Edge connector for a printed circuit board

U.S. Patent Number: 5800214

Abstract: A push-pull edge card electrical connector is adapted for receiving an edge of a printed circuit board having contact pads on opposite sides of the board adjacent the edge. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having a board-receiving face. An elongated slot is disposed in the board-receiving face generally along a longitudinal axis of the housing for receiving the edge of the printed circuit board. A plurality of pairs of transversely spaced terminal-receiving cavities are disposed on opposite sides of the slot defining two rows of cavities lengthwise of the housing. The pairs of transversely spaced cavities are separated by transverse walls extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The housing includes side walls at each pair of transversely spaced terminal-receiving cavities, with the side walls being of different thicknesses along the length thereof to accommodate different shapes of terminals in each pair thereof. A plurality of pairs of first and second shapes of terminals are received in the transversely spaced cavities with one terminal in each pair disposed in a respective one of the transversely spaced cavities. One of the first and second shapes of terminals includes a retention section press-fit between the transverse walls adjacent the thicker of the side walls of different thicknesses. Another feature is that different length preloading walls are provided in the housing for preloading spring contact portions of the terminals.

Inventors: Pratt; Gregory R. (Naperville, IL), Regnier; Kent E. (Lombard, IL)

Assignee: Molex Incorporated (Lisle, IL)

Application Number: 08/683,551

Issued: 1998-09-01

Expired: 2006-09-01

Classes: 439/637

Field of search: 439/637,60,733.1,444,630,633,634

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