Electrical connector stiffener device

Abstract: A stiffener device (10) for use with electrical connectors (50) is disclosed. More particularly, the stiffener device (10) includes a rigid L-shaped member (12) having a groove (26) in which an electrical connector (50) is slidingly received and locking clips (14) which are attached to the connector (50) and frictionally received in a channel (32) in the L-shaped member (12) to prevent relative movement between the member (12) and connector (50).

Description: The present invention relates to stiffener devices which are attached to electrical connectors to keep them from bowing along the longitudinal axis. It is known from US-A-4,655,518 to provide an aluminum stiffener device to both cover otherwise exposed contact elements in the connector and also to provide structure to the plastic connector housing. The stiffener device disclosed is connected to the connector housing by screws and is also similarly connected to the daughter card. Whereas the device discussed above is very adequate, it is not well adapted for use with a plurality of short length receptacles referred to as "modules". Accordingly, it is now proposed to provide a stiffener device which is well suited for use with modules as well as with elongated connectors. Accordingly, the present invention consists in a stiffener device used to prevent bowing of electrical connectors of the type having conductive leads extending outwardly from a dielectric housing, comprising an elongated, rigid, L-shaped member having means for attaching one or more connectors to one leg thereof and means for attaching spacer means to the other leg, characterized by an outwardly open channel along a free edge of the L-shaped member and one or more locking clips having means at one end attachable to the connector(s) and a spring section at another end receivable in said channel to prevent relative movement between the connector and the L-shaped member. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanyinq drawinqs in which:- Figure 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a stiffener device of the present invention and the electrical connector system with which it is used; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the stiffener device assembled to the receptacle modules of the electrical connector system; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 2; and Figures 4A and 4B are perspective views of the locking clip of the present invention. Stiffener device 10, as shown in Figure 1, includes member 12, locking clips 14 and spacer 16. Member 12 is an L-shaped aluminum extrusion with legs 18,20 at right angles to each other. Leg 18 includes channel 22 extending thereinto from free edge 24 and extending along the length thereof. Leg 20 is provided with a keystone shaped groove 26 in the inside surface 28, and adjacent and parallel thereto a keystone shaped rib 30. Channel 32 extends into leg 20 from free edge 33 and extends along the length thereof also. Locking clips 14, more clearly seen in Figures 4A and 4B, each includes a plate section 34 at one end and spring section 36 at the opposite end with straps 38 attached to and extending therebetween. As shown in Figures 3, 4A and 4B, straps 38 are bent to offset sections 34,36 relative to each other. Plate section 34 includes outwardly projecting ears 40 on opposite sides. Spring section 36 is formed into center spring portion 36a and outer spring portions 36b, one on each side of center spring portion 36a. As shown, portions 36a and 36b are arcuate-shaped with convex surfaces 36d facing outwardly. Locking clips 14 are preferably made from stainless steel. Spacer 16 is made from a dielectrical material and is provided with holes 42 in a pre-determined pattern and mounting studs 44 adjacent one longitudinal edge. As shown in Figure 1, connector 50 to which stiffener device 10 is attached includes housing 52 with side wall 54 extending outwardly from side surface 56. A keystone-shaped rib 58 extends longitudinally adjacent to an along free edge 60 and a keystone-shaped groove 62 extends parallel and adjacent to rib 58. Three-sided frames 64 on side surface 56 include inwardly facing grooves 66. As shown, frames 64 and grooves 66 open out in a direction away from side wall 54. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, one or more connectors 50 are slid onto member 12 from an end with grooves 26,62 receiving ribs 58,30 respectively. After being positioned as desired, locking clips 14 are attached with ears 40 on plate section 34 being frictionally received in grooves 66 in frames 64 and spring section 36 being frictionally received in channel 32. Clips 14 prevent relative sliding movement of connectors 50 and member 12. Spacer 16 is attached to member 12 with studs 44 being frictionally received in channel 22. Leads 68 on contact elements 70,72 in housing 52 of connector 50 extend through holes 42. Stiffener device 10 is advantageously used with electrical connector systems 74 shown in Figure 1. System 74 includes connectors 50, known as receptacles, and mating connector 76, known as a headers. Connector 76, which is mounted on back panel 78, receives a number of connectors 50 to which daughter card 80 is attached. Stiffener device 10 provides structural support to connectors 50 as well as a means for positioning them in a desired pattern. As can be discerned, a stiffener device has been disclosed for use with electrical connector systems. The stiffener device includes an elongated L-shaped member which receives receptacle connectors of the electrical connector system. The device further includes locking clips which removably lock the connectors to the L-shaped member. Also disclosed is a spacer for use with the member.

Claims: A stiffener device (10) used to prevent bowing of electrical connectors (50) of the type having conductive leads extending outwardly from a dielectric housing (52), comprising an elongated, rigid, L-shaped member (12) having means (32) for attaching one or more connectors to one leg thereof and means (22) for attaching spacer means (16) to the other leg, characterized by an outwardly open channel (32) along a free edge (33) of the L-shaped member (12) and one or more locking clips (14) having means (34) at one end attachable to the connector(s) and a spring section (36) at another end receivable in said channel (32) to prevent relative movement between the connector and the L-shaped member. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring section (36) includes a plurality of arcuate-shaped spring portions (36a,36b) having outwardly facing convex surfaces (36d) frictionally engageable with the channel (32), at least two of said convex surfaces facing outwardly in opposite directions relative to each other. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means attachable to the connector includes a plate (34). The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring section (36) is offset from the plane of the plate (34).

Inventors: BARKUS LEE ANDREW, SINISI DAVID BEATTY, BARKUS, LEE ANDREW, SINISI, DAVID BEATTY
Applicants: WHITAKER CORP, THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 1990
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R12, H01R13