Zero insertion force connector

A zero insertion force electrical connector comprising:

• an elongated housing having two rows of contacts therein, said housing having an upper wall extending over said rows of contacts;
• aperture means in said upper wall above said two rows of contacts adapted to receive therein conductors on an electrical component to be engaged by said contacts;
• an inner vertically extending wall between said rows of contacts;
• said contacts having spring contacting portions extending resiliently toward a vertical plane passing through said inner wall for engaging said conductors;
• means for retracting said contacting portions away from said vertical plane;
• said retracting means comprising a pair of contact shifting means extending laterally outwardly from opposite sides of said inner wall and cam actuator means, each said contact shifting means having a hinged connection to said inner wall and a free end for vertical pivotal movement between a lower position and an upper position;
• each of said contact shifting means embodying cam surface means for retracting said contacting portions of said contacts away from said vertical plane when moved from said lower position to said upper position;
• and
• said cam actuator means underlying said free ends of said contact shifting means and being operable to move said contact shifting means from said lower position to said upper position.