US5292256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed guarded cavity backplane connector
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1993-01-11
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Granted: 1994-03-08
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Expires: 2013-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A backplane signal connector assembly includes a header connector adapted for mounting on a backplane and a receptacle connector adapted for mounting on a daughter printed circuit board. Each connector includes a conductive housing having a cavity for receiving at least two signal terminals and at least one ground terminal. The signal terminal has an insert molded insulating mounting body about a portion thereof to provide a module for mounting in the cavity to insulate the terminal from the conductive housing. The ground terminal is in direct conductive engagement with the housing. The terminals are stamped and formed metal components. At least one ground clip is mounted on each conductive housing in direct conductive engagement therewith and is adapted for commoning to a ground on the respective backplane and daughter printed circuit board, whereby the housing establishes a primary ground reference for the connector.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Brunker
- 👤 Philip J. Dambach
- 👤 Frank A. Harwath
- 👤 Joseph W. Nelligan, Jr.
- 👤 Robert M. Petrie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/73; H01R12/735; H01R12/737; H01R12/722; H01R12/724; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H01R13/6581; H01R13/6585; H01R13/6589; H01R13/6582; H01R13/6583; H01R13/6584; H01R13/6591; H01R13/6594
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An electrical signal connector, comprising a conductive housing having cavity means for receiving at least two signal terminals and at least one ground terminal, at least one signal terminal being molded at least in part in an insulating mounting body to provide a module for mounting in the cavity means to insulate the terminal from the conductive housing, the ground terminal being in direct conductive engagement with the housing, the terminals comprising stamped and formed metal components, and including at least one ground clip mounted on the conductive housing in direct conductive engagement therewith and adapted for commoning to a ground on a respective backplane and daughter printed circuit board, whereby the housing establishes a primary ground reference for the connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electrical signal connector, comprising a conductive housing having cavity means for receiving at least two signal terminals and at least one ground terminal, at least one signal terminal being molded at least in part in an insulating mounting body to provide a module for mounting in the cavity means to insulate the terminal from the conductive housing, the ground terminal being in direct conductive engagement with the housing, the terminals comprising stamped and formed metal components, and including at least one ground clip mounted on the conductive housing in direct conductive engagement therewith and adapted for commoning to a ground on a respective backplane and daughter printed circuit board, whereby the housing establishes a primary ground reference for the connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The electrical signal connector of claim 1, wherein the two signal terminals are arranged with the ground terminal therebetween, and two said ground clips are arranged with one ground clip outside each signal terminal, thereby to substantially shield the signal terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrical signal connector of claim 1, including two said signal terminals each respectively molded in an insulating mounting body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electrical signal connector of claim 1, wherein the two signal terminals and the ground terminal all molded in a common insulating body, the ground terminal having a portion projecting beyond the body for engaging a wall of the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical signal connector of claim 4 wherein said portion of the ground terminal comprises a cantilevered spring arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrical signal connector of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a die-cast metal component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electrical signal connector of claim 1 wherein said housing is configured as a right-angled connector having an open side through which the terminals are assembled, with the terminals projecting from an opposite side of the housing, said ground clip being configured and located on the housing to close said open side.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of fabricating an electrical signal connector which includes a housing, at least one signal terminal, at least one ground terminal and at least one ground clip, comprising: fabricating said housing of conductive material with a cavity means; forming said terminals as stamped and formed metal components; molding a portion of at least the signal terminal within an insulating mounting body to provide a module; assembling said module and the ground terminal in the cavity means of the housing, with the ground terminal in direct conductive engagement with the housing; and mounting the ground clip in the housing in direct conductive engagement therewith.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of fabricating an electrical signal connector which includes a housing, at least one signal terminal, at least one ground terminal and at least one ground clip, comprising: fabricating said housing of conductive material with a cavity means; forming said terminals as stamped and formed metal components; molding a portion of at least the signal terminal within an insulating mounting body to provide a module; assembling said module and the ground terminal in the cavity means of the housing, with the ground terminal in direct conductive engagement with the housing; and mounting the ground clip in the housing in direct conductive engagement therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the connector includes two said signal terminals and one ground terminal, the method comprising molding portions of at least the two signal terminals in separate insulating mounting bodies to provide a pair of modules, and assembling the modules and the ground terminal in the cavity means of the housing with the ground terminal between the modules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the connector includes two said signal terminals and one ground terminal, all of the terminals being molded in a common insulating body, with the ground terminal being disposed between the signal terminals, and assembling the terminals simultaneously by assembling the common insulating body into the cavity means of the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electrical signal connector device, comprising at least one conductive signal means having opposite ends adapted for interconnection with other circuit elements, a ground conductive means having opposite ends adapted for mating with the other circuit elements, intermediate portions of the signal conductive means and the ground conductive means being integral with dielectric means, and conductive shielding means substantially surrounding the conductive means, with the dielectric means insulating the signal conductive means from the shielding means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electrical signal connector device, comprising at least one conductive signal means having opposite ends adapted for interconnection with other circuit elements, a ground conductive means having opposite ends adapted for mating with the other circuit elements, intermediate portions of the signal conductive means and the ground conductive means being integral with dielectric means, and conductive shielding means substantially surrounding the conductive means, with the dielectric means insulating the signal conductive means from the shielding means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-07 | 1997-09-06 | 1998-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-07 | 2001-09-06 | 2002-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-09-06 | 2006-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |