Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
A low profile electrical connector assembly (10), characterized by: plug and receptacle connectors (12,14) having mating dielectric housings (16,26) each mounting a plurality of terminals (40,42) which include contact portions for interengagement with the contact portions (44,58) of the terminals of the other connector, the housing of each connector having opposite ends (18,28) with a mounting face (20,30) extending therebetween and adapted for surface mounting to a surface (22,32) of a printed circuit board (24,34), the terminals including mounting portions (46,50) for surface connection to circuit traces (48,52) on the board; at least one of the terminals (42) of at least one of the connectors (14) including a generally U-shaped contact portion defined by a first leg (54) joined at a base portion to the respective mounting portion (50) of the terminal and a free spring contact leg (56) engageable with the contact portion of one of the terminals (40) of the other connector (12), the first leg (54) having a proximal end (54a) fixed to the housing proximate the base portion of the terminal and a distal end (54b) opposite the proximal end movably held within the housing whereby a central portion of the first leg is flexibly movable into a slot (62) of the housing; preloading means (56a,64) between the free spring contact leg (56) of said U-shaped contact portion and the respective connector housing (26) for preloading the contact portion; and a stamped and formed retention member (66) mounted at each end (18,28) of each connector housing (16,26) for securing the connector to its respective printed circuit board, each retention member being generally L-shaped with a first leg attached to the respective end of one of the housings and a second leg (68) adapted for surface securement to said one side of the printed circuit board.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
The low profile electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said preloading means is characterized by a shoulder (64) on the respective connector housing (26) engageable by a distal end (56a) of the free spring contact leg (56).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The low profile electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first leg of the retention member (66) is defined by two arms (70) which extend substantially transverse to a plane defined by the second leg.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The low profile electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by abutment means (74,80) between the retention member and the housing extending generally parallel to said plane and comprising a pair of oppositely facing ears (74) engageable with a pair of corresponding oppositely facing shoulders (80) on the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The low profile electrical connector assembly of claim 1 further charactized by holding members (82,88) near the opposite ends (18,28) of the connector housings (16,26) for holding the connectors (12,14) in mated condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The low profile electrical connector assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said holding members (82,88) comprise metal spring members each characterized by a cantilevered spring arm adapted to deflect and removably lock to an oppositely directed spring member when the connector housings are in the mated condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The low profile electrical connector assembly of claim 5 wherein said holding members (82,88) include engageable detents (98,100) which are contoured to allow for limited relative movement of the connector housings (16,26) when in the mated condition.