[0001] This patent application is directed to a connector assembly having primary lock reinforcement
for connector locking system with resilient and rigid locking surfaces.
[0002] Connector assemblies, particularly electrical connector assemblies, have relied on
interference between a resilient terminal lock in the terminal cavity of a connector
housing and a primary lock reinforcement (PLR) device to inhibit movement of the PLR
device from a pre-staged position to a fully staged position in the connector housing
until a terminal is fully seated within the terminal cavity and secured within the
terminal cavity by the resilient terminal lock. However, this design has experienced
problems with providing a sufficient blocking force and may not properly detect whether
the terminal is properly seated within the terminal cavity and engaged with the resilient
terminal lock. Therefore, a connector assembly with a moveable PLR device that provides
a sufficient blocking force and properly detects whether the terminal is properly
seated within the terminal cavity and engaged with the resilient terminal lock remains
desired.
[0003] According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a connector assembly
includes: a connector body having a terminal cavity configured to receive a terminal
and a cantilevered resilient primary terminal locking arm configured to secure the
terminal within the terminal cavity. The terminal defines a terminal release ramp
and a locking ridge configured to engage the terminal locking arm and secure the terminal
within the terminal cavity. The connector assembly also has a primary lock reinforcement
(PLR) device with a cantilevered resilient secondary terminal locking arm configured
to inhibit the PLR device from moving from a pre-staged position to a fully staged
position on the connector body prior to the terminal being inserted into the terminal
cavity due to a blocking condition caused by interference between the secondary terminal
locking arm and a cavity wall of the terminal cavity. The secondary terminal locking
arm flexes outwardly due to contact with the terminal release ramp as the terminal
is inserted within the terminal cavity, thereby clearing the blocking condition and
allowing the PLR device to move from the pre-staged position to the fully staged position.
The PLR device has a side wall that is radially offset by about 90 degrees from the
secondary terminal locking arm inhibits outward flexing of the primary terminal locking
arm and the secondary terminal locking arm engages the locking ridge when the PLR
device is in the fully staged position.
[0004] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in the preceding paragraph, a
free end of the secondary terminal locking arm defines a first blocking surface that
is configured to engage a second blocking surface of the cavity wall to provide the
blocking condition.
[0005] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the preceding paragraphs,
the free end of the secondary terminal locking arm further defines a first ramp configured
to contact the terminal and move the secondary terminal locking arm out of engagement
with the second blocking surface and into engagement with a second ramp defined by
the cavity wall as the terminal is inserted within the terminal cavity, thereby clearing
the blocking condition and allowing the PLR device to move from the pre-staged position
to the fully staged position. The first ramp is arranged at an acute angle relative
to the first blocking surface.
[0006] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the preceding paragraphs,
the free end of the secondary terminal locking arm further defines a latch surface
generally parallel with the blocking surface configured engage a first edge of a first
aperture in the cavity wall when the PLR device is in the pre-staged position and
configured engage a second edge of a second aperture in the cavity wall when the PLR
device is in the fully staged position.
[0007] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the preceding paragraphs,
the latch surface is configured to engage the locking ridge of the terminal when the
PLR device is in the fully staged position.
[0008] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the preceding paragraphs,
the PLR device has a side wall that is radially offset by about 90 degrees from the
secondary terminal locking arm and blocks outward flexing of the primary terminal
locking arm when the PLR device is in the fully staged position.
[0009] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the preceding paragraphs,
the connector body defines a pair of the primary terminal locking arm. The cavity
wall defines a pair of the first aperture and a pair of the second aperture. The pair
of the primary terminal locking arm is radially offset by about 90 degrees from the
pair of the first aperture and the pair of the second aperture.
[0010] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the preceding paragraphs,
the PLR device has a pair of the secondary terminal locking arm arranged radially
opposite one another and a pair of side walls that is radially offset by about 90
degrees from the pair of the secondary terminal locking arm that blocks the pair of
the primary terminal locking arm, thereby inhibiting the outward flexing of the pair
of the primary terminal locking arm when the PLR device is in the fully staged position.
[0011] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the preceding paragraphs,
the terminal is generally cylindrical. The terminal release ramp is circumferentially
defined around the terminal. The locking ridge is circumferentially defined around
the terminal.
[0012] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the preceding paragraphs,
the PLR device, the terminal cavity, and the cavity wall are generally cylindrical.
[0013] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the preceding paragraphs,
the terminal is a coaxial terminal having an outer shield portion that defines the
terminal release ramp and the locking ridge.
[0014] According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a method of assembling
a connector includes attaching a primary lock reinforcement (PLR) device to a connector
body in a pre-staged position by inserting a free end of a cantilevered resilient
secondary terminal locking arm into a first aperture defined by a cavity wall of a
terminal cavity in the connector body. The PLR device is inhibited from moving from
the pre-staged position to a fully staged position prior due to a blocking condition
caused by interference between the secondary terminal locking arm and the cavity wall.
The method also includes inserting a terminal within the terminal cavity. The secondary
terminal locking arm flexes outwardly due to contact with a terminal release ramp
of the terminal as the terminal is inserted within the terminal cavity, thereby clearing
the blocking condition. The method further includes engaging a cantilevered resilient
primary terminal locking arm defined by an outer wall of the terminal cavity with
a locking ridge defined by the terminal, thereby securing the terminal within the
terminal cavity. The method additionally includes moving the PLR device from the pre-staged
position to the fully staged position, inserting a free end of the secondary terminal
locking arm into a second aperture defined by a cavity wall, and engaging the free
end with a locking ridge of the terminal when the PLR device is in the fully staged
position.
[0015] In some aspects of the method described in the preceding paragraph, engagement of
a free end of the secondary terminal locking arm having a first blocking surface with
a second blocking surface of the cavity wall causes the blocking condition.
[0016] In some aspects of the method described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, the
free end further defines a first ramp that contacts the terminal and moves the secondary
terminal locking arm out of engagement with the second blocking surface and into engagement
with a second ramp defined by the outer wall as the terminal is inserted within the
terminal cavity, thereby clearing the blocking condition and allowing the PLR device
to move from the pre-staged position to the fully staged position. The first ramp
is arranged at an acute angle relative to the first blocking surface.
[0017] In some aspects of the method described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, the
free end of the secondary terminal locking arm further defines a latch surface generally
parallel with the blocking surface that engages a first edge of the first aperture
when the PLR device is in the pre-staged position and configured engage a second edge
of the second aperture when the PLR device is in the fully staged position.
[0018] In some aspects of the method described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, the
latch surface engages the locking ridge of the terminal when the PLR device is in
the fully staged position.
[0019] In some aspects of the method described in any one of the preceding paragraphs, the
primary terminal locking arm is radially offset by about 90 degrees from the first
aperture and the second aperture. The PLR device has a side wall that is radially
offset by about 90 degrees from the secondary terminal locking arm that blocks the
primary terminal locking arm and inhibits outward flexing of the primary terminal
locking arm when the PLR device is in the fully staged position.
[0020] According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a connector assembly
is manufactured by a process that includes attaching a primary lock reinforcement
(PLR) device to a connector body in a pre-staged position by inserting a free end
of a cantilevered resilient secondary terminal locking arm into a first aperture defined
by a cavity wall of a terminal cavity in the connector body. The PLR device is inhibited
from moving from the pre-staged position to a fully staged position prior due to a
blocking condition caused by interference between the secondary terminal locking arm
and the cavity wall. The process also includes inserting a terminal within the terminal
cavity. The secondary terminal locking arm flexes outwardly due to contact with a
terminal release ramp of the terminal as the terminal is inserted within the terminal
cavity, thereby clearing the blocking condition. The process further includes engaging
a cantilevered resilient primary terminal locking arm defined by an outer wall of
the terminal cavity with a locking ridge defined by the terminal, thereby securing
the terminal within the terminal cavity. The process additionally includes moving
the PLR device from the pre-staged position to the fully staged position, inserting
a free end of the secondary terminal locking arm into a second aperture defined by
a cavity wall, and engaging the free end with a locking ridge of the terminal when
the PLR device is in the fully staged position.
[0021] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in the preceding paragraph, a
free end of the secondary terminal locking arm defines a first blocking surface that
engages a second blocking surface of the cavity wall to provide the blocking condition
when the PLR device is in the pre-staged position.
[0022] In some aspects of the connector assembly described in any one of the two preceding
paragraphs, the free end further defines a first ramp that contacts the terminal and
moves the secondary terminal locking arm out of engagement with the second blocking
surface and into engagement with a second ramp defined by the outer wall as the terminal
is inserted within the terminal cavity, thereby clearing the blocking condition and
allowing the PLR device to move from the pre-staged position to the fully staged position.
The first ramp is arranged at an acute angle relative to the first blocking surface.
The free end of the secondary terminal locking arm further defines a latch surface
generally parallel with the blocking surface that engages a first edge of the first
aperture when the PLR device is in the pre-staged position and configured engage a
second edge of the second aperture when the PLR device is in the fully staged position.
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a connector assembly according to some embodiments;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a primary lock retainer (PLR) device of the connector
assembly of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments;
FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 in a pre-staged
condition according to some embodiments;
FIG. 5 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the PLR device 1 in the pre-staged condition
of FIG. 4 according to some embodiments;
FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector assembly in the pre-staged
condition as a terminal contacts locking arms of the PLR device according to some
embodiments;
FIG. 7 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the connector assembly in the pre-staged
condition of FIG. 6 as a terminal contacts locking arms of the PLR device according
to some embodiments;
FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 in a fully
staged condition according to some embodiments; and
FIG. 9 is another side cross-sectional view of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 in
the fully staged condition of FIG. 8 with the section plane rotated 90° relative to
FIG. 8 according to some embodiments.
[0023] A connector assembly 100 as shown in FIGs. 1 to 9 includes a connector body 102 having
a terminal cavity 202 that is configured to receive a terminal 204. The connector
body 102 also has at least one cantilevered resilient primary terminal locking arm
902 (see FIG. 9) that is configured to secure the terminal 204 within the terminal
cavity 202. As best shown in FIG 7, the terminal 204 defines a terminal release ramp
602. The terminal 204 also defines a locking ridge 904 that is configured to engage
the primary terminal locking arm 902 and secure the terminal within the terminal cavity
202. The connector assembly 100 further includes a primary lock reinforcement (PLR)
device 206 that has at least one cantilevered resilient secondary terminal locking
arm 302 (see FIG. 3) that is configured to inhibit the PLR device 206 from moving
from a pre-staged position 402 shown in FIG. 4 to a fully staged position 702 shown
in FIG. 8 on the connector body 102 prior to the terminal 204 being inserted into
the terminal cavity 202 due to a blocking condition caused by interference between
the secondary terminal locking arm 302 of the PLR device 206 and a cavity wall 404
of the terminal cavity 202 as shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the secondary terminal
locking arm 302 flexes outwardly due to contact with the terminal release ramp 602
on the terminal 204 as the terminal 204 is inserted within the terminal cavity 202,
thereby clearing the blocking condition and allowing the PLR device 206 to move from
the pre-staged position 402 to the fully staged position 702. A free end 406 of the
secondary terminal locking arm 302 defines a first blocking surface 408 that is configured
to engage a second blocking surface 410 of the cavity wall 404 to provide the blocking
condition. The PLR device 206 has a side wall 304 that is radially offset by about
90 degrees from the secondary terminal locking arm 302 that inhibits outward flexing
of the primary terminal locking arm 902. The secondary terminal locking arm 302 engages
the locking ridge 904 of the terminal 204 when the PLR device 206 is in the fully
staged position 702. The connector assembly 100 also includes a connector seal 208,
a cable seal 210, a seal retainer 104, and a connector position assurance device 106.
[0024] The free end 406 of the secondary terminal locking arm 302 further defines a first
ramp 412 configured to contact the terminal 204 and move the first blocking surface
408 of the secondary terminal locking arm 302 out of engagement with the second blocking
surface 410 and into engagement with a second ramp 414 defined by the cavity wall
404 as the terminal 204 is inserted within the terminal cavity 202, thereby clearing
the blocking condition and allowing the PLR device 206 to move from the pre-staged
position 402 to the fully staged position 702. The first ramp 412 is arranged at an
acute angle relative to the first blocking surface 408. The free end 406 of the secondary
terminal locking arm 302 further defines a latch surface 502 (see FIG. 5) that is
arranged generally parallel with the first blocking surface 408. The latch surface
502 is configured to engage a first edge 504 of a first aperture 506 in the cavity
wall 404 when the PLR device 206 is in the pre-staged position 402. The latch surface
502 engages a second edge 704 of a second aperture 706 in the cavity wall 404 when
the PLR device 206 is in the fully staged position 702. The latch surface 502 also
engages the locking ridge of the terminal 204 when the PLR device 206 is in the fully
staged position 702.
[0025] The PLR device 206 has a side wall 304 that is radially offset by about 90 degrees
from the secondary terminal locking arm 302 which blocks outward flexing of the primary
terminal locking arm 902 when the PLR device 206 is in the fully staged position 702.
[0026] In the illustrated example, the connector body defines a pair of primary terminal
locking arms, and the cavity wall defines a pair of first aperture and a pair of second
apertures. The pair of the primary terminal locking arms are radially offset by about
90 degrees from the pair of first and second apertures.
[0027] Further, in the illustrated example, the PLR device has a pair of the secondary terminal
locking arms that are arranged radially opposite one another and a pair of side walls
that are radially offset by about 90 degrees from the pair of secondary terminal locking
arms that blocks the pair of primary terminal locking arms.
[0028] The terminal in this example is generally cylindrical. The terminal release ramp
is circumferentially defined around the terminal and wherein the locking ridge is
circumferentially defined around the terminal. The terminal cavity and the cavity
wall are also generally cylindrical.
[0029] In the illustrated example, the terminal is a coaxial terminal having an outer shield
portion that defines the terminal release ramp and the locking ridge.
[0030] A method of assembling a connector, such as the connector assembly described above,
includes the steps of:
- attaching a primary lock reinforcement (PLR) device to a connector body in a pre-staged
position by inserting a free end of a cantilevered resilient secondary terminal locking
arm into a first aperture defined by a cavity wall of a terminal cavity in the connector
body, wherein the PLR device is inhibited from moving from the pre-staged position
to a fully staged position prior due to a blocking condition caused by interference
between the secondary terminal locking arm and the cavity wall;
- inserting a terminal within the terminal cavity, wherein the secondary terminal locking
arm flexes outwardly due to contact with a terminal release ramp of the terminal as
the terminal is inserted within the terminal cavity, thereby clearing the blocking
condition;
- engaging a cantilevered resilient primary terminal locking arm defined by an outer
wall of the terminal cavity with a locking ridge defined by the terminal, thereby
securing the terminal within the terminal cavity;
- moving the PLR device from the pre-staged position to the fully staged position;
- inserting a free end of the secondary terminal locking arm into a second aperture
defined by a cavity wall; and
- engaging the free end with a locking ridge of the terminal when the PLR device is
in the fully staged position.
[0031] Engagement of a free end of the secondary terminal locking arm having a first blocking
surface with a second blocking surface of the cavity wall causes the blocking condition.
[0032] The free end further defines a first ramp that contacts the terminal and moves the
secondary terminal locking arm out of engagement with the second blocking surface
and into engagement with a second ramp defined by the outer wall as the terminal is
inserted within the terminal cavity, thereby clearing the blocking condition and allowing
the PLR device to move from the pre-staged position to the fully staged position and
wherein the first ramp is arranged at an acute angle relative to the first blocking
surface.
[0033] The free end of the secondary terminal locking arm further defines a latch surface
generally parallel with the blocking surface that engages a first edge of the first
aperture when the PLR device is in the pre-staged position and configured engage a
second edge of the second aperture when the PLR device is in the fully staged position.
[0034] The latch surface engages the locking ridge of the terminal when the PLR device is
in the fully staged position.
[0035] The primary terminal locking arm is radially offset by about 90 degrees from the
first aperture and the second aperture and wherein the PLR device has a side wall
that is radially offset by about 90 degrees from the secondary terminal locking arm
that blocks the primary terminal locking arm and inhibits outward flexing of the primary
terminal locking arm when the PLR device is in the fully staged position.
[0036] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s),
it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made,
and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the
scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the
essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited
to the disclosed embodiment(s), but that the invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the appended claims.
[0037] As used herein, 'one or more' includes a function being performed by one element,
a function being performed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed fashion,
several functions being performed by one element, several functions being performed
by several elements, or any combination of the above.
[0038] It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are, in some
instances, used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be
limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from
another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly,
a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope
of the various described embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are
both contacts, but they are not the same contact.
[0039] The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein
is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to
be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also
be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any
and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will
be further understood that the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and/or
"comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof.
[0040] As used herein, the term "if' is, optionally, construed to mean "when" or "upon"
or "in response to determining" or "in response to detecting," depending on the context.
Similarly, the phrase "if it is determined" or "if [a stated condition or event] is
detected" is, optionally, construed to mean "upon determining" or "in response to
determining" or "upon detecting [the stated condition or event]" or "in response to
detecting [the stated condition or event]," depending on the context.
[0041] Additionally, while terms of ordinance or orientation may be used herein these elements
should not be limited by these terms. All terms of ordinance or orientation, unless
stated otherwise, are used for purposes distinguishing one element from another, and
do not denote any particular order, order of operations, direction or orientation
unless stated otherwise.
1. A connector assembly (100), comprising:
a connector body (102) having a terminal cavity (202) configured to receive a terminal
(204) and a cantilevered resilient primary terminal locking arm (902) configured to
secure the terminal (204) within the terminal cavity (202), wherein the terminal (204)
defines a terminal release ramp (602) and a locking ridge (904) configured to engage
the terminal locking arm and secure the terminal (204) within the terminal cavity
(202); and
a primary lock reinforcement (PLR) device (206) having a cantilevered resilient secondary
terminal locking arm (302) configured to inhibit the PLR device (206) from moving
from a pre-staged position (402) to a fully staged position (702) on the connector
body (102) prior to the terminal (204) being inserted into the terminal cavity (202)
due to a blocking condition caused by interference between the secondary terminal
locking arm (302) and a cavity wall (404) of the terminal cavity (202), wherein the
secondary terminal locking arm (302) flexes outwardly due to contact with the terminal
release ramp (602) as the terminal (204) is inserted within the terminal cavity (202),
thereby clearing the blocking condition and allowing the PLR device (206) to move
from the pre-staged position (402) to the fully staged position (702), and wherein
the PLR device (206) has a side wall (304) that is radially offset by about 90 degrees
from the secondary terminal locking arm (302) inhibits outward flexing of the primary
terminal locking arm (902) and the secondary terminal locking arm (302) engages the
locking ridge (904) when the PLR device (206) is in the fully staged position (702).
2. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 1, wherein a free end (406)
of the secondary terminal locking arm (302) defines a first blocking surface (408)
that is configured to engage a second blocking surface (410) of the cavity wall (404)
to provide the blocking condition.
3. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 2, wherein the free end (406)
of the secondary terminal locking arm (302) further defines a first ramp (412) configured
to contact the terminal (204) and move the secondary terminal locking arm (302) out
of engagement with the second blocking surface (410) and into engagement with a second
ramp (414) defined by the cavity wall (404) as the terminal (204) is inserted within
the terminal cavity (202), thereby clearing the blocking condition and allowing the
PLR device (206) to move from the pre-staged position (402) to the fully staged position
(702) and wherein the first ramp (412) is arranged at an acute angle relative to the
first blocking surface (408).
4. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 3, wherein the free end (406)
of the secondary terminal locking arm (302) further defines a latch surface (502)
generally parallel with the blocking surface configured engage a first edge (504)
of a first aperture (506) in the cavity wall (404) when the PLR device (206) is in
the pre-staged position (402) and configured engage a second edge (704) of a second
aperture (706) in the cavity wall (404) when the PLR device (206) is in the fully
staged position (702).
5. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 4, wherein the latch surface
(502) is configured to engage the locking ridge (904) of the terminal (204) when the
PLR device (206) is in the fully staged position (702).
6. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 5, wherein the PLR device (206)
has a side wall (304) that is radially offset by about 90 degrees from the secondary
terminal locking arm (302) and blocks outward flexing of the primary terminal locking
arm (902) when the PLR device (206) is in the fully staged position (702).
7. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 6, wherein the connector body
(102) defines a pair of the primary terminal locking arm (902), wherein the cavity
wall (404) defines a pair of the first aperture (506) and a pair of the second aperture
(706), and wherein the pair of the primary terminal locking arm (902) is radially
offset by about 90 degrees from the pair of the first aperture (506) and the pair
of the second aperture (706).
8. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 7, wherein the PLR device (206)
has a pair of the secondary terminal locking arm (302) arranged radially opposite
one another and a pair of side walls that is radially offset by about 90 degrees from
the pair of the secondary terminal locking arm (302) that blocks the pair of the primary
terminal locking arm (902), thereby inhibiting the outward flexing of the pair of
the primary terminal locking arm (902) when the PLR device (206) is in the fully staged
position (702).
9. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 8, wherein the terminal (204)
is generally cylindrical, wherein the terminal release ramp (602) is circumferentially
defined around the terminal (204), and wherein the locking ridge (904) is circumferentially
defined around the terminal (204).
10. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 9, wherein the PLR device (206),
the terminal cavity (202), and the cavity wall (404) are generally cylindrical.
11. The connector assembly (100) in accordance with claim 10, wherein the terminal (204)
is a coaxial terminal (204) having an outer shield portion that defines the terminal
release ramp (602) and the locking ridge (904).
12. A method of assembling a connector, comprising:
attaching a primary lock reinforcement (PLR) device to a connector body (102) in a
pre-staged position (402) by inserting a free end (406) of a cantilevered resilient
secondary terminal locking arm (302) into a first aperture (506) defined by a cavity
wall (404) of a terminal cavity (202) in the connector body (102), wherein the PLR
device (206) is inhibited from moving from the pre-staged position (402) to a fully
staged position (702) prior due to a blocking condition caused by interference between
the secondary terminal locking arm (302) and the cavity wall (404);
inserting a terminal (204) within the terminal cavity (202), wherein the secondary
terminal locking arm (302) flexes outwardly due to contact with a terminal release
ramp (602) of the terminal (204) as the terminal (204) is inserted within the terminal
cavity (202), thereby clearing the blocking condition;
engaging a cantilevered resilient primary terminal locking arm (902) defined by an
outer wall of the terminal cavity (202) with a locking ridge (904) defined by the
terminal (204), thereby securing the terminal (204) within the terminal cavity (202);
moving the PLR device (206) from the pre-staged position (402) to the fully staged
position (702);
inserting a free end (406) of the secondary terminal locking arm (302) into a second
aperture (706) defined by a cavity wall (404); and
engaging the free end (406) with a locking ridge (904) of the terminal (204) when
the PLR device (206) is in the fully staged position (702).
13. The method in accordance with claim 12, wherein engagement of a free end (406) of
the secondary terminal locking arm (302) having a first blocking surface (408) with
a second blocking surface (410) of the cavity wall (404) causes the blocking condition.
14. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the free end (406) further defines
a first ramp (412) that contacts the terminal (204) and moves the secondary terminal
locking arm (302) out of engagement with the second blocking surface (410) and into
engagement with a second ramp (414) defined by the outer wall as the terminal (204)
is inserted within the terminal cavity (202), thereby clearing the blocking condition
and allowing the PLR device (206) to move from the pre-staged position (402) to the
fully staged position (702) and wherein the first ramp (412) is arranged at an acute
angle relative to the first blocking surface (408).
15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the free end (406) of the secondary
terminal locking arm (302) further defines a latch surface (502) generally parallel
with the blocking surface that engages a first edge (504) of the first aperture (506)
when the PLR device (206) is in the pre-staged position (402) and configured engage
a second edge (704) of the second aperture (706) when the PLR device (206) is in the
fully staged position (702).