Connector with pivotable coupling lever

Claim 1

An electrical connector assembly matable to a complementary connector assembly, the connector assembly comprising a housing having a main housing section extending between a top wall and a mating end, for receiving electrical terminals therein matable with electrical terminals of a complementary connector assembly, the connector housing further comprising a rotatable gear member having a lever arm and a pinion attached to one end of the lever arm, the pinion having gear teeth engageable with a rack of the complementary connector assembly, the housing having a latch with a retention shoulder engageable with a complementary latching shoulder of the lever arm for retention of the connector assemblies in the mated position, characterized in that the connector assembly comprises a secondary locking member movable from a pre-locked position where the latch and complementary latching shoulder are free to disengage, to a locked position where the latch and latching shoulder cannot disengage, the secondary locking member having a portion movable substantially against the latch to prevent biasing thereof for unlatching of the lever arm, the secondary locking member further comprising retention members cooperable with complementary retention shoulders of the housing to retain the secondary locking members in the pre-locked and locked positions respectively.