Float connector for interconnecting printed circuit boards

A float connector for interconnecting printed circuit boards, comprising:

• a contact assembly including a plurality of contacts and a holder configured to axially support the contacts, each of the plurality of contacts having opposite first and second contact ends for electrically connecting to the printed circuit boards;
• a first guide member slidably and flexibly coupled to the holder of the contact assembly, the first guide member having a plurality of first openings corresponding to each of the first contact ends, respectively;
• a second guide member slidably and flexibly coupled to the holder of the contact assembly, the second guide member having a plurality of second openings corresponding to each of the second contact ends, respectively;
• and
• a biasing member disposed between the first and second guide members, the biasing member biasing the first and second guide members away from one another to an open position,
• wherein when the first and second guide members are in the open position, the first and second contact ends are recessed in the first and second guide members, respectively, and not exposed,
• wherein the first and second guide members are movable from the open position to a compressed position in which the biasing member is compressed to expose the first and second contact ends outside of the openings of the first and second guide members, respectively, and
• wherein the holder supports each of the plurality of contacts in a clearance fit inside thereof, thereby allowing each contact to radially tilt with respect to the holder to compensate for radial misalignment between the printed circuit boards.

A float connector for interconnecting printed circuit boards, comprising:

• a contact assembly including a plurality of contacts and a holder configured to axially support the contacts, each of the plurality of contacts having opposite first and second contact ends for electrically connecting to the printed circuit boards;
• a first guide member slidably and flexibly coupled to the holder of the contact assembly, the first guide member having a plurality of first openings corresponding to each of the first contact ends, respectively;
• a second guide member slidably and flexibly coupled to the holder of the contact assembly, the second guide member having a plurality of second openings corresponding to each of the second contact ends, respectively;
• a biasing member disposed between the first and second guide members, the biasing member biasing the first and second guide members away from one another to an open position;
• at least one first alignment feature supported by the first guide member and at least one second alignment feature supported by the second guide member, the at least one first and second alignment features being configured to align the first and second contact ends, respectively, with a respective printed circuit board for electrical connection thereto,
• wherein when the first and second guide members are in the open position, the first and second contact ends are recessed in the first and second guide members, respectively, and not exposed, and
• wherein the first and second guide members are movable from the open position to a compressed position in which the biasing member is compressed to expose the first and second contact ends outside of the openings of the first and second guide members, respectively.