Patent ID: 6325655
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: H01R,Y10S

Abstract:
A zero insertion force electrical connector for mounting on a circuit member and receiving a device having an array of conductive pin terminals, said electrical connector comprising:a dielectric generally planar base housing, said base housing having a plurality of terminal-receiving cavities corresponding to the array of pin terminals;a generally planar cover slidably mounted on said base housing, said cover being movable between a first insertion position and a second engagement position, said cover having a plurality of through holes therein arranged in an array corresponding to the array of pin terminals for receiving said pin terminals in said through holes, said cover formed of a generally planar metal sheet coated with an insulative metal oxide film, said metal oxide film being configured to prevent said conductive pin terminals from engaging said metal sheet of said cover upon insertion of said conductive pin terminals into said through holes;a plurality of stamped and formed conductive terminals, one of said terminals being mounted in each of said cavities, each said terminal including a base having two ends, a terminal retention piece extending from one end of said base for securing said terminal in said base housing, a tail section extending from the other end of said base for contacting a conductive portion of said circuit member and a contact structure configured for engaging a portion of a respective one of said pin terminals; andan actuating structure to slide the cover along said base housing between said first insertion position at which said pin terminals inserted into said through holes in said cover are spaced from said terminals and said second engagement position at which said pin terminals inserted into said through holes in said cover engage said contact structures of said terminals to effect electrical connection between said pin terminals and said circuit member.