Dual stacked connector

A small size connector has an insulative housing and two edge card-receiving slots disposed in a stacked arrangement with in the connector housing. Each slot receives an edge card of an electronic module therein. The slots support conductive terminals that extend from a plurality of individual terminal assemblies. The terminal assemblies include clip members that engage an opposing shoulder formed on the interior of the connector housing. The front face of the connector is provided with various engagement openings that receive engagement members of light pipe assemblies and shielding assemblies, so that when assembled, the connector, shield, terminal assemblies and light pipes all act as a single, integrated component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electrical connector assemblies and, more particularly, to an small sized electrical connectors having a stacked arrangement.

Electrical connectors adapted for mounting to printed circuit boards are known in the art and are commonly used for connection between two electrical communication devices. In order to ensure that a proper connection has been made and therefore a link is created between the electrical communication devices, indicators may be incorporated into circuits on the printed circuit board. These indicators are typically light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are turned on when a circuit is completed between the mating connectors and the communication devices. Additionally LEDs can be mounted on the printed circuit board to indicate a number of other conditions including the passage of communications signals between the two communication devices, indication of power, or indication that an error in transmitting the signals has occurred.

A problem arises with these type of connectors because the terminals of the connector are usually stitched in from the rear of the connector. Stitched connector typically require a means to align the tails of the connector terminals to facilitate the insertion of the connector onto a circuit board. The use of tail aligners increase the overall size of the connector, thereby increasing the printed circuit board “real estate” occupied by the connector.

Small size connectors must usually be inserted into an exterior shielding cage by way of a bottom opening. When a dual connector of a stacked arrangement, i.e., one which is intended to mate with two electronic modules in a vertically spaced arrangement, is desired, such a connector cannot be practically inserted into a shielding cage by way of a bottom opening because of the intervening horizontal wall of the shielding cage.

The present invention is therefore directed to a connector having a construction that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and which easily mates with a shielding cage intended to provide electromagnetic interference shielding around electronic modules that engage the connector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a small form factor circuit board connector in a stacked configuration having engagement faces thereof spaced vertically apart.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual engagement connector component that is engageable with a light pipe assembly, the dual engagement connector component having two engagement areas vertically spaced apart from each other on the component and which are each surrounded by a metal shield component, the shield component defining two distinct module-receiving bays which are separated by an intervening space, the light pipe assembly extending from the connector component forwardly through the intervening space to provide at least a pair of indicator lights near the front of the module-receiving bays, the light pipe assembly engaging the sides or front of the connector component.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connector for use with a shielded assembly having two bays, the connector having two engagement slots that receive edges of circuit cards that are associated with electronic modules, the connector having a plurality of terminal assemblies, each of which holds a plurality of conductive terminals in a selected arrangement, the terminals being housed in an insulative skeletal frame.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a small form factor and dual card engagement slots spaced apart vertically in a housing of the connector, the connector housing having at least one slot formed on a front face thereof for receiving engagement members of a shielding assembly.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a terminal assembly for the aforementioned connectors, wherein the terminal assemblies each include an insulative frame that houses a plurality of conductive terminals, and the frame includes an engagement member that extends forwardly from the frame and engages a ledge of the housing to assist in orienting the terminal assembly in the connector cavity.

The present invention accomplishes these and other object by way of its structure. A connector housing is provided with an internal cavity formed therein that opens to the rear of the connector housing. This cavity accommodates a plurality of individual terminal assemblies. Each terminal assembly includes a dielectric frame that supports a plurality of conductive terminals. The terminals have aright-angle configuration, with tail portions of the compliant pin style preferably disposed along one edge of the frame and with individual contact portions disposed along another and preferably adjacent edge of the terminal assembly frame.

These terminal assemblies are inserted into the cavity so that the contact portions are received within terminal-receiving cavities formed in the connector housing. The terminal assemblies also preferably include engagement members which may take the form of clips disposed along the same edge as the contact portions and these clips engage a shoulder formed in the connector housing within the connector cavity.

The internal cavity of the connector housing accommodates the terminal assemblies and a shoulder member is provided therein as a member for the terminal assemblies to engage and maintain their orientation within the housing. The front face of the connector housing may be provided with slots or cavities disposed between the two card engagement slots. These other slots receive corresponding opposing engagement members, preferably in the form of tabs, that extend from a portion of an exterior shielding assembly and which portion provides an intervening shielding wall of an associated shielding assembly that divides the assembly into two distinct module-receiving bays. These slots are preferably positioned outside of the openings into which the light pipe engagement members are inserted.

The front of the connector component may have one or more engagement slots of cavities formed therein which engage a light pipe assembly. By this frontal engagement, the sides of the connector housing need not be modified to engage the light pipes in any fashion, so as to maintain the reduced size of the connector component. The light pipe assembly may include hooks that are integrally formed with the light pipes as a preferable means of attachment. The light pipe assembly may utilize distinct first and second pairs of light pipes, and each such pair may utilizes its own set of engagement hooks for engaging the connector component in the manner described above.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A connector assembly10of the present invention will now be described generally with reference toFIGS. 1–3. The connector assembly10is designed for mounting on a printed circuit board11. Connector assembly10comprises a connector housing12defining a pair of ports14,16each adapted for receiving a portion of a mating connector (not shown). Herein, the housing port14will be referred to as the “lower port”, and housing port16will be referred to as the “upper port”, but it will be understood that such terms as “upper”, “lower”, etc. are used in this description to facilitate an understanding of the invention and are not intended to be limiting.

Upper and lower ports14,16each have a plurality of conductive terminals21mounted therein for engaging complementary terminals of a mating connector (not shown). To permit space for latching mechanisms for releasably securing connector assembly10in a mated condition with a complementary mating connector, a cavity18may be formed between upper port16and lower port14of connector housing12. Recesses20may be formed in side portions of housing12, for purposes to be described below. Recesses20may be in communication with housing cavity18.

Connector housing12may be molded from an insulative, thermoplastic material. The terminals are mounted in the upper port16and the lower port14and each terminal has contact portions at an end thereof (not shown) for engaging complementary contact portions of the terminals of the mating connector, and tail portions22projecting rearwardly from the contact portions and extending downwardly toward printed circuit board11for electrical connection to respective traces thereon via through holes formed in (or surface mount pads formed on a surface of) printed circuit board11. A tail aligner24may be attached to connector housing12using any one of a variety of known methods, such as a snap-fit, press-fit or mechanical fasteners. The tail aligner24includes a plurality of through holes26formed therein and which are configured to match the arrangement of terminal tail portions22extending downward toward printed circuit board11. The tail aligner24is mounted onto tail portions22of the terminals in the direction of arrow “A” (FIG. 1) and it sits on the surface of the circuit board11.

A pair of shielding cage assemblies28,30are secured to connector housing12, with the cage assemblies including a lower cage assembly28that is secured to housing12to substantially enclose lower port14thereof, and an upper cage assembly30that is secured to the housing12to substantially enclose the upper port16thereof. The cage assemblies28,30are typically formed using a material, such as sheet metal or plated plastic, which conducts and guides magnetic and electric field energy so as to aid in shielding circuit elements positioned proximate connector assembly10from electromagnetic interference (EMI).

The lower cage assembly28typically includes two interengaging pieces, a lower base component32and a lower cover component34. The lower base component32has a general U-shaped configuration when viewed from the front or rear ends,36,38respectively. As such, the lower base component32typically includes three sides, or walls: a base or bottom wall40and two sidewalls42,44that extend upwardly from the bottom wall40and which are spaced apart from each other to define a channel46therebetween, into which a portion of the connector housing12fits. As seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the front and rear portions of lower base component32are left open.

The lower base component32is stamped and formed from metal. The lower base component32may alternatively be formed using other conductive materials, such as metal-plated plastic or the like. Lower cover component34may also be formed is a similar manner. Generally, the cover component34has a length that matches a corresponding length of lower base component32, and a width that is equal to or slightly greater than a corresponding width of the lower base component32. The lower cover component34is bent, into a general U-shaped configuration when looking at it from its front end50. In this fashion, it includes top wall52and two spaced-apart side walls54,56. Lower base component32and lower cover component34interengage along respective sidewalls thereof the form an enclosure for at least partially enclosing lower housing Port14of connector housing therein. As seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the front and rear portions of the lower cage assembly28are left open. Details of this type of shielding cage are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,768, which issued on Sep. 3, 2002 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The structure of upper cage assembly30is similar to that of lower cage assembly28and it includes two interengaging pieces: an upper base component58and an upper cover component60. The upper base component58has a bottom wall62and two spaced-apart sidewalls64,66. The upper cover component60has a top wall72and two spaced apart sidewalls74,76. These sidewalls74and76interengage the upper base component as shown in order to form an enclosure similar to that formed by lower cage assembly28, for at least partially enclosing an upper housing port16of the connector housing12. In addition, sidewalls74,76of upper cover component60also extend toward printed circuit board11to substantially enclose side portions of both upper cage assembly30and lower cage assembly28. The lower base component32may be provided with mounting pin portions48that are stamped out of the bottom wall40thereof and which are formed, or bent, so that they extend vertically with respect to the lower base bottom wall40, and generally in the same plane as the sidewalls42,44. The mounting pin portions48are formed in a desired pattern to engage and mate with corresponding mounting holes on printed circuit board11. Similar mounting pin portions80may be formed to extend along lower edges of extended sidewalls74,76of the cover member60to engage mounting holes in printed circuit board11. Connector assembly10also includes a separate rear wall78that is attachable to the upper and lower cage assemblies28,30. The rear wall78forms an enclosure surrounding the terminal tail portions22, tail aligner24and the rear portion of connector housing12when attached to cage assemblies28,30, and the rear wall78includes mounting pin portions80extending from its bottom and extending vertically. The pin portions80engage mounting holes on printed circuit board11.

Referring toFIGS. 4–7, a light pipe assembly82, is shown as part of the overall connector assembly10. The light pipe assembly82aofFIG. 4will be referenced for the purpose of describing the basic components of the light pipe assemblies. However, it will be understood that light pipe assembly82bofFIG. 5has the same basic features as light pipe assembly82a. Light pipe assembly82includes at least one light pipe84manufactured from a material suitable for carrying light, such as a plastic or glass. The pipes84are illustrated as pairs of pipes, with each pair shown extending alongside the shielding cage assembly of the connector assembly.FIGS. 4 & 5show assemblies which are formed using multiple light pipes. The light pipes84may be color-coded and each light pipe84has a light-receiving input face86, a light emitting output or display face88, and a body portion90extending between the input and output faces. Light pipes84are shaped to carry light signals from input faces86through body portions90to output faces88.

Portions of light pipes84may be affixed to one or more support members92. Support members92provide a framework for positioning and securing light pipes84with respect to each other and with respect to cage assemblies28,30. Thus, portions of support members92may be formed so as to enable engagement with features on one of cage assemblies28,30. Support members92may be formed integral with light pipes84. When the light pipe assembly82is mounted to cage assemblies28,30, input faces86of each light pipe84will be positioned so as to reside opposite a respective light source such as an LED on the circuit board11.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 6, a light pipe assembly82ais externally mounted with respect to cage assemblies28,30.FIGS. 4 and 6show one possible configuration, in which two pairs of light pipes are spaced apart vertically and connected to a pair of support members92a. Light pipe assembly82amay be connected to one or more of the cage assemblies28,30using any one of several known methods. Examples of possible attachment methods include a mating-type connection between complementary features formed in light pipe assembly82aand cage assembly28,30, mechanical fasteners, or adhesives. A portion of light pipe assembly82amay also be secured to printed circuit board. One or more light pipe assemblies82amay also be mounted along multiple sides of connector assembly. Thus, the light pipe assembly82amay be configured in any desired manner to enable attachment to an existing connector assembly and to convey light between light emitting elements and light receiving elements having any one of a variety of spatial locations with respect to the connector assembly.

The shapes of light pipes84aand the dimensions and positioning of support members92amay be chosen to convey light between light emitting elements and light receiving sensors having a wide variety of locations in relation to connector assembly10. For example, as seen inFIG. 6, the configurations of light pipes84aand support members92amay be specified such that light pipe input faces86awill receive light from respective LED's positioned on the circuit board11at various distances from connector assembly10. Also, the configurations of light pipes84aand support members92amay be specified such that light pipe output faces88awill emit light to light receiving sensors located at any one of a variety of distances from printed circuit board11.

Referring toFIG. 5a light pipe assembly82bmay be provided that includes one or more pairs of individual light pipes arranged in pairs. Each assembly82bcan be seen to include a pair of adjacent light pipes84bthat are attached to one or more support members92b. The light pipes84beach opposing input faces86b, output faces88band body portions90bthat extend between the input and output faces86b,88b. In this embodiment, the light pipes are configured to be mounted within the upper cage cover component60as shown by the alternate embodiment arranged inFIG. 7. In this embodiment, the pipes extends within the connector housing recess20and cavity18formed between housing upper port16and housing lower port14.

The light pipe assembly82bmay extend along a portion of tail aligner24, behind connector housing12and the light pipe assembly82bmay be secured to the connector housing12such that light pipe input faces86breside opposite respective LED's mounted on printed circuit board11and light pipe output faces88breside opposite respective light receiving sensors (not shown) mounted on a separate item of electronic equipment. Body portions90bare formed so as to connect input faces86band output faces88bfor conveying light from LED's to the light receiving sensors located proximate output faces88b.

As may be seen inFIG. 5, the input faces86bof light pipes84bmay be arranged in a “front-rear” configuration with respect to the mating direction of connector assembly10indicated by arrow “A”. The body portions90bof the light pipes84binclude vertical portions96bextending upward from printed circuit board11and terminating in right angle bends98b. Horizontal portions100bof light pipes84bextend from right angle bends98btoward a front portion of the connector assembly, terminating in a transition region, generally designated102b. It may be seen fromFIG. 5that horizontal portions100bextending forward from right angle bends98bhave an “over-and-under” orientation.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 7, it may be desired to arrange output faces88bof light pipes84bin a “side-to-side” configuration with respect to the connector assembly mating direction. Thus, the configuration of light pipes84bmust transition from the “over-and-under” orientation of horizontal portions100bto the “side-to-side” configuration. This transition is shown best inFIG. 5. The transition in the configuration of the light pipes between right angle bends98band output ends88bis achieved by forming, in transition region102b, angled portions104bin each of the body portions of the light pipes. The transition region102bpreferably resides within housing cavity18.

FIG. 5shows one possible arrangement of angled portions104bin transition region102b. At points on the light pipe body portions90bwhich are located within the housing cavity18, the body portion90bof the bottommost light pipe84bangles inward and upward, while the body portion90bof the top most light pipe84bangles outward and downward. The straight sections106bof the body portions90bthen proceed from angled portions104btoward a front portion of connector assembly10proximate the connector receiving openings in cage assemblies104b. As seen inFIG. 5, the body portions90bmay be angled such that straight sections106bare spaced apart from each other and spaced approximately the same distance from printed circuit board11.

A support member92bmay be positioned between body straight sections106bproximate angled104bto position and secure the light pipe straight sections106bwith respect to each other and with respect to connector housing12. The width of support member106bmay be set to provide and maintain a desired predetermined spacing between straight sections106b. Also, the length of support member92bmay be set to provide a press fit between upper cage base component58and lower cage cover component34when light pipe assembly82bis inserted into the cavity18formed between the upper port16and lower port14of the connector housing. The support member92bmay also be plated with a metallic material to form a conductive member extending between upper cage assembly base component58and lower cage assembly cover component34. This provides additional grounding contact between cage assemblies28and30.

FIGS. 7 and 8show that portions of light pipe straight sections106bthat include output faces88bmay be received in a shroud, or endcap108. The end cap108may be preferably formed using conductive materials to provide some degree of EM shielding. The endcap108secures the light pipe output faces88bin a pattern, and provides additional EMI shielding for the overall connector assembly. For these purposes, the end cap108may be disposed to create intimate contact with both the upper cage assembly58and the lower cage assembly36and may be connected to a grounding member on the printed circuit board11.

InFIGS. 7 and 8, two light pipe assemblies82bare embodied in two pairs of spaced apart light pipes84bextending along opposite sides of connector housing12. In this embodiment, the light pipe assemblies82breside within housing recesses20, within upper cage cover component60, and within the cavity18formed between upper port16and lower port14. As such, the light pipe assembly82bresides within the existing printed circuit board “footprint” of the connector assembly as defined by connector housing12and the cage assemblies that enclose the housing. Thus, this embodiment of the connector assembly incorporates a light pipe assembly therein without occupying additional space on printed circuit board11.

Assembly of the connector assembly10ofFIGS. 1,2and6will now be described. In a first step, the terminals may be press-fit into connector housing12. Terminal tail portions22are then inserted into tail aligner holes26and the tail aligner24is secured to connector housing12, thereby securing tail portions22with respect to housing12. The upper and lower cage assemblies58,36are then secured over the connector housing20to upper and lower housing ports14and16, respectively.

The rear wall78of the cage assembly is then attached to the shielding cage assembly over the upper and lower assemblies30,28and the upper cover component60to enclose terminal tail portions22, tail aligner24and to close off the rear portion of connector housing12. The rear wall78is generally secured in intimate contact with one or more walls of each of upper cage assembly base component58, upper cage assembly cover component60, lower cage assembly base component32and lower cage assembly cover component34. As stated previously, mounting pin portions80may also be formed on the shielding cage rear wall78in a desired pattern to engage and mate with corresponding mounting holes on the circuit board11. These holes may be plated through holes which are electrically coupled to circuit traces on printed circuit board11. These circuit traces are connected to one or more grounding features, thereby providing a grounding path for electromagnetic energy flowing through cage assemblies28and30. After securing rear wall78to upper and lower cage assemblies28and30, the connector assembly10may be electrically attached as a single unit to the printed circuit board11.

Assembly of the second embodiment of connector assembly12will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1,2,7and8. In a first step, the terminals are press-fit into connector housing12. Terminal tail portions22are then inserted into tail aligner holes26and tail aligner24is secured to connector housing12, thereby securing tail portions22with respect to housing12. In this embodiment, the lower cage assembly28is then secured to the connector lower housing port14, and the base portion58of the upper cage assembly30is then attached to the connector upper housing port16. The light pipe assembly82bis then press-fit into housing recess20and the housing cavity18. Upper cage assembly cover component60is then attached to upper cage assembly base component60, thereby enclosing light pipe assembly82bwithin side walls of upper cover component60. The spacing between the upper and lower cage assemblies30,28defines a cavity that extends lengthwise of the connector assembly and this cavity accommodates the horizontal extent of the light pipe assemblies.

The rear wall78may then attached to cage assemblies28,30to enclose terminal tail portions, tail aligner24and the rear portion of connector housing12as described above. After securing rear wall78to upper and lower cage assemblies30and28, connector assembly10may be electrically attached to printed circuit board11.FIG. 9illustrates a different connector201that supports a plurality of conductive terminals203, each terminal of which may be stitched into rear openings204disposed in an insulative housing205of the connector201. The connector201is shown in its eventual mounting location on the circuit board202and the connector housing205illustrates in this embodiment includes a pair of card edge connector portions206which are disposed in a “stacked”, or vertically spaced-apart, fashion along the front face207of the connector housing205. The stacked connectors201are enclosed within a metal shielding cage assembly220that has two module-receiving bays221defined therein. Each of these bays221is intended to receive an electronic module222therein in a fashion that is well known in the art. The module-receiving bays221are also stacked or spaced-apart vertically from each other and, due to the cage construction, an intervening space223that extends lengthwise through the shielding assembly220is defined between the two bays221.

The light pipe assembly200includes two pairs210of light pipes212that extend forwardly of the connector201along the sides of the connector housing205and into the intervening space223between the two bays. The light pipes212are generally L-shaped and have first ends214(FIG. 10) that are positioned in opposition to illuminators225located on the circuit board202. The second ends215of the light pipes are located on the opposite ends of the light pipes212and as illustrated, are preferably held in place and in a selected alignment by an end cap216, which typically would be formed of a conductive material. This is so that the endcap216may provide a means of electrically connecting the two module-receiving bays of the shielding assembly together as well as providing a measure of electromagnetic interference shielding across the intervening space in which it resides. The exterior shielding cage assembly includes a rear wall250that may be formed as a separate piece or may be formed as part of the top cage assembly. In the former instance, the rear wall250is separately attached to the cage assembly and in the latter instance, it is preferably folded down over the back opening of the cage assembly and then attached to the upper cover251. Instances where the rear wall250is formed as part of the upper cover251, it is attached thereto along and end252and then folded back over the rear opening. In either instance, the rear wall250is preferably secured by integrated clips254or pins or the like.

The end cap216is received within (as are the horizontal portions of the light pipes215) the intervening space223that separates the two bays221. The end cap216may include indicia217that identify the function of the connector200, i.e., whether the modules are connected to the connector or whether the modules are energized or the like. As shown best inFIG. 11, the end cap216may include a plurality of engagement members, shown as raised members218that engage opposing elements formed on the top bay221of the shielding assembly220. Slots219may be formed in the members218to receive members225formed in the top bay221. (FIG. 9.) Similarly, the square, raised member218may be received in a like-sized opening226that is disposed in the upper cage assembly220. Each pair210of light pipes may further include a support bar230, shown vertically, that may be integrally formed with the pair210of pipes in order to space the pipes of each pair210apart a selected distance. In order to engage the connector and to partially support the pipes in their extent, the pairs of light pipes may further each preferably include engagement members232, shown as hook-type lugs that extend inwardly of the pipe pairs210. As shown best inFIG. 16, these lugs232are received within cavities, or slots209that are formed in the front face of the connector housing205. As shown in the Figures, the lugs232are L-shaped, but any configuration that holds the pipes in place will suffice.

As shown best inFIG. 13, the light pipes may have thick body portions235that reduce down in thickness to thin second end portions236. These end portions236are received within complimentary openings237formed in the end caps216and which extend lengthwise through the end cap216. In this regard, the end cap216may keep the pipes together in a selected alignment along their lengthwise extent through the intervening space223between the two module-receiving bays221of the shielding assembly220. As shown best inFIGS. 17A & 17B, the connector housing205has recesses208formed along the sidewalls of the connector housing205, and the recesses are shown as positioned generally on the connector housing205at a level midway of the height of the connector housing205, but the recesses may be located elsewhere.

FIG. 18illustrates another connector assembly that incorporates light pipes constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. InFIG. 18, only the shield assembly301is illustrated along with the circuit board302and the light pipe end cap304. In assembly, the shield assembly301receives the connector housing205from the rear opening and then the rear wall member314is applied to the shield assembly301so as to form an integrated assembly that is applied to the circuit board302as a single element, rather than applied over a discrete connector applied to the circuit board. The shield assembly301is configured to define a pair of module-receiving bays305that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction so as to be considered stacked upon each other. The bays305are separated by an intervening space306that is shown occupied by the end cap304and through which the light pipes extend. The shielding assembly301is shown as including a hollow enclosure310that has a bottom wall311, intervening walls312,313and a rear wall314that closes off the enclosure after the connector and light pipe assemblies have been inserted as a unit from the rear of the shielding assembly301. The intervening walls312,313have tabs315that extend into and preferably through openings317that are formed in the side walls of the enclosure310.

InFIG. 19, the shielding assembly301is removed from the circuit board302for clarity in order to expose the internal connector320and the light pipe assembly330to view. The connector component320includes an insulative housing321with two edge card-receiving slots322spaced vertically apart from each other so that each slot322is aligned with one of the two module-receiving bays305. The connector housing321includes a plurality of cavities, each of which receives a single conductive terminal324therein. As is known in the art, each terminal may include a contact portion that is exposed within the card slots322. A light pipe assembly330is shown with two pairs of light pipes331which are separated from each other horizontally. These pipes have indicator ends332received within an end cap304, which includes openings333which communicate to the pipe indicator ends332.

As shown best inFIG. 21, the light pipe assembly330preferably includes two distinct elements, which may be referred to as first and second arrays336a,336bof light pipes. Each such array336a,336bincludes two light pipes331that are spaced apart from each other. The spacing between the two pipes is closer in the first array336athan it is the second array336b. (FIG. 22.) In this manner the light pipes331of the first array336amay be received within the space between the two pipes331of the second light pipe array336b. In such a fashion, the first array336amay be considered as at least partially “nested” within the second array336a.

Similar to the other embodiments, the two light pipes331of each array336a,336bare held together in their spacing by a support or tie bar337a,337bwhich extends horizontally somewhat above the light pipes331of the first array336aand somewhat underneath the light pipes331of the second array336b. The light pipes are generally L-shaped and have opposing ends338,339, with one end338being positioned over or on a illuminator device345disposed in the circuit board302near the sides of the connector320. With the support bars337a,337bof the light pipe arrays336a,bbeing inverted, it is possible to place the first array336aof pipes on and within the second array336bof pipes. The support bars337bof the second light pipe array336bin effect, define a “nest” into which the horizontal extent of the first light pipe array336aare received. This nesting is shown best inFIGS. 23A,26A &26B.

The rearmost support bars337a,337bof each of the light pipe arrays336a, binclude means for engaging the connector320and such means are illustrated as pairs of engagement hooks339that extend rearwardly from their support bars337a,337b. These hooks339A are received within recesses340that are formed in the connector housing321and which, as shown best inFIG. 23B, include shoulder portions341which the engagement hooks339A engage. The engagement hooks339A of the first array336aare received in the top row of recesses340as shown in the sectional view ofFIG. 23B, and the engagement hooks339of the second array336bare received within the bottom row of recesses340. (FIG. 20.)

The offset nature of the support bars337,338a,balso facilitates the fitting of the light pipes into the intervening space306between the top and bottom bays305by reducing the overall height of the horizontal extent of the light pipe arrays336a,b. The end cap304may include slots344that are formed on the top and bottom surfaces thereof receive stubs346formed on the intervening walls of the shielding assembly301.

FIGS. 27 and 28illustrate an embodiment400in which the light pipe assembly401is integrally formed as a single piece, such as by injection molding or any suitable process. InFIG. 28the light pipe assembly401has two pairs of light pipes403associated which are interconnected together by support members405to form a lattice-like structure. The support members405are shown interconnecting together both the vertical and horizontal portions of the light pipes. Another set of support members407may interconnect the horizontal portions and may include engagement members409formed therewith, which are received within corresponding openings412disposed in the front face413of the associated connector component420. The forwardmost support member405may also include an engagement member, shown as a hook member423that engages the shoulder430of an end cap431. Once again in this embodiment, the light pipe assembly401is supported entirely along the front face413of the connector420and not by any side portions thereof, which assists in reducing the overall width of the connector assembly and exterior shielding assembly (not shown).

FIG. 29illustrates a connector500suitable for use in small form factor applications and particularly with the aforementioned light pipe assemblies, and which is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The connector500includes a housing502that is preferably formed from an insulative material, which may be injection molded or the like. The housing502has a forward engagement portion504with a frontal face506. The forward engagement portion extends forwardly into the interior space of the exterior shielding assembly. The housing illustrated includes a base portion508and a top portion510. The base and top portions508,510extend rearwardly from the forward engagement portion504and cooperatively define what may be considered as an internal cavity511of the connector that opens to the rear of the connector. (FIG. 31.) The base portion508is intended for mounting to a circuit board (not shown) and therefore may preferably include mounting members, like posts509and stabilizing lugs507extending out from the connector housing sides laterally so the bottom surfaces thereof may abut the circuit board.

The housing internal cavity511houses a plurality of terminal assemblies520, one of which is illustrated best inFIG. 33. As shown inFIG. 33, the terminal assembly520includes a plurality of conductive terminals, shown as two pairs of terminals. The terminals521of each pair are spaced apart from each other vertically, and the two pairs themselves are likewise spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. This spacing permits the terminal assemblies520to be used in connector500of the present invention which are suited for stacked or dual configuration. The terminals521are initially supported in a lead frame and inserted into a mold where the terminals521are separated and a supporting dielectric frame522is molded over portions of the terminals521, such as by over molding. The dielectric frame522provides a measure of thickness to the terminal assembly520and defines a body portion of the assembly. The terminals are trimmed into separate terminals by a process known in the art. The terminals are preferably arranged in an inverted-L configuration as shown so as to maintain the depth of the connector at an optimum amount and so as to accommodate the clips535.

The terminal assembly520preferably has a generally square or rectangular configuration, as shown, with four distinct sides. The terminals521, as shown best inFIG. 34, include contact portions523that extend along one side524of the assembly520and tail portions, shown as compliant pin portions525, that extend along and out from another side526of the terminal assembly520. These two sides524,525are adjacent each other as shown, although other configurations are suitable. The terminals521further include body portions527that interconnect the contact portions523and the tail portions525together and the overall configuration of the terminals521of the assembly520may be considered is L-shaped. The dielectric frame522may include, as best shown inFIG. 33, openings528that follow the path of the terminals521, with one opening tracking one terminal. These openings528expose portions of the terminals521to air and are suitable for providing an air-terminal interface between selected portions of terminals of the connector. This exposure to air may be used for affecting the impedance of the system in which the connector500is used, and particularly the impedance of the terminals521of the terminal assemblies520. The rear edge, or side5280of the terminal assemblies520may include notches530, or other suitable openings which may receive a transverse alignment bar (not shown) for maintaining the rear sides5280of the terminal assemblies520together in alignment as a single group.

In one important aspect of the invention, and as best illustrated inFIGS. 33 and 34, each terminal assembly520is preferably provided with means for engaging the connector housing502, and this engagement means is illustrated in the drawings as an elongated clip member535that is disposed along one side, namely, the front side524of the terminal assembly520. This clip member535is disposed between the two sets of terminal contact portions523and it also extends forwardly of the terminal assembly frame522in order to contact an opposing ledge537or similar engagement member that is disposed in the connector housing502. This engagement member is shown best inFIG. 35in the form of a shoulder, or bar,537that extends horizontally as shown and which projects rearwardly in the internal cavity511of the connector housing502. As shown best inFIG. 32, the shoulder is preferably provided with a plurality of slots539(FIG. 31) that are spaced apart from each other widthwise of the connector housing502, and which extend lengthwise within the connector housing502toward the front of the connector500. Each clip member535preferably includes a pair of free ends540that are spaced apart (shown in the vertical direction) to define a small bight therebetween, which preferably is less that the thickness of the bar537so the clips535may engage the bar537reliably and exert a positive retention force thereon.

The terminal contact portions523likewise may be received within corresponding terminal-receiving slots542that are formed in the connector housing502and which are typically disposed on opposite sides (top and bottom) of the card-receiving slots505. (FIG. 36.) The terminal assembly engagement clip members535are preferably formed from a durable metal that is strong enough to maintain a reliable grip on the opposing shoulder537of the connector500. The clip member535may be easily molded as an insert into the dielectric frame522of the terminal assembly520, and as illustrated inFIG. 34, may include a wide body portion545with an opening546formed therein to improve the retention of the clip535in the frame522. The clip members535provide a third point of engagement with the connector housing502, with the first two points of retention being the two sets of the terminal contact portions523which are retained within their corresponding terminal-receiving slots542.

Turning now toFIG. 36, the connector500is seen in frontal elevation, which best illustrates the number of engagement portions that are disposed on the connector housing502and arranged on the front face506thereof. As described above, the connector housing502may include openings340formed therein that receive the engagement hooks339of the light pipe arrays336a,b. These openings340are preferably disposed on the connector front face506in the area between the two card edge-receiving slots505of the connector500, and further preferably are disposed in between the shielding assembly engagement openings550.

An additional set of openings550(FIG. 38) are disposed on the front face506and these openings extend horizontally within the connector housing502. These openings receive engagement members, in the form of tabs or lugs552of the portion of the exterior shielding assembly that defines an intervening wall between the two module-receiving bays of the shielding assembly. This is shown best inFIGS. 35 and 40. These slots550extend rearwardly in the housing502and include an inner ledge551. This inner ledge551provides a shoulder for a tang553on the shielding assembly engagement tabs552to bear against and retain the shield in place and in alignment with the connector housing502. Both these openings550and the light pipe engagement openings340. In this manner, the light pipes and the shielding assembly all engage the connector housing502in a secure manner so that all of the components will act as a single assembly. In this manner, the light pipes and connector may be assembled as a unit and inserted into the shielding assembly from its rear.

The base portion508of the connector housing502has an opening that communicates with the internal cavity511of the housing502. This permits the bottom edges526of the terminal assemblies520to lie flat on the surface of the circuit board, if desired and as shown best inFIG. 35.