Shielded connector

A method for assembling a shielded connector with an optionally equipped external grounding clip, the steps comprising:

• providing an insulative housing with a plurality of contacts therein;
• attaching a first shell, which includes a front shielding face and two side shielding faces, to the housing whereby the first shell is secured to the housing;
• attaching a second shell, which includes a top shielding face and a rear shielding face, to the housing whereby the second shell is secured to the first shell;
• providing a pair of latching members on two side shielding faces adjacent to the front shielding face on the first shell;
• and
• attaining a grounding clip, which includes a front surface and two side surfaces whereby the front surface of the grounding clip can be retainably attached to the front face of the first shell by a pair of locking tags positioned on the two side surfaces of the grounding clip that are latchably engaged with the corresponding latching members on the first shell.

A connector assembly comprising:

• an insulative housing defining an annular slot and a socket therein;
• a shell including a front face defining an opening generally in concentric alignment with said the annual slot;
• and
• a grounding clip includes a front surface defining an aperture substantially in same dimensional alignment with said opening;
• and side surfaces wherein
• the shell further includes two side faces, each of which has a latching member adjacent to the front face for cooperation with a corresponding locking tag positioned on either side surface of the grounding clip.