Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
An electrical connector (10) for a printed circuit board (12) having a mating edge (58) and first and second opposed surfaces with a plurality of contact pads (54, 56) on each surface adjacent said edge, said connector including an elongated dielectric housing (13) with a cavity (14 or 16) formed along its length for receiving the printed circuit board mating edge, a plurality of spring contacts (40) mounted in the housing to engage the printed circuit board (12) contact pads when the printed circuit board is inserted in the cavity at a first angular position and subsequently pivoted to a second angular position characterized in that each of said spring contacts (40) is stamped and integrally formed to have a rounded continuously curved configuration with first and second free ends (50, 52) having contact surfaces disposed at different elevations in said cavity (14 or 16), a central portion (41) disposed between said free ends, a mounting leg (43) extending from said central portion for resilient mounting of said contact member with freedom of movement as said printed circuit board (12) is pivoted in said cavity between said first and second angular positions, and in that said housing further includes first and and second integrally formed limit surfaces (46, 48) disposed immediately adjacent said spring contact surfaces (50, 52) and said printed circuit board contact pads (54, 56) when said printed circuit board (12) is inserted in said cavity (14 or 16), said limit surfaces being arranged to directly physically contact each said printed circuit board surface to limit deflection of said spring contacts while maintaining the freedom of movement of said spring contacts as said printed circuit board is pivoted in said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
An electrical connector (10) for a printed circuit board (12) having a mating edge (58) and first and second opposed surfaces with a plurality of contact pads (54, 56) on each surface adjacent said edge, said connector including an elongated dielectric housing (13) with a cavity (14 or 16) formed along its length for receiving the printed circuit board mating edge, a plurality of spring contacts (40) mounted in the housing to engage the printed circuit board (12) contact pads when the printed circuit board is inserted in the cavity at a first angular position and subsequently pivoted to a second angular position characterized in that each of said spring contacts (40) is stamped and integrally formed to have a rounded continuously curved configuration with first and second free ends (50, 52) having contact surfaces disposed at different elevations in said cavity (14 or 16), a central portion (41) disposed between said free ends, a mounting leg (43) extending from said central portion for resilient mounting of said contact member with freedom of movement as said printed circuit board (12) is pivoted in said cavity between said first and second angular positions, and in that said housing further includes first and and second integrally formed limit surfaces (46, 48) disposed immediately adjacent said spring contact surfaces (50, 52) and said printed circuit board contact pads (54, 56) when said printed circuit board (12) is inserted in said cavity (14 or 16), said limit surfaces being arranged to directly physically contact each said printed circuit board surface to limit deflection of said spring contacts while maintaining the freedom of movement of said spring contacts as said printed circuit board is pivoted in said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cavity (14 or 16) includes an - inclined surface (42) disposed at an angle to said first limit surface (46), said inclined surface and said first limit surface being generally spaced apart across the opening to said cavity (14 or 16).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing (13) further comprises means (20, 22, 24, 26) for retaining said housing in a contact position in which position said spring contacts (40) electrically contact said edge (58) of said printed circuit board (12).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrical connector as claimed in claim 3 wherein said retaining means comprises a pair of spaced apart latches (28) disposed above said cavity for retaining said printed circuit board in said contact position.