Patent ID: 6435913
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A header connector comprising:an elongated body having a base portion, the base portion having a plurality of passageways and through-holes therein; a plurality of signal contacts received in the base portion, each contact comprising a middle portion positioned in a corresponding through-hole, a retaining portion extending downwardly from the middle portion, and an engaging portion extending upwardly from the middle portion; and a plurality of shielding strips and a plurality of shielding beams being located in the passageways of the base portion for shielding the signal contacts, each of the beams and the strips defining a middle portion, the middle portion of each beam defining a plurality of gaps for receiving corresponding middle portions of the strips said strips being arranged parallel to each other in a first direction, said beams being arranged parallel to each other in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction; wherein each strip includes several pairs of first arms and several retaining sections respectively extending upwardly and downwardly from the middle portion thereof; wherein each beam includes several ribs and several retaining sections respectively extending upwardly and downwardly from the middle portion thereof; wherein each of the ribs is curved; wherein the beam further comprises a plurality of pairs of second arms; wherein at least some of the signal contacts are surrounded by two ribs, two pairs of first arms and two pairs of second arms; wherein the rest of the signal contacts are surrounded by two ribs; wherein each pair of first arms and each pair of second arms respectively define a slot therebetween, the slots of the first arms intersecting with the slots of the second arms; wherein the base portion defines a plurality of openings for extension of the ribs and the first arms and the second arms, each opening being aligned with an intersection of the strips and the beams; wherein each opening is in communication with a corresponding passageway; wherein retaining section of the strips and the beams has a press-fit structure for retaining in a printed circuit board; further comprising two sidewalls extending upwardly from both ends of the base portion; wherein a plurality of baffles project from an inner wall of the sidewall, every two baffles defining a groove therebetween.