Patent ID: 6699048
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A high density connector comprising:a receptacle housing having a base wall and at least one lateral wall defining a cavity, said lateral wall being configured to nest within a plug housing of a mating electrical connector; a high density array of female electrical contacts arranged in said cavity, said contacts being supported in said base wall and extending unsupported above said base wall to a given height; a single piece protection member arranged in said cavity adjacent said base wall, said protection member having a support lattice and an array of openings in which said electrical contacts extend; and said protection member having a thickness selected so that said electrical contacts do not generally extend beyond an outer most surface of said protection member, and wherein said protection member is located within said cavity of said receptacle housing and has a connection between said protection member and said receptacle housing, wherein said connection comprises a snap-lock connection inside said cavity directly between portions of said protection member and said receptacle housing, and wherein said protection member is housed inside said cavity and directly fixedly and stationarily attached to said receptacle housing inside said cavity to protect said electrical contacts before connection of the high density connector to the plug housing of the mating connector.