Electrical connector retaining device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is a device for securely retaining electrical connectors in a mated configuration and includes a retention member which is pivotally mounted to an electrical connector and a means for accomplishing such pivotal mounting.
The pivotal aspect of the retention member facilitates easy connection and disconnection of the connector to which the retention member is mounted and a second compatible electrical connector.
In addition to this "free access" advantage, the pivotal characteristic allows the retention member to be swung clear of the electrical connector during storage of the implement of which the connector is a component so as to preclude inadvertant damage.
The invention further includes a clasping means carried by the retention member proximate the end opposite the pivotal mounting and a mating means associated with the second connector for accepting the clasping means.
Secure mating of the two electrical connectors is accomplished when the clasping means carried by the retention member is made to clutch the mating means associated with the second connector.
A plurality of connection points formed in the mating means permits flexibility of size of the second electrical connector.
This plurality of points further ensures complete mating of the electrical connectors and precludes partial disengagement.