Electrical connector assembly

Details Electrical connector assembly Electrical connector assembly

1999-10-19

2001-01-09

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Having resilient means engaging panel opening

C439S079000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06171142

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly, and especially to an electrical connector assembly adapted to mate with a mating connector in a direction oblique to a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) on which the electrical connector assembly is mounted.
A D-SUB (subminiature) connector is commonly used in a computer to provide an I/O port between a PCB and a peripheral device such as a monitor, a mouse, a printer, a digital camera or a game controller. To efficiently use space on a PCB, two or more D-SUB connectors are stacked mounted to the PCB.
A stacked connector assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,878,856 and 5,085,590. The assembly has a mating surface parallel to a panel. The panel defines an opening to access the connector for allowing insertion of a mating connector. The assembly has a mounting surface perpendicular to the mating surface and parallel to a PCB. The mounting surface of the assembly is mounted to the PCB. However, the assembly of two or three D-SUB connectors has a significant height relative to a length of the mounting surface along the insertion direction of the mating connector. Thus, an insertion force exerted on a top of the assembly and perpendicular to the mating surface exerts a momental force relative to the mating surface: Such a momental force may adversely affect connection reliability between the assembly and the PCB, or the assembly may even become detached from the PCB.
In addition, the conventional D-SUB connector assembly is only used in a situation where the panel is perpendicular to the PCB. However, in some special situation, the panel is required to be oblique to the PCB. Therefore, a D-SUB connector assembly which can be used in such a special situation is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly for engaging with a mating connector inserted from a direction oblique to a PCB on which the connector assembly is mounted.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly which can be reliably retained on a PCB.
To fulfill the above-mentioned objects, a connector assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a connector member, a bracket and a pair of board locks. The connector member includes an insulative housing. The housing has a front face and a rear face opposite the rear face with a pair of openings defined proximate opposite ends thereof. The bracket is unitarily molded to include a spacer and a standing wall perpendicular to the spacer. A pair of strengthening walls perpendicularly extend from opposite edges of the spacer. The strengthening walls also perpendicularly extend from the same side of the standing wall. A pair of supporting piates upwardly extends from an edge of the standing wall proximate opposite ends thereof. Each supporting plate is oblique to the standing wall and retained by the strengthening wall. An aperture is defined through the supporting plate. The connector member is mounted to the bracket with the rear face attached to the supporting plates and the openings aligned with the apertures. Therefore, the connector member is oblique to the standing wall and the spacer. When the assembly is mounted to the PCB, the connector member is oblique to the PCB.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a pair of elongate board locks is mounted to the bracket for securing the bracket to the PCB. Each board lock includes a body, a tab extending from an upper edge of the body and a pair of legs extending from a lower edge of the body. The tab is oblique to the body and defines a hole therethrough. A hook extends from the body between the legs. In assembly, the tab is attached to the supporting plate with the hole aligned with the aperture. The hook is adapted to engage with a recess formed in the bracket. A rivet is inserted through the hole of the board lock, the aperture of the bracket and the opening of the connector member and secures the three parts together by riveting.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4878856 (1989-11-01), Maxwell
patent: 5085590 (1992-02-01), Galloway
patent: 5643008 (1997-07-01), Tan et al.
patent: 5800207 (1998-09-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 5961346 (1999-10-01), Choy

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