US Patent 7338317 Panel-mounted connector

A panel connector is provided for mounting in an aperture through the panel. The connector includes a housing with a front end dimensioned and configured to pass through the aperture in the panel. A resiliently deflectable clip is mounted to the housing and has a panel lock that deflects during mounting of the housing onto the panel. The panel lock then returns resiliently to engage the panel when the housing is mounted. A CPA piece is pre-assembled to the clip at a pre-staged position that permits the clip to deflect during mounting on the panel. The CPA piece then is pushed to a final lock position for preventing deflection of the clip.