Electrical connectors – Jumper
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-12
2001-10-30
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Jumper
C439S949000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309244
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a connector assembly which includes at least two connector housings, each of which includes at least one contact, as for example a signal contact, and at least one other contact, as for example a power shunt contact, which extends into and between such two connector housings. The connector assembly is particularly useful as a header connector assembly.
A power shunt contact useful in such connector assembly is also disclosed.
BACKGROUND ART
It is known to mate male and female connector housings wherein contacts in adjacent male connector housings or adjacent female connector housings require shunting. For example, automobile wiring systems typically include wiring harnesses. Each harness contains many conductors that are electrically and mechanically connected to respective contacts contained in harness connector housings. The harness connector housings and the plurality of contacts contained therein are mated with respective header connector housings and the contacts contained therein. In such applications, it is often desirable to shunt contacts, as for example power contacts, in adjacent header connector housings. In order to accomplish this objective, the header connector housings typically include straight male power contacts one end of each of which mates with a harness female power contact and the other end of which is electrically and mechanically connected to a circuit board. Those power contacts of one header connector housing requiring shunting with respective power contacts of an adjacent header connector housing are shunted by providing respective traces therebetween on the circuit board between those ends of the power contacts connected to the circuit board. In particular, in order to provide a circuit between two header connector housings it is necessary to provide two separate power contacts in adjacent header connector housings one end of each of which is soldered to the same circuit trace on a circuit board. Shunting in this manner requires multiple power contacts and electrical and mechanical connection to the circuit board effected by a soldering procedure regardless of whether it is desired to connect the power contacts to the circuit board.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector assembly and improved shunt contact.
Another object of the present invention is to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly, and a single shunt contact, whereby a circuit may be provided between two connector housings.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly, and a shunt contact, whereby contact lengths may be shunted between two connector housings without the need for connecting the lengths to a circuit board.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly, and a shunt contact, whereby contact lengths may be shunted between two connector housings without the need for connecting the lengths to a circuit board but wherein the shunted contact may be electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit board if desired.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a connector assembly, which comprises at least two header connector housings, which achieve all of the foregoing objectives.
The present invention achieves these and other objects by providing a shunt contact and a connector assembly which comprises such a shunt contact. The connector assembly comprises a first connector housing, a second connector housing and at least one shunted contact extending therebetween. The first connector housing is structured and arranged to be slidably engagable with a first mating connector housing. The first connector housing comprises a first cavity and extends in the direction of a longitudinal axis from a first front end to an opposite first rear end. The first connector housing also includes at least one first contact which extends in such direction and comprises a first segment which extends into the first cavity and a second segment which extends out of the first cavity at the first rear end. The second connector housing is structured and arranged to be slidably engagable with a second mating connector housing. The second connector housing comprises a second cavity and extends in such direction from a second front end to an opposite second rear end. The second connector housing also includes at least one second contact which extends in such direction and comprises a third segment which extends into the second cavity and a fourth segment which extends out of the second cavity at the second rear end. At least one shunt contact is provided which comprises a third contact which extends in such direction and into the first cavity from a first end portion to a first distal end, and a fourth contact which extends in such direction and into the second cavity from a second end portion to a second distal end. A bridging shunt segment is provided which extends from the first end portion to the second end portion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4577917 (1986-03-01), Nashimoto et al.
patent: 4659158 (1987-04-01), Sakamoto et al.
patent: 5112239 (1992-05-01), Yagi et al.
patent: 5207591 (1993-05-01), Ozaki et al.
patent: 5281165 (1994-01-01), McCleerey et al.
patent: 5908322 (1999-06-01), Seki
Gundermann James E.
McGeary James E.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Patel Tulsidas
Tyco Electronics Corporation
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