Patent ID: 6048221
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
In an electrical connector having at least a power contact and at least a ground contact in a connector base, and multiple signal contacts in rows in a contact housing that is floatingly mounted to the connector base, the improvement comprising:the signal contacts being in rows and having respective feet that extend to a footprint for making mating connections with a circuit board;each of the signal contacts having a base mounted to the contact housing;each of the signal contacts having a finger for making an additional electrical connection;each of the signal contacts having an overall length;each of the signal contacts having the base and one of the respective feet being formed parallel to the overall length, and not being formed one behind another along the overall length, thereby reducing said overall length from a length that would have been formed by having the base and said one of the respective feet being formed one behind another; andsaid one of the respective feet extending below the base to extend to said footprint, said footprint being relatively smaller than a larger footprint that would have been formed by having the base and said one of the respective feet being formed one behind another.