Electric connector for locked connection of plug-type contacts

The connector has a first housing element (1) and a second, complementary housing element. The latter has a row of connecting passages in each of which sits a socket type electric contact member. The first housing element (1) has a row of connecting passages each arranged to receive a plug type electric contact member. The latter has a contact part adapted to be plugged into a socket type contact member of the second housing element, a body with a notch, and means for fastening an electric lead. Each connecting passage has at least one locking member (12) in the form of an elastic tongue with at least one locking projection to engage in the notch of the plug contact member. Slit openings are formed between the locking members to receive projections of a locking key (30). The key (30) can be held in at least two positions. It has a pre-locking position where the projections (49) are outside the slits, and a locking position where the projections (49) are in the slits. In the first position, the locking members can be freely moved away. In the second position the locking members are blocked. The first housing element (1) has a projection (17) on the side nearest the second element. The key (30) is applied to this side (15). The key (30) has a row of openings (32) through which the contact parts of the plug contacts will pass. The key (30) also has an elastic strip (36) with an opening (37) nearby to receive the projection (17). The second housing element has a seat to receive the projection (17). The elastic strip (36) is formed such that when the key (30) is in the pre-locking position, it prevents the projection (17) engaging in the seat. When the key (30) is in the locking position, the projection (17) deflects the strip (36) and can be inserted into the seat to lock the two housing elements together.