Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the housing, thereby reducing warpage. Solder resist areas are formed on central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting an electrical component having a plurality of conductive elements extending therefrom to a substrate. The connector comprises a first base and a second base. The first base has at least one aperture therein and a hinge assembly. The second base comprises a plurality of contacts that correspond to the conductive elements in the electrical component and a hinge assembly. The hinge assemblies of the first and second bases allow movement of the first base relative to the second base. A method of securing the electrical component to the substrate including the steps of: inserting the component into a cassette; mounting the housing to the substrate; connecting a portion of the conductive elements of the electrical component with a portion of the contacts; and connecting the remainder of the conductive elements of the electrical component with the remainder of the contacts. A contact having a retention portion, a tail portion and a pair of beams.

Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the housing, thereby reducing warpage. Solder resist areas are formed on central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume.

Abstract: A connector having a first element and a second element. Each element includes an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts secured to the insulative housing. The elements engage to progressively mate the contacts. A method of mating a connector including the steps of: engaging the first and second elements; and progressively connecting the first and second element contacts.

Abstract: Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques and a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into the recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the housing, thereby reducing warpage. Solder resist areas are formed on central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume. As a result of these features, substantial coplanarity of the BGA array along the mounting interface of the connector is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shielded circuit board module comprising a conductive frame and conductive cover for substantially shielding an entire circuit board. Apertures are provided in the frame so that connectors on the circuit board are exposed through these apertures rather than shielded by the conductive frame. The assembled conductive frame, cover and circuit board form a shielded circuit board connector module. According to the invention the shielded circuit board connector module can be mated with another circuit board in a parallel configuration. A receptacle frame is preferably mounted on the other circuit board to permit the module to be easily inserted therein so that the circuit boards can be connected. The receptacle frame provides for easy extraction of the module from its connection with another circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector which includes a plug comprising at least one insulative lateral support, an insulative medial lateral support and a wire having a first longitudinal section fixed to the insulative lateral support, a second longitudinal sectional fixed to the insulative medial support and an exposed third longitudinal section interposed between said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section. The connector also includes a receptacle comprising at least one insulative support and a wire having a first longitudinal section fixed to the insulative support and an exposed second longitudinal section of the plug. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing this connector and a mold for use therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector which includes a plug comprising at least one insulative lateral support, an insulative medial lateral support and a wire having a first longitudinal section fixed to the insulative lateral support, a second longitudinal sectional fixed to the insulative medial support and an exposed third longitudinal section interposed between said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section. The connector also includes a receptacle comprising at least one insulative support and a wire having a first longitudinal section fixed to the insulative support and an exposed second longitudinal section of the plug. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing this connector and a mold for use therein.

Abstract: A low profile board to board connector system is disclosed. Retention areas in the respective mating connectors are utilized to receive portions of opposed mating contact terminals. Utilization of centralized retention structures allows optimum placement of areas to receive distal portions of mating contact terminals. These centralized retention structures also allow maximization of contact beam length in limited available space, so that favorable contact characteristics are achieved. Contact insertion/retention features are positioned at intermediate locations of the contact beams, for enhanced contact retention and improved beam performance. Terminal contacts may be retained in a passage by projections that engage openings formed in the retention portion of the contact terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector in which the contacts are fused to a solder ball conductive material which are reflowed to provide a primary electrical current path between the connection and a substrate. Also disclosed is a method for fusing the conductive element to the contacts of the connector. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the conductor element into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A conductive element which will ordinarily be a solder ball is positioned in the recess on the exterior side of the housing. The metallic element emplaced in the recess is then heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the metallic element and fuse the metallic element to the contact extending into said recess.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector which includes a plug comprising at least one insulative lateral support, an insulative medial lateral support and a wire having a first longitudinal section fixed to the insulative lateral support, a second longitudinal sectional fixed to the insulative medial support and an exposed third longitudinal section interposed between said first longitudinal section and said second longitudinal section. The connector also includes a receptacle comprising at least one insulative support and a wire having a first longitudinal section fixed to the insulative support and an exposed second longitudinal section of the plug. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing this connector and a mold for use therein.

Abstract: A low profile connector is provided by the invention. According to the invention two sets of contacts are secured in a housing capable of being mounted to a printed circuit board so that the contacts extend laterally from the housing in parallel to the printed circuit board. A first end of each contact can be coupled to an I/O lead of a printed circuit board and a second end of each contact remains unsupported. A mating low profile connector according to the invention similarly provides two sets of contacts secured in a housing capable of being mounted to a printed circuit board so that the contacts extend laterally from the housing in parallel to the printed circuit board. The contacts are compliant and are designed to extend above the mating reference of the connector. The dimensions of the contacts are selected to provide minimum pitch and optimal compliance. A process for making the low profile connector by molding a contract strip into a housing is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shielded circuit board module comprising a conductive frame and conductive cover for substantially shielding an entire circuit board. Apertures are provided in the frame so that connectors on the circuit board are exposed through these apertures rather than shielded by the conductive frame. The assembled conductive frame, cover and circuit board form a shielded circuit board connector module. According to the invention the shielded circuit board connector module can be mated with another circuit board in a parallel configuration. A receptacle frame is preferably mounted on the other circuit board to permit the module to be easily inserted therein so that the circuit boards can be connected. The receptacle frame provides for easy extraction of the module from its connection with another circuit board.

Abstract: A removable shroud latch for securing a printed circuit board (PCB) or second connector (device) to a first connector has a rectangular base which surrounds the first connector. The shroud latch engages the device by means of two pairs of inwardly biased arms that extend from the top of the elongated sides to engage opposite sides of either a hole in the PCB by means of knobs centered on the inward side of outwardly flared flanges at the upper ends of the arms or to an edge of the second connector. A plurality of inwardly extending shoulders on the bottom of the elongated sides engage the bottom edge of the first connector to prevent upward vertical movement of the shroud latch.

Abstract: A low profile connector is provided by the invention. According to the invention two sets of contacts are secured in a housing capable of being mounted to a printed circuit board so that the contacts extend laterally from the housing in parallel to the printed circuit board. A first end of each contact can be coupled to an I/O lead of a printed circuit board and a second end of each contact remains unsupported. A mating low profile connector according to the invention similarly provides two sets of contacts secured in a housing capable of being mounted to a printed circuit board so that the contacts extend laterally from the housing in parallel to the printed circuit board. The contacts are compliant and are designed to extend above the mating reference of the connector. The dimensions of the contacts are selected to provide minimum pitch and optimal compliance. A process for making the low profile connector by molding a contract strip into a housing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A terminator for multiple electrical conductors has a forwardly projecting ground contact provided on the ground structure thereof. A corresponding receptacle has a die cast frame to which nosepieces are attached. Cantilevered contact elements extend from contact blocks and are received in windows provided in the nosepieces.

Abstract: A terminator for multiple electrical conductors has a forwardly projecting ground contact provided on the ground structure thereof. A corresponding receptacle has a die cast frame to which nosepieces are attached. Cantilevered contact elements extend from contact blocks and are received in windows provided in the nosepieces.

Abstract: A cable structure in round or flat form is characterized by a corrugated septum disposed intermediate an inner and an outer sheath. The septum contacts the sheaths to define tubular envelopes extending axially along the length of the cable. Each of the envelopes is able to receive a predetermined number of conductors. The sheaths and the septum are electrically connectable to a ground potential so as to totally electromagnetically isolate the conductors entirely along their axial lengths.

Abstract: A terminator for multiple electrical conductors has a forwardly projecting ground contact provided on the ground structure thereof. A corresponding receptacle has a die cast frame to which nosepieces are attached. Cantilevered contact elements extend from contact blocks and are received in windows provided in the nosepieces.