Universal serial bus connector

Details Universal serial bus connector Universal serial bus connector

1999-06-24

2001-04-17

Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Having resilient means engaging panel opening

C439S607070

Reexamination Certificate

active

06217378

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector, and in particular to a low profile, completely enclosed universal serial bus (USB) connector.
2. The Prior Art
A universal serial bus (USB) connector is commonly used in computer systems and networks.
FIG. 1
shows a conventional USB connector which comprises an insulative body
5
having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls for receiving and retaining contact elements
7
therein. A shielding casing
6
comprises top, bottom and side sections enclosing the insulative body
5
for protecting the contact elements
7
from electromagnetic interference (EMI). The shielding casing
6
is stamped from a metal sheet and the bottom section thereof forms boardlocks
61
engaging with holes defined in a circuit board
8
for retaining the USB connector on the circuit board
8
. An example of the conventional USB connector is disclosed in Taiwan Patent Nos. 85212192 and 86207969.
The boardlocks
61
of the conventional USB connector are stamped on the bottom section of the connector thereby partially exposing the insulative body
5
, leading to the deterioration of EMI protection properties. Furthermore, arranging the boardlocks
61
on the bottom side of the connector hinders the possibility of reducing the overall height of the connector above the circuit board
8
.
Moreover, the contact elements
7
of the conventional USB connector are inserted into the insulative body
5
in a direction substantially parallel to a mating force applied thereto when engaging with a mating connector. This may result in displacement of the contact elements during engagement with the mating connector.
It is thus desirable to have an electrical connector that overcomes the problems mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector comprising an insulative body completely enclosed by a shielding casing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector that has a low profile when mounted to a circuit board.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector comprising contact elements that soundly withstand a mating force applied thereto by a mating connector.
To achieve the above objects, an electrical connector in accordance with the present invention comprises a shielding casing having a top section and a bottom section connected to each other by a rear section and two side sections to define an interior space therebetween. The shielding casing defines a front opening for receiving a mating connector in the interior space. Each side section has a projection transversely extending in opposite directions and forming a board lock. An insulative body is fixed in the interior space and spaced from the top, bottom and side sections of the shielding section for receiving the mating connector. The insulative body retains contact elements therein for electrically engaging with contacts of the mating connector.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4668040 (1987-05-01), Wu
patent: 5409386 (1995-04-01), Banakis et al.
patent: 5961351 (1999-10-01), Wu
patent: 5971802 (1999-10-01), Pan et al.
patent: 6007382 (1999-12-01), Wu
patent: 6053767 (2000-04-01), Copper et al.
patent: 6077115 (1999-10-01), Yang et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Universal serial bus connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

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

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2532714