Patent ID: 6213813
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
An arrangement for positioning and shielding a stacked electrical connector assembly including at least an upper connector and a lower connector, the upper and lower connectors both having terminals retained therein and electrically shielded by corresponding upper and lower shells, the arrangement comprising:a positioning frame including a vertical base wall for positioning and preventing the upper and lower connectors from withdrawal when corresponding mating connectors are made to engage with the upper and lower connectors, a partition outwardly extending from the base wall for supporting the upper connector and for separating the upper and lower connectors from each other, and a positioning member outwardly extending from a front end of the partition for engaging with and preventing the upper and lower shells of the upper and lower connectors from rotation, a terminal spacing portion being formed in the partition and being adjacent to the base wall for positioning the terminals of the upper connector, a pair of abutting tabs being formed on opposite sides of the terminal spacing portion for abutting against a rear portion of the upper connector thereby preventing the upper connector from withdrawal and rotation, a pair of engaging tabs extending from the base wall under the partition for engaging with a rear portion of the lower connector thereby retaining the lower connector with the positioning frame; anda common metal shield for receiving the positioning frame, the common shield having a middle wall, two side walls respectively extending from opposite sides of the middle wall, and a cover perpendicularly extending from a top edge of the middle wall, a pair of engaging dimples being inwardly formed in each side wall for engaging with the upper and lower shells of corresponding upper and lower connectors;wherein a top edge of the base wall of the positioning frame abuts against and supports the cover of the common shield, a pair of engaging protrusions extending from the front end of the partition on opposite sides of the positioning member for engaging with the common shield, a pair of curved projections respectively extending inward from lateral edges of the side walls connecting with the middle side wall of the common shield, a positioning lug first inwardly and then downwardly extending from a bottom edge of each of the middle wall and the two side walls of the common shield for supporting the connector assembly and for connecting to a circuit board:wherein the base wall is divided into upper and lower sections by the partition, and the lower section is thicker than the upper section for abutting against a rear portion of the lower connector thereby preventing the lower connector from withdrawal when a corresponding mating connector is made to mate with the lower connector;wherein the positioning member forms an expanded portion at a front distal end thereof for engaging with the upper and lower shells of the upper and lower connectors;wherein the terminal spacing portion of the positioning frame defines a plurality of channels therebetween for positioning the terminals of the upper connector therein;wherein a pair of positioning bumps is formed on a bottom edge of the base wall of the positioning frame for engaging with corresponding positioning posts, which outwardly and downwardly extend beyond the rear portion of the lower connector;wherein an abutting bump is formed on the top edge of the base wall of the positioning frame for abutting against and supporting the cover of the common shield;wherein the engaging dimples formed in each side wall of the common shield are vertically aligned with each other.