High density connector receptacle

An electrical socket contact which is connectable to a pin contact by insertion movement of the pin contact into said socket contact in an insertion direction, said socket contact comprising:

• a body portion having elements for securing said socket contact in an opening in a receptacle housing so that said body portion is fixed in position in the receptacle;
• a first beam having a proximal end cantilevered to said body portion and a distal end spaced a distance from said proximal end in a direction away from said body portion and parallel to the insertion direction;
• a second beam having a proximal end cantilevered to said distal end of said first beam and a distal end spaced a distance from said proximal end of said second beam in a direction away from said first beam and parallel to the insertion direction;
• a first contact element located at said distal end of said second beam;
• a support arm having a proximal end secured to said proximal end of said second beam and a distal end spaced a distance from said proximal end of said second beam in a direction away from said first beam and parallel to the insertion direction;
• and
• a second contact element located at said distal end of said support arm, wherein
• said first and second beams are both flexible in a first direction transverse to the insertion direction and during insertion of a contact pin into said socket, the pin moves the contact elements away from one another in the first direction, and
• said contact further comprises preload means coupling said second beam to said support arm for flexing said second beam when there is no contact pin in said contact socket.