Stacked electrical connector assembly

Details Stacked electrical connector assembly Stacked electrical connector assembly

1999-12-27

2001-05-29

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Supporting plural, independent coupling parts

C439S079000, C439S607070

Reexamination Certificate

active

06238241

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stacked electrical connector assembly, and particularly to an electrical connector assembly formed by stacking two different type electrical connectors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Stacked electrical connectors have been used to save the valuable estate of the printed circuit board on which the connectors are mounted. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,637,015 issued on Jun. 10, 1997, No. 5,037,330 issued on Aug. 6, 1991, and No. 5,797,770 issued on Aug. 25, 1998, and so on, disclose such electrical connector assemblies by stacking connectors of the same type. With the development of electronic technology, electrical connector assemblies by stacking connectors of different types are desired to further save the precious space of the printed circuit board, improve integrity of electrical components, promote reliability of signal transmission, and keep pace with the development of related arts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly by stacking two different types of connectors, which is easy to assemble and reduces production cost; and
A second object of the present invention is to provide a stacked electrical connector assembly having a spacer to securely retain electrical contacts thereof.
An electrical connector assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises an upper electrical connector, a lower electrical connector, an insulative spacer, and a rear shield.
The upper electrical connector comprises an insulative housing, a pair of frame-shaped shielding shells, a plurality of electrical contacts, and a front shield. The housing comprises a pair of chambers, one upper one lower, a pair of receiving plates each extending in respective chambers and a groove in a bottom face thereof. The electrical contacts of the upper electrical connector are arranged in two rows and each comprises an engaging portion and a soldering portion. The engaging portions of each row of the upper electrical contacts are received in one corresponding receiving plate and are shielded by one shielding shell partially enclosing the insulative housing. The front shield comprises a vertical portion, a transverse portion extending perpendicularly from a top of the vertical portion, and a mounting plate extending upward from the top of the vertical portion. The vertical portion engages with the shielding shells to retain each other. The mounting plate defines a mounting hole near an upper end thereof. The transverse portion forms a latch at a rear end thereof.
The lower electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing, a pair of frame-shaped inner shields, and a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in four rows. The dielectric housing comprises a pair of chambers, one upper one lower, a pair of accommodating plates extending in respective chambers, and a rib at a top surface thereof for engaging with the groove of the upper connector. Each contact of the lower connector comprises an engaging portion and a soldering portion. Each accommodating plate accommodates the engaging portions of two rows of the contacts of the lower connector in an upper and lower surface thereof. The inner shields partially enclose the dielectric housing of the lower connector and shield the engaging portions of the contacts of the lower connector.
The spacer is mounted onto the dielectric housing of the lower connector and comprises a stepped front side defining through holes therein for receiving the soldering portions of the contacts of the lower connector and a stepped rear side for receiving the soldering portions of the contacts of the upper connector.
The rear shield encloses the spacer and rear portions of the upper and the lower connectors.
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: 4612602 (1986-09-01), Weyer et al.
patent: 5037330 (1991-08-01), Fulponi et al.
patent: 5336109 (1994-08-01), Hillbish et al.
patent: 5417585 (1995-05-01), Morin et al.
patent: 5637015 (1997-06-01), Tan et al.
patent: 5709554 (1998-01-01), Savage, Jr.
patent: 5797770 (1998-08-01), Davis et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Stacked electrical connector assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Stacked electrical connector assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Stacked electrical connector assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2527693