linear portion which extends to an edge of said sidewall, and further wherein said first and second pivotal elements each comprise a second region which comprises opposing flat segments connected by opposing circular segments, said opposing flat segments structured and arranged to mate with said linear portion for attaching said lever to said first connector, and said opposing circular segment structured and arranged to mate with said circular portion for pivoting said lever relative to said first connector.

Claim 5

The connector assembly of claim 3 wherein each cam follower comprises a generally V-shaped first surface area, and each second cam projection comprises a generally V-shaped second surface area.

Claim 6

The connector assembly of claim 3 wherein said lever comprises opposing resilient first and second arms joined by a bridge segment, said first and second arms and said bridge segment being positioned outside of said first connector housing, and said first and second pivotal elements projecting from said first and second arms, respectively.

Claim 7

The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein said first arm extends from said bridge segment to a first distal end, and said second arm extends from said bridge segment to a second distal end, said first and second distal ends comprising said first and second lever portions.

Claim 8

The connector assembly of claim 6 wherein said first and second lever portions engage an edge of a respective of said first and second sidewalls.

Claim 9

The connector assembly of claim 7 wherein said first and second lever portions each comprise a beveled surface.

Claim 10

The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein said bridge segment comprises a latch member, and said second connector housing comprises a mating latch member, said latch member being structured and arranged to fully engage said mating latch member when said first and second connector housings are fully engaged.

Claim 11

The connector assembly of claim 9 further comprising first and second beams extending from said bridge segment, said latch member being positioned between said first and second beams, said first and second beams being structured and arranged to engage said top surface of said second connector housing when said first and second connector housings are fully engaged.

Claim 12

The connector assembly of claim 5 wherein each first region is positioned within said first connector housing between said first and second sidewalls, and each second region is positioned within a respective of said apertures.

Claim 13

The connector assembly of claim 11 further comprising a mounting plate, said at least one second connector housing extending from said mounting plate.

Claim 14

A connector assembly, comprising: a mounting plate; two first connector housings each comprising opposing first and second sidewalls; two second connector housings each extending from said mounting plate and comprising opposing third and fourth sidewalls, said third and fourth sidewalls slidably engaging within respective first and second sidewalls of respective first connector housings, said third and fourth sidewalls each comprising first and second cam projections; and a first and second lever each pivotally supported on a respective of said first connector housings on said first and second sidewalls by respective first and second pivot elements extending through said first and second sidewalls, respectively, said first and second levers each comprising first and second lever portions adapted (a) to engage a respective of said opposing first and second sidewalls, in one lever position to prevent pivotal movement of a respective of said levers, and (b) to be disengaged from a respective of said first and second opposing sidewalls by a respective of said first cam projections in another lever position to permit pivotal movement of a respective of said levers, said first and second pivot elements each comprising a first region which comprises a cam follower, each cam follower being adapted to engage a respective of said second cam projections in an engagement and disengagement mode when a respective of said levers is pivoted in an engagement direction or in an opposite disengagement direction, respectively, to urge a respective of said first and second connector housings towards or away from each other, respectively.

Claim 15

A connector assembly, comprising: a mounting plate; two first connector housings each comprising opposing first and second sidewalls; two second connector housings each extending from said mounting plate and comprising opposing third and fourth sidewalls, said third and fourth sidewalls slidably engaging within respective first and second sidewalls of respective first connector housings, said third and fourth sidewalls each comprising first and second cam projections; and a first and second lever each pivotally supported on a respective of said first connector housings on said first and second sidewalls by respective first and second pivot elements extending through said first and second sidewalls, respectively, said first and second levers each comprising first and second lever portions adapted (a) to engage a respective of said opposing first and second sidewalls, in one lever position to prevent pivotal movement of a respective of said levers, and (b) to be disengaged from a respective of said first and second opposing sidewalls by a respective of said first cam projections in another lever position to permit pivotal movement of a respective of said levers, said first and second pivot elements each comprising a first region which comprises a cam follower, each cam follower being adapted to engage a respective of said second cam projections in an engagement and disengagement mode when a respective of said levers is pivoted in an engagement direction or in an opposite disengagement direction, respectively, to urge a respective of said first and second connector housings towards or away from each other, respectively.

Claim 16

The connector assembly of claim 13 wherein said first and second sidewalls each comprise an aperture extending therethrough, said aperture comprising a circular portion intersected by a linear portion which extends to an edge of the sidewall, and further wherein said first and second pivotal elements each comprise a second region which comprises opposing flat segments connected by opposing circular segments, said opposing flat segments structured and arranged to mate with said linear portion for attaching a respective of said levers to a respective of said first connectors, and said opposing circular segment structured and arranged to mate with said circular portion for pivoting said respective lever relative to said respective first connector.

Claim 17

The connector assembly of claim 14 wherein each cam follower comprises a generally V-shaped first surface area, and each second cam projection comprises a generally V-shaped second surface area.

Claim 18

The connector assembly of claim 14 wherein each lever comprises opposing resilient first and second arms joined by a bridge segment, said first and second arms and said bridge segment being positioned outside of a respective of said first connector housings, and said first and second pivotal elements projecting from said first and second arms, respectively.

Claim 19

The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein each first region is positioned within a respective of said first connector housing between said first and second sidewalls, and each second region is positioned within a respective of said apertures.

Claim 20

The connector assembly of claim 17 wherein said first arm extends from said bridge segment to a first distal end, and said second arm extends from said bridge segment to a second distal end, said first and second distal ends comprising said first and second lever portions.

Claim 21

The connector assembly of claim 18 wherein respective of said first and second lever portions engage respective edges of respective of said first and second sidewalls.

Claim 22

A connector assembly, comprising: at least one first connector housing; at least one second connector housing slidably engaging within said first connector housing, said second connector housing comprising first and second cam projections; and a lever pivotally supported on said first connector housing by at least one pivot element extending through a wall of said first connector housing, said lever comprising at least one lever portion adapted (a) to engage said wall of said first connector housing in a first lever position to prevent pivotal movement of said lever, and (b) to be disengaged from said wall of said first connector housing by said first cam projection in a second lever position to permit pivotal movement of said lever, said pivot element comprising a first region which comprises a cam follower adapted to engage said second cam projection in engagement and disengagement modes when said lever is pivoted in an engagement direction or in an opposite disengagement direction, respectively, to urge said first and second connector housings towards or away from each other, respectively.

Claim 23

A connector assembly, comprising: at least one first connector housing; at least one second connector housing slidably engaging within said first connector housing, said second connector housing comprising first and second cam projections; and a lever pivotally supported on said first connector housing by at least one pivot element extending through a wall of said first connector housing, said lever comprising at least one lever portion adapted (a) to engage said wall of said first connector housing in a first lever position to prevent pivotal movement of said lever, and (b) to be disengaged from said wall of said first connector housing by said first cam projection in a second lever position to permit pivotal movement of said lever, said pivot element comprising a first region which comprises a cam follower adapted to engage said second cam projection in engagement and disengagement modes when said lever is pivoted in an engagement direction or in an opposite disengagement direction, respectively, to urge said first and second connector housings towards or away from each other, respectively.