Patent ID: 6254415
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: H01R,H05K

Abstract:
A zero insertion force electrical connector for mounting on a circuit member and receiving a device having a pin terminal array of conductive pin terminals, said electrical connector comprising:a base housing, said base housing having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of terminal-receiving cavities arranged in a terminal-receiving cavity array generally corresponding to the pin terminal array;a cover mounted on said upper surface of the base housing, said cover being movable relative to said base housing between a first pin insertion position and a second pin engagement position, said cover having oppositely facing upper and lower surfaces with a plurality of through holes extending between said upper and lower surfaces and arranged in an array generally corresponding to the pin terminal array to facilitate receiving said pin terminals in said through holes,one of said cover and said base housing further including a metal component adjacent an end thereof, said metal component having an opening and a metal component stop member adjacent said opening; a plurality of conductive terminals for interconnecting said circuit member to said device, one of said terminals being mounted in each of said cavities; anda rotatable actuator, said actuator being operable to slide the cover relative to said base housing between a first insertion position at which said cover is positioned relative to said base housing to receive said pin terminals inserted into said through holes in said cover without significantly engaging said terminals and a second engagement position at which said pin terminals inserted into said through holes in said cover engage said terminals, said actuator having an actuator stop member configured to engage said metal component stop member upon rotation of said actuator in order to prevent rotation of said actuator past a predetermined angular position and thus limit linear motion of said cover relative to said base housing.