Low insertion force, self-locking connecting apparatus for electrically connecting memory modules to a printed circuit board

Claim 1

An edge connector socket for printed circuit boards comprising: an elongate insulative housing having; a) a first and second end portions, and an elongate insertion face extending therebetween, said insertion face having; i) an elongate, recessed channel extending therealong for receiving an edge portion of a daughter board provided with conductive terminals; ii) a plurality of parallel slots formed therealong in perpendicular alignment over the channel; b) a vertical securing post on each end portion disposed to a first side of a substantially vertical plane passing through the channel that is assumed by a printed circuit board when mounted in a functional position in said socket, each said post having a protruding pin extending towards a second side of the plane for engagement with a corresponding cooperating aperture on a daughter board when in said functional position; c) a guide ramp on each end portion disposed to the second side of the plane and inclined at a predetermined insertion angle therewith for guiding the insertion of a daughter board into the channel; a plurality of conductive contact members, each said contact members being disposed in a corresponding slot in said housing and having; a) a base disposed in a lower portion of an associated slot having a terminal pin depending therefrom for establishing an electrical communication with a motherboard below said housing; b) a generally linear vertical member extending upward from said base at a first transverse end thereon; c) a crenelated fulcrum member on a second transverse end of said base having; i) a lower generally S-shaped section defining substantially parallel upper and medial transverse portions adjoined by an inner bight; ii) an upper oblique section adjoined to an outer end of the upper transverse portion, inclined towards said vertical member; iii) a level section adjoined to the upper end of the oblique section to define a rounded first apex, wherein said first apex of said contact members abut a first side of a daughter board inserted into the channel of said housing to define a fulcrum about which the daughter board is rotated into said functional position; d) a crenelated spring member on a medial position on said base spaced from said fulcrum member to define a receiving space in communication with the opening of the channel, said spring member having; i) an ascending section spaced from said vertical member extending upward from said base; ii) a descending section adjoined to an upper end of the ascending section; iii) an upwardly directed inflected section adjoined to a lower end of the descending section by a bight, said inflected section defining; a rounded second apex at a medial position thereon, directed towards said fulcrum member and of a lower position relative to said first apex, for abutting a second side of a daughter board inserted into said receiving space; an inclinate cam surface on a terminal edge portion thereon leading to said second apex, for engaging a terminal edge of a daughter board inserted into said receiving space; whereby, insertion of a daughter board into said receiving space of said contact members effects a flexure of said spring member thereof, reaction forces from said spring member of said contact members applied via said second apex thereof generate a torque on the daughter board to rotate the daughter board into engagement with said pin on each said securing post, mounting the daughter board in a functional position in said socket.