FR2823915A1 - Connection strength improving apparatus for connector, has regulator with flexible contacts which energizes retentions prongs between inner holding position and outer isolated position - Google Patents

Abstract

A regulator (38) contacts with the retention prongs through flexible contacts for energizing the prongs between inner holding position and outer isolated position. The male connector retains the retention prongs when the prongs are moved to inner holding position.

Description

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  DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HOLDING THE

CONNECTING A SERIAL CABLE

  The present invention generally relates to telecommunications connections. More particularly, it relates to a device and a method for maintaining a connection between male and female connectors such as universal USB / serial bus connectors to minimize the occurrence of disconnections.

  between the connectors.

  Connections using the universal USB / serial bus standard have become increasingly common and used in computer peripherals, audiovisual equipment and electronic devices in general. The advantages of such devices include a simple mechanical connection, a possibility to connect and disconnect while the device is in service ("hot connection>), a possibility to connect several devices and the fact that a large selection of devices

use this connection standard.

  FIG. 1 represents USB connectors, side A, male 10 and female 12, typical of the prior art, also known as type A or series A connectors. The main mechanical and electrical characteristics of these connectors are standardized according to a convention known to those skilled in the art. The female connector 12 or receptacle contains a metal connector housing 14 having upper 16 and lower 18 surfaces, each surface having a pair of retaining claws 20 typically cut out of the resilient metal used to make the metal housing of the connector. The retaining claws each have, to maintain the male connector 10, an adent 22 created by bending inward a portion of the retaining claws (for the upper surface 16, as shown, downwards and, for the lower surface 18 , towards

the top).

  The male connector 10 has a metal connector body 24 connected to a cable 26 for communication with a device. The

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  connector body 24 has upper 28 and lower 30 surfaces each of which has a pair of receiving portions such as typically square surface holes 32 which are aligned with the teeth 22 of the claws 20 of the female connector 12 when the male connector 10 is fully inserted. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, when the male connector 10 is inserted into the female connector 12 (FIG. 2A), the upper and lower claws 20 are forced outwards, to pass from an internal position rest in a bent outward position (Figure 2B). When the male connector 10 is inserted at the point where the retaining claws 20 are aligned with the surface holes 32 (FIG. 2C), the retaining claws, being made of a resilient material, naturally return inward in direction d an internal holding position and the teeth 22 partially fall into the surface holes 32, creating a snap which maintains the connection. Because the adents 22 of the retaining claws 20 are somewhat rounded, this type of connection makes it possible to relatively easily insert the male connector 10 into the female connector 12 and remove it (see FIGS. 2D and 2E) while providing a certain degree of resistance

upon disconnection.

  Figure 13 shows a typical B-side male connector 80 and a female connector (receptacle) 88. The male connector 80 includes a cable 26 and a connector connector body 82 having a pair of side surfaces 84 of which only one is visible in Figure 13. Each of the side surfaces 84 includes an outer projection 86 extending vertically and having a rounded surface. When the male connector 80 is inserted into the female connector 88, the ends, extending inwards, of a pair of retaining claws 92 provided on the side surfaces 90 (only one side surface is visible on the Figure 13) of the female connector engage in the receiving portions of the male connector on the face of the projections 86 which

  facing back (in Figure 13, the left side).

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  The connection is thus maintained, but the male connector 80 and the female connector 88, as well as the male connector 10 and female 12 face A can easily be connected and disconnected.

  due at least in part to the rounded surface of the projections 86.

  However, such a connection and disconnection case creates a problem for use in devices where more secure attachment is desired. For some electrical devices, it is desirable to easily connect the products while preventing them from disconnecting inadvertently. In such devices, a user may have to connect the device only once and not disconnect it unless they have to move it. For these devices a user may not desire easy disconnection. Or the user may wish to have a connection allowing easy insertion and deinsertion, while at the same time ensuring a lock to prevent accidental disconnection. Some environments may include positioning the attached device creating tension on the USB cable. If the device is moved or jostled, even unintentionally, the cable may become unwanted from the device. Previous solutions to this problem such as staples, mounting clips, and other methods of removing constraints have been shown to be ineffective in solving the problem of providing a USB connection which cannot be easily disconnected while

being easy to connect.

  The present invention provides an inventive device and method for maintaining the connection of the first and second electrical connectors while still allowing a relatively easy connection. The basic concept of this invention is to increase the process force to extract the connector or to lock the connection so that the device does not inadvertently disconnect. The present invention maintains the connection, among other things, by modifying a device containing a second connector to create a wedging element to constrain the claws towards an interior position of

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  retaining or modifying the retaining claws of the second connector. In one embodiment, a device having a second connector is modified to form a wedging element for exerting pressure on the retaining claws to constrain them in the direction of their internal retaining position. This wedging element may include one or more cutouts forming flexible elements in a connection zone of the device surrounding the second connector and may have one or more pairs of contact elements supported by the flexible elements to come into contact with the claws of maintenance. Preferably, there is provided, in this embodiment, a device for increasing the resistance of a connection in a device to be connected, between a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector having at least one retaining claw for holding the first connector, the retaining claw of which there is at least one being flexible between an internal retaining position and an external non-retaining position, the first connector having at least one receiving portion for receiving a portion of the retaining claw when the retaining claw holding is in its internal holding position, the device comprising at least one wedging element configured to come into contact with the holding claw of which there is at least one and exert on the holding claw a constraining force in the direction of its position

inner holding.

  Advantageously, but optionally, the device has at least one of the following characteristics: - said wedging element of which there is at least one comprises at least one flexible element formed in the body of a device to be connected, the flexible element being adjacent to the retaining claw; - Said wedging element comprises a pair of flexible elements having contact elements aligned with

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  a pair of retaining claws and in abutment contact with said pair of retaining claws for applying a stress force on the retaining claws towards their position

inner holding.

  In another embodiment, a wedging element can be used in the form of a sliding bolt in which the sliding bolt contains a pair of elongated branches having teeth and grooves. The sliding bolt can be positioned by sliding it so that either the teeth or the grooves are aligned with the retaining claws. When it is the teeth which are aligned with the holding claws, they substantially prevent the holding claws from moving to a non-holding outwardly bent position, thereby locking a connection. In an embodiment which relates thereto, a second connector can be fitted with a sheath having stops which project inwards and which can be positioned in the direction of the holding claws, in order to maintain the

  holding claws in their holding position.

  Preferably, in this other embodiment, provision is made for a device for increasing the resistance of a connection in a device to be connected, between a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector having at least one retaining claw for holding the first. connector, the retaining claw of which there is at least one being flexible between an internal retaining position and an external non-retaining position, the first connector having at least one receiving portion for receiving a portion of the retaining claw when the retaining claw is in its internal retaining position, the device comprising: - a sliding clamping latch configured to come into abutment contact with at least one retaining claw of the second connector to substantially prevent said retaining claw from moving in the direction from its external non-holding position.

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  Advantageously, but optionally, the device has at least one of the following characteristics: - said sliding wedge lock comprises a pair of elongated branches which are at a distance from each other and are connected to each other by a bridging portion, the inner surfaces of the branches having at least one groove portion and a tooth portion, said sliding wedge lock being able to move between a first position in which said groove portion is disposed over a retaining claw said second connector, thereby allowing said retaining claw to move towards its outer non-retaining position, and a second position in which said tooth portion is in contact with said retaining claw, thereby preventing said retaining claw to move in the direction of its external non-holding position; - Said sliding wedge lock further comprises at least one boss to facilitate the sliding of said lock

sliding jam.

  In yet another embodiment, the retaining claws of the second connector are modified by forming therein at least one barbed projection which forms an acute angle towards the rear of the second connector. The barbed protrusion enters the surface holes of the first connector when it is inserted and substantially prevents the extraction of the first connector unless the modified retaining claws are lifted separately, for example

  by operating a tab linked to the modified retaining claws.

  Preferably, in this other embodiment, provision is made for a device for increasing the resistance of a connection in an apparatus to be connected between a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector, the first connector having at least one surface hole, the device comprising: a modified retaining claw connected to said second connector and being flexible between an internal retaining position and an external non-retaining position, said modified retaining claw having a first portion adapted to be inserted

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  in said surface hole when said first connector is inserted into said second connector and said modified retaining claw is in its internal holding position, said modified retaining claw being adapted to substantially prevent said first connector, once inserted , to be

  removed from said second connector.

  Advantageously, but optionally the device has at least one of the following characteristics: - said modified retaining claw is adapted to substantially prevent said first connector from being removed from said second connector unless a second portion of said connector is manipulated second modified retaining claw; - Said first portion comprises a barbed projection making an angle towards the rear in the direction of a rear portion of the second connector; said second portion has a tab connected to said modified retaining claw to allow manipulation of said tab to separate said first portion of said modified retaining claw from said surface hole and allow said disconnection

  first connector with said second connector.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will appear during the description below of three forms of

  realization and variants. In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of male and female USB face A connectors typical of the prior art; Figures 2A-2E are side sectional views along line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the steps of connecting and disconnecting a male-female USB connector typical of the prior art; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower portion of an appliance body having a flexible wedging element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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  Figure 4 is a perspective view of the female USB connector placed over the lower portion of the device body shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 3, assembled and having a flexible clamping element; Figure 6 shows a sliding lock according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of a second embodiment of the sliding lock; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the sliding latch; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a sliding lock positioned around the female USB connector; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modified female connector according to another embodiment and another method of the present invention; FIGS. 11A-11E are top views of a male USB connector connected to the modified female connector of FIG. 10, then disconnected from this connector; and Figures 12A-12E are side sectional views along line 12-12 of Figure 10 of the male USB connector connected to the modified female connector of Figure 10 and then disconnected from this connector; Figure 13 is a perspective view of male and female B-side connectors typical of the prior art; and Figures 1 4A- 1 4B are perspective views of a modified female B-side connector and a sheath holding a male B-side connector in its retracted and advanced positions, respectively. A central concept of this invention is to increase the force necessary for the extraction of the connector and / or to lock a connection so that a male USB connector is less likely to be

  inadvertently disconnect from a female USB connector.

  Several of the embodiments are based on the property of

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  retaining claws extend outside the female connector when the male connector is connected or disconnected, as described above. In several of these embodiments, to increase the connection force, at least a portion of a body of an appliance has been modified or introduced to create a wedging element exerting from the outside, a constraint on the claws of holding the female USB connector, thus preventing movement of the holding claws outwards. Some of these embodiments can exert a constant restraining force on the retaining claws while others exert a force on the retaining claws only when they are

manipulated by a user.

  To substantially lock the connection, other embodiments employ a modification of the holding claws of the female USB connector so that they enter a pair of surface holes of the male USB connector, so that it is not possible to remove them by simply pulling on the male connector without exerting a substantial force unless the user exerts a distinct action to move the claws

  holding like lifting or pressing a tab.

  It should be understood that, although several specific embodiments are shown and described here, the concepts and principles of this invention can be embodied in a number of embodiments and devices and that the specifically described embodiments are not. only

as an example.

  FIG. 3 represents a portion of a design, taken by way of example, of a wedging element for exerting, inwards, pressure on the claws for holding the female USB connector, from the outside of the connector female. A lower portion 34 of a body of a preferably plastic appliance 36 contains a flexible wedge member 38 in a connection area surrounding a portion of the lower surface of a typical female USB connector 12 (see Figure 4). Although only one design for a sample device 36 is

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  shown here, the flexible wedging element 38 can be formed inside various other devices. The flexible clamping element 38 contains at least one, and preferably a pair of contact elements 42 which are preferably integrally formed by lifting, with the body of the apparatus 36. Contact elements 42 are configured to s align with the pair of retaining claws in 20 which interact with the pair of surface holes 13 of the male connector 10. A pair of cutouts 44, preferably at right angles, in the apparatus form a support for a pair of flexible elements 46 which support,

  flexible but resilient, the pair of contact elements 42.

  As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the female USB connector 12 can be positioned between a flexible wedging element 38 disposed both on the upper portion 48 and on the lower portion 34 of a modified plastic body of the device 36 , so that portions of the two pairs of retaining claws 20 are aligned with the upper and lower pairs of contact elements 42 supported by the upper and lower pairs of flexible elements 46. When the flexible elements 46 are in their position natural (not bent), the contact elements 42 come into contact with a portion of the retaining claws 20 such as the teeth 22 or end portions, projecting outwards, 50 of the retaining claws adjacent to the teeth. These contacts exert a pressure directed inwards to constrain the retaining claws in the direction of their internal retaining position and, in turn, resist

  bending of the holding claws outwards.

  Consequently, in order to force the retaining claws (20) outwards, to connect the male connector 10 into the female connector 12, or to disconnect it, the male connector must overcome not only the resistance of the retaining claws but in addition to the resilience of the flexible elements 46 supporting the contact elements 42. In this way the rigidity of the connection is increased and the risks of inadvertent disconnection of the male connector 10 from the female connector 12 are reduced. It's a

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  passive locking, which does not require separate user intervention to help maintain the connection. This particular embodiment, which can materialize in different ways, has the additional advantage of being inexpensive, since it can in principle be formed from a relatively simple mold and cut in the body of the device. 36 and that it also performs the function of strengthening the connection

  USB without modifying the male 10 and female 12 connectors.

  In a variant embodiment of a device and a method for exerting a force on the retaining claws from the outside 20, a selective pressure directed inwards is exerted on the retaining claws by a wedging element in the form of a sliding lock 52 such as that shown in FIG. 6. Preferably the sliding lock 52 is integrally formed of plastic and generally in the shape of an inverted "C". It has a pair of elongated branches 54 connected together by a bridging portion, the branches having a pair of teeth 56 formed adjacent to a pair of grooves 58. When the sliding latch 52 moves horizontally, the grooves 58 preferably come in alignment or out of alignment with the male USB connector 20. The distance between the interior surfaces of the branches 54 is a little greater than the dimension of the male USB connector 10. As a variant, the sliding lock 52 can be made of metal and can be incorporated in the body of the surrounding device 36

the female connector 12.

  In service, if the sliding latch 52 is positioned horizontally so that the grooves 58 are aligned with the holding claws 20, the holding claws can pass outside the male connector 10 (by bending normally). At this point, the sliding latch 52 is in the unlocked mode, as shown in the apparatus of FIG. 9, then allowing normal connection and disconnection of the male connector 10. The male connector 10 then inserts into the female connector 12

under a typical insertion force.

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  After the male connector 10 is fully inserted and the teeth 22 are at least partially inside the surface holes 32, however, the user horizontally slides the sliding latch 52 (perpendicular to the direction of insertion cable) to position the pairs of teeth 56 over the pairs of retaining claws 20. When the pairs of teeth 56 are positioned above (or below) the retaining claws 20, the retaining claws are in contact s' exerting from the outside, preferably on the end portions 50, and are substantially prevented from flexing from the outside from their interior holding position. This keeps the teeth 22 in the surface holes 32 of the male connector 10 and substantially locks the male connector in the female connector 12 (locking mode), preventing inadvertent disconnection of the male and female connectors. This is an active lockout, requiring user intervention to

lock or unlock.

  Many other embodiments of the sliding latches 52 are possible. In an alternative embodiment for the sliding latch 52, shown in Figure 7, the sliding latch contains upper and lower bosses 60 to facilitate the user to slide the latch. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the sliding latch 52 contains an upper movement arm 62 and a pair of lower bosses 60, each lower boss having a groove 64 for insertion of a tool or a nail to handle more easily the lock. Other features, given by way of example, of the sliding latch 52 may include, but are not limited to, a latch having a locking mechanism such as a recess 66 adapted to snap with an element (not shown) for maintain the horizontal position of the sliding lock in a device, as well as an icon 68 on the device or on the sliding lock to indicate to the user the direction of the locking and unlocking positions. Other embodiments for a sliding latch may include branches

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  54 without the grooves 58, the arms being configured to slide forward or backward (parallel to the direction of cable insertion) to come into contact or out of contact with

  the retaining claws of the female connector 12.

  Figures 14A-14B show a variant of the sliding latch 52 applied to the face B connectors. The female connector 88 is fitted with a sheath 94 which surrounds it and can be made of any suitable material. The sheath 94 can be connected to the female connector 88, for example by providing a groove (not shown) on a surface of the female connector. The sleeve 94 contains a pair (only one of which is visible in FIGS. 14A 14B) of stops 96 which extend inwards, one on each side of the sleeve. The stops 96 shown in Figure 14a are bosses of circular section, although other types of section are possible. One or more compression springs 98 connect the sheath 94 to the female connector or to a portion of an appliance and constrain the sheath longitudinally in the direction of its front position (on the left in FIG. 14B). By moving the sleeve 94 to make it pass from a retracted position (FIG. 14A) to an advanced position (FIG. 14B), the stops 96 can be positioned over the retaining claws 92 when the retaining claws are in their position of holding, at the rear (on the left in FIG. 14B) of the projections 86 of the male connector 80. This keeps the holding claws in place and maintains the connection until the sheath 94 is manipulated in the opposite direction, in

  direction from its retracted position.

  Many other alternative embodiments are possible and are encompassed in the present invention. For example the sleeve 94 can be configured to be able to be driven in rotation (instead of a longitudinal sliding) so that the stops 96 are manipulated in alignment and out of alignment with the retaining claws 92. The sleeve 94 can be connected to a cam (not shown) for manipulating the sheath. In another form of reulisation, a hook (not shown) connected to the female connector 88 or to the sheath 94 can keep the sheath in its

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  retracted position. The hook can be connected to a trigger (not shown) which releases the hook when the male connector 80 reaches a certain point inside the female connector 88, allowing the compression spring 98 to constrain the sheath 94 towards its advanced position, to maintain the connection. A release mechanism (not shown) can be connected to the sleeve 94 to allow a user to bring the sleeve to its position

  retracted and to reset the hook.

  Another method for preventing inadvertent disconnection of the male and female connectors involves modifying at least one of the holding claws 20a of the female connector 12a. In an example of a device embodying this design, shown in FIG. 10, the retaining claws 20a are slightly shaped to form barbed projections 70 which extend rearward, towards the rear of the female connector 12a at an acute angle to the plane of the upper surface 16a of the female connector. Each of the retaining claws 20a is also modified to extend forwards beyond the front edge of the female connector 12A and terminate in a tab 72 accessible to the user. The tab 72 may be the same integral part as at least one of the modified retaining claws a, or else may be an accessory, such as a plastic accessory, on the ends of the retaining claws. The tab 72 can be simply positioned outside the male / female connection or alternatively can be located inside its own housing (not shown) so that the user can easily reach and handle it. This modification to the claws 20a can

  be carried out in any way known to those skilled in the art.

  FIGS. 11A-ll C and FIGS. 12A- 12C are upper and side views respectively of a modified female connector 12a in the different stages of connection with the male connector 10. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 12A, typically inserts the male connector 10 into the modified female connector 12a. When we continue to insert (Figures 11B and 12B) the male connector, it causes the retaining claws,

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  modified, 12a of the female connector 12a flex outward. When the male connector 10 is inserted so that its surface holes 32 are aligned with the barbed projections 70, the retaining claws 20a, resilient, move towards their internal holding position and the barbed projections

  snap into the surface holes (Figures l lC and 12C).

  However, due to the acute angle that the barbed projections 70 make towards the rear, the male connector 10 is substantially prevented from coming out of the female connector 12a. In this way a one-way locking mechanism is formed so that the male connector 10 can easily be inserted into the female connector 12a but cannot leave it unless the user pulls the barbed projections 70 out of the surface holes. 32. To remove the male connector 10 (see FIGS. 11 D-11 E and 12D-12E), the user must handle the tab 72 or the tabs attached to the modified retaining claws 20a by means of a tool, a nail

  etc. then pull the male connector out of the female connector 12a.

  The modified retaining claws 20a may have a pivot point 74 disposed between the barbed projections 70 and the tab 72. The pivot point 74 is positioned over the housing 14 of the female connector 12a. When the male connector is in place, the user can unlock the connection by pushing down the tab 72 (Figures 1D and 12D), thus pushing down the pivot point 74 and therefore lifting the barbed projections 70 out of the surface holes 32. The male connector 10 can then be removed (FIGS. 11E and 12E). Consequently, the modified upper retaining claws 20a can be used, making it easier for a user to handle the tab 72. As a variant, the tab 72 can be lifted to unlock the connection. This one-way locking mechanism provides a simple, relatively cost-effective way to connect-disconnect and substantially prevent inadvertent disconnection of a USB cable.

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  A description of a new and useful invention has been provided

  to prevent unwanted and unwanted disconnection of male and female connectors 12 by minimizing or preventing outward movement of the claws 20 and / or by modifying the claws. Many alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The different embodiments and methods described here can be used separately or in combination with each other. These principles can also apply to a certain number of connectors such as, but not limited to, USB connectors A side or B side, IEEE 1394 connectors and other types or connection devices of serial or parallel type, whether or not they already contain other

  support, such as thumb screws.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that other modifications, substitutions and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and the object and the invention which should to be

  determined from the appended claims.

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Claims (10)

REVENDI C ATI ON S   1. Device for increasing the resistance of a connection in a device to be connected (36), between a first electrical connector (10) and a second electrical connector (12) having at least one holding claw (20) for holding the first connector (10), the holding claw of which there is at least one (20) being flexible between an internal holding position and an external non-holding position, the first connector (10) having at least one receiving portion (62 ) to receive a portion (22) of the retaining claw (20) when the retaining claw (20) is in its internal retaining position, the device comprising: at least one wedging element (38) configured to come into contact with the retaining claw (20) of which there is at least one and exert on the retaining claw (20) a constraining force in   direction of its interior holding position.   2. The device of claim 1 wherein said wedging element (38) of which there is at least one comprises at least one flexible element (46) formed in a bodywork (34) of a device to be connected (36), the flexible element (46) being adjacent to the retaining claw (20).   3. The device of claim 1 wherein said wedging element (38) comprises a pair of flexible elements (46) having contact elements (42) aligned with a pair of retaining claws (20) and in contact by abutment with said pair of retaining claws (20) for applying a constraining force on the retaining claws (20) towards their position inner holding.   4. Device for increasing the resistance of a connection in a device to be connected (36), between a first electrical connector (10) and a second electrical connector (12) having at least one holding claw (20) for holding the first connector (10), the holding claw of which there is at least one (20) being flexible between an internal holding position and 18 2823915   an external non-holding position, the first connector (10) having at least one receiving portion (62) for receiving a portion (22) of the holding claw (20) when the holding claw (20) is in its position inner retaining device, the device comprising: a sliding wedge lock (52) configured to come into abutting contact with at least one retaining claw (20) of the second connector (12) to substantially prevent said retaining claw (20) to move towards its position lO non-holding exterior.   5. The device of claim 4 wherein said sliding wedge lock (52) comprises a pair of elongated branches (54) which are spaced from each other and are connected to each other by a bridging portion, the inner surfaces of the branches (54) having at least one groove portion (58) and a tooth portion (56), said sliding wedge lock (52) being able to move between a first position in which said portion forming a groove (58) is disposed over a retaining claw (20) of said second connector (12), thus allowing said retaining claw (20) to move towards its external non-retaining position, and a second position in which said tooth portion (56) is in contact with said retaining claw (20), thereby preventing said retaining claw (20) from moving towards its   external non-holding position.   6. The device of claim 5 wherein said sliding wedge lock (52) further comprises at least one boss (60) to facilitate the sliding of said lock sliding wedge (52).   7. Device for increasing the resistance of a connection in a device to be connected (36) between a first electrical connector (10) and a second electrical connector (12a), the first connector (10) having at least one surface hole ( 32), the device comprising: 19 2823915   a modified retaining claw (20a) connected to said second connector (12a) and being flexible between an internal retaining position and an external non-retaining position, said modified retaining claw (20a) having a first portion (70) suitable for insert into said surface hole (32) when said first connector (10) is inserted into said second connector (12a) and said modified retaining claw (20a) is in its internal retaining position, said claw retaining holder (20a) being adapted to substantially prevent said first connector (10), once inserted, from being removed from said second connector (12a).   8. The device of claim 7 wherein said modified claw (20a) is adapted to substantially prevent said first connector (10) from being removed from said second connector (12a) unless a second portion is manipulated (72) of said second retaining claw (20a),., Mode. 9. The device of claim 7 wherein said first portion (70) comprises a barbed projection (70) making an angle towards the rear towards a rear portion of the second connector (12a).   10. The device of claim 9 wherein said second portion (72) comprises a tab (72) connected to said retaining claw (20a) modified to allow manipulation of said tab (72) to separate said first portion (70) from said retaining claw (20a) modified from said surface hole (32) and make it possible to disconnect said first connector (10) from said second