Printed circuit connector with spark gap for discharging excess voltage

Claim 1

A printed circuit connector comprising contact means provided with a plurality of spark gaps, the connector comprising an insulating body comprising two spaced substantially parallel rectilinearly extending walls, a plurality of connector contacts associated with the body each comprising a first terminal adapted to engage a respective contact of a printed circuit with which the connector is to be used and a second terminal for engaging a mating connector, securing means comprising a securing member molded of insulating material with a common conductor molded therein, said common conductor having integral discharge contacts including end portions remote from the common conductor which end portions project into recesses in the securing member, the securing member being adapted to be received as a tight sliding fit between a lower portion of the walls of the body and to be attached to the body whereby to hold the connector contacts between said securing member and said lower portion of the walls with said second terminals positioned between portions of said walls upstanding from the body projecting from the side opposite said lower portion and with each connector contact passing through one of said recesses in which said end portion of an associated one of said discharge contacts is disposed spaced from the end portion of the associated discharge contact by a distance corresponding to a desired spark gap.