Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. In each case, the spaced walls are joined by a bridging structure that unites the walls. The plug and receptacle contacts are retained in the respective housings by engagement of opposed lateral edge portions of the contacts with the housings in a manner to enhance heat dissipation by convection by maintaining substantial portions of the contacts spaced from the housing walls and from each other. The bridging structure may include a retention element for engaging respective connector housings to retain the contact in the housings.

Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. In each case, the spaced walls are joined by a bridging structure that unites the walls. The plug and receptacle contacts are retained in the respective housings by engagement of opposed lateral edge portions of the contacts with the housings in a manner to enhance heat dissipation by convection by maintaining substantial portions of the contacts spaced from the housing walls and from each other. The bridging structure may include a retention element for engaging respective connector housings to retain the contact in the housings.

Abstract: A shield arrangement for an electrical connector, comprising: an external conductive shield and an internal conductive shield. The external conductive shield encloses the electrical connector and has at least one inwardly directed projection. The internal conductive shield at least partially resides within the electrical connector and has at least one feature engaging the at least one projection. Preferably, the electrical connector is a receptacle.

Abstract: A pair of mating connectors includes a receptacle having an insulative housing and at least one conductive receptacle contact with a pair of spaced walls forming a plug contact receiving space. The plug connector has an insulative housing and at least one conductive contact having a pair of spaced walls which converge to form a projection engageable in the plug receiving space of the receptacle contact. In each case, the spaced walls are joined by a bridging structure that unites the walls. The plug and receptacle contacts are retained in the respective housings by engagement of opposed lateral edge portions of the contacts with the housings in a manner to enhance heat dissipation by convection by maintaining substantial portions of the contacts spaced from the housing walls and from each other. The bridging structure may include a retention element for engaging respective connector housings to retain the contact in the housings.

Abstract: An electrical connector illustrated as a plug and receptacle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector includes a base member having a plurality of bores. A first plurality of contact elements is positioned in certain of the bores. The tail portion of each contact element extends a distance beyond the base member. A second plurality of contact elements is positioned in others of the bores. Insertion of the tail portion of the second plurality of contact elements into a circuit board is sufficient to hold the tail portions of the first plurality of contact elements against the circuit board. It is preferred for the tail portions of the second plurality of contacts to be capable of axial movement when a compression force is applied. In another embodiment, the connector includes a frame and a layer of contact elements, wherein each of the contact elements includes a forward end and a tail portion. The ends of the tail portions are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the frame.

Abstract: An electrical connector illustrated as a plug and receptacle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector includes a base member having a plurality of bores. A first plurality of contact elements is positioned in certain of the bores. The tail portion of each contact element extends a distance beyond the base member. A second plurality of contact elements is positioned in others of the bores. Insertion of the tail portion of the second plurality of contact elements into a circuit board is sufficient to hold the tail portions of the first plurality of contact elements against the circuit board. It is preferred for the tail portions of the second plurality of contacts to be capable of axial movement when a compression force is applied. In another embodiment, the connector includes a frame and a layer of contact elements, wherein each of the contact elements includes a forward end and a tail portion. The ends of the tail portions are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the frame.

Abstract: A connector apparatus for a memory card comprises a one-piece integrated metallic frame having a cross member and a pair of guide rails integrally extending from the cross member. Mounting means in the form of narrow slots are integrally formed on at least one guide rail to allow the push rod of an ejector mechanism to be mounted on the guide rail. Alternatively, the mounting means may be symmetrically formed on both guide rails to allow selective mounting of the push rod on either guide rail. Various other components of the ejector mechanism are mounted to the one-piece frame via respective tab and slot mechanisms to reduce the need for additional mounting hardware. Other functional components of the connector apparatus are integrally formed on the one-piece frame, including static discharge contacts, spring contacts for memory card grounding points, and mounting provisions for mounting the connector to a printed circuit board.