Electrical connector having enhanced retention of contacts...

Details Electrical connector having enhanced retention of contacts... Electrical connector having enhanced retention of contacts...

2000-06-20

2001-11-06

Paumen, Gary (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With insulation other than conductor sheath

Metallic connector or contact secured to insulation

C439S943000, C439S733100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06312296

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and particularly to a connector having contacts which can be firmly retained in a housing to prevent a deflection thereof when the contacts are inserted into a printed circuit board (PCB).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
SCA-2 connectors are extensively used to interconnect Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) modules and back-plane systems. Some recently designed SCA-2 connectors have press-fit type contacts for simplifying the mounting of the connectors to related PCBs. The press-fit type contacts are subject to a relatively large resistance force during their insertion into a PCB. This large resistance force can cause the contacts to deflect during insertion if the housing provides insufficient support to contacts. Once the deflection occurs, the contacts may not correctly engage with the conductive plating on the PCB, or even worse, may not be capable of insertion into the PCB to establish an electrical connection.
The value of the present invention lies in an improved structure of a housing of an SCA-2 connector and related press-fit type contacts, which are more effectively retained and supported in the newly-designed housing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector which can reliably retain press-fit contacts in a housing thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having a housing and press-fit contact arrangement which provides increased support to the press-fit contacts mounted therein, thereby assuring the linear travel of the contacts during insertion into a PCB.
An electrical connector according to the present invention comprises an insulative housing and a plurality of first and second-type contacts received in the housing. A pair of elongate stabilizing ledges is formed on a bottom face of the housing, running lengthwise. Each ledge defines a plurality of pockets spaced equidistantly apart from each other in a lengthwise direction of the housing for retaining contacts therein. The arrangements of the pockets of one ledge are staggered with those of the other ledge. A plurality of first and second passageways is defined through the bottom face of the housing for receiving corresponding first or second-type contacts, respectively.
Each first-type contact comprises a mating portion on an upper end for contacting a corresponding contact of a mating connector and a compliant pin on a lower end for being press fit into a PCB. The compliant pin forms a pair of supporting shoulders at its upper end to be firmly lodged in a corresponding pocket of the housing. Each mating portion of each first contact further includes a transverse portion extending horizontally from between the supporting shoulders for connecting the upper end of the mating portion as it sits positioned in a corresponding passageway in the housing with the compliant pin as it sits seated in a pocket of a ledge. Each second-type contact is of a conventional press-fit designed and its fit within the housing is conventional, as well.
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: 4619495 (1986-10-01), Sochor
patent: 5139446 (1992-08-01), Costello et al.
patent: 5702257 (1997-12-01), Millhimes
patent: 5743769 (1998-04-01), Koguchi
patent: 6109933 (2000-08-01), Lenoir et al.

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