Rotary zif connector edge board lock

Claim 1

An end loading, rotary cam actuated, zero insertion force edge board connector having means to lock a circuit board therein, comprising: an elongated connector housing having an elongated board receiving recess in one longitudinal surface; a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in said housing in parallel spaced relationship along at least one elongated side of said recess; an elongated cam member rotatably mounted in said housing extending along the bottom of said recess; a terminal actuation member driven by said cam member and acting on said terminals to move them between a first position in engagement with pads of a circuit board received in said connector and a remote out of contact position; a slot in one end of said housing forming an extension of said recess; lock guide means having a pair of aligned flanges spaced from an end of said housing by an integral shoulder, said flanges defining therebetween a further slot aligned with the first slot; and a locking member adapted to be mounted on said lock guide means for rotation with said cam member, said locking member having a driving portion and an abutment portion, said driving portion having a profiled bore receiving at least a portion of said cam member therein and an external driving profile adapted to receive a driving means, said abutment portion having a pair of radial flange members one of which is integrally connected by one end to said driving portion, the other ends of said flanges being connected in parallel spaced relation by a bight, said flanges being asymmetric with said driving portion and spanning said lock guide means and engaging said shoulder upon rotation of said cam to a contact engaging position, said flanges engaging a mispositioned circuit board preventing rotation of said cam actuation means.