Electrical connectors – With coupling separator – Nonconducting pusher
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-30
2001-05-01
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling separator
Nonconducting pusher
C439S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224405
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly to an electrical connector having an ejector mechanism attached thereto.
BACKGROUND
In certain electrical applications, particularly in computer applications, a need exists for electrical connectors that are capable of coupling hundreds of signals between a printed circuit board and other components or printed circuit boards. Such connectors also need to provide reliable electrical connections. In order to ensure that such connectors do not come apart inadvertently, various means have been employed to guarantee a tight mechanical fit between the mating pieces. These efforts have succeeded in providing high-signal-count connectors that provide reliable electrical connections. Unfortunately, it is sometimes very difficult to separate the mating pieces of these connectors when it is necessary to do so.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a high-signal-count electrical connector that ensures reliable connections when mated with its counterpart, but that is not difficult to separate from its counterpart when it is necessary to do so.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention includes an electrical connector assembly having an ejector mechanism built thereon. An electrical connector is provided, and left and right ejector lever mounts are fixed on left and right sides of the electrical connector. A dual ejector lever is also provided. The dual ejector lever includes left and right ejector levers having left and right pivot points, respectively. The left and right ejector levers are mechanically coupled together on one side of the left and right pivot points by a rigid handle, and they have an ejector pad on the other side of the left and right pivot points for engaging a circuit board. The left and right ejector levers are pivotally engaged with the left and right ejector lever mounts at the left and right pivot points. After the electrical connector has been mated with a counterpart connector on the circuit board, the two may be separated easily by rotating the handle. The rotation causes the ejector pads to engage the circuit board, thereby urging the connector away from its counterpart on the circuit board. The mechanical advantage provided by the lever greatly reduces the separation force required to complete the operation.
In another aspect, the invention includes a u-shaped connector assembly made from two of the just-described connector and ejector lever arrangements. A cable joins the two arrangements, and the entire assembly may be used effectively to coupled hundreds of signals from a first to a second circuit board, or to another component. Once the assembly is installed onto the circuit boards, a u-shaped retainer bracket may be installed on top of the assembly. The retainer bracket helps to guarantee a reliable electrical connection by urging the connectors toward their counterparts on the circuit boards. Thus, the connectors themselves need not be designed to provide an excessively tight fit to guarantee the connections. The retainer bracket may be provided with clearance holes for receiving raised portions of the ejector lever handles, thereby preventing lateral motion of the retainer bracket once installed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5057029 (1991-10-01), Noorily
patent: 5421737 (1995-06-01), Chen et al.
patent: 5443395 (1995-08-01), Wang
patent: 5791920 (1998-08-01), Tomilka et al.
patent: 5801926 (1998-09-01), Cutsforth et al.
patent: 5906497 (1999-05-01), Pham et al.
patent: 6075702 (2000-06-01), Gardner et al.
Hewlett--Packard Company
MarHart Kevin
Nguyen Khiem
Zarroli Michael C.
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