Patent ID: 6116957
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector for interconnecting discrete circuits on a first circuit board with discrete circuits on a second circuit board, including an insulating housing having a lateral axis and a plurality of spaced parallel side by side cavities formed therein and including first and second spaced openings for receiving an edge of each of said first and second circuit boards, and a plurality of electrical contact members arranged so that each contact member is in a respective one of said plurality of spaced cavities,wherein each contact member comprises:(1) a shank disposed perpendicular to said lateral axis of said housing;(2) first and second beams extending from first and second opposite ends, respectively, of said shank;(3) a first contact attached to said first beam and terminating in a first pre-load member outside of said first opening, and a second contact attached to said second beam and terminating in a second pre-load member outside of said second opening;wherein said first and second pre-load members extend outwardly away from said lateral axis and parallel to said shank for positioning said first and second contacts apart so that said first and second beams are elastically deflected mutually outwardly, thereby pre-loading said first and second beams, and wherein said first and second pre-load members are arranged to move in opposite directions parallel to said shank and perpendicular to the lateral axis of the housing during mating with said circuit boards.