Abstract: A retention member aligns and stabilizes one or more insert molded lead assemblies (IMLAs) in an electrical connector. The retention member provides for alignment and stability in the x-, y-, and z-directions. Such a retention member may be in connection with a right angle header connector. The retention member provides stability by maintaining the true positioning of the terminal ends of the contacts. The retention member is expandable in length, and may be sized and shaped to fit a single header assembly or multiple position configurations.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of an electrical connector includes a housing, and a surface mount conductor positioned on the housing. The surface mount conductor has a surface mount end. The electrical connector also includes a substrate penetrable electrical conductor positioned on the housing. The substrate penetrable electrical conductor provides strain relief for the surface mount conductor.

Abstract: A mid-plane is disclosed. The mid-plane includes a first printed circuit board having a plurality of plated vias adapted to receive tails attached to a first connector and having a plurality of unplated clearance holes adapted to receive tails attached to a second connector. The second printed circuit board has a plurality of plated vias adapted to receive tails attached to the second connector and has a plurality of unplated clearance adapted to receive tails attached to the first connector.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a connector system includes a first electrical connector for mounting on a first substrate. The first electrical connector has a housing, and a contact mounted on the housing. The connector system also includes a second electrical connector for mounting on a second substrate. The second electrical connector includes a housing having a projection formed thereon, and a contact mounted on the housing. The second electrical connector is capable of mating with the first electrical connector so that the contact of the first electrical connector electrically contacts the contact of the second electrical connector and the projection contacts the first substrate so that at least a portion of the weight of the second electrical connector and the second substrate is transmitted to the first substrate by way of the projection.

Abstract: An electronic component assembly includes a first electronic component, a second electronic component, and a grommet. The first electronic component includes a first electrical connector and at least one guide post. The second electronic component includes a printed circuit board, a second electrical connector having signal contacts connected to the printed circuit board with a ball grid array connection, and at least one guide post receptacle. The grommet is on the guide post. The guide post is adapted to be inserted into the guide post receptacle with the grommet providing a resilient spacer for buffering forces on the ball grid array connection when the first electrical connector is connected to the second electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a leadframe housing, a first electrical contact fixed in the leadframe housing, a second electrical contact fixed adjacent to the first electrical contact in the leadframe housing, and a third electrical contact fixed adjacent to the second electrical contact in the leadframe housing is disclosed. Each of the first and second electrical contacts may be selectively designated, while fixed in the lead frame housing, as either a ground contact or a signal contact such that, in a first designation, the first and second contacts form a differential signal pair, and, in a second designation, the second contact is a single-ended signal conductor. The third electrical contact may be a ground contact having a terminal end that extends beyond terminal ends of the first and second contacts.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a leadframe assembly and a connector housing is disclosed. The leadframe may include a lead frame and an electrical contact extending at least partially through the lead frame. The connector housing contains the leadframe assembly in each of one or more directions and also allows the leadframe assembly to move relative to the housing in the each direction. After the connector is mounted to a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, the housing is free to move in at least one direction relative to the leadframe assemblies. The connector may also include a contact receiving wafer having a face that at least partially defines an aperture that extends therethrough. A terminal portion of the contact may extend at least partially into the aperture. The faces that define the aperture contain the terminal portion of the contact in each of a plurality of directions and also allows the terminal portion of the contact to move in each direction.

Abstract: A protective housing removably attached to an electrical connector to prevent damage to contacts of the connector during, for example, shipping or handling of the electrical connector before the connector is connected with an electrical device such as a second electrical connector. The contact protector may include a pull portion of adhesive tape that abuts a housing of the electrical connector, creating an interference fit. The contact protector may include a handle integrated with the contact protector to facilitate removal of the contact protector from the electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector according to the invention may include a first signal contact that defines a first side and a first edge, wherein the first side is greater in length than the first edge, the first edge having a first edge width, and a second signal contact that defines a second side and a second edge, wherein the second side is greater in length that the second edge, the second edge having a second edge width. The first signal contact and the second signal contact may be positioned edge-to-edge. A gap may be defined between the first edge of the first signal contact and the second edge of the second signal contact. The gap may have a gap width that is approximately equal to at least one of the first edge width and the second edge width. The connector may have a column pitch, and the gap width may be based on the column pitch. The gap width may be approximately 0.3-0.4 millimeters.

Abstract: A printed circuit board electrical power contact for connecting a daughter printed circuit board to a mating contact on another electrical component. The power contact includes a main section; at least one daughter board electrical contact section extending from the main section; and at least one mating connector contact section extending from the main section. The mating connector contact section includes at least three forward projecting beams. A first one of the beams extends outward in a first direction as the first beam extends forward from the main section and has a contact surface facing the first direction. Two second ones of the beams are located on opposite sides of the first beam and extend outward in a second opposite direction as the second beams extend forward from the main section. The second beams have contact surfaces facing the second direction.

Abstract: A retention member aligns and stabilizes one or more insert molded lead assemblies (IMLAs) in an electrical connector. The retention member provides for alignment and stability in the x-, y-, and z-directions. Such a retention member may be in connection with a right angle header connector. The retention member provides stability by maintaining the true positioning of the terminal ends of the contacts. The retention member is expandable in length, and may be sized and shaped to fit a single header assembly or multiple position configurations.

Abstract: A modular connector includes a housing 1 having at least one plug receiving cavity 2. An edge connector 3 is disposed in the housing 1 and makes electrical connection to a receiving printed circuit board through solder tails 7. A printed circuit board 4 has electrical circuitry 16 and is received by the edge connector 3. Terminals 8 are held in the plug receiving cavity 2 of the housing 1 by a retainer 9. Ends of the terminals 8 distal from a mating side 50 of the connector make resilient contact to area contacts 6 on printed circuit board 4.