Zero insertion force connector

Claim 1

A zero insertion force connector for connecting the edge of a printed circuit card to a circuit board, having (a) opposed rows of elongated terminals having (i) shank portions which extend through a terminal block and present rows of projecting tails below the block adapted for connection to the circuit board, (ii) outwardly bowed portions above the block, and (iii) contacts at their upper free ends, and (b) two cams extending lengthwise of said rows, one for each row of terminals, and an elongated cam follower for each row of terminals, each follower being positioned outside the rows and beneath the bowed portions of the terminals in one row and being adapted to engage the bowed portions when the follower is raised by the cam and to force the contacts in the two rows toward each other and into wiping contact with the edge of a printed circuit card placed between the rows. characterized in that the cam followers are enclosed within a one-piece non-moving housing having side walls attached to the sides of the terminal block and having top and end walls which are slotted to receive the card, the terminals emerge from the top surface of the terminal block in two rows, and the cams are longitudinally movable within longitudinal channels defined by the rows of terminals, the housing and the top surface of terminal block.