Ultra-low profile matable electrical connector assembly

A matable electrically connective assembly of the type having first and second connective arrangements defined on opposing adjacent first and second surfaces of first and second articles respectively, with the first and second articles movable from a first position to a second position with their first and second surfaces slidable along each other, comprising:

• a first connective arrangement defined on a first article along a first surface thereof and including flat first and second contact members having body sections secured to a dielectric support section, and a third contact member having a body section secured to said dielectric support section opposite said first and second contact members, said first connective arrangement including a mating face along which are exposed spring arm contact sections of said first and second contact members and opposing third contact member coextending from said body sections thereof, a connection section of at least said first and second contact members being electrically connected to a respective circuit of said first article;
• and
• a second connective arrangement defined on a second article along a second surface thereof opposed to said first surface of said first article with said first and second surfaces in overlying relationship at least in said second position, said second connective arrangement including a dielectric member having a blade shape traversing a contact-receiving recess at a mating face thereof and being adapted to be received edgewise between said first and second spring arm contact sections and said opposing third spring arm contact section of said first connective arrangement upon mating, said dielectric member including first and second contact pads electrically connectable to first and second circuits of said second article respectively, said first and second contact pads being defined on a common major surface of said dielectric member and associated with respective ones of said first and second contact members of said first connective arrangement,
• said first and second connective arrangements being matable upon said first and second articles being moved from said first position to said second position such that said blade-shaped dielectric member is received between leading ends of said first and second spring arm contact members and of said opposing third spring arm contact member deflecting them apart, and said first and second contact pads on said blade-shaped dielectric member become electrically engaged with corresponding first and second contact surfaces of said first and second contact members upon full mating, thereby completing first and second circuits of the articles in response to the first and second articles being completely moved to said second position.

An assembly of first and second articles having at least first and second circuits closable at an electrically connective interface when the first and second articles are moved along a predetermined path from a first position to a second position, comprising:

• a first article having a first connective arrangement defined on a first surface thereof and a second article having a second connective arrangement defined on a second surface thereof opposing said first surface and adjacent thereto, said first and second articles being assembled to each other in a manner permitting movement from a first position along a predetermined path to a second position with said first and second surfaces moving alongside each other in a selected direction, to move said first and second connective arrangements along a mating axis to become electrically engaged to complete said at least one circuit;
• said first connective arrangement including at least a first contact member electrically connected at a connection section to a respective said at least one circuit of said first article and secured to a dielectric support mounted to said first article, said first contact member including a spring arm contact section exposed at a first end of said mating axis for electrical engagement;
• said second connective arrangement including at least a first contact means electrically connected at a connection section to a respective said at least one circuit of said second article and secured to a dielectric support mounted to said second article, said first contact means being at least defined on a major surface of a blade-shaped member traversing said mating axis and exposed at a second end of said mating axis for electrical engagement with said spring arm contact section of said first contact member upon mating.