Connector cover with board stiffener

An electrical connector assembly for connecting to and stiffening a printed circuit board (PCB), said connector assembly comprising:

• a socket housing having at least one shoulder disposed thereon, and at least one contact terminal disposed in said socket housing;
• a cover disposed over at least a portion of said socket housing, said cover having at least one latch formed thereon, said latch being constructed to fit over and connectively engage said shoulder;
• and
• a stiffener coupled to said cover away from said PCB.

An electrical connector for use in establishing an electrical connection between a backplane and a printed circuit board, said connector comprising:

• a connector module having a socket housing, at least one shoulder formed on said socket housing, said connector module being adapted for connection to said backplane;
• a cover having a split body that is disposed over at least a portion of said socket housing, said split body having a first half and a second half, an attachment mechanism for connecting said first half to said second half, said split body being adapted for establishing a mechanical connection with a PCB;
• and
• a stiffener coupled to said cover away from said PCB.

A connection system, mountable on a circuit substrate, comprising:

• a plurality of electrical connectors arranged adjacently, each including a front housing and a plurality of electrically conductive contacts extending rearwardly from said front housing;
• a cover connected to said front housing and extending rearwardly to cover and contain said contacts;
• and
• a stiffener connected to said cover for securing said connectors together and indirectly connected to said circuit substrate for providing added rigidity to said circuit substrate, wherein said stiffener is connected to said circuit substrate proximate areas between adjacent connectors in areas of said circuit substrate having lower concentrations of electrical traces.