Lever actuated electrical connector

Claim 1

An electrical connector comprising: an actuating lever for mating the electrical connector with a complementary connector, the actuating lever including a forward portion and a rear portion, an angled offset portion extends between the forward portion and the rear portion, the forward portion having a deflectable lever leg with a pivot hole therethrough, the pivot hole having a tapered surface provided about the circumference thereof; a connector housing having a wall with a pivot pin extending therefrom and being receivable within the hole of the deflectable lever leg to establish a pivot for the actuating lever; guide members and cams are positioned on the connector housing and are aligned with the pivot pin; guide surfaces and camming surfaces are positioned on the actuating lever, the guide surfaces and camming surfaces are complementary to respective guide members and cams of the connector housing; the angled offset portion provides the resilience required for the deflectable lever leg and offsets the rear portion relative to the first portion a sufficient distance to avoid the guide members and cams when the actuating lever is moved between a first position and a second position; whereby as the actuating lever is inserted into the connector housing, the deflectable lever leg is resiliently displaced to move over the pivot pin, and as insertion continues the tapered surface cooperates with the pivot pin to guide the pivot pin into the pivot hole and allow the deflectable lever leg to resiliently return to its unstressed position thereby maintaining the actuating lever in the connector housing.