Connector with wear-resistant engagement means

Claim 1

A plug connector for mating with an opposing connector, the plug connector having opposing front and rear faces, said plug connector comprising: a plug body portion formed from an electrically insulative material, a plurality of conductive terminals being supported by the plug body portion; a conductive shield member having an elongated body portion extending between opposing front and rear ends, the shield member rear end coinciding with the plug connector rear face, the shield member front end being disposed rearwardly of said plug connector front face, said shield member encircling said plug body portion and being spaced away therefrom so as to define an annular cavity extending around said plug body portion for receiving a complementary portion of the opposing connector when said plug and opposing connectors are mated together; an electrically insulative housing disposed on a portion of said shield member, the housing extending between opposing front and rear edges thereof, said housing having a length that is less than the length of said shield member, said housing front edge being disposed forwardly of said shield member front end and coinciding with said plug connector front face, said housing rear edge being disposed rearwardly of said shield member front end, but forwardly of said shield member rear end so as to enclose only a portion of said shield member; and, said shield member including a pair of engagement tabs integrally formed therewith at said shield member front end, said engagement tabs extending lengthwise of said shield member and partially outwardly from said shield member transversely therefrom, said engagement tabs partially extending into said annular cavity and also into said housing and said engagement tabs further having ends that extend transversely into said housing.