Patent ID: 6146194
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A stacked connector assembly comprising:a bracket comprising two spaced legs and a top panel extending between upper ends of the legs;a first connector fixed to the bracket under the top panel;a second connector positioned below the first connector; andmeans for attaching the second connector to the first connector;wherein the means for attaching the second connector to the first connector comprises a pair of spaced bars extending from a top side of the second connector, each bar forming a barbed end for engaging with a corresponding groove defined in the first connector thereby attaching the second connector to the first connector;wherein a pair of positioning pegs is formed on the top side of the second connector for being guidingly received in corresponding slots defined in the first connector;wherein the first connector comprises two spaced rear arms extending therefrom, each rear arm having an inside face defining a groove, and wherein the means for attaching the second connector to the first connector comprises a pair of spaced bars formed on a opt side of the second connector and extending between the rear arms of the first connector, each bar forming a barbed end engaging with the groove of the corresponding rear arm thereby attaching the second connector to the first connector;wherein a vertical slot is defined in the inside face of each rear arm of the first connector, a pair of positioning pegs being formed on the top side of the second connector for being guidingly received in the corresponding slots of the first connector;wherein each positioning peg has a tapered free end for facilitating insertion into the corresponding slot of the first connector;wherein an elongate projection extends from each of the legs of the bracket and forms a space with the top panel, the first connector comprising a pair of rear arms corresponding to the projections of the bracket, each rear arm forming an inwardly-extending flange received in the corresponding space of the bracket thereby supporting the first connector under the top panel;wherein a first groove is defined in an inside face of each rear arm of the first connector, each elongate projection of the bracket having an outside face configured to be matingly received in the first groove of the corresponding rear arm;wherein each rear arm of the first connector defines a second groove in the inside face thereof, and wherein the means for attaching the second connector to the first connector comprises a pair of spaced bars formed on a top side thereof and extending between the rear arms of the first connector, each bar forming a barbed end engaging with the second groove of the corresponding rear arm thereby attaching the second connector to the first connector;wherein a vertical slot is defined in the inside face of each rear arm of the first connector, a pair of positioning pegs being formed on the top side of the second connector for being guidingly received in the corresponding slots of the first connector;wherein a stop is formed on an outside face of each elongate projection of the bracket for abutting against a free end of the corresponding rear arm of the first connector;wherein the first connector comprises a plurality of contacts having tail sections extending substantially parallel to the legs of the bracket, a spacer being positioned between the legs with the tail sections of the contacts extending therethrough;wherein the spacer comprises end projections interferentially received in slots defined in the legs;wherein a pair of board locks is secured to opposite ends of the first connector and extends therefrom, each board lock comprising a section extending along an outside face of the corresponding leg with a portion of an edge thereof received in a slit defined in the leg;wherein each leg has an expanded lower end portion with the slit defined therein, the expanded portion forming a shoulder for supporting a step formed on the section of the board lock;wherein a pair of board locks is secured to opposite ends of the first connector, each board lock comprising a section extending along a portion of the first connector with an edge thereof received in a slit defined in the portion for firmly retaining the section of the board lock to the portion;wherein a plurality of barbs is formed on an underside of the top panel of the bracket for engaging with notches defined in a top side of the first connector;wherein the first connector is an ultra SCSI connector;wherein the second connector is a docking connector.