Electrical connector assembly and module incorporating the same

Claim 2

A right-angled electrical connector module, comprising: a chassis including a base and a mating portion extending generally parallel to the base; a terminal support member supported on the base of the chassis; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages having retention sections; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions being insertable through the passages in the pin alignment member and into appropriate holes in a printed circuit board, and the pin portions having retention portions for engaging the retention sections of the passages; and a contact alignment member having contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the conductive terminals, the contact alignment member being separate from and independent of the terminal pin alignment member and being positionable at the mating portion of the chassis.

Claim 3

The electrical connector module of claim 1 wherein said chassis comprises a box-like structure having a bottom wall and side walls, said terminal support member being supported on the bottom wall, and said mating portion being at a side wall.

Claim 4

The electrical connector module of claim 2 , including a cover for said box-like structure.

Claim 5

The electrical connector module of claim 1 , including mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon.

Claim 6

The electrical connector module of claim 4 wherein said mounting means include at least one mounting post on the terminal support member and extending through the terminal pin alignment member.

Claim 7

The electrical connector module of claim 1 , including complementary interengaging latch means between said terminal support member and the chassis.

Claim 8

The electrical connector module of claim 1 , including complementary interengaging latch means between said contact alignment member and the chassis.

Claim 9

The electrical connector module of claim 1 wherein said terminal pin alignment member comprises an integral part of said terminal support member as a one-piece component.

Claim 10

The electrical connector module of claim 1 wherein said terminal pin alignment member is separate from the terminal support member and is supported thereon.

Claim 11

The electrical connector module of claim 9 wherein said terminal support member includes at least one dual-diameter mounting post, with a larger diameter portion of the post being insertable through a mounting hole in the terminal pin alignment member, and a smaller diameter portion of the post being insertable into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit board.

Claim 12

The electrical connector module of claim 1 wherein said terminal support member includes receptacle means for receiving an electrical component, and conductive leads extending from the receptacle toward the printed circuit board.

Claim 13

The electrical connector module of claim 11 wherein said leads include pin portions for insertion into appropriate holes in the printed circuit board.

Claim 14

The electrical connector module of claim 12 wherein said leads include insulation displacement portions for engaging conductors from the electrical component.

Claim 15

A right-angled electrical connector module, comprising: a box-like chassis including a bottom wall and side walls with a mating portion at one side wall extending generally parallel to the bottom wall; a terminal support member mounted on the bottom wall of the chassis; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages having retention sections; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions being insertable through the passages in the pin alignment member and into appropriate holes in a printed circuit board, and the pin portions having retention portions for engaging the retention sections of the passages; a contact alignment member having contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the conductive terminals, the contact alignment member being positionable at the mating portion of the chassis; at least one mounting post on the terminal support member and extending through the terminal pin alignment member for mounting the printed circuit board on top of the terminal pin alignment member in engagement with the pin portions of the terminals; and complementary interengaging latch means between at least one of the terminal support member or the contact alignment member and the chassis.

Claim 16

A right-angled electrical connector module, comprising: a box-like chassis including a bottom wall and side walls with a mating portion at one side wall extending generally parallel to the bottom wall; a terminal support member mounted on the bottom wall of the chassis; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages having retention sections; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions being insertable through the passages in the pin alignment member and into appropriate holes in a printed circuit board, and the pin portions having retention portions for engaging the retention sections of the passages; a contact alignment member having contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the conductive terminals, the contact alignment member being positionable at the mating portion of the chassis; at least one mounting post on the terminal support member and extending through the terminal pin alignment member for mounting the printed circuit board on top of the terminal pin alignment member in engagement with the pin portions of the terminals; and complementary interengaging latch means between at least one of the terminal support member or the contact alignment member and the chassis.

Claim 17

The electrical connector module of claim 14 , including a cover for said box-like chassis.

Claim 18

The electrical connector module of claim 14 wherein said terminal pin alignment member comprises an integral part of said terminal support member as a one-piece component.

Claim 19

The electrical connector module of claim 14 wherein said terminal pin alignment member is separate from the terminal support member and is supported thereon.

Claim 20

The electrical connector module of claim 17 wherein said terminal support member includes at least one dual-diameter mounting post, with a larger diameter portion of the post being insertable through a mounting hole in the terminal pin alignment member, and a smaller diameter portion of the post being insertable into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit board.

Claim 21

The electrical connector module of claim 14 wherein said terminal support member includes receptacle means for receiving an electrical component, and conductive leads extending from the receptacle toward the printed circuit board.

Claim 22

The electrical connector module of claim 19 wherein said leads include pin portions for insertion into appropriate holes in the printed circuit board.

Claim 23

The electrical connector module of claim 20 wherein said leads include insulation displacement portions for engaging conductors from the electrical component.

Claim 24

A right-angled electrical connector assembly for connection to a printed circuit board, comprising: a terminal support member for supporting the assembly on an appropriate support structure; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions having retention portions; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages for receiving the pin portions of the terminals therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to said support structure for connection to the printed circuit board, the passages having retention sections for engaging the retention portions of the terminals; and a contact alignment member having a plurality of contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the terminals therethrough to define a mating portion of the assembly, the contact alignment member being separate from and independent of the terminal pin alignment member.

Claim 25

A right-angled electrical connector assembly for connection to a printed circuit board, comprising: a terminal support member for supporting the assembly on an appropriate support structure; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions having retention portions; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages for receiving the pin portions of the terminals therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to said support structure for connection to the printed circuit board, the passages having retention sections for engaging the retention portions of the terminals; and a contact alignment member having a plurality of contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the terminals therethrough to define a mating portion of the assembly, the contact alignment member being separate from and independent of the terminal pin alignment member.

Claim 26

The electrical connector assembly of claim 22 , including mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon.

Claim 27

The electrical connector assembly of claim 23 wherein said mounting means include at least one mounting post on the terminal support member and extending through the terminal pin alignment member.

Claim 28

The electrical connector assembly of claim 23 wherein said terminal pin alignment member comprises an integral part of said terminal support member as a one-piece component.

Claim 29

The electrical connector assembly of claim 23 wherein said terminal pin alignment member is separate from the terminal support member and is supported thereon.

Claim 30

The electrical connector assembly of claim 26 wherein said terminal support member includes at least one dual-diameter mounting post, with a larger diameter portion of the post being insertable through a mounting hole in the terminal pin alignment member, and a smaller diameter portion of the post being insertable into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit beard.

Claim 31

The electrical connector assembly of claim 23 wherein said terminal support member includes receptacle means for receiving an electrical component, and conductive leads extending from the receptacle toward the printed circuit beard.

Claim 32

The electrical connector assembly of claim 28 wherein said leads include pin portions for insertion into appropriate holes in the printed circuit board.

Claim 33

The electrical connector assembly of claim 29 wherein said leads include insulation displacement portions for engaging conductors from the electrical component.

Claim 34

A right-angled electrical connector module, comprising: a chassis including a base and a mating portion extending generally parallel to the base; a terminal support member supported on the base of the chassis; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages having retention sections; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions being insertable through the passages in the pin alignment member and into appropriate holes in a printed circuit beard, and the pin portions having retention portions for engaging the retention sections of the passages; a contact alignment member having contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the conductive terminals, the contact alignment member being positionable at the mating portion of the chassis; and mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon, the mounting means including at least one mounting post on the terminal support member and extending through the terminal pin alignment member.

Claim 35

A right-angled electrical connector module, comprising: a chassis including a base and a mating portion extending generally parallel to the base; a terminal support member supported on the base of the chassis; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages having retention sections; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions being insertable through the passages in the pin alignment member and into appropriate holes in a printed circuit beard, and the pin portions having retention portions for engaging the retention sections of the passages; a contact alignment member having contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the conductive terminals, the contact alignment member being positionable at the mating portion of the chassis; and mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon, the mounting means including at least one mounting post on the terminal support member and extending through the terminal pin alignment member.

Claim 36

A right-angled electrical connector module, comprising: a chassis including a base and a mating portion extending generally parallel to the base; a terminal support member separate from and supported on the base of the chassis; a terminal pin alignment member separate from and supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages having retention sections; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions being insertable through the passages in the pin alignment member and into appropriate holes in a printed circuit board, and the pin portions having retention portions for engaging the retention sections of the passages; a contact alignment member having contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the conductive terminals, the contact alignment member being positionable at the mating portion of the chassis; and at least one dual-diameter mounting post on the terminal support member, with a larger diameter portion of the post being insertable through a mounting hole in the terminal pin alignment member, and a smaller diameter portion of the post being insertable into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit board.

Claim 37

A right-angled electrical connector module, comprising: a chassis including a base and a mating portion extending generally parallel to the base; a terminal support member separate from and supported on the base of the chassis; a terminal pin alignment member separate from and supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages having retention sections; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions being insertable through the passages in the pin alignment member and into appropriate holes in a printed circuit board, and the pin portions having retention portions for engaging the retention sections of the passages; a contact alignment member having contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the conductive terminals, the contact alignment member being positionable at the mating portion of the chassis; and at least one dual-diameter mounting post on the terminal support member, with a larger diameter portion of the post being insertable through a mounting hole in the terminal pin alignment member, and a smaller diameter portion of the post being insertable into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit board.

Claim 38

right-angled electrical connector module, comprising: a chassis including a base and a mating portion extending generally parallel to the base; a terminal support member supported on the base of the chassis; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages having retention sections; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions being insertable through the passages in the pin alignment member and into appropriate holes in a printed circuit board, and the pin portions having retention portions for engaging the retention sections of the passages; a contact alignment member having contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the conductive terminals, the contact alignment member being positionable at the mating portion of the chassis; and receptacle means on the terminal support member for receiving an electrical component, and conductive leads extending from the receptacle means toward the printed circuit board.

Claim 39

right-angled electrical connector module, comprising: a chassis including a base and a mating portion extending generally parallel to the base; a terminal support member supported on the base of the chassis; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages having retention sections; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions being insertable through the passages in the pin alignment member and into appropriate holes in a printed circuit board, and the pin portions having retention portions for engaging the retention sections of the passages; a contact alignment member having contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the conductive terminals, the contact alignment member being positionable at the mating portion of the chassis; and receptacle means on the terminal support member for receiving an electrical component, and conductive leads extending from the receptacle means toward the printed circuit board.

Claim 40

The electrical connector module of claim 33 wherein said leads include pin portions for insertion into appropriate holes in the printed circuit board.

Claim 41

The electrical connector module of claim 34 wherein said leads include insulation displacement portions for engaging conductors from the electrical component.

Claim 42

A right-angled electrical connector assembly for connection to a printed circuit board, comprising: a terminal support member for supporting the assembly on an appropriate support structure; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions having retention portions; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages for receiving the pin portions of the terminals therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to said support structure for connection to the printed circuit board, the passages having retention sections for engaging the retention portions of the terminals; a contact alignment member having a plurality of contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the terminals therethrough to define a mating portion of the assembly; and mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon, the mounting means including at least one mounting post on the terminal support member and extending through the terminal pin alignment member.

Claim 43

A right-angled electrical connector assembly for connection to a printed circuit board, comprising: a terminal support member for supporting the assembly on an appropriate support structure; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions having retention portions; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages for receiving the pin portions of the terminals therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to said support structure for connection to the printed circuit board, the passages having retention sections for engaging the retention portions of the terminals; a contact alignment member having a plurality of contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the terminals therethrough to define a mating portion of the assembly; and mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon, the mounting means including at least one mounting post on the terminal support member and extending through the terminal pin alignment member.

Claim 44

A right-angled electrical connector assembly for connection to a printed circuit board, comprising: a terminal support member for supporting the assembly on an appropriate support structure; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions having retention portions; a terminal pin alignment member separate from and supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages for receiving the pin portions of the terminals therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to said support structure for connection to the printed circuit board, the passages having retention sections for engaging the retention portions of the terminals; a contact alignment member having a plurality of contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the terminals therethrough to define a mating portion of the assembly; and mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon, the mounting means including at least one dual-diameter mounting post on the terminal support member, with a larger diameter portion of the post being insertable through a mounting hole in the terminal pin alignment member, and a smaller diameter portion of the post being insertable into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit board.

Claim 45

A right-angled electrical connector assembly for connection to a printed circuit board, comprising: a terminal support member for supporting the assembly on an appropriate support structure; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions having retention portions; a terminal pin alignment member separate from and supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages for receiving the pin portions of the terminals therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to said support structure for connection to the printed circuit board, the passages having retention sections for engaging the retention portions of the terminals; a contact alignment member having a plurality of contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the terminals therethrough to define a mating portion of the assembly; and mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon, the mounting means including at least one dual-diameter mounting post on the terminal support member, with a larger diameter portion of the post being insertable through a mounting hole in the terminal pin alignment member, and a smaller diameter portion of the post being insertable into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit board.

Claim 46

A right-angled electrical connector assembly for connection to a printed circuit board, comprising: a terminal support member for supporting the assembly on an appropriate support structure; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions having retention portions; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages for receiving the pin portions of the terminals therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to said support structure for connection to the printed circuit board, the passages having retention sections for engaging the retention portions of the terminals; a contact alignment member having a plurality of contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the terminals therethrough to define a mating portion of the assembly; mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon; and receptacle means on the terminal support member for receiving an electrical component, and conductive leads extending from the receptacle toward the printed circuit board.

Claim 47

A right-angled electrical connector assembly for connection to a printed circuit board, comprising: a terminal support member for supporting the assembly on an appropriate support structure; a plurality of right-angled conductive terminals having compliant pin portions and generally perpendicular contact portions, the pin portions having retention portions; a terminal pin alignment member supported on the support member and including a plurality of pin-receiving passages for receiving the pin portions of the terminals therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to said support structure for connection to the printed circuit board, the passages having retention sections for engaging the retention portions of the terminals; a contact alignment member having a plurality of contact-receiving passages for receiving the contact portions of the terminals therethrough to define a mating portion of the assembly; mounting means on said terminal support member for mounting the printed circuit board thereon; and receptacle means on the terminal support member for receiving an electrical component, and conductive leads extending from the receptacle toward the printed circuit board.

Claim 48

The electrical connector assembly of claim 38 wherein said leads include pin portions for insertion into appropriate holes in the printed circuit board.

Claim 49

The electrical connector assembly of claim 39 wherein said leads include insulation displacement portions for engaging conductors from the electrical component.