Stacked electrical assembly

Claim 2

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising; a first and a second electrical connector each having terminals arranged in at least one row, each connector having a forward mating face and a rear face, said faces extending lengthwise of said at least one row of terminals and each connector defining first and second ends, said first end of each of the connectors being at one end of said at least one row of terminals and said second end of each of the connectors being at the other end thereof; and a single upstanding one-piece connector support bracket stacking the first connector over the second connector, and extending horizontally and lengthwise of said mating faces and said rear faces at least from the first to the second end of each of said connectors, the support bracket having means fixed to the first and second ends of the first and second electrical connectors, whereby both ends of both connectors are fixed to the bracket.

Claim 3

A stacked electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for interconnecting the terminals of the upper connector to traces on the circuit board.

Claim 4

A stacked electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the interconnecting means comprises a flexible cable.

Claim 5

A stacked electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising circuit means for interconnecting corresponding ones of the terminals of the first connector with respective ones of the terminals of the second connector.

Claim 6

A stacked electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the circuit means is a flat flexible cable.

Claim 7

A stacked electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the bracket further comprises a main plate and wherein the first electrical connector support means comprises upper mounting lugs extending from the main plate for supporting the first and second ends of the first connector and wherein the second electrical connector support means comprises lower mounting lugs extending from the main plate for supporting the first and second ends of the second connector.

Claim 8

A stacked electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the upper mounting lugs extend from an upper edge of the main plate and the lower mounting lugs extend from a lower edge of the main plate.

Claim 9

A stacked electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the main plate defines first and second side edges, a mounting lug for supporting the first end of said first connector and a mounting lug for supporting the first end of the second connector extend from said first side edge, and a mounting lug for supporting the second end of said first connector and a mounting lug for supporting the second end of said second connector extend from said second side edge.

Claim 10

A stacked electrical connector as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third electrical connector having terminals and defining first and second mounting flanges, said bracket further comprising means connected to and supporting the first and second mounting flanges of the third electrical connector.

Claim 11

A stacked electrical connector assembly as claim 9, wherein the third electrical connector is mounted adjacent said first electrical connector.

Claim 12

A stacked electrical connector assembly as claim 9, wherein the third electrical connector is mounted adjacent said second electrical connector.

Claim 13

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising; a first electrical connector having terminals and defining first and second ends; a second electrical connector having terminals and defining first and second ends; and a single upstanding one-piece connector support bracket stacking the first connector over the second connector, and extending horizontally at least from the first to the second end of each of the connectors, the support bracket supporting the first and the second ends of the first and second electrical connectors, whereby both ends of both connectors are supported by the bracket, the assembly further comprising means for interconnecting the terminals of the upper connector to traces on the circuit board, the interconnecting means further comprising a pin header having pins.

Claim 14

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising; a first electrical connector having terminals and defining first and second ends; a second electrical connector having terminals and defining first and second ends; and a single upstanding one-piece connector support bracket stacking the first connector over the second connector, and extending horizontally at least from the first to the second end of each of the connectors, the support bracket supporting the first and the second ends of the first and second electrical connectors, whereby both ends of both connectors are supported by the bracket, the assembly further comprising means for interconnecting the terminals of the upper connector to traces on the circuit board, the interconnecting means further comprising a pin header having pins.

Claim 15

A stacked electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising circuit means for interconnecting corresponding ones of the terminals of the first connector with respective pins of the pin header.

Claim 16

A stacked electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising boardlock means secured to the assembly, said boardlock means securing the pin header to the bracket.

Claim 17

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising: a single upstanding one-piece connector supporting-bracket having upper and lower connector supporting means; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to the upper supporting means and having a first elongate insulating housing, having a forward mating face and a rear face extending lengthwise of said housing, and having first and second ends at respective ends of said mating and rear faces, said housing defining a plurality of through cavities, each receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity and a mating portion for mating with a complementary electrical connector, both of said ends of said first housing being fixed to said upper supporting means and said connector supporting bracket extending horizontally and lengthwise of said mating and rear faces at least from the first to the second end of said first insulating housing; at least one lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting means and having a second elongate insulating housing having a forward mating face and a rear face extending lengthwise of said second housing and first and second ends at respective ends of the mating and rear faces of said second housing and through which housing extend a plurality of electrical pins both of the first and the second ends of such housing being fixed to said lower supporting means, said supporting bracket extending horizontally and lengthwise of the said mating and rear faces of said second housing at least from said first to said second end thereof; and at least one flexible electrical circuit having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said electrical pins.

Claim 18

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising: a single upstanding one-piece connector supporting-bracket having upper and lower connector supporting means; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to the upper supporting means and having a first elongate insulating housing, having a forward mating face and a rear face extending lengthwise of said housing, and having first and second ends at respective ends of said mating and rear faces, said housing defining a plurality of through cavities, each receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity and a mating portion for mating with a complementary electrical connector, both of said ends of said first housing being fixed to said upper supporting means and said connector supporting bracket extending horizontally and lengthwise of said mating and rear faces at least from the first to the second end of said first insulating housing; at least one lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting means and having a second elongate insulating housing having a forward mating face and a rear face extending lengthwise of said second housing and first and second ends at respective ends of the mating and rear faces of said second housing and through which housing extend a plurality of electrical pins both of the first and the second ends of such housing being fixed to said lower supporting means, said supporting bracket extending horizontally and lengthwise of the said mating and rear faces of said second housing at least from said first to said second end thereof; and at least one flexible electrical circuit having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said electrical pins.

Claim 19

An assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein said bracket comprises an upright main metal plate, said upper supporting means comprising a plurality of upper connector mounting lugs projecting from said main plate, said lower supporting means comprising a plurality of lower connector mounting lugs extending from a bottom edge of said bracket normally of said main plate.

Claim 20

An assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the upper connector mounting lugs have openings therethrough, grounding pins on said at least one upper connector being secured in said openings, and said contact tails extending between the upper connector mounting lugs.

Claim 21

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising: a connector supporting bracket having upper and lower connector supporting means; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to said upper supporting means and having a first insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities, each receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity and a mating portion for mating with a complementary electrical connector; at least one lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting means and having a second insulating housing through which extend a plurality of electrical pins; and at least one flexible electrical circuit having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said electrical pins wherein said bracket comprises an upright main metal plate, said upper supporting means comprising a plurality of upper connector mounting lugs projecting from said main plate, said lower supporting means comprising a plurality of lower connector mounting lugs extending from a bottom edge of said bracket normally of said main plate, and wherein said at least one lower connector has laterally projecting flanges extending beneath the lower connector mounting lugs, boardlocks extending through hoes in said flanges and said lugs to secure said lower connector thereto and for grounding said bracket to said circuit board.

Claim 22

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising: a connector supporting bracket having upper and lower connector supporting means; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to said upper supporting means and having a first insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities, each receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity and a mating portion for mating with a complementary electrical connector; at least one lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting means and having a second insulating housing through which extend a plurality of electrical pins; and at least one flexible electrical circuit having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said electrical pins wherein said bracket comprises an upright main metal plate, said upper supporting means comprising a plurality of upper connector mounting lugs projecting from said main plate, said lower supporting means comprising a plurality of lower connector mounting lugs extending from a bottom edge of said bracket normally of said main plate, and wherein said at least one lower connector has laterally projecting flanges extending beneath the lower connector mounting lugs, boardlocks extending through hoes in said flanges and said lugs to secure said lower connector thereto and for grounding said bracket to said circuit board.

Claim 23

An assembly as claimed in claim 18, further comprising at least one further lower electrical connector having an insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities each receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting below the lower connector mounting lugs for insertion in holes in said circuit board and a mating portion for mating with a complimentary electrical connector, lateral flanges on said at least one further lower electrical connector extending beneath said lower connector mounting lugs and further spring locking clips extending through holes in said lower connector mounting flanges and holes in said lateral flanges of said lower electrical connectors to secure it to said bracket.

Claim 24

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising: a connector supporting bracket having upper and lower connector supporting means; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to said upper supporting means and having a first insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities, each receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity and a mating portion for mating with a complementary electrical connector; at least one lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting means and having a second insulating housing through which extend a plurality of electrical pins; and at least one flexible electrical circuit having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said electrical pins, and wherein said bracket is a one piece sheet metal bracket comprises an upright main plate and a top plate extending normally therefrom, said upper connector mounting means comprising a plurality of upper connector mounting lugs depending from an edge of said top plate remote from said main plate, parallel to said main plate, said lower connector mounting means comprise mounting lugs projecting from the bottom of said main plate parallel to said top plate.

Claim 25

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising: a connector supporting bracket having upper and lower connector supporting means; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to said upper supporting means and having a first insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities, each receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity and a mating portion for mating with a complementary electrical connector; at least one lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting means and having a second insulating housing through which extend a plurality of electrical pins; and at least one flexible electrical circuit having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said electrical pins, and wherein said bracket is a one piece sheet metal bracket comprises an upright main plate and a top plate extending normally therefrom, said upper connector mounting means comprising a plurality of upper connector mounting lugs depending from an edge of said top plate remote from said main plate, parallel to said main plate, said lower connector mounting means comprise mounting lugs projecting from the bottom of said main plate parallel to said top plate.

Claim 26

An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein said flexible circuit extends from said upper connector along the lower face of said top plate and along said main plate, said traces being provided on a side of said circuit remote from said top plate and said main plate.

Claim 27

An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein said bracket is so dimensioned that said flexible circuit extends rectilinearly between said upper and lower connectors.

Claim 28

An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein said bracket is laterally dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of upper connectors and a plurality of lower connectors, said upper and lower connector supporting means comprising a series of connector mounting lugs spaced from each other laterally of said bracket.

Claim 29

An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein said bracket is so dimensioned that said flexible circuit forms a loop between said upper and lower connectors.

Claim 30

An assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein the upper and the second lower electrical connectors are of different types.

Claim 31

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising: a connector supporting bracket having upper and lower connector supporting means; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to said upper supporting means and having a first insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities, each receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity and a mating portion for mating with a complementary electrical connector; at least one lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting means and having a second insulating housing through which extend a plurality of electrical pins; and at least one flexible electrical circuit having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said electrical pins, and wherein said bracket is a one piece sheet metal bracket comprises an upright main plate and a pair of sade plates projecting from opposite edges of said main plate normally thereof, said upper connector mounting means comprising mounting lugs projecting from said edges of said side plates removed from said main plate and parallel thereto, said lower connector mounting means comprising mounting lugs projecting from bottom edges of said side plates normally thereof, the top of said bracket being open.

Claim 32

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising: a connector supporting bracket having upper and lower connector supporting means; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to said upper supporting means and having a first insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities, each receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity and a mating portion for mating with a complementary electrical connector; at least one lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting means and having a second insulating housing through which extend a plurality of electrical pins; and at least one flexible electrical circuit having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said electrical pins, and wherein said bracket is a one piece sheet metal bracket comprises an upright main plate and a pair of sade plates projecting from opposite edges of said main plate normally thereof, said upper connector mounting means comprising mounting lugs projecting from said edges of said side plates removed from said main plate and parallel thereto, said lower connector mounting means comprising mounting lugs projecting from bottom edges of said side plates normally thereof, the top of said bracket being open.

Claim 33

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising; a sheet metal connector supporting bracket comprising an upright main plate having upper and lower connector mounting lugs projecting therefrom; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to said upper supporting lugs and having a first insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities each opening into a mating face of the housing, which face is parallel to and faces away from said main plate and into a rear face of the housing which face is opposite to said mating face, each cavity receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity towards said main plate and a mating portion proximate to said mating face, for mating with a complementary electrical conductor; at least one first lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting lugs and having a second insulating housing through which extend a plurality of electrical pins each having an upper portion protruding upwardly from said second housing and a lower portion protruding downwardly therefrom for insertion in a hole in a circuit board; at least one flat flexible electrical cable having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said pin upper portions; and at least one second lower electrical connector mounted to said lower connector mounting lugs on the opposite side of said first lower electrical connector to said main plate, said second lower electrical connector having an insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities each opening into a mating face and an opposite rear face of that housing, said rear face being opposite to said mating face and said mating face facing away from said main plate, an electrical terminal in each cavity having a contact tail projecting below the lower connector mounting lugs for insertion in holes in the circuit board and a mating portion proximate to the mating face of said further lower connector, for mating with a complementary electrical conductor.

Claim 34

A stacked electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board, the assembly comprising; a sheet metal connector supporting bracket comprising an upright main plate having upper and lower connector mounting lugs projecting therefrom; at least one upper electrical connector mounted to said upper supporting lugs and having a first insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities each opening into a mating face of the housing, which face is parallel to and faces away from said main plate and into a rear face of the housing which face is opposite to said mating face, each cavity receiving an electrical terminal having a contact tail projecting from said cavity towards said main plate and a mating portion proximate to said mating face, for mating with a complementary electrical conductor; at least one first lower electrical connector mounted to said lower supporting lugs and having a second insulating housing through which extend a plurality of electrical pins each having an upper portion protruding upwardly from said second housing and a lower portion protruding downwardly therefrom for insertion in a hole in a circuit board; at least one flat flexible electrical cable having a plurality of electrically conductive traces each connected to a respective one of said contact tails and to a respective one of said pin upper portions; and at least one second lower electrical connector mounted to said lower connector mounting lugs on the opposite side of said first lower electrical connector to said main plate, said second lower electrical connector having an insulating housing defining a plurality of through cavities each opening into a mating face and an opposite rear face of that housing, said rear face being opposite to said mating face and said mating face facing away from said main plate, an electrical terminal in each cavity having a contact tail projecting below the lower connector mounting lugs for insertion in holes in the circuit board and a mating portion proximate to the mating face of said further lower connector, for mating with a complementary electrical conductor.

Claim 35

An assembly as claimed in claim 27, comprising a plurality of upper electrical connectors, the same plurality of first lower electrical connectors, and the same plurality of flat flexible cables, the contact tails of each upper electrical connector being connected to the pins of a respective first lower connector by means of a respective one of said cables, there being a single second lower electrical connector which is longer than either of said upper connectors.

Claim 36

An assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein the upper and second lower electrical connectors are of different types.

Claim 37

An assembly as claimed in claim 27, comprising a single upper electrical connector, a plurality of first lower electrical connectors, plurality of flat flexible cables and the same plurality of second lower electrical connectors, the contact tails of the upper electrical connector being connected to respective pins of each of the first lower electrical connectors by means of a respective one of said cables, the upper connector being longer than either of the second lower electrical connectors.

Claim 38

An assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein the upper and second lower connectors are of different types.