Abstract: An electrical connector is provided having a connector housing with signal modules and grounding members therein. Each of the signal modules has a ground plane on at least one side of each of the signal modules. The ground planes have contact pads formed at opposite ends thereof proximate mating ends of the signal modules. The grounding members interconnect the ground planes on the sides of adjacent signal modules to one another at a point along one of the ground planes and the contact pads. Optionally, the signal modules may include vias having conductive liners therethrough that electrically connect ground planes from opposite sides of a signal module to one another. Alternatively, the signal modules can be printed circuit boards. The signal modules may be arranged parallel to one another within the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided having a connector housing with signal modules and grounding members therein. Each of the signal modules has a ground plane on at least one side of each of the signal modules. The ground planes have contact pads formed at opposite ends thereof proximate mating ends of the signal modules. The grounding members interconnect the ground planes on the sides of adjacent signal modules to one another at a point along one of the ground planes and the contact pads. Optionally, the signal modules may include vias having conductive liners therethrough that electrically connect ground planes from opposite sides of a signal module to one another. Alternatively, the signal modules can be printed circuit boards. The signal modules may be arranged parallel to one another within the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector for interconnecting circuit boards comprises a first electrical connector (12) and a second electrical connector (14), the first electrical connector including a first dielectric housing (16) in which an array of electrical blade contacts (34) is mounted, the second electrical connector including a second dielectric housing (42) in which an array of electrical receptacle contacts (58) is mounted, each of the receptacle contacts having hook-shaped fork members (60, 62) extending outwardly from a base member (64) and hook sections (60b, 62b) bent away from each other defining a lead-in for a blade contact section (36) of a blade contact (34) to be electrically connected therewith.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) includes an insulating housing (12) and assembled thereto a plurality of terminal modules (30) and electrically conductive shields (60) therebetween. Each terminal module (30) includes an alternating pattern of first and second contacts (42,44), the intermediate portions (50) thereof being formed at selected locations therealong such that the intermediate portions of the first contacts (42) are encapsulated in the insulating web (54) proximate a first side surface (32) and the intermediate portions of the second contacts (44) are encapsulated in the web (54) proximate the second major surface (34) of the module. In the assembled connector (10), the first contacts (42) are spaced more closely to shield (60) along surface (32) and the second contacts (44) are spaced more closely to shield (60) along surface (34) thereby assuring primary coupling between each signal contact (40) and a respective ground shield (60) rather than to an adjacent signal contact (40).

Abstract: A surface mounted miniature electrical connector (12) includes a housing (14) having at least a pair of terminal-receiving cavities (30), each having an electrical terminal (40) disposed therein. Each terminal (40) includes a planar body portion (48) having a contact-receiving receptacle (41) defined at one end and a solder tail (56) extending from the other end. The body portion (48) is disposed along a central wall (22) of the housing (14) dividing the at least one pair of terminal-receiving cavities (30) with the solder tail (56) extending outwardly of the housing cavity (30) and then at a right angle to the body portion (48) along the mounting face (26) of the connector (12). The solder tail (56) extends beyond an outer wall (16) of the housing (14) to a contact section (60) adjacent a free end thereof for electrical connection to a respective circuit pad of a circuit board.

Abstract: A shield for an electrical connector for being mounted in a panel cutout (62), wherein spring fingers (46,102,202,302) of the shield are engaged with surfaces defining the panel cutout (62) and are deflected thereby toward sides of the connector. Free ends (48,104,204,304) of the spring fingers are so formed that upon spring arm deflection the free ends enter into electrical engagement with other portions (54,108,210,310) of the shield to enhance the shielding effectiveness.

Abstract: A surface mountable retention bracket (40) for a connector assembly (10) having a housing (12) with outwardly extending mounting flanges (22), each flange (22) including two channels (26) extending therethrough to a mounting face (16), the channels (26) defining a retention tab (28) therebetween. The bracket (40) includes a base (42) securable to a circuit board (60); a pair of struts (44) extending upwardly from the base (42), the struts (44) being joined by a body section (46), the base (42), struts (44) and body section (46) together defining an opening (48) adapted to cooperate with the flange (22) to hold the bracket (40) on the housing (12). The struts (44) are bent intermediate the base (42) and the body section (46) such that the base (42) and the body section (46) are essentially at a right angle to each other.