Connector Insert for Preventing Contamination
AssigneeScientific-Atlanta, Inc.
InventorsDouglas Meister, Ray Sturbaum
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connector insert for protecting contacts within a receptacle housing of a connector assembly from becoming contaminated. The connector insert includes a body portion having an exterior configured to correspond to at least a portion of the interior of the receptacle housing of the connector assembly. The body portion of the insert includes an opening which extends into the body portion to receive the contacts and protect the contacts from the exterior environment surrounding the receptacle housing when at least a portion of the body portion is received within the receptacle housing.
Claims5
A method for protecting contacts within a connector assembly while said connector assembly is being mounted to a circuit board, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a body portion of a connector insert into an interior of a receptacle housing of said connector assembly;
- protecting contacts within said receptacle housing from the exterior environment surrounding said receptacle housing as a result of said connector insert being received within said receptacle housing;
- and
- mounting said connector assembly with said connector insert within said receptacle housing to a circuit board.
A method for protecting contacts within a connector assembly while said connector assembly is being mounted to a circuit board, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a body portion of a connector insert into an interior of a receptacle housing of said connector assembly;
- protecting contacts within said receptacle housing from the exterior environment surrounding said receptacle housing as a result of said connector insert being received within said receptacle housing;
- mounting said connector assembly with said connector insert within said receptacle housing to a circuit board;
- and
- passing said connector assembly with said connector insert therein through a solder bath, wherein said connector insert precludes solder from contaminating said contacts of said connector assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.