Electrical connector
AssigneeInterplex Industries, Inc.
InventorRichard Schneider
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for connection to a substrate for mounting electronic devices. The connector includes a plurality of coupling contacts pivotably disposed within a housing. Each coupling contact is generally H-shaped and defines opposing first and second spaces. The connector also includes one or more mounting contacts partially disposed within the housing. Each mounting contact has a fastening structure joined to a bar section. The fastening structure is adapted for securement to the substrate and the bar section is disposed in a second space of at least one of the coupling contacts.
Claims20
A connector for connection to a substrate for mounting electronic devices, the substrate having a plurality of holes formed therein, the connector comprising:
- a housing having opposing first and second end openings;
- a monolithic coupling contact pivotably disposed within the housing, the coupling contact comprising a pair of elements having opposing first and second end portions, respectively, the elements being joined together, intermediate the first and second end portions, with the first end portions being separated by a first space and the second end portions being separated by a second space, the first space being aligned with the first end opening in the housing and the second space being aligned with the second end opening in the housing;
- and
- a mounting contact partially disposed within the housing and having a bar section with opposing first and second edge portions, the bar section being disposed in the second space of the coupling contact such that the first edge portion is disposed toward where the elements are joined together, the mounting contact further having a fastening structure joined to and extending from the second edge portion of the bar section, the fastening structure being adapted for insertion into one of the holes of the substrate.
A method of connecting a rigid structure to a substrate for mounting electronic devices, the substrate having a plurality of holes formed therein, the method comprising:
- providing a coupler comprising a monolithic coupling contact disposed within a housing having opposing first and second end openings, the coupling contact comprising a pair of elements having opposing first and second end portions, respectively, the elements being joined together, intermediate the first and second end portions, with the first end portions being separated by a first space and the second end portions being separated by a second space, the first space being aligned with the first end opening in the housing and the second space being aligned with the second end opening in the housing;
- providing a mounting contact having a bar section with opposing first and second edge portions and a fastening structure joined to and extending from the second edge portion of the bar section;
- inserting the bar section of the mounting contact into the second space of the coupling contact such that the first edge portion is disposed toward where the elements are joined together;
- securing the fastening structure in one of the holes of the substrate;
- and
- inserting the rigid structure into the first space of the coupling contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.