Zero insertion force connector clip

Claim 1

An electrical connector clip for connecting the spaced-apart cable conductors in a flat conductor cable to circuit board conductors on a circuit board, said conductor clip comprising a generally rectangular clip bar having first and second side edges and a flange extending from each end thereof, a plurality of cantilever springs extending from said first side edge, each of said springs having a reverse bend adjacent to said first side edge and having a spring arm which extends from said bend past said first side edge, said spring arms being between said flanges and having pressure applying portions, said spring arms having free ends which are between said flanges, the improvement to said connector clip comprising: spring unloading means comprising a stiff wire extending between, and rotatably supported in, said flanges, said wire having ends which extend through, and beyond, said flanges, an integral handle on one of said ends of said wire for rotating said wire about an axis which extends between said flanges, an intermediate spring lifting portion of said wire being eccentric with respect to said axis, said free ends of said springs being between said clip bar and said intermediate portion of said wire whereby, upon mounting said connector clip on said circuit board, said pressure applying portions of said spring arms will bear against said circuit board conductors, and upon rotation of said wire with respect to said axis by manipulation of said handle, said intermediate portions of said wire will move along an arcuate path towards said clip bar and flex said spring arms towards said clip bar whereby said flat cable can be placed between said spring arms and said circuit board.