Electrical connectors – Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield – Multi-part shield body
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-28
2001-01-09
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Electromagnetic or electrostatic shield
Multi-part shield body
C439S885000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171149
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to high speed electrical connectors.
2. Brief Description of Earlier Developments
Various types of connectors used in high speed applications exist. One type of high speed connector uses a series of sub-assemblies or modules arranged side-by-side. Each module in the connector typically includes contact terminals, a substrate with traces that conduct signals between the contact terminals and a spacer separating adjacent modules. Arranging a given number of modules forms the electrical connector.
Satisfactory operations of these connectors at such high speeds demands a more precise assembly of the connector and modules than with low speed connector. As a result, the assembly process is usually slower and may involve more steps than the assembly of low speed connectors. The cost of assembling such connectors, therefore, may be higher than the assembly cost of low speed connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical connector.
It is a further object of the present invention to form an electrical connector having reduced production costs.
It is a further object of the present invention to form the electrical connector from a plurality of modules, or sub-assemblies.
It is a further object of the present invention to form the electrical connector from modules incorporating printed circuit boards (PCBs).
It is a further object of the present invention to use adjacent modules in the electrical connector as a differential pair.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide the module with an insulative housing surrounding at least a part of a terminal frame.
It is a further object of the present invention to simultaneously manufacture a plurality of modules.
It is a further object of the present invention to overmold the insulative housing over the terminal frame.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide the electrical connector with a dual beam ground contact for engaging the side walls of grooves in a conductive header shroud, one beam formed by the terminal frame of one module, the other beam formed by the terminal frame of an adjacent module.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved terminal frame.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a terminal frame capable of use in a plurality of modules that form an electrical connector.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a severable terminal frame for selectively separating contacts from the frame.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in one aspect of the present invention by a terminal frame at least partially locatable within an insulative housing of an electrical connector. The terminal frame has a plurality of contacts and a bridge extending between adjacent contacts.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect of the present invention by an electrical connector formed from a plurality of modules. Each module has: an insulative housing; a plurality of first contacts at least partially surrounded by the insulative housing; a plurality of second contacts; and a substrate having conductive traces thereon extending between at least some of the first and second contacts.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect of the present invention by a method of making an electrical connector. The method includes the steps of: providing a plurality of modules; and arranging the modules. The modules are formed by the steps of: providing a terminal frame with a plurality of first contacts and bridges extending between adjacent contacts; providing an insulative housing; at least partially surrounding the terminal frame with the insulative housing; providing a plurality of second contacts; providing a substrate with conductive traces thereon; connecting the first and second contacts to the conductive traces on the substrate.
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Abrams Neil
Berg Technology Inc.
Byrd Eugene G.
Hamilla Brian J.
Page M. Richard
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