Patent ID: 6171116
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: H01R,H05K

Abstract:
A pin terminal alignment system, comprising:a header assembly having first, second, third and fourth receptacles and a rear side, each of the first, second, third and fourth receptacles having a respective plurality of pins forming a bank of pins associated uniquely therewith, each bank of pins extending initially normally from said rear side and thereafter selectively bending so as to be oriented parallel to said rear side, each bank of pins terminating in a respective bank of pin terminals;a first plurality of indexing slots formed at said rear side, each slot of said first plurality of indexing slots being located according to a first spatial relationship with respect to said rear side;a second plurality of indexing slots formed at said rear side, each slot of said second plurality of indexing slots being located according to a second spatial relationship with respect to said rear side, wherein said first spatial relationship is different from said second spatial relationship;a first rigid alignment body having a top side and an opposite bottom side, said first alignment body having a first plurality of alignment holes formed therein passing from said top side to said bottom side for receiving therethrough the banks of pin terminals associated with the first and second receptacles;a second rigid alignment body having a top side and an opposite bottom side, said second alignment body having a second plurality of alignment holes formed therein passing from said top side to said bottom side for receiving therethrough the banks of pin terminals associated with the third and fourth receptacles;a first plurality of index spacers connected with said first alignment body for seatably interfacing with the first plurality of indexing slots to thereby provide a predetermined separation between said first alignment body and the header assembly and a first indexing relationship unique to the first alignment body and the header assembly; anda second plurality of index spacers connected with said second alignment body for seatably interfacing with the second plurality of indexing slots to thereby provide the predetermined separation between said second alignment body and the header assembly and a second indexing relationship unique to the second alignment body and the header assembly.