Abstract: A method is disclosed for establishing signal contacts on a multilayer printed circuit board having alternating ground and signal layers in a stack-up configuration. The signal layers have signal pads and conductive traces leading away from the pads. The method comprises the steps of: a) drilling blind signal holes in the printed circuit board down to signal pads on successive signal layers, b) filling the blind signal holes with conductive material, and c) removing strips of the printed circuit board nearly down to successive signal layers to provide on each signal layer a strip of exposed signal contacts for the conductive traces thereon.

Abstract: An electrical header connector of the present invention includes a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings. The header body having a front wall and a back wall. A plurality of signal pins are configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings. Each signal pin includes a first end extending from the front wall of the header body to form an array of pin contacts, and a second end spaced apart from the first end and extending from the back wall of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has a first end extending from the front wall of the header body adjacent to the first end of a signal pin, a second end extending from the back wall of the header body adjacent to the second end of the signal pin, and a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to an intermediate portion of the signal pin.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided having a first portion and a second portion for coupling a first printed circuit board to second printed circuit board. The first portion of the connector has board contacts for mechanically and electrically coupling to the first printed circuit board, electrical contacts coupled to the board contacts and a first alignment feature electrically and mechanically coupled to the first printed circuit board. The second portion of the connector has board contacts for mechanically and electrically coupling to the second printed circuit board, electrical contacts coupled to the board contacts and a second alignment feature electrically and mechanically coupled to the second printed circuit board. The first and second alignment portions cooperate to properly align the electrical contacts of the first and second board portions for electrical coupling upon mating of the connector portions. Upon mating the alignment features are electrically coupled.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing and a plurality of horizontal shields and connector modules configured for insertion into the housing. Each connector module includes an insulated material encasing a plurality of conductive paths, each coupled to a forwardly-extending receptacle contact. The receptacle contacts are formed to have a plurality of horizontally-extending slots to receive the horizontal shields when the connector modules are inserted into the housing.

Abstract: A connector includes a plurality of horizontally-spaced contacts arranged in a row with each contact having a forwardly-extending contact portion configured to engage a corresponding contact in a mating connector, an intermediate portion and a rearwardly-extending tail portion. An insulative housing encases the intermediate portions of the contacts. The housing has horizontally-spaced, vertical slots between the contact intermediate portions. A shield is provided for each contact. Each shield has a vertical flange portion for insertion into a vertical slot and an upper horizontal portion extending along and above the intermediate portion of the adjacent contact. The insulative housings with contacts and shields assembled therein are configured to be inserted into horizontally-extending slots in a connector housing.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes at least one via providing a conductive path through the printed circuit board. The via comprises at least one axially extending conductive strip fonned by cutting material from a metal barrel lining the interior wall of the via.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for establishing signal contacts on a multilayer printed circuit board having alternating ground and signal layers in a stack-up configuration. The signal layers have signal pads and conductive traces leading away from the pads. The method comprises the steps of: a) drilling blind signal holes in the printed circuit board down to signal pads on successive signal layers, b) filling the blind signal holes with conductive material, and c) removing strips of the printed circuit board nearly down to successive signal layers to provide on each signal layer a strip of exposed signal contacts for the conductive traces thereon.

Abstract: An electrical header connector of the present invention includes a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings. The header body having a front wall and a back wall. A plurality of signal pins are configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings. Each signal pin includes a first end extending from the front wall of the header body to form an array of pin contacts, and a second end spaced apart from the first end and extending from the back wall of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has a first end extending from the front wall of the header body adjacent to the first end of a signal pin, a second end extending from the back wall of the header body adjacent to the second end of the signal pin, and a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to an intermediate portion of the signal pin.

Abstract: An electrical header connector of the present invention includes a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings. The header body having a front wall and a back wall. A plurality of signal pins are configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings. Each signal pin includes a first end extending from the front wall of the header body to form an array of pin contacts, and a second end spaced apart from the first end and extending from the back wall of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has a first end extending from the front wall of the header body adjacent to the first end of a signal pin, a second end extending from the back wall of the header body adjacent to the second end of the signal pin, and a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to an intermediate portion of the signal pin.

Abstract: A two-part high-speed backplane electrical connector with improved electromagnetical shielding comprises a socket connector and a header connector. The socket connector includes a plurality of connector modules encasing a plurality of conductive paths. Each connector module is formed to include a plurality of laterally-extending angled passageways which are interleaved with the plurality of conductive paths. The socket connector further includes a plurality of first shields, each of which is configured to be coupled to a connector module along a first side thereof to form a paired connector unit. Each first shield is formed to include a plurality of laterally-extending angled passageways in substantial alignment with the passageways in the connector modules. A socket housing is configured to receive a plurality of paired connector units. A plurality of second shields are configured to be received in the plurality of laterally-extending angled passageways in the paired connector units.

Abstract: An electrical connector apparatus (10) includes an insulative housing (14) having an elongated slot (16) for receiving an end edge (18) of a module (12), a plurality of contacts (20) located in the slot (16) for engaging conductive pads (22) on the module (12), and at least one side arm (36). The apparatus also includes a locking apparatus (28, 80) coupled to the side arm (36). The locking apparatus (28, 80) includes a torsional member (40, 82) having a longitudinal axis (48, 94), and an ejector (38, 84) coupled to the torsional member (40, 82). The ejector (38, 84) has a head (42, 86) configured to engage a side edge (32, 34) of the memory module (12) to retain the memory module (12) in the connector (10) and an axle (46, 92) coupled to the ejector (38, 84). The locking apparatus (28, 80) also includes a clip (54, 102) coupled to the side arm (36) of the housing (14).

Abstract: A PC card assembly method and apparatus includes a printed circuit board having the front end edge, a rear end edge, and a first and second side edges. The printed circuit board includes a plurality of conductive pads. The apparatus also includes a front end connector located adjacent the front end edge of the printed circuit board. The front end connector has an insulative body and a plurality of conductive contacts which are coupled to the conductive pads on the printed circuit board. The apparatus further includes a back end plug located adjacent the rear end edge of the printed circuit board, and at least one metal rail having a first end coupled to the front end connector, a second end coupled to the back end plug, and an integral foot section coupled to a ground conductive pad on the printed circuit board to couple the rail to the printed circuit board electrically.

Abstract: A connector apparatus is provided for electrically coupling a module having an end edge including a plurality of conductive pads to a plurality of conductive traces on a printed circuit board. The apparatus includes an insulative housing formed to include an elongated slot for receiving the end edge of the module, a plurality of contacts located in the slot for engaging the conductive pads on the module, and a side arm having an integrally formed split peg for engaging the module to secure the module to the housing. The apparatus also includes a separate clip coupled to the side arm of the housing. The clip includes an actuator section located adjacent the split peg. The actuator section is configured to engage the split peg and to release the split peg from the module to permit removal of the module from the housing.

Abstract: A memory card comprises a metallic top cover, metallic bottom cover and frame housing a PC board and electrical connector. The top and bottom covers are joined by mechanical attachment to the frame and are grounded together by electro-mechanical connection and provide for grounding between the PC board and the covers. Mechanical latching mechanism provides for easy assembly of frame and covers by all vertical assembly. Integral spring tabs provide grounding of PC board and provide frictional pressure against PC board to provide stability of assembly.

Abstract: A memory card comprises a metallic top cover, metallic bottom cover and frame housing a PC board and electrical connector. The top and bottom covers are joined by mechanical attachment to the frame and are grounded together by electro-mechanical connection and provide for grounding between the PC board and the covers. Mechanical latching mechanism provides for easy assembly of frame and covers by all vertical assembly. Integral spring tabs provide grounding of PC board and provide frictional pressure against PC board to provide stability of assembly.