Rectilinearally latchable zero insertion force connector

Claim 1

A zero insertion force connector for electrically engaging a conduction path disposed on a substrate comprising: a dielectric housing having an abutment surface thereon, the housing being adapted to receive a substrate introduced edgewise thereinto and to support the same in an initial position in which the substrate is inclined slightly with respect to the abutment surface; an electrically conductive contact mounted within the housing; a latch rectilinearly vertical displaceable with respect to the housing from an open to a latched position, the latch displacement direction and substrate introduction direction being substantially the same, displacement of the latch to the latched position imposing a displacing force on the substrate to move the same with respect to the housing from the initial to a final position in which the substrate abuts the abutment surface; displacement of the latch progressively moving the substrate into engagement with the contact to cause the same sequentially to pivot with respect to the housing and to move across the conduction path in a wiping direction and thereafter to slide with respect to the housing and to move across the conduction path in a backwiping direction to present a portion of the contact in contacting relationship with a freshly wiped portion of the conduction path.