Patent ID: 6358061
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A connector for providing a connection between first and second circuit boards, the second circuit board having an edge for insertion into the connector, said connector comprising:an electrically insulative housing having a predetermined length, the housing having a slot disposed therein, the slot being dimensioned to receive the edge of said second circuit board therein; said housing including a plurality of conductive terminals disposed on opposite sides of said slot, said terminals including first and second terminals for contacting circuit traces of respective first and second types disposed on said second circuit board when said second circuit board is inserted into said slot; each of said first signal terminals having a tail portion extending from said housing for contacting one of said first circuit board circuit traces, a contact portion facing said slot for contacting the first type of said second circuit board circuit traces when said second circuit board is inserted into said housing slot, and a body portion interconnecting said tail and contact portions; each of said first reference or power terminals having a tail portion extending from said housing for contacting one of said first circuit board circuit traces, and a primary contact portion facing said slot for contacting one of said second type of second circuit board circuit traces when said second circuit board is inserted into said housing slot, and a body portion interconnecting said tail and primary contact portions, said primary contact portion extending upwardly from said body portion in a cantilevered fashion and providing a first circuit path between one of said second type of second circuit board traces and a corresponding circuit trace of said first circuit board; each of said second terminals further including a secondary contact portion extending upwardly from said body portion in a cantilevered fashion and spaced apart from said primary contact portion, said primary contact portion being deflectable in response to insertion of said second circuit board into said slot and into shorting contact with said secondary contact portion to provide a second circuit path from said one of said second circuit board circuit traces to said corresponding circuit trace on said first circuit board by way of said secondary contact portion, said primary and secondary contact portions including respective primary and secondary free ends that oppose each other, each of said primary and secondary free ends having camming surfaces that cause at least one of said primary and secondary free ends to slide along the other of said primary and secondary free ends when said second circuit board is inserted into said housing slot and contacts said second terminals.