US Patent 7841885 Electrical connector having improved releasable locking means

This connector has snap-fit lock including a partially deformable locking member which is mounted on the housing so as to be axially slideable between an extended locking position and a retracted position; and a biasing spring which axially bias said locking member to its locking position. The locking member has a flexible beam including a tooth member adapted to engage a complementary locking projection of the counterpart connector, and to provide an axial stop therewith. The flexible beam is elastically deflectable on the axial path of the locking member, whereby the snap-fit effect is provided by elastic load, both axial and in flexion, of the flexible beam.