Grounding and retention member

A connector for housing a plurality of contacts therein, the connector comprising;

• a non-conductive housing having a plurality of contact receiving passageways;
• a conductive outer shell proximate the non-conductive housing;
• a grounding and retention member having openings positioned therein, the openings being aligned with the contact receiving passageways, the grounding and retention member comprising;
• first contact and retention projections extending from proximate edges of the grounding and retention member, the first contact and retention projections cooperate with the shell of the connector to provide an electrical connection between the grounding and retention member and the shell;
• and
• second contact and retention projections extending from proximate edges of the openings, the second contact and retention projections having mounting legs, retention legs and U-shaped members attach the retention legs to the mounting legs, the retention legs being elastically bent or formed to extend into the opening a greater distance than mounting legs, the second contact and retention projections cooperate to retain the contacts in the contact receiving passageways and to provide an electrical connection between the contacts and the grounding and retention member.