Electrical connector for module packaging

• US 5,000,690 A
• Filed: 09/28/1989
• Issued: 03/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Masahiro, Sonobe, Toshimitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US07/415,166
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 439/59-62, 439/76, 439/79, 439/80, 439/354, 361/395, 361/399, 361/412, 361/413, 361/415
• US Class Current: 439/76.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/52 connecting to other rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/714 with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/75 connecting to cables except for flat or ribbon cables

Abstract

An electrical connector, described for suitably connecting electronic packages to each other or an electrical package to electrical wires. In a preferred form, the connector comprises a plurality of first contacts supported by an insulative housing, the housing having opposite surfaces adjacent which exposed portions of the first contacts lie. The exposed contact portions are attached to electrically engage two respective printed circuit boards on the top and bottom of the connector. Additionally, a further set of contacts is provided, which contacts include an exposed portion adjacent one of the housing supporting surfaces and a terminal portion disposed substantially parallel to such supporting surfaces for electrical engagement to a terminated wire.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising first contacts (31) for electrical contact with a first member (10) and an insulative housing (32) supporting said first contacts,

said housing (32)) including a first support surface (33A) for supporting said first member,

said first contacts (31) having portions (31A) exposed adjacent said first support surface (33A) of said housing so as to be brought into electrical contact with said first member,

said first contacts (31) further including terminal portions (31B) which are to be brought into electrical contact with second members (50), said terminal portions (31B) including portions substantially parallel to said first support surface (33A),

said housing (32) including a second support surface (33B) for supporting a third member (20) and supporting second contacts (40) for electrically connecting said first member (10) to said third member (20), said second contacts (40) including contact portions (40A) which are to be brought into electrical contact with said first and third members, said contact portions (40A) being exposed adjacent said first and second support surfaces (33A) and (33B),

said housing (32) comprising a pair of generally L-shaped housing members forming ann internal opening (36), said housing (32) including a plug portion (32A) having a plurality of holes for respectively receiving end portions (51) of said second members (50) for connection to said first contacts, said housing (32) having a storage cavity (34) receiving said plug portion therein, said first contacts (31) extending from the exterior of said housing into said storage cavity.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said housing supports said first contacts (31) such that said portions (331) of said first contacts which are to be brought into contact with said first and third members are exposed exteriorly of said housing.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein said contact portions (31A) and (40A) which are to be brought into contact with aid first and third members are formed of spring elements, respectively.