Patent ID: 6099328
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical edge connector for electrically and mechanically connecting a first electrical circuit board to a second electrical circuit board, said first electrical circuit board having an insertion edge and two generally planar faces, said connector comprising:an elongated dielectric housing having therein a longitudinal slot for receiving said insertion edge of said first electrical circuit board and a plurality of transverse terminal receiving cavities adjoining said slot on each side of said slot; anda plurality of signal terminals disposed within some of said terminal receiving cavities on each side of said slot and a plurality of ground terminals disposed within others of said terminal receiving cavities on each side of said slot, said signal and ground terminals each having a base portion, a retention portion extending from said base portion and retaining said terminal in one of said retention cavities, a tail portion extending from said base portion for electrically connecting said terminal to said second electrical circuit board, and a spring arm connected to said base portion for electrically connecting said terminal to said first electrical circuit board;said base portion of each said ground terminal including a first generally rectangular section extending generally along a lower surface of said housing, a second generally rectangular section extending up from said first generally rectangular section, a portion of said second generally rectangular section extending along a portion of said slot, and a generally tapered, enlarged surface area portion extending from said second generally rectangular section for enhancing electrical coupling between said ground terminal and an adjacent signal terminal.