Abstract:
A connector guide mounted in front of a receptacle connector is provided. The guide may include a press arm that helps urge a mating connector into a desired alignment. The guide is separate from the receptacle connector and serves to align contact surfaces and provide strain relief to the receptacle connector.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/221,339, filed Aug. 1, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,922, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/246,508, filed Oct. 7, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,461, which in turn claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/637,013, filed Dec. 17, 2004 and 60/704,698, filed Aug. 2, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to cable connectors and more particularly to cable connectors that have a structure which eliminates the need for a shielding cage or guide frame to be utilized with a mating circuit board connector. 
     It is a common practice in the electronic arts to connect cables to a circuit boards by terminating the cables to a connector, typically a plug connector, and then mating the connector to a receptacle connector that is mounted on a circuit board. A well-known problem with connecting cables to circuit board-mounted connectors is the tendency of the weight and movement of the cable to loosen the points of attachment of the receptacle connector to the circuit board, thereby breaking signal pathways and causing the circuit board to fail. 
     This may be prevented by the use of a large guide frame that is mounted to the circuit board to enclose the receptacle connector and which defines an opening into which a plug or similar connector may be inserted. However, such guide frames are large and take up valuable space on the circuit board that could be used for additional circuits or terminations. Additionally, such guide frames are typically die cast and are prone to breakage when dropped. 
     Connector receptacle strain is also a problem and may be caused by the weight, size and movement of the cable(s). Still further, a connector plug and its mating connector receptacle can sometimes be misaligned with respect to each other, needlessly complicating an assembly process. Accordingly, a device that aligns a plug connector to its mating connector receptacle without occupying much space and which could also relieve cable strain imposed on a circuit board-mounted connector is desirable. 
     Additionally, the use of large connector guide frames increases the space on a circuit board that can be used for other electronic components. And furthermore, guide frames are designed to totally encircle and house the connector(s) they are hosting. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an arrangement using a guide member that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and also provides the aforementioned desired benefits. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a guide assembly for a surface mount connector which guides a plug connector into an opposing receptacle connector and which at least partially retains the plug connector in connection with the receptacle connector. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an alignment guide member for guiding a connector plug into mating engagement with a surface receptacle mounted connector and maintaining alignment between the plug connector and the receptacle connector. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly for mounting to a circuit board or other substrate, having a receptacle connector that electrically couples electrical pathways on a circuit board to electrical contacts to which a plug connector may be mated and a guide member that aligns and guides the plug connector into mating engagement with the receptacle connector and which can provide strain relief to the receptacle connector. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a guide member for a surface-mounted receptacle connector which eliminates the need to use a guide frame with the receptacle connector, the guide member being formed from a conductive material and forming an hollow passage that may be attached to a circuit board proximate to the mating end of the receptacle connector, the guide member including means for providing a frictional fit with a plug connector and the guide member further including a retention tab that extends from the guide member toward the receptacle member to define a point of contact between the guide member and a plug connector inserted into the guide member. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector for use with the aforementioned receptacle connector and guide member, the plug connector including a mating face with forwardly projecting mating blade that fits into a corresponding slot in the receptacle connector, the plug connector further including a projecting tab that extends above and forward of the plug connector mating face, the tab having a recess that receives a corresponding tab of the guide member therein and the plug connector tab extending above the housing of the receptacle connector when mated thereto. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a guide member for a surface-mounted, vertically-oriented edge receptacle connector in which the guide member includes a guide portion formed from a conductive material, such as sheet metal that forms an open channel directed toward the mating face of the receptacle connector, and the guide member including an engagement portion that engages an opposing portion of the plug connector. 
     The present invention accomplishes these and other objects and aspects by virtue of its structure, which in one principal aspect includes a guide for guiding a connector plug into a circuit board-mounted connector. The connector guide in a preferred embodiment includes a U-shaped guide member that is inverted when it is mounted to a circuit board or similar substrate and is located in front of and spaced apart from a receptacle connector. A plug connector is inserted into the guide member and it directs and aligns the plug portion of the plug connector with the receptacle connector. 
     The U-shaped guide member, in the preferred embodiment, has two opposing planar side plates that extend orthogonally to a planar top plate. The side plates may include one or more tabs that are stamped from the guide member and which project into its interior so as to frictionally contact the plug connector housing when the plug connector is inserted into the guide member. The distance that these tabs extend into the interior of the guide member may also serve as an alignment function by directing the plug connector toward the center of the guide member. When a plug connector is inserted into the guide member and the receptacle connector, these tabs contact the sides of the plug connector and slow the insertion movement. 
     The guide member may also include an extension in the form of a spring arm that extends preferably from the top plate thereof. The spring arm may extend into the space between the guide and the receptacle connector or it may extend slightly over the top of the receptacle connector. The free end of the spring arm may be formed so as to define a detent thereon which engages a slot or channel formed on the top of the plug connector to provide a tactile means for indicating to the use that the plug connector is properly inserted into and mated with the receptacle connector. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the guide member is used in a vertical orientation in association with a vertical receptacle connector. This embodiment also takes a general U-shape and the top plate (which extends vertically along one of the sides of the receptacle connector) may be provided with a spring arm that is stamped from the top plate and which resides within the boundaries of the top plate. In another vertical embodiment, the guide extends above the receptacle connector mating area and defines a hollow passage into which the plug connector is inserted. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention, together with its objects and the advantage thereof may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an electronics assembly that utilizes a connector guide member constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention to align a plug connector to a receptacle connector; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view taken from the rear of the receptacle connector and guide member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is the same view shown in  FIG. 2 , but illustrating a plug connector inserted into the guide member and engaged with both the receptacle connector and guide member; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view taken from the front of the front of the connector guide member illustrating the structure of the plug connector and the guide member; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view taken from the rear of a plug connector that has been inserted into the guide member; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of  FIG. 5  taken along lines  6 - 6  thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the guide member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the guide member of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear elevational view of the guide member of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a vertical guide member that is used is conjunction with a vertical, surface-mounted receptacle connector; 
         FIG. 11  is the same view as  FIG. 10 , but taken from the opposite side thereof; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a vertically mounted receptacle connector and a vertical guide member; and, 
         FIG. 13  is the same view as  FIG. 12 , but with the guide member in place over the receptacle connector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of an electronic assembly  2  that is used to exchange electrical signals between conductive traces  6  of a circuit board, or other substrate,  4  and electrical conductors in a cable  101 . In  FIG. 1 , the electronic assembly  2  shown includes a circuit board  4  to which electronic components such as integrated circuits, resistors, capacitors inductors and the like can be mounted. As is well-known, electronic components mounted to circuit boards are interconnected by one or more electrically conductive traces  6 , at least some of which are located on at least a surface of the substrate  4 . Electrical signals may be transmitted through the conductive traces  6  by way of a receptacle connector  8  that is mounted to the substrate  4  and which mates with an opposing cable connector. 
       FIG. 1  shows the receptacle connector  8  attached to the circuit board  4  using either mounting posts, screws or soldered into place as shown, all of which are well-known in the art. The receptacle connector  8  has two opposing sides  10  and  12 , a top  14 , a bottom  15 , a front  16  and a back  18 . The receptacle connector  8  is constructed and arranged to maintain the spacing of several electrical front-side accessible contacts  20 , each of which is electrically coupled to a corresponding conductive trace  6  on the circuit board  4 . 
     Electrical and mechanical connection to the front-side  16  accessible contacts  20  in the receptacle connector  8  is made by extending a mating connector of the plug type  100  into contact with the receptacle connector  8 . The plug connector  100  has its own set of conductive contacts that mate with the receptacle connector contacts  20  and the plug connector is at least partially guided into place by way of a guide member, or shell  24 , that is mounted to the circuit board in a location that is forward of and spaced apart from the receptacle connector  8 . In a preferred embodiment, the guide member  24  is substantially U-shaped and is formed as a hood or shield that is inverted when installed onto the circuit board  4 . The guide member  24  defines a hollow channel  80  between it and the circuit board  4  through which the plug connector  100  can extend to engage the mating receptacle connector  8 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the connector guide member  24  preferably includes at least two planar sides  26  and  28 . One planar side  26  has a top edge  30  and a bottom edge  32  and the second side  28  also has a top edge  34  and a bottom edge  36 . Each planar side  26  and  28  further includes a front edge and a back edge. The first side  26  has a front edge  38  and a back edge  42 . The second side  28  has a front edge  40  and a back edge  44 . Two mounting posts  70  ( FIG. 4 ) are preferably formed in the guide member along the bottoms of the sides and these posts may be cylindrical or may be stamped as part of the guide member itself. No matter what their structure, the posts  70  extend downwardly from the sides  26  and  28  and are received in mounting holes  25  formed in the circuit board  4 . They may be used to solder the guide member in place on the circuit board  4  as well as connect it to an ground circuits on the circuit board  4 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 7 , the opposing first and second sides  26  and  28  of the guide member preferably have substantially equal heights  46  between the top and bottom edges and a substantially equal width  48  between the front and back edges of each side. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the sides  26  and  28  are substantially upright and extend at generally right angles to the planar top  52 . Although the horizontal embodiment of the guide member  24  show in  FIGS. 1-9  is stamped from a single piece of sheet metal, for purposes of this disclosure, the top  52  and the two sides  26  and  28  may also be joined to each other at common edges. The top  52  has a first side edge  54  shown at its right when viewed from the front as in  FIG. 1  and a second side edge  56  shown at its left. The top  52  also has a front edge  58  and a rear edge  60 . 
     Importantly, the guide member  24  may be stamped from a relatively stiff metal in a pattern by which there is formed an extension of the guide member which takes the form of a tab, or spring arm  64 , that extends rearwardly. In the drawings, it is shown as extending in a cantilevered fashion, and as shown in  FIG. 7 , it is preferably formed at a slight downward angle θ that creates a bias or preload in the arm  64 . This bias forces a plug engagement portion, shown as ridge or catch  62 , located near the distal end of the spring arm  64 , into engagement with a corresponding slot or recess  102  that is formed in a corresponding portion of the plug connector. This structure may be used to ensure proper location of the plug connector in place within the guide member  24  and in engagement with the receptacle connector. It also may exert a slight downward force on the top flange of the plug connector. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the connector receptacle  8  and the relative position of the guide member  24 , with respect to the connector plug  8 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the guide member  24  is mounted to the circuit board  4  so that the guide member  24  is located in a spaced apart fashion from the connector receptacle, i.e., not in contact with it, and in front of the mating face  16  of the receptacle connector  8 .  FIG. 2  also shows the connective traces  6  on the circuit board  4  and their connection to the electrical contacts  20  of the receptacle connector  8 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates the presence and location of side locking latch, or engagement tabs  53 , that are formed in the side plates  28  by stamping. These engagement tabs  53  extend inwardly, i.e. into the interior of the channel  80  of the guide member  24  they are sized, shaped and arranged to frictionally contact the sidewalls  110  of the plug connector  100  when the plug  100  is inserted into the guide member  24  and engaged with the receptacle connector  8 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the plug connector may be provided with openings  57  in its sidewalls into which the guide member engagement tabs  55  extend to secure the plug connector in place in position within the guide member  24 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a rear perspective view of an electronic assembly including the circuit board  4 , the rear  18  of the receptacle connector  8 , the contacts  20  of which establish electrical connections between the board traces  6  and the wires of the cable  101  by way of the plug connector  100  that is installed and latched into place. In  FIG. 3 , the plug connector  100  is shown extending through the guide member  24  until the spring arm catch portion  62  engages the slot  102  in the top of the plug connector  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , this catch portion  62  is located near the distal end, i.e. the end furthest from the point where the spring arm  64  extends away from the rear edge  60  of the top  52  of the guide member  24 . The catch portion  62  may also be aligned with the contacts on the circuit card mating blade so as to ensure appropriate pressure to maintain contact between the plug connector and its opposing receptacle connector. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the length of the spring arm  64  is chosen to enable the mechanical coupling of the catch  62  with the plug connector slot  102 .  FIG. 4  shows a front perspective view of the guide member  24  and the relative location of a connector  100  prior to its insertion into the guide member  24 .  FIG. 4  omits the depiction of the circuit board  4  for clarity. In this Figure, the connector plug  100  is clearly shown to have a connector latch slot  102 , cut, molded or otherwise formed in the body of the connector  100  and positioned to accept the catch  62  when the connector  100  is fully engaged with a connector plug (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). It can be seen that the plug connector includes an edge card  120  that extends out from a forward mating face  121  of the plug connector  100 . This edge card  120  has a plurality of conductive traces  125  disposed thereon that mate with the contacts  20  of the receptacle connector when the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle connector. The plug connector housing may also include an extension portion, or flange  130 , that extends forward from the mating face  121  and over the edge card  120 . This flange  130  extends also widthwise for the full width of the edge card and also serves to protect the edge card for stubbing. It also provides a support for the recess  102  and further extends over the top of the receptacle connector to provide a means of restricting the entrance of contaminants onto the receptacle connector. 
       FIG. 4  also shows a side locking latch  55  formed in one side  28  of the guide member  24 . In a preferred embodiment, the side locking latch  55  is formed simply by stamping the metal from which the connector alignment guide is formed such that a small tab is formed in the side that extends toward the opposite side  26  and which engages a corresponding side detent  57  formed into a corresponding side of a mating plug connector  100 . Those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that when the connector plug  100  is fully engaged to its complimentary connector receptacle, the side locking latch  55  (which is actually on both sides  26  and  28  of the guide member  24 ), will engage its corresponding detent  57  and “latch” the connector plug  100  to the connector receptacle  8 . That the latching is accomplished by the guide member  24  and not the connector receptacle  8  means that cable strain is absorbed by the guide member  24  and not the connector receptacle  8 . In addition, any misalignment of the conductors in the plug  100  and the receptacle  8  is minimized by the plug-to-receptacle alignment performed by the guide member  24 . These two side latches  55  and the top press arm form a three way means of engagement with the plug connector  100 . 
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the connector  100  that is fully inserted into the guide member  24 . In this Figure, the guide member catch  62  is in interlocking engagement with the slot  102  in the connector  100 . A deflection or “bias” in the spring arm  64  urges the catch  62  into the engagement slot  102  when the plug connector  100  is fully inserted into the guide member  24 . Similarly, the side locking latch  55  (one shown on one side) because it is bent inwardly, may extend into the plug connector recesses  57  to preventing the plug connector  100  from being removed without any significant pull out force. When the plug connector  100  is so connected to the receptacle connector  8 , the guide member  24  also provides a measure strain relief and conductor alignment. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cutaway view of the connector  100  when installed into the connector alignment guide  24 . In this figure, the interlocking engagement of the plug engagement latch  62  is clearly shown on the right-hand side of the drawing. It can be seen that the engagement latch  62 , which is biased downwardly and into the slot  102  of the plug connector  100 , acts to keep the connector  100  in alignment within the guide member  24 . Also shown in this Figure are two mounting posts  70  that are connected to the bottom edges  32  of the connector guide sides  26  and  28  and which are used to electrically and mechanically mount the alignment guide  24  to a circuit board or other substrate  4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the guide member  24 . This Figure shows the side walls to be substantially rectangular with a height  46  that is the distance between the top edge  32  and the bottom edge  36  of the side  28  shown in this figure. Similarly, this Figure shows the width  48  to be the distance between the front and rear edges  40  and  44 . The mounting posts  70  are also shown as is the top  52  of the guide member  24 . 
       FIG. 7  also shows the downwardly-oriented (and acute) angle θ between the plane of the top surface  52  and the press, or spring arm  64 . The spring arm  64  is biased downwardly as shown to provide assurance that the catch  62  will meet with and engage the plug connector slot  102  tending to hold the plug connector  100  in engagement with its mating receptacle connector. 
       FIG. 8  shows a top view of the guide member  24 . In particular, this view shows the structure of the side locking latches  52  that are stamped into both sides  26  and  28  of the guide member  24 . This figure also shows two cutouts  57  and  59  on either side of the spring arm  64  which provide additional flexibility to the spring arm  64 . Finally,  FIG. 9  shows a rear view of the guide member  24 . In this view, the extension of the locking latches  55  are clearly seen as extending into the U-shaped channel  80  that lies within the two opposing sides  26  and  28  and under the substantially planar top  52 . This figure also shows the attachment posts  70  that extend away from the bottom edge  36  and  32  of the sides  28  and  26  respectively. 
     From the forgoing, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that when the U-shaped guide member  24  is attached to a circuit board  4 , it can envelop a plug connector and lock it in place thereby absorbing cable strain and providing electrical contact alignment, even though the guide member  24  is electrically and mechanically separated from and not connected to the connector receptacle  8 . The catch  62  and in alternate embodiments, the side engagement tabs  55 , keep the plug connector in place within the guide member  24 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the guide member is stamped from a relatively stiff metal. Alternate embodiments of course may include molded plastic to comprise the shape set forth above with an optional metal coating. 
     It should be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit hereof. For example, although the guide member  24  is shown to be substantially rectangular, an alternate and equivalent embodiment would include using a top panel of a non-rectangular shape. Similarly, the side panels do not need to be rectangularly shaped as shown. The spring arm  64  shown in the Figures is also substantially rectangular. Alternate and equivalent embodiments would include a spring arm formed of one or more cantilevered bars or rods. 
     The side locking latches shown are formed by inwardly stamping a localized area of the side of the guide member, leaving one edge of the area in place, so that the stamped area can be bent inwardly as shown. Alternate and equivalent embodiments would include using sheet metal or machine screws through the sides and into the connector  100  when it is installed into the connector guide and latched with the plug connector. 
       FIGS. 10 &amp; 11  illustrate another embodiment  200  of a connector guide assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and which is intended for a vertical use on a circuit board. As shown in the Figures, the receptacle connector  201  is surface-mounted in a vertical format to a circuit board  202 . The connector  201  has an insulative housing  204  and supports a plurality of conductive terminals  206 . The terminals  206  have tail portions  208  that are soldered to pads or traces on the surface of the circuit board  202 . A conductive guide member  210  is provided for use with the connector and it can be seen that the guide member  210  has a general U-shape with a top plate  212  that has two side plates  213  that extend from at transversely. These three plates cooperatively define a channel  215  which extends partially around and above the receptacle connector  201 . The top plate  212  of the guide member is slotted and has a recess  218  into which a catch member  220  extends. This catch member has a bend  221  formed in it that preferably engages a slot (not shown) on the plug connector housing  250  in the same manner as shown for the first embodiment. 
       FIGS. 12 &amp; 13  show another embodiment of a vertically oriented guide member  300  that is mounted to a circuit board (not shown) above and in partial contact with a receptacle connector  302 , which is mounted to a circuit board by soldering its terminal tails  304  in a known manner, in which the guide member has four walls that cooperate to provide its plug connector channel. The connector housing  305  has a pair of bosses  307  formed at its side ends which are received in openings  310  that are formed in the side ends of the guide member  300 . The guide member also has mounting legs  311  for engaging holes in the circuit board and for fixing the guide member to the board. The guide member  30  has a plurality of interconnected walls  320 ,  321  that cooperatively define a hollow passage  315  that is supported above and away from the mating face of the receptacle connector. One of the side walls  321  (preferably end walls of the guide member) may have slots  330  formed therein for engaging posts or tabs on the plug connector, or latch tabs that are formed on the plug connector (not shown). The guide member may also have, as illustrated a step portion that may be used to accommodate a raised portion of the plug connector in order to orient the plug connector for proper mated connection to the receptacle connector  302 . In this embodiment, the wall at the rear of the guide member includes a press arm of similar structure as shown in  FIGS. 4 through 10 . 
     While the foregoing described a receptacle connector  8  mounted on a circuit board  4  and depicted the connector receptacle as a female connector, an alternate and equivalent embodiment includes mounting a male-type connector plug on the circuit board and using a female connector on the end of the cable  101 . Therefore, the term “receptacle connector” should be understood to include connectors of both genders, i.e., male and female and the term “plug connector” should be understood to include mating connectors of the opposite gender used on the substrate, i.e., female and male. 
     The present examples and embodiments therefore are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The invention should not be limited to the details given herein but is instead defined by the claims set forth below.