Patent ID: 6146172
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An electrical connector for connecting with a first flexible cable and a second flexible cable, the first and second cable being inserted into the electrical connector in opposite directions, the electrical connector comprising:an insulative housing defining a plurality of passageways;a plurality of terminals retained in the passageways, each terminal including a mating end for mating with a mating connector, a first mating tail and a second mating tail; anda stuffer assembled to the housing, a first gap being defined between the stuffer and the first mating tails for receiving the first flexible cable which engages with the first mating tails, a second gap being defined between the stuffer and the second mating tails for receiving the second flexible cable which engages with the second mating tails;wherein each terminal is unitarily stamped and formed to include a center barrel portion having a bottom wall, a first side wall extending from an edge of the bottom wall, a top wall extending from an edge of the first side wall, and a second side wall extending from an edge of the top wall;wherein the first mating tail and the second mating tail of each terminal extend from rear edges of the top wall and the bottom wall, respectively;wherein the first mating tail includes an intermediate portion upwardly extending at an incline and a contact portion horizontally extending from a distal end of the intermediate portion;wherein the second mating tail includes an intermediate portion downwardly extending at an incline, an interim portion upwardly extending from a distal end of the intermediate portion and a contact portion horizontally extending from a distal end of the interim portion;wherein the second side wall forms locking barbs along an edge thereof for being interferentially fit in the passageways;wherein the housing includes a retention member defining a pair of ribs, the retention member including an arm formed at an end of the stuffer forming a pair of holes corresponding to the ribs adapted to engage with the holes of the retention device thereby securing the stuffer to the housing;wherein the pair of ribs and the pair of holes are vertically aligned;wherein each rib forms an inclined surface for facilitating engagement between the rib and the corresponding hole;wherein a supporting plate rearwardly extends from the housing proximate a bottom surface thereof for supporting the second flexible cable;wherein a plurality of recesses is defined in the supporting plate corresponding to the passageways for receiving the second mating tails;wherein a retention plate rearwardly extends from the housing proximate a top surface thereof for supporting the first flexible cable;wherein a plurality of cutouts is defined in the retention plate corresponding to the passageways for extension of the first mating tails therethrough;wherein the stuffer includes a body for pressing against the first flexible cable and a stop portion for preventing further movement of the first flexible cable thereby properly positioning the first flexible cable, the body of the stuffer further pressing against the second flexible cable;wherein a pair of projections is formed on a top surface of the housing for engaging with corresponding apertures of a mating second connector thereby securing the electrical connector to the second connector;wherein an orienting block outwardly projects from each end of the housing.