Zero insertion force connector

A connector assembly for receiving an electrical component having a plurality of conductive pins disposed in two parallel rows, said connector assembly comprising:

• a generally rectangular, non-conductive housing including a bottom wall and two longitudinally extending upstanding side walls disposed in spaced parallel relationship;
• a plurality of conductive pin receiving contacts mounted in the base of said housing in two spaced apart parallel rows, each pin receiving contact including first and second upwardly extending arms spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of a conductive pin of the electrical component enabling said conductive pin to be freely received therebetween, with each said row of contacts being mounted within said housing such that each said second arm of said contacts is braced against the associated side wall of the housing, with a portion of each upwardly extending arm, disposed adjacent the free end thereof, defining the main contact point of each arm and with the first arm of each contact being resilient and configured so as to define an intermediate projecting section extending away from said second arm, with said main contact point of said second arm being defined by an arcuate bend extending towards said first arm, with each said upstanding side wall including a longitudinally extending detent aligned with said bend in said second arm and interengaged therewith to inhibit the unwanted shifting of said contact within said housing;
• said housing further including a cover extending between said side walls, said cover including a pair of opposed downwardly projecting lips, said lips cooperating with said detents of said side walls for positively securing said contacts within said housing;
• and
• closure means mounted within said housing for exerting a force on the projecting section of each said first arm in a direction towards the associated second arm whereby after the conductive pins of the electrical component are freely mounted between the arms of said contacts, said closure means may be actuated such that a force is exerted on the projecting portion of each contact initially driving said first arm towards said conductive pin until electrical contact is established between said conductive pin and the main contact points of said arms and thereafter causes said main contact point of said first arm to travel upwardly along said conductive pin, said movement of said main contact point of said first arm along said conductive pin functioning to wipe the surface of said pin thereby enhancing the electrical contact therebetween.