Electrical connector

Details Electrical connector Electrical connector

1999-09-01

2001-01-09

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Including compound movement of coupling part

Reexamination Certificate

active

06171128

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector, and particularly to a zero insertion force connector.
Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,615 and Taiwan Patent Application Nos. 80211197, 82213952 and 82214483 disclose zero insertion force connectors. The connector disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,615 comprises a base, a cover movably mounted on the base, a plurality of contacts received in the base and a driving mechanism. The cover defines a plurality of cavities in compliance with the contacts received in the base. The cover and the base each include an expansion section proximate a rear portion of the connector with tool receiving slots defined therein. A chip is mounted on the cover with pins thereof extending through the cavities of the cover and openings of the contacts when the cover is positioned at an open state. A tool such as a lever is inserted in the tool receiving slots of the base and the cover to drive the cover along the base in a predetermined direction thereby causing the pins of the chip to electrically engage with the corresponding contacts of the connector.
However, the cover and the base are not durable because they are usually made from plastic material. Thus, after the cover is driven along the base by the lever a few times, the expansion sections might wear away thereby hindering operation and resulting in an unreliable engagement between the pins of the chip and the contacts of the connector. Furthermore, the connector does not have elevating mechanisms for elevating a mounting face thereof from a printed circuit board. Thus, during a soldering procedure, molten solder balls are possibly crushed by the weight of the connector and a short circuit may result. Hence, an improved electrical connector is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having durable members for enduring an external force exerted on the connector when driving a cover along a base of the connector.
Accordingly, an electrical connector comprises a base having a plurality of contacts received therein, a cover movably mounted on the base, and a pair of first plates and a pair of second plates respectively secured in the base and the cover. The base defines two pairs of slots therethrough at opposite diagonal corners thereof and provides a station proximate each pair of slots. Each first plate comprises a main portion, a first wing and a second wing perpendicularly extending from opposite edges of the main portion. The first plates are upwardly assembled to the base with the first and second wings respectively received in the slots of the base and the main portion abutting against a bottom face of the base. A part of the first wing extends beyond a top face of the base and abuts the station for preventing an outward movement thereof.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the cover defines a pair of recessed surfaces in opposite faces of each opposite diagonal corner thereof and provides a pair of projections on each recessed surface. Each second plate comprises a connecting portion, a pair of tabs perpendicularly extending from one edge of the connecting portions, and a slab perpendicularly extending from an opposite edge of the connecting portion. Each tab defines a hole and the slab defines a pair of holes. The projections on the recessed surfaces are secured in the holes of tabs and the slab thereby securing the second plates to the cover.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the first and second plates are such arranged that each first plate facing an associated second plate. Therefor, the first and second plates are pushed against each other by a tool position therebetween to drive the cover along the base thereby electrically engaging the contacts with corresponding pins of a chip.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5658160 (1997-08-01), Lai
patent: 5730615 (1998-03-01), Lai et al.

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