A center jackscrew type connector system

In a central jackscrew type connector system (22), a plastic module housing (28) is mated with a plastic receptacle housing, by means of a bolt (12). A metal insert, having an internally threaded metal blind axial bore is provided within the module housing (28), such that when the bolt (12) is torqued into the blind axial bore (31), a tip (73) on a threaded portion (71) of the bolt (12) engages a bottom (32) of the blind axial bore (31) prior to a flange (21) on the bolt (12) engaging the receptacle housing (50), thereby not applying the torque load to the plastic components. A crush rib is provided on the receptacle housing to bear a load applied by the flange (21) on the bolt (12) and to create a required compressive force keeping the module housing (28) and the receptacle housing snugly together. By torquing the bolt (12) to a predetermined value, the metal insert (29) is stretched relative to the bolt (12), and internal threads are deformed, thereby creating and storing strain energy. A portion of stored strain energy is recoverable, thereby providing a locking force keeping the bolt (12) within the metal insert (29).