Abstract: A female connector (10) includes a housing (11) comprising an elongated base (12) and a trapezoidal island (14) protruding forward from the base (12). A plurality of two-row passageways (16) extend through the housing (11) to receive a plurality of corresponding contacts (18) therein. A groove (19) transversely through a front surface (13) of the island (14) and further backward extends along and through two side surfaces (15) of the island (14) until it reaches the base (12). A conductive shell (20) includes a plate (22) to cover the base (12) of the housing (11), and a circumferential fence (24) to receive the island (14) of the housing (11) therein. A blade type conductive member (30) having an elongated flat body (31) positioned within the groove (19) and a pair of legs (34) extending backward and obliquely outward from two ends of the flat body (31) to resiliently engage the conductive shell (20) for ESD protection.

Abstract: An electrical male connector assembly incorporates a floating shield that is resiliently held in a position on the connector body wherein the male contact pins are hidden or shielded from contact by the shield in its outermost position. When the connector member is mated with a corresponding female connector, the opposed face of the female connector impinges on the shield and cause it to be slid along the contact pins to a retracted position. Means are provided for biasing the shield toward its outermost position. The shield face is metalized to provide an exposed ground plane in electrically conductive contact with a metal portion of the connector member shell to drain off any electrical static discharges that might otherwise come into contact with the exposed contact pins.