US5876219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Board-to-board connector assembly
Assignee: Tyco Electronics Service GmbH
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Filing: 1997-08-29
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Granted: 1999-03-02
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Expires: 2017-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly for interconnecting a pair of circuit boards in parallel spaced-apart planes comprises first and second connectors. The first connector includes a dielectric first housing having a mating face and an array of first contacts exposed along the mating face. The first housing has a shroud which defines a boundary around the array of first contacts. The shroud has an edge at a height above the mating face and the first contacts are recessed below the edge. The second connector includes a dielectric second housing having a mating face and an array of second contacts exposed along the mating face for mating with the first contacts. The second housing is configured for complementary reception within the boundary of the shroud, wherein the shroud serves to align the first and second housings for mating before engagement of the first and second contacts can occur.
Inventors
- 👤 Attalee S. Taylor
- 👤 Adam D. Cunningham
- 👤 Melissa A. Sherman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/716
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An electrical connector assembly for interconnecting a pair of circuit boards in parallel spaced-apart planes, the assembly comprising: a first connector including a dielectric first housing having a mating face and an array of first contacts exposed along the mating face, the first housing having a shroud defining a boundary around the array of first contacts, the shroud having an edge at a height above the mating face and the first contacts being recessed below the edge; and a second connector including a dielectric second housing having a mating face and an array of second contacts exposed along the mating face for mating with the first contacts, the second housing being configured for complementary reception within the boundary of the shroud, wherein the shroud serves to align the first and second housings for mating before engagement of the first and second contacts can occur.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electrical connector assembly for interconnecting a pair of circuit boards in parallel spaced-apart planes, the assembly comprising: a first connector including a dielectric first housing having a mating face and an array of first contacts exposed along the mating face, the first housing having a shroud defining a boundary around the array of first contacts, the shroud having an edge at a height above the mating face and the first contacts being recessed below the edge; and a second connector including a dielectric second housing having a mating face and an array of second contacts exposed along the mating face for mating with the first contacts, the second housing being configured for complementary reception within the boundary of the shroud, wherein the shroud serves to align the first and second housings for mating before engagement of the first and second contacts can occur.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the second housing is dimensioned for reception within the height of the shroud.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein one of the first and second housings has polarizing pins which are receivable in complementary holes in the other of the first and second housings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The connector assembly according to claim 3 wherein the holes are through-holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the second housing has alignment pins which are guided by the shroud during mating of the first and second connectors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first and second contacts include matable forks and blades.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second connectors has a board mounting face on an opposite side from the mating face, the contacts of the at least one connector have pad sections exposed along the board mounting face, and solder balls are attached to the pad sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector assembly according to claim 7 wherein the pad sections are recessed below the board mounting face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second connectors has its contacts exposed in respective recesses below the mating face of the at least one connector.
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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) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-08-31 | 2003-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-01 | 2006-08-31 | 2007-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-01 | 2010-08-31 | 2011-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |