Abstract: A connector is described, of the type that has rows of contacts at each of its opposite mating face, with each contact at one face connected to a contact at the other face. In a connector that has at least three rows of contacts at each face, the contacts are connected through a flexible circuit board arrangement that has circuit board conductors. First and second groups of conductors (70, 76 in FIG. 4) that connect rows at the opposite faces extend in a zig-zag pattern along a first face of the flexible circuit board. A third group of conductors (84, FIG. 5) extend along a second face of the circuit board. The flexible circuit board has first and second end portions connected to the contacts and has a middle therebetween, with the middle (114, FIG. 2) curved along substantially half a cylinder around one side (110) of a spacer (66).

Abstract: Eyelets are described that project through holes in the legs of a connector and through plated holes of a circuit board, to hold the connector to the board until they can be soldered together. When the eyelet is fully installed, a cap 56 (FIG. 3) at its top rests against a leg 30 of a plastic connector body, while a tubular portion of the eyelet projects through the leg 40 of a metal connector shell and into the plated hole 20 of the circuit board. The tubular portion of the eyelet has upwardly extending tines 66 that each has a contact part 78 (FIG. 8) lying a distance below the cap equal to the combined thickness T (FIG. 3) of the connector body and shell legs, so the contact part lies adjacent to the shell leg 40 to solder to it. The diameter of the shell hole 46 is smaller than the diameter of the circuit board hole.

Abstract: A connection system is provided of the type wherein a plug connector must be accurately guided to mate with a receptable connector, which minimizes the space coupled by guiding apparatus and which enables the guiding apparatus to electrically ground portions of the two connectors. The plug connector (12, FIG. 4) includes an insulative body (40) with small holes that hold signal contacts (24), the body also having larger holes (42) that hold guide pins (30) that project rearwardly further than the signal contacts to guide the connectors so they properly mate. The receptable connector (14, FIG. 5) has larger socket contacts (60) with through holes therein, which initially receive rearward guide parts (56) of the guide pins to provide the guiding function, and which then receive greater diameter contacting parts (58) of the guide pins which make good electrical contact with the socket contacts. Each guide pin has a forward contacting end (82, FIG.