Header with backing plate for mounting the header to a mounting surface

A backing plate for securing an electrical header to a device, comprising:

• a frame defining a central opening for receiving a plug portion of the header;
• a plurality of mounting elements arranged about the central opening for fastening the frame to the header;
• a plurality of latches arranged about the central opening of the frame for fixing the backing plate to the device;
• and
• a plurality of guide protrusions arranged about the central opening and extending in the direction of the latches for engaging with an opening of the device for positioning the backing plate.

An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

• a header including a plug portion for connecting to a complementary mating connector, and a base having a plurality of mounting through holes for fixing the header to a mounting surface;
• a backing plate including a plurality of mounting elements corresponding in location to the plurality of mounting holes of the header for fixing the backing plate to the header on an underside of the mounting surface, and an opening corresponding in location to the plug portion of the header with the backing plate fixed to the header;
• and
• a locking element for fixing the backing plate to the header independent of the mounting elements of the backing plate, the locking element includes at least one elastic latch formed integrally with a metallic shield of the plug portion and having a fixed end attached to the header and a free end extending from an underside of the header for latching to the backing plate.

An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

• a header including a plug portion for connecting to a complementary mating connector, and a base having a plurality of mounting through holes for fixing the header to a mounting surface discrete from the mating connector;
• and
• a backing plate including:
• a plurality of mounting elements corresponding in location to the plurality of mounting holes of the header for fixing the backing plate to the header on an underside of the mounting surface;
• an opening corresponding in location to the plug portion of the header with the backing plate fixed to the header;
• and
• a first elastic latch having a fixed end and a free end adapted to engage with the mounting surface for fixing the backing plate to the mounting surface independent of the mounting elements of the backing plate, the header further defining a recess formed into the underside thereof and receiving the free end of the first elastic latch.