Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – Distinct contact secured to panel circuit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-04-03
Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
Distinct contact secured to panel circuit
C439S943000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210180
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector, and particularly to a connector having a retention member for securing a plurality of terminals in position during assembly.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
A retention member of a contact of a female connector is desired to secure the contact in position when the female connector is mated with a male connector in one direction and when the female connector is mounted onto a circuit board in an another direction. A conventional contact is usually secured by a plurality of barbs thereof interferentially engaging with a passageway therearound. However, such a retention member of the contact of the female connector, such as the plurality of barbs, can more reliably retain the contact when the male connector is inserted into the female connector than it can when the female connector is mounted onto a circuit board. Insertion force of the female connector into the circuit board is greater than a reaction force resulted from insertion of a male connector into the female connector, which aggravates a requirement for a retention member that can secure the contact in opposite directions.
Hence, an improved electrical connector is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the present invention is to provide a connector with a retention member which can secure contacts of the connector in position;
A second object of the present invention is to provide terminals which are adapted to be secured by the retention member.
To achieve the above objects, a connector includes a dielectric housing, a plurality of terminals received in the housing, a spacer for securing the terminals, and a retainer for supporting the spacer.
The terminals each has a base, an engaging end extending forwardly from the base, a neck projecting rearwardly from the base, a shoulder intersecting the neck and a leg for mounting the connector on a circuit board. The spacer includes a plurality of uniformly spaced dividers and a pair of latches and posts at bottom of the dividers. Each of the dividers defines a pair of elongate channels at rear corners thereof. Each channel opens toward a front side of the divider and toward a lateral side of the divider whereby defining a front wall face of an abutment wall. The retainer defines a pair of apertures and holes for respectively receiving the pair of posts and latches of the spacer whereby being upwardly attached to the spacer.
The spacer can also configure with some elongate dividers whose heights are equal to that of the housing, so it can support itself without the retainer.
In assembly, the terminals are forwardly received in the housing while the necks extend beyond the housing. The spacer is then pushed downwardly from upwardly of the housing while the dividers thereof wedge between the necks. Moreover, the shoulders of the terminals are fixed between the corresponding channels and press against the abutment walls of the dividers. The retainer is attached to the spacer upwardly from a bottom of the spacer for supporting the spacer.
During an engagement with a complementary connector, the terminals of the connector are retained in position by the barbs. However, the terminals are secured by the shoulders thereof fitting against the abutment walls of the dividers when the legs extend into corresponding through holes in a circuit board.
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: 5433624 (1995-07-01), Tabata
patent: 5453016 (1995-09-01), Clark et al.
patent: 5743765 (1998-04-01), Andres et al.
patent: 5785537 (1998-07-01), Donahue et al.
patent: 5794336 (1995-07-01), Hopson et al.
Chien Chih-Ming
Lee Wei-Chen
Chung Wei T.
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Paumen Gary F.
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