Abstract: A board to board interconnection is provided for interconnection of parallel stacked printed circuit boards, with a like array of plated through holes on each of the boards. One connector assembly is insertable from the outside of one of the stacked printed circuit boards, and another electrical connector assembly is insertable from the opposite side of the stacked parallel boards. One of the connector assemblies includes a compliant portion connectible with a plated through hole and including a socket contact. The other connector includes terminals with compliant portions for interconnection with the other board, and includes a pin terminal extending from the compliant portion which is insertable through the printed circuit boards and into interconnection with the socket of the other electrical connector assembly.

Abstract: An electrical connector is shown for stacking a plurality of printed circuit boards one above the other, where some of the terminals extending from the lower portion of the housing include both printed circuit board contacts as well as mating contacts for the next adjacent connector. The connector housing includes integral stand-offs for maintaining the parallel nature of the stacked boards, as well as a precise spacing between the boards. The connector housings can include stand-off members which are frangible and can be used to maintain the parallel nature of the boards when other connector housings of a similar height are not used.

Abstract: An electrical connector is shown for stacking a plurality of printed circuit boards one above the other, where some of the terminals extending from the lower portion of the housing include both printed circuit board contacts as well as mating contacts for the next adjacent connector. The connector housing includes integral stand-offs for maintaining the parallel nature of the stacked boards, as well as a precise spacing between the boards. The connector housings can include stand-off members which are frangible and can be used to maintain the parallel nature of the boards when other connector housings of a similar height are not used.

Abstract: A gull-wing strain relief (10) for a flat multi-conductor ribbon cable (30) exiting a connector assembly (20). The gull-wing strain relief (10) is mounted directly on the connector assembly (20) and includes lateral flaps (14) which close around the connector assembly (20). The flaps (14) may be interlocked in a fully closed position wherein the ribbon cable (30) exiting the connector assembly (20) is held in compression to thereby protect against strain from twisting or pulling.

Abstract: A connector assembly (10) having an all plastic retention system has a housing (16, 18) in which tines (40) extend from a surface (36) thereof axially along contact receiving passages (38, 58). Each split frustoconical tine (40) has two tine members (42, 44). A transverse rib (54) extends along a surface (36) of the housing between adjacent tine members (42, 44) of adjacent tines (40). Each tine member (42, 44) has a pair of vertical ribs (50) extending along the exterior surface thereof upward from the surface (36) of the housing and sharing a portion of its volume with the transverse rib (54). The vertical ribs (50) and transverse rib (54) promote flow of plastic into all regions of the mould during moulding and support a contact (52) upon insertion thereof.