High-density connector assembly mounting apparatus
AssigneeMolex Incorporated
InventorHazelton P. Avery
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Connector assemblies having terminal assemblies which are arranged in side-by-side order are maintained in a group with a desired spacing between the terminal assemblies. The terminals fixed in place at a first point within insulative connector body portions. The terminals assemblies are fixed together by a alignment bar along their lower edges, with the bar having engagement lugs that are received within slots formed in the housings of the terminal assemblies, and they are fixed along their upper edges by a hollow retainer that has a series of slots formed in an interior surface thereof. The slots and the alignment bar are aligned together so that the spacing between adjacent terminal assemblies is even.
Claims19
A high density electrical connector, comprising;
- a plurality of terminal assemblies,
- each of the terminal assemblies including at least one insulative terminal housing supporting a set of conductive terminals, the terminals having contact portions projecting from a first edge of the terminal housing and tail portions for mounting said terminal housing to a circuit board, the tail portions extending from a second side of said housing, the terminal housing including a third edge spaced from said first edge;
- a retainer for holding said terminal housings together as a unit, the retainer including at least a pair of sidewalls, the sidewalls being connected together by a plate, the retainer plate and sidewalls cooperatively defining a hollow enclosure in receiving said terminal housings, said retainer including means for engaging said terminal housing third edges;
- and,
- an alignment bar for engaging an edge of said terminal housings proximate to said first edge and spaced apart from said terminal housing third edges.
A connector retainer assembly in a connector formed from a plurality of individual terminal assemblies, each terminal assembly including a plurality of conductive terminals supported on an insulative housing, comprising:
- first means for aligning said terminal assemblies formed in said terminal housings cooperatively and extending in a direction transverse to axial directions of said terminals;
- an elongated alignment member that engages said first terminal housing alignment means along first edges of said terminal housings that maintain the terminal housing first edges in a first predetermined spacing;
- and,
- a hollow retainer that partially encloses said terminal housings, the retainer including second means for aligning said terminal assemblies, the second terminal housing alignment means engaging said terminal housings along second edges thereof and maintains the terminal housing second edges in a second predetermined spacing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.