Abstract: An electrical connector (10) of the type having an array of signal contacts (22) surface mountable to pads of a circuit board (20), with at least one ground bus (40) having a plurality of post sections (44,50,52) insertable into through holes (34) of the circuit board. At least two of the post sections (50,52) include protuberances (54,56) proximate free ends thereof adapted to bear against side walls of the respective through holes upon insertion thereinto, for deflection of the shanks (62,64) of the post sections in the opposite direction. The protuberance of each of the at least two post sections extends in opposed directions along the row of posts, thus cooperating to act as a clamp of modest force to retain the connector to the board prior to contact soldering. The deflectable shank (62,64) preferably has a reduced cross-sectional area at root (66,68) facilitating deflection in the plastic region.

Abstract: A machine (50) is disclosed that assembles an electrical connector (10) to the edge (18) of a printed circuit board (12). The machine incorporates an actuating mechanism that requires only a single input motion to achieve a Variety of functional motions within the machine. The machine includes a carriage assembly (54) that moves substantially vertically within the frame of the machine to sense the thickness of the circuit board and then to align the centerline of the connector held on fixture (280) with the exact center plane (44) of the board. A slide member (140) then moves toward the connector, causing a pair of comb members (252, 254) to close into position in front of the moving connector. The solder tails (38,40) of the connector (10) then enter spaced slots (260) in the edges of the comb members for support and the connector housing engages the face (272) of the combs, pushing them toward the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) of the type having an array of signal contacts (22) surface mountable to pads of a circuit board (20), with at least one ground bus (40) having a plurality of post sections (44,50,52) insertable into through holes (34) of the circuit board. At least two of the post sections (50,52) include protuberances (54,56) proximate free ends thereof adapted to bear against side walls of the respective through holes upon insertion thereinto, for deflection of the shanks (62,64) of the post sections in the opposite direction. The protuberance of each of the at least two post sections extends in opposed directions along the row of posts, thus cooperating to act as a clamp of modest force to retain the connector to the board prior to contact soldering. The deflectable shank (62,64) preferably has a reduced cross-sectional area at root (66,68) facilitating deflection in the plastic region.

Abstract: An electrical connector (2) has a dielectric housing with contact terminals (22) which extend therethrough. The contact terminals (22) are provided to electrically connect a mother board (4) to a daughter card (6). A board-receiving opening (20) is provided in the housing for reception of the daughter card (6) therein. Proximate to the board-receiving opening (20) are latch receiving openings (24) which are dimensioned to receive insertable latch members (40) therein. The latch members (40) are manufactured from material having the desired resilient and strength characteristics, thereby insuring that the latch members (40) will be effective over many cycles. Each latch member (40) has a resilient section (42) for cooperating with the daughter card (6) and a mounting section (44) for cooperating with the mother board (4). The resilient section (42) is able to accommodate a range of board sizes without taking a permanent set.

Abstract: A circuit board (12) and electrical connector (10) mounted to an edge (18) thereof is disclosed. The circuit board (12) includes an edge (18) and two major surfaces (14, 16) extending therefrom having circuitry (20). Plated through holes (24) are arranged adjacent the edge and are interconnected to circuitry on the circuit board. Each plated through hole (24) is associated with an opening such as a slot (26) or partial slot (27) that is formed in the edge (18) of the board so that it intersects the hole. The posts (32) of the connector (10) extend into the openings (26, 27) preferably in interference fit therewith whereafter soldering completes the electrical connections of the posts to the through holes.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting circuit members having a high density of contact pads located in an area array, the connector having an area array specific holder that is simple to produce for retainably positioning mass-produced standardized contact modules containing a deformable contact within a module body for interconnecting the contact pads, where the contact is constructed to be supportingly engaged by the module body to provide sufficient opposing spring force to effect a wiping interconnection between the contact and the contact pads.

Abstract: The present invention is a socket for removably connecting electrical conductors directly to the bond pads of an integrated circuit chip, and includes a chip holder that locks into the socket for burn-in and other testing and then can be removed and easily handled by automated equipment in the further processing of the chip. The socket has a series of contacts that are guided into electrical engagement with the bond pads through precisely positioned openings in a ceramic plate. The ceramic plate and the chip holder are aligned by a pair of guide pins that project from a housing. A pair of latching members secure the chip holder to the housing during burn-in and testing.

Abstract: An electrical connector has first terminals which are surface mounted to respective sides of a substrate and second terminals which extend through an edge surface of the substrate to make electrical connection to an opening provided in the substrate. As the connector is mated to the edge of the substrate, the connector occupies a minimal space on the substrate.

Abstract: An improved contact for use in a high density chip carrier socket mounted on a circuit member which utilizes a cover which to wedge the leads of the chip carrier into electrical engagement with a respective contact. A tool receiving recess is incorporated into the contact so that the forces exerted on the socket while pressing the cover into place can be opposed, minimizing the forces exerted on the connection between the socket and the circuit member, typically a solder joint. Providing a tool, that operates from one side of the circuit member, in order to press the cover into place while engaging the contact recess to oppose the insertion related forces, which can also pull the cover from the contacts, without exerting significant forces on the connection, by engaging a lip in the cover while pressing on the carrier.

Abstract: A miniature socket (10) for electrically interconnecting contact pads on a bare integrated circuit chip (16) to circuit pads (64) on a substrate (18) is disclosed. The socket includes a housing (12) and contact elements (14) having a diameter of about 0.003 inches. The housing (12) includes a recess (28) on one surface (30) for receiving the circuit chip (16) and cavities (44) on an opposite surface (38) for receiving the contact elements (14) and passages (56) leading to the recess (28) from the cavities (44) for receiving the pin sections (80) on the elements (14). Methods of forming a gold tip (84) on the pin sections (80) and for providing cavities (44) and passages (56) in the housing (12) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A socket (20) for interconnecting an electronic module (2) to circuit board (14) includes an insulative housing (30) having a plurality of terminals (22) applying a moment to the module (2). A latch (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) is positioned within a pocket (40) at each end of the insulative housing (30). The latch has two legs joined by a bight, the two legs being flexible as the module (2) is rotated into a slot (34) in the insulative housing (30) The latch includes an integral securing projection (152, 252, 352, 453, 552, 652) which cooperates with an opening (12) to maintain the module (2) in position relative to the housing (30).

Abstract: An electrical connector for surface mounting to a printed circuit board has circuit board mating legs of terminals which extend from a housing of the connector. An alignment member cooperates with the mating legs of the terminals to maintain the mating legs in position relative to each other and relative to the housing, thereby facilitating the close center-line spacing of the terminals.

Abstract: An electrical connector has first terminals which are surface mounted to respective sides of a substrate and second terminals which extend through an edge surface of the substrate to make electrical connection to an opening provided in the substrate. As the connector is mated to the edge of the substrate, the connector occupies a minimal space on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) for electrically connecting a leaded chip carrier (24) to a substrate is disclosed. The socket (10) includes a frame-shape base (12) with contacts (14) around the periphery of a central opening. Each contact (14) has a pair of outwardly extending, spaced apart arms (64,72) with one arm (72) having a recess (82) on an inside surface (80). The socket (10) also includes a cover (16) with locking members (18) around the periphery of a central opening. The locking members (18) include cantilever beams (90,92) which enter the space (74) between the contact arms (64,72) to press a lead (28) from the carrier (24) against one arm (64).

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) for interconnecting circuits on an integrated circuit chip to circuits on a substrate is disclosed. The socket (10) includes a base section (12), an upper section (16) and a metallized plastic membrane (14) having circuit traces (72) thereon. Contact pins (52) in the upper section (16) electrically connect circuits on the chip to inner ends (82) of the traces (72) and outer ends (84) of the traces (72) engage circuits on a substrate.

Abstract: A connector (10) for electrically connecting a circuit between electronic devices has been disclosed. The connector (10) includes a platform (14, 64, 94, 114) with cantilevered spring arms (22, 62, 92, 112) extending obliquely outwardly therefrom. The spring arms (22, 62, 92, 112) include raised contact surfaces (26, 72, 102, 122) and in one embodiment, the geometry of the arms (22) provide compound wipe during deflection.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a first printed circuit board to a second printed circuit board has terminal contacts which provide a reliable electrical connection. The contact terminals are positioned adjacent to a board receiving recess, and are configured to make an electrical connection with the second printed circuit board when the second printed circuit board is rotated to a second position. Overstress projections provided on the contact terminals cooperate with shoulders of the electrical connector to prevent contact terminals from being deformed as the second printed circuit board is moved relative to the contact terminals. Contact projections are positioned on the contact terminals proximate a resilient contact arm. The contact projections electrically engage the resilient contact arm when the second printed circuit board is in the second position.

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) for leadless electronic devices has been disclosed. The socket (10) includes a film-circuit member (16) having circuits (66) on a dielectric base (64) with inner ends (68) for electrically engaging conductive pads on the electronic device and outer ends (74) for being electrically attached to circuits on a substrate. The film-circuit member (16) rests on a support plate (18) positioned in a cavity (42) in a lower housing (20) and is overlaid by an upper housing (12) having an opening (24) for receiving an electronic device.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has terminals which have first resilient legs and second rigid legs. The second rigid legs cooperate with the housing to secure the terminals therein. The entire length of the first resilient leg is utilized as a resilient beam. The first and second legs also provide two parallel paths over which signals can travel. The configuration of the terminals minimize the height of the assembly and provides a reliable electrical connection over which high speed signals can travel.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a first housing (16) and a second housing (18) with respective first and second bus bars (70, 170) provided therein. The bus bars (70, 170) are configured to be interwoven when the connector housings are mated together to ensure that the bus bars will occupy a minimal cross-sectional area. This allows the connector assembly to have terminals which are closely spaced, thereby minimizing the dimensions of the connector assembly.