Abstract: An electrical connector assembly 2 includes a plug connector assembly 10 matable with a pin header 50 by rack and pinion means. The plug connector assembly 10 includes a shield 26 in which an inner connector housing 16 containing receptacle terminals 12 is mounted. A lever 30 is mounted on the shield 26, and the lever includes pinion gear members 40, 44 that protrude from the side of lever arms 32. The pinion gear members engage rack gear members 70, 74 located on the interior of header walls 64. The rack gear members 70, 74 are laterally offset so that they can be molded using straight action mold tooling with no undercuts or side action. The lever pinion gears 40, 44 protrude so that they can engage the laterally offset rack gear members 70, 74.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly 2 includes a plug connector assembly 10 matable with a pin header 50 by rack and pinion means. The plug connector assembly 10 includes a shield 26 in which an inner connector housing 16 containing receptacle terminals 12 is mounted. A lever 30 is mounted on the shield 26, and the lever includes pinion gear members 40, 44 that protrude from the side of lever arms 32. The pinion gear members engage rack gear members 70, 74 located on the interior of header walls 64. The rack gear members 70, 74 are laterally offset so that they can be molded using straight action mold tooling with no undercuts or side action. The lever pinion gears 40, 44 protrude so that they can engage the laterally offset rack gear members 70, 74.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing having a pair of accessory mounting stations integrally formed with the housing on respective opposite sides of the housing, and a pair of resilient latch arms extending forwardly from respective ones of the accessory mounting stations. In a preferred embodiment, each of the accessory mounting stations includes a lug extending laterally from the housing and a beam extending forwardly from the lug. The lugs are configured to be gripped by an accessory to the connector. The beams flank the housing and are spaced from the housing, thereby defining pockets which are configured to receive portions of the accessory.