Modular system for stacking electrical connector assemblies
First Claim
1. A moaular system for arranging a plurality of electrical connector assemblies in a stacked array with one connector assembly on top of another connector assembly, comprising:
- at least a pair of electrical connector assemblies stackable one on top of another in a stacking direction and each including a frame structure having an input end face and an output end face with an interior cavity between the end faces, an input connector mounted at the input end face of the frame structure and projecting outwardly therefrom, an output connector mounted at the output end face of the frame structure and projecting outwardly therefrom, a circuit board in the interior cavity of the frame structure and electrically connected between the input and output connectors, and a pair of end flanges projecting outwardly from at least one of the input and output end faces above and below the respective input or output connector, the flanges extending along at least a portion of the respective input or output connector in a direction generally perpendicular to the stacking direction to protect the respective connector, the end flanges having fastening means to facilitate holding the frame structures and, thereby, the electrical connector assemblies in the stacked array.
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Abstract
A modular system is provided for arranging a plurality of electrical connector assemblies in a stacked array. The system includes at least a pair of electrical connector assemblies stackable one on top of another. Each assembly includes a frame structure having input and output faces, with an interior cavity between the faces. Input and output connectors are respectively mounted at the input and output end faces and project outwardly therefrom. A circuit board is located in the interior cavity and is electrically connected between the input and output connectors. A pair of end flanges project outwardly from at least one of the input and output end faces above and below the respective input or output connector to protect the respective connector. The end flanges have fastening portions to facilitate holding the frame structures and, thereby, the electrical connector assemblies in the stacked array. Electrical connectors also are coupled between the circuit boards of the stacked connector assemblies through the frame structures thereof.
107 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A moaular system for arranging a plurality of electrical connector assemblies in a stacked array with one connector assembly on top of another connector assembly, comprising:
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at least a pair of electrical connector assemblies stackable one on top of another in a stacking direction and each including a frame structure having an input end face and an output end face with an interior cavity between the end faces, an input connector mounted at the input end face of the frame structure and projecting outwardly therefrom, an output connector mounted at the output end face of the frame structure and projecting outwardly therefrom, a circuit board in the interior cavity of the frame structure and electrically connected between the input and output connectors, and a pair of end flanges projecting outwardly from at least one of the input and output end faces above and below the respective input or output connector, the flanges extending along at least a portion of the respective input or output connector in a direction generally perpendicular to the stacking direction to protect the respective connector, the end flanges having fastening means to facilitate holding the frame structures and, thereby, the electrical connector assemblies in the stacked array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A modular system for arranging a plurality of electrical connector assemblies in a stacked array with one connector assembly on top of another connector assembly, comprising:
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at least a pair of electrical connector assemblies stackable one on top of another in a stacking direction and each including a frame structure having an interior cavity and an end face, a connector mounted at said end face and projecting outwardly therefrom, and a pair of end flanges projecting outwardly from said end face above and below the connector, the flanges extending along at least a portion of the connector in a direction generally perpendicular to the stacking direction to protect the connector, the end flanges having fastening means to facilitate holding the frame structures and, thereby, the electrical connector assemblies in the stacked array. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A modular system for arranging a plurality of electrical connector assemblies in a stacked array with one connector assembly on top of another connector assembly, comprising:
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at least a pair of electrical connector assemblies stackable one on top of another in a stacking direction and each including a frame structure having an input end face and an output end face facing in a mating direction generally perpendicular to said stacking direction with an interior cavity between the end faces, an input connector mounted at the input end face of the frame structure and projecting outwardly therefrom in said mating direction, an output connector mounted at the output end face of the frame structure and projecting outwardly therefrom in said mating direction, a circuit board in the interior cavity of the frame structure and electrically connected between the input and output connectors, and electrical connection means coupled between the circuit boards of the stacked connector assemblies extending within the interior cavities of the frame structures in said stacking direction of the connector assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A modular system for arranging a plurality of electrical connector assemblies in a stacked array with one connector assembly on top of another connector assembly, comprising:
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at least a pair of electrical connector assemblies stackable one on top of another in a stacking direction and each including a frame structure having two ends with an interior cavity between the ends, a first connector mounted at one end of the frame structure and projecting outwardly therefrom, a second connector mounted at one end of the frame structure and projecting outwardly therefrom, a circuit board in the interior cavity of the frame structure and electrically connected between the first and second connectors, and a pair of end flanges projecting outwardly from at least one of the ends above and below a respective one of the first or second connectors, the flanges extending along at least a portion of the respective one of the connectors in a direction generally perpendicular to the stacking direction to protect the connector, the end flanges having fastening means to facilitate holding the frame structures and, thereby, the electrical connector assemblies in the stacked array. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification