Patent ID: 6079990
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A terminal-receiving socket assembly for mounting on a printed circuit board having a top surface, a bottom surface and a hole extending therethrough, and a circuit on the bottom surface of the board adjacent the hole, the socket comprising:a housing positionable at the bottom surface of the printed circuit board and including a terminal-receiving passage in registry with the hole in the board; anda boss projecting into the hole in the printed circuit board from the bottom surface of the board, the terminal-receiving passage extending through the boss; anda conductive contact mounted on the housing for connection to the circuit on the bottom surface of the printed circuit board, the contact having a pair of opposing contact arms on opposite sides of the terminal-receiving passage in the housing, each contact arm being generally U-shaped to define a top leg and a bottom leg joined by an outward bowed portion, the top leg being fixed to the housing and the bottom leg being flexible with a distal end projecting inwardly to a position of engagement by the terminal,whereby a terminal inserted from the top surface of the printed circuit board into the hole in the board and into the passage in the housing will engage the distal ends of the flexible legs of the opposing contact arms causing the flexible legs to freely spread apart, bending about said bowed portions of the contact arms, allowing for easy insertion of the terminal, and withdrawal of the terminal causes the flexible legs to bias toward each other against the terminal to increase the withdrawal forces on the terminal.