Latched and shielded electrical connectors

Claim 2

A latch member for coupling a connector element and a header together to provide a electrical connector assembly, said latch member comprising: an elongated member having first and second ends, said elongated member further comprising: a fastening segment adapted to securely engage an outer wall of the header to assist in securing said latch member in an operating position, said fastening segment integral with said first end and comprising a stepped portion proximate said first end to engage a portion of the header, said stepped portion electrically coupled with a termination pin which is adapted to provide a grounding path; and at least one latch element adapted to securely engage and immobilize the connector element in cooperation with the header, said latch element being integrally coupled proximate said second end.

Claim 3

The latch member in claim 1 further comprising: a lead-in section integral with said at least one latch element, said lead-in portion adapted to direct the connector element into engagement with the header.

Claim 4

The latch member in claim 1 wherein said latch member is a unitary element made of a sheet material.

Claim 5

The latch member in claim 1, wherein said fastening member further comprises: at least one contact member integral with said elongated member, said contact member adapted to securely engage a portion of the header and provide an electrical contact with the connector element.

Claim 6

The latch member in claim 4, wherein the latch member is a unitary element made of a sheet material and the at least one contact member is formed from a bent portion of the sheet material.

Claim 7

The latch member in claim 4, wherein said fastening segment further comprises: a body portion cooperating with said stepped portion, said body adapted to engage a portion of said contact member to assist in securing the latch member to the header.

Claim 8

The latch member in claim 6 further comprising: a cantilevered section cooperating with said body portion and extending away from the body portion towards the first end and integral with said at least one latch element, said cantilevered section adapted to have a relative fixed end and a relative free end that is adapted to be displaced and enable the at least one latch element to securely engage the connector element after said at least one latch element is coupled with the header.

Claim 9

A latch member for coupling a connector element and a header together to provide an electrical connector assembly, said latch member comprising: an elongated member having: first and second ends; a stepped portion proximate said second end, said stepped portion adapted to securely engage an outer wall and a bottom of the header; a cantilevered section extending away from the stepped portion towards the first end; a contact member integral with said cantilevered section; and a lead-in portion defining at least one latching element, said lead-in portion integral with said cantilevered section, said lead-in portion adapted to guide the connector element into engagement with the header.

Claim 10

A latch member for coupling a connector element and a header together to provide an electrical connector assembly, said latch member comprising: an elongated member having: first and second ends; a stepped portion proximate said second end, said stepped portion adapted to securely engage an outer wall and a bottom of the header; a cantilevered section extending away from the stepped portion towards the first end; a contact member integral with said cantilevered section; and a lead-in portion defining at least one latching element, said lead-in portion integral with said cantilevered section, said lead-in portion adapted to guide the connector element into engagement with the header.

Claim 11

The latch member in claim 8 further comprising: a termination member electrically cooperating with said latch member, said termination member adapted to electrically cooperate with a grounding feature on a printed circuit board.

Claim 12

The latch member in claim 9 wherein said termination member is adapted to be press fit into the printed circuit board.

Claim 13

The latch member in claim 10 wherein said termination member is adapted to be soldered to the printed circuit board.

Claim 14

A latch member for coupling a connector element and a header together to provide an electrical connector assembly, said latch member comprising: an elongated member having: first and second ends; a stepped portion proximate said second end, said stepped portion adapted to securely engage an outer wall of the header; a cantilevered section extending away from the stepped portion towards the first end; a contact member proximate said cantilevered section and comprising: a contact arm having a laterally extending portion and a downwardly extending portion; a retaining ear, said retaining ear integral with said downwardly extending portion; and a contact section which is adapted to engage an electrical contact element on the connector element to provide a grounding path, said contact section integral with said retaining ear, wherein said contact arm, contact section, and retaining ear are adapted to engage portions of the header to assist in securing the latch member to the header; and a lead-in portion defining at least one latching element, said lead-in portion integral with said cantilevered section, said lead-in portion adapted to guide the connector element into engagement with the header.

Claim 15

A latch member for coupling a connector element and a header together to provide an electrical connector assembly, said latch member comprising: an elongated member having: first and second ends; a stepped portion proximate said second end, said stepped portion adapted to securely engage an outer wall of the header; a cantilevered section extending away from the stepped portion towards the first end; a contact member proximate said cantilevered section and comprising: a contact arm having a laterally extending portion and a downwardly extending portion; a retaining ear, said retaining ear integral with said downwardly extending portion; and a contact section which is adapted to engage an electrical contact element on the connector element to provide a grounding path, said contact section integral with said retaining ear, wherein said contact arm, contact section, and retaining ear are adapted to engage portions of the header to assist in securing the latch member to the header; and a lead-in portion defining at least one latching element, said lead-in portion integral with said cantilevered section, said lead-in portion adapted to guide the connector element into engagement with the header.

Claim 16

An electrical connector comprising: a housing having a base and at least one sidewall extending from the base, said at least one sidewall having an inner surface disposed adjacent the base and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; a latch member having a body portion extending along the outer surface of the at least one sidewall and a latch arm extending from the body portion for latching an intermating connector to the housing; and retention structure extending into the inner surface of the at least one sidewall for securing the latch member onto the housing.

Claim 17

An electrical connector comprising: a housing having a base and at least one sidewall extending from the base, said at least one sidewall having an inner surface disposed adjacent the base and an outer surface opposite the inner surface; a latch member having a body portion extending along the outer surface of the at least one sidewall and a latch arm extending from the body portion for latching an intermating connector to the housing; and retention structure extending into the inner surface of the at least one sidewall for securing the latch member onto the housing.

Claim 18

An electrical connector as in claim 13, wherein the latch member further comprises circuit connecting elements for connecting the latch member to circuit elements on a circuit board.

Claim 19

An electrical connector as in claim 13, wherein the retention structure comprises at least one contact element associated with the latch member.

Claim 20

An electrical connector as in claim 15, wherein a groove is disposed on said inner surface and the at least one contact element comprises an elongated element received in the groove.

Claim 21

An electrical connector as in claim 16, wherein the latch member is unitarily formed of sheet material.

Claim 22

An electrical connector for engaging a mating connector, the connector comprising: a housing; electrical terminals in the housing; an electrically conductive latch member positioned along an outer wall of the housing and in shielding relationship to a portion of the housing; structure on the latch member for electrically connecting the latch member to a circuit substrate on which the connector is to be mounted; and an extension integral with the latch member and extending inwardly for electrically connecting the latch member to the mating connector.

Claim 23

An electrical connector for engaging a mating connector, the connector comprising: a housing; electrical terminals in the housing; an electrically conductive latch member positioned along an outer wall of the housing and in shielding relationship to a portion of the housing; structure on the latch member for electrically connecting the latch member to a circuit substrate on which the connector is to be mounted; and an extension integral with the latch member and extending inwardly for electrically connecting the latch member to the mating connector.