Patent ID: 6267628
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: H01R,Y10S

Abstract:
A modular electrical connector assembly, comprising:a receptacle housing having at least one plug-receiving receptacle, andat least one insert assembly arranged in said receptacle housing and comprising:an L-shaped insert housing having a bottom surface and a top surface, said receptacle being defined above said top surface, said insert housing comprising a base part having top and bottom surfaces, front and rear surfaces and opposed lateral surfaces, and a cap part having top and bottom surfaces, front and rear surfaces and opposed lateral surfaces, said bottom surface of said cap part partially overlying said top surface of said base part such that said cap part extends in a cantilever fashion from said base part,a first set of contact/terminal members each including a contact portion situated in said receptacle, a terminal portion extending beyond said bottom surface of said insert housing and an intermediate portion interconnecting said contact portion and said terminal portion,a second set of contact/terminal members each including a contact portion situated in said receptacle, a terminal portion extending beyond said bottom surface of said insert housing and an intermediate portion interconnecting said contact portion and said terminal portion,said contact/terminal members in said first set being parallel to and geometrically different than said contact/terminal members in said second set, andsaid insert housing defining a first set of conduits receiving said contact/terminal members in said first set of contact/terminal members and a second set of conduits receiving said contact/terminal members in said second set of contact/terminal members, said first and second sets of conduits being defined such that adjacent ones of said contact/terminal members received in said first and second sets of conduits are geometrically different from one another,each of said conduits in said first set of conduits comprising a bore arranged in said base part and extending between said top and bottom surfaces of said base part, a channel arranged on said bottom surface of said cap part and extending from proximate said base part to adjacent said front surface of said cap part, and a groove arranged in said front surface of said cap part and aligning with said channel;a respective one of said contact/terminal members in said first set of contact/terminal members extending through said bore in said base part, through said channel on said cap part and through said groove in said front surface of said cap part into said receptacle and then in said receptacle toward a rear of said receptacle housing to thereby provide a rearward facing contact portion;each of said conduits in said second set of conduits comprising a first bore arranged in said base part and extending between said top and bottom surfaces of said base part, and a second bore arranged in said cap part and extending between said top and bottom surfaces of said cap part, said second bore aligning with said first bore in said base part;a respective one of said contact/terminal members in said second set of contact/terminal members extending through said first bore in said base part, through said second bore in said cap part into said receptacle and then in said receptacle toward a front of said receptacle housing to thereby provide a forward facing contact portion.