US Patent 10290973 Lever release for lever mated connector assembly

An electrical connector assembly having a first housing, a second housing and a lever member. The first housing includes lever retention arms with holding projections. The second housing is matable with the first housing and has latch release projections and mating posts. The lever member is rotatably attached to the first housing to rotate from a first position to a second position. The lever member includes securing members and post engaging members. The securing members are configured to cooperate with the holding projections of the lever retention arms when the first housing is in the initial position to retain the lever member in the first position. The latch release projections are configured to release the holding projections of the lever retention arms from the securing members as the first housing is moved toward the final position, allowing the lever member to rotate to its second position.