Abstract:
A light pipe assembly is provided for use with small form factor style connectors of a dual row, stacked configuration. The assembly includes two pairs of light pipes, each of which is provided with integrated support members. The support members engage either a connector housing or exterior shield used to house the connector,

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/571,375, filed May 14, 2004.  
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to electrical connector assemblies and, more particularly, to an electrical connector assembly that has an indicator light pipe assembly associated therewith.  
         [0003]     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.  
         [0004]     In an effort to miniaturize printed circuit boards and save board real estate, light pipe assemblies for transmitting light emitted by the LED&#39;s have been integrated into connector assemblies. One example of such a connector assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,239 to Morin et al. which teaches a modular jack receptacle connector having a light pipe for transmitting light signals from an input face of the light pipe through an output face of the pipe extending along a mating face of the modular jack receptacle.  
         [0005]     A problem arises with these connectors in that the tooling used to produce the connector housing may require modification to enable incorporation of the light pipes into the connector housing. Another problem is that incorporation of the light pipes into the connector assembly tends to increase the footprint of the connector, thereby increasing the printed circuit board “real estate” occupied by the connector.  
         [0006]     The present invention is therefore directed to a light pipe assembly that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and which fits either alongside a stacked connector assembly or first within the space between two connector engagement areas of a connector component and further extends forwardly from the connector component in a space between two bays associated with the connector component which receive electronic modules therein.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a light transmission assembly that may be used with connectors that are stacked upon each other or which have engagement faces spaced vertically apart.  
         [0008]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a light pipe assembly that may be utilized with a 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.  
         [0009]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a light pipe assembly of the type described above wherein the assembly includes two pairs of light pipes, the light pipes of each pair being arranged in tandem and vertically spaced apart from each other, the light pipes extending upward from the circuit board and then alongside a connector assembly.  
         [0010]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a light pipe assembly of the type described above wherein the assembly includes two pairs of light pipes, each pair extending from the connector component through the intervening space and ends of the light pipes being received within a spacer head that positions the ends of the light pipes proximate to the front of the module receiving bays, both the light pipes and the spacer head being disposed within a space between two module-receiving bays of the overall connector assembly.  
         [0011]     The present invention accomplishes these and other object by way of its structure. In one principal aspect of the present invention and as exemplified by a first embodiment of the invention, two pairs of light pipes are provided and each of which acts as an “On” or “Off” indicator light for an electronic module that is engageable with an associated connector component. The light pipes extend between first ends that are aligned with illuminating areas on the circuit board and second ends that are exposed to the exterior of the associated connector component. Each pair of light pipes is stacked above each other and the pair are interconnected by engagement members that engage a shield assembly that encloses the connector component and defines two spaced apart module-receiving bays.  
         [0012]     In this embodiment, the pairs of light pipes may extend alongside the connector component and further may extend alongside the shield assembly that encloses the connector component.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the light pipe pairs are formed with engagement members that engage the sides of the associated connector component, and the second ends of the light pipes extend forwardly of the connector component into an intervening space which is disposed between the two module-receiving bays, the second ends being received with an endcap member that occupies the front area of the intervening space. The endcap is preferably formed from a conductive material in order to provide shielding at the front of the connector assembly.  
         [0014]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the light pipes extend up from the circuit board and then turn at angle so they extend lengthwise of the connector component. The light pipes extend horizontally and forwardly past a front mating face of the connector component and the pairs of light pipes are nested within each other. In this fashion, the entire horizontal portion of the light pipes may be maintained in a bay that separates the two module-receiving bays of the connector component.  
         [0015]     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following figures of which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a connector assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective assembled view of the portion of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a connector housing incorporated into the assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is perspective view of a first embodiment of a light pipe assembly that may be used with the connector assembly of  FIGS. 1-3 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is perspective view of a second embodiment of a light pipe assembly incorporated into the connector assembly of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the light pipe assembly of  FIG. 4  incorporated into the connector assembly, and extending along the sides thereof;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a partial cutaway perspective view showing the light pipe assembly of  FIG. 5  incorporated into the connector assembly, and specifically disposed within the exterior shield assembly and partially within the space dividing the two module-receiving bays of the connector assembly; and,  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is the same view of the connector assembly of  FIG. 7 , but with the shield assembly exterior wall shown in place.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     A connector assembly  10  of the present invention will now be described generally with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . The connector assembly  10  is designed for mounting on a printed circuit board  11 . Connector assembly  10  comprises a connector housing  12  defining a pair of ports  14 ,  16  each adapted for receiving a portion of a mating connector (not shown). Herein, the housing port  14  will be referred to as the “lower port”, and housing port  16  will 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.  
         [0026]     Upper and lower ports  14 ,  16  each have a plurality of conductive terminals  21  mounted therein for engaging complementary terminals of a mating connector (not shown). To permit space for latching mechanisms for releasably securing connector assembly  10  in a mated condition with a complementary mating connector, a cavity  18  may be formed between upper port  16  and lower port  14  of connector housing  12 . Recesses  20  may be formed in side portions of housing  12 , for purposes to be described below. Recesses  14  may be in communication with housing cavity  18 .  
         [0027]     Connector housing  12  may be molded from an insulative, thermoplastic material. The terminals are mounted in the upper port  16  and the lower port  14  and 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 portions  22  projecting rearwardly from the contact portions and extending downwardly toward printed circuit board  11  for electrical connection to respective traces thereon via through holes formed in (or surface mount pads formed on a surface of) printed circuit board  11 . The terminals may be stamped and formed of sheet metal material.  
         [0028]     A tail aligner  24  may be attached to connector housing  12  using any one of a variety of known methods, such as a snap-fit, press-fit or mechanical fasteners. The tail aligner  24  includes a plurality of through holes  26  formed therein and which are configured to match the arrangement of terminal tail portions  22  extending downward toward printed circuit board  11 . The tail aligner  24  is mounted onto tail portions  22  of the terminals in the direction of arrow “A” ( FIG. 1 ) and it sits on the surface of the circuit board  11 .  
         [0029]     A pair of shielding cage assemblies  28 ,  30  are secured to connector housing  12 , with the cage assemblies including a lower cage assembly  28  that is secured to housing  12  to substantially enclose lower port  14  thereof, and an upper cage assembly  30  that is secured to the housing  12  to substantially enclose the upper port  16  thereof. The cage assemblies  28 ,  30  are 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 assembly  10  from electromagnetic interference (EMI).  
         [0030]     The lower cage assembly  28  typically includes two interengaging pieces, a lower base component  32  and a lower cover component  34 . The lower base component  32  has a general U-shaped configuration when viewed from the front or rear ends,  36 ,  38  respectively. As such, the lower base component  32  typically includes three sides, or walls: a base or bottom wall  40  and two sidewalls  42 ,  44  that extend upwardly from the bottom wall  40  and which are spaced apart from each other to define a channel  46  therebetween, into which a portion of the connector housing  12  fits. As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front and rear portions of lower base component  32  are left open.  
         [0031]     In one embodiment, the lower base component  32  is stamped and formed from sheet metal. The lower base component  32  may alternatively be formed using conductive materials other than metal, such as metal-plated plastic or the like. Lower cover component  34  may also be formed using sheet metal or other conductive materials, such as metal-plated plastic. Generally, the cover component  34  has a length that matches a corresponding length of lower base component  32 , and a width that is equal to or slightly greater than a corresponding width of the lower base component  32 . The lower cover component  34  is bent, as illustrated, into a general U-shaped configuration when looking at it from its front end  50 . In this fashion, it includes top wall  52  and two spaced-apart side walls  54 ,  56 .  
         [0032]     Lower base component  32  and lower cover component  34  interengage along respective sidewalls thereof the form an enclosure for at least partially enclosing lower housing Port  14  of connector housing therein. As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front and rear portions of the lower cage assembly  28  are left open. The details of this type of shielding cage structure are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,768, entitled “Small Form Factor Connector Cage,” which issued on Sep. 3, 2002 and is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0033]     The structure of upper cage assembly  30  is substantially similar to that of the lower cage assembly  28 . The upper cage assembly  30  typically includes two interengaging pieces, an upper base component  58  and an upper cover component  60 . The upper base component  58  has a bottom wall  62  and two spaced-apart sidewalls  64 ,  66 . The upper cover component  60  has a top wall  72  and two spaced apart sidewalls  74 ,  76 . These sidewalls  74  and  76  interengage the upper base component as shown in order to form an enclosure similar to that formed by lower cage assembly  28 , for at least partially enclosing an upper housing port  16  of the connector housing  12 . In addition, sidewalls  74 ,  76  of upper cover component  60  also extend toward printed circuit board  11  to substantially enclose side portions of both upper cage assembly  30  and lower cage assembly  28 . The lower base component  32  may be provided with mounting pin portions  48  that are stamped out of the bottom wall  40  thereof and which are formed, or bent, so that they extend vertically with respect to the lower base bottom wall  40 , and generally in the same plane as the sidewalls  42 ,  44 . The mounting pin portions  48  are formed in a desired pattern to engage and mate with corresponding mounting holes on printed circuit board  11 . Similar mounting pin portions  80  may be formed to extend along lower edges of extended sidewalls  74 ,  76  of the cover member  60  to engage mounting holes in printed circuit board  11 .  
         [0034]     Connector assembly  10  also includes a separate rear wall  78  that is attachable to the upper and lower cage assemblies  28 ,  30 . Rear wall may be formed from the same material as the cage assemblies and forms an enclosure surrounding the terminal tail portions  22 , tail aligner  24  and the rear portion of connector housing  12  when attached to cage assemblies  28 ,  30 . The rear wall  78  also includes mounting pin portions  80  that are stamped out of a bottom portion of rear wall  78  and formed, or bent, so that they extend vertically with respect to rear wall  78 . The mounting pin portions  80  are formed in a desired pattern to engage and mate with corresponding mounting holes on printed circuit board  11 .  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIGS. 4-7 , in another aspect of the present invention, a light pipe assembly, generally designated  82 , is incorporated as part of the overall connector assembly  10 . The light pipe assembly  82   a  of  FIG. 4  will be referenced for the purpose of describing the basic components of the light pipe assemblies. However, it will be understood that light pipe assembly  82   b  of  FIG. 5  has the same basic features as light pipe assembly  82   a.    
         [0036]     Light pipe assembly  82  includes at least one light pipe  84  manufactured from a translucent material suitable for carrying light, for example a plastic or glass. The pipes  84  are illustrated as arranged together in pairs of pipes, with each pair shown extending alongside the shielding cage assembly of the connector assembly.  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5  show light pipe assemblies which are formed using multiple light pipes arranged in distinct pairs of light pipes. Any one of the light pipes  84  may be color-coded, if desired, in order to distinguish it from other light pipes incorporated into the connector assembly. Each light pipe  84  has a light-receiving input face  86 , a light emitting output face  88 , and a body portion  90  extending between the input and output faces. Light pipes  84  are shaped to carry light signals from input faces  86  through body portions  90  to output faces  88 .  
         [0037]     Portions of light pipes  84  may be affixed to one or more support members  92 . Support members  92  provide a framework for positioning and securing light pipes  84  with respect to each other and with respect to cage assemblies  28 ,  30 . Thus, portions of support members  92  may be formed so as to enable engagement with features on one of cage assemblies  28 ,  30 . Support members  92  may be formed integral with light pipes  84  as shown in the Figures or they may be separate members that are attached to the light pipes in a manner well known in the art by adhesion, welding and the like. When the light pipe assembly  82  is mounted to cage assemblies  28 ,  30 , input faces  86  of each light pipe  84  will be positioned so as to reside opposite a respective light source (for example, a light emitting diode or “LED”) that is mounted on printed circuit board  11 , and output faces  88  of each light pipe  84  will be positioned so as to reside opposite a respective light receiving element mounted on, for example, a mating connector or a chassis of an electronic component.  
         [0038]     A first embodiment of the connector assembly of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 6 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , a first embodiment of the present invention, a light pipe assembly  82   a  is externally mounted with respect to cage assemblies  28 ,  30 .  FIGS. 4 and 6  show one possible configuration, in which two pairs of light pipes are spaced apart vertically and connected to a pair of support members  92   a . Light pipe assembly  82   a  may be connected to one or more of the cage assemblies  28 ,  30  using any one of several known methods. Examples of possible attachment methods include a mating-type connection between complementary features formed in light pipe assembly  82   a  and cage assembly  28 ,  30 , mechanical fasteners, or adhesives. A portion of light pipe assembly  82   a  may also be secured to printed circuit board. One or more light pipe assemblies  82   a  may also be mounted along multiple sides of connector assembly. Thus, a light pipe assembly  82   a  of the first embodiment may 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.  
         [0039]     As may be seen from the above description, the shapes of light pipes  84   a  and the dimensions and positioning of support members  92   a  in this embodiment may be specified such that light may be conveyed between light emitting elements and light receiving sensors having a wide variety of locations in relation to connector assembly  10 . For example, as seen in  FIG. 6 , the configurations of light pipes  84   a  and support members  92   a  may be specified such that light pipe input faces  86   a  will receive light from respective LED&#39;s positioned on printed circuit board  11  at various distances from connector assembly  10 . Also, the configurations of light pipes  84   a  and support members  92   a  may be specified such that light pipe output faces  88   a  will emit light to light receiving sensors located at any one of a variety of distances from printed circuit board  11 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the bottom support member  92   b  may extend out from the pair of light pipes at an angle and have an engagement slot that engages a corresponding member on either the exterior shielding cage or the connector housing of the connector assembly.  
         [0040]     A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5, 7  and  8 . Referring to  FIG. 5 a  light pipe assembly  82   b  may be provided that includes one or more pairs of individual light pipes arranged in pairs. Each assembly  82   b  can be seen to include a pair of adjacent light pipes  84   b  that are attached to one or more support members  92   b . The light pipes  84   b  each opposing input faces  86   b , output faces  88   b  and body portions  90   b  that extend between the input and output faces  86   b ,  88   b . In this embodiment, the light pipes are configured to be mounted within the upper cage cover component  60  as shown by the alternate embodiment arranged in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the pipes extends within the connector housing recess  20  and cavity  18  formed between housing upper port  16  and housing lower port  14 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , each of the light pipes may include a first bend, shown as a right angle bend, and a second bend, shown as an offset bend interposed between the ends  86 ,  88  of the light pipes. The offset bends may include left to right angled portions  104   b  as explained in greater detail below.  
         [0041]     The light pipe assembly  82   b  may extend along a portion of tail aligner  24 , behind connector housing  12  and the light pipe assembly  82   b  may be secured to the connector housing  12  such that light pipe input faces  86   b  reside opposite respective LED&#39;s mounted on printed circuit board  11  and light pipe output faces  88   b  reside opposite respective light receiving sensors (not shown) mounted on a separate item of electronic equipment. Body portions  90   b  are formed so as to connect input faces  86   b  and output faces  88   b  for conveying light from LED&#39;s to the light receiving sensors located proximate output faces  88   b.    
         [0042]     As may be seen in  FIG. 5 , input faces  86   b  of light pipes  84   b  may be arranged in a “front-rear” configuration with respect to the mating direction of connector assembly  10  indicated by arrow “A”. The body portions  90   b  of the light pipes  84   b  include vertical portions  96   b  extending upward from printed circuit board  11  and terminating in right angle bends  98   b . Horizontal portions  100   b  of light pipes  84   b  extend from right angle bends  98   b  toward a front portion of the connector assembly, terminating in a transition region, generally designated  102   b . It may be seen from  FIG. 5  that horizontal portions  100   b  extending forward from right angle bends  98   b  have an “over-and-under” orientation.  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , it may be desired to arrange output faces  88   b  of light pipes  84   b  in a “side-to-side” configuration with respect to the connector assembly mating direction. Thus, the configuration of light pipes  84   b  must transition from the “over-and-under” orientation of horizontal portions  100   b  to the “side-to-side” configuration. This transition is shown best in  FIG. 5 . The transition in the configuration of the light pipes between right angle bends  98   b  and output ends  88   b  is achieved by forming, in transition region  102   b , angled portions  104   b  in each of the body portions of the light pipes. The transition region  102   b  preferably resides within housing cavity  18 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 5  shows one possible arrangement of angled portions  104   b  in transition region  102   b . At points on the light pipe body portions  90   b  which are located within the housing cavity  18 , the body portion  90   b  of the bottommost light pipe  84   b  angles inward and upward, while the body portion  90   b  of the top most light pipe  84   b  angles outward and downward. The straight sections  106   b  of the body portions  90   b  then proceed from angled portions  104   b  toward a front portion of connector assembly  10  proximate the connector receiving openings in cage assemblies  104   b . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the body portions  90   b  may be angled such that straight sections  106   b  are spaced apart from each other and spaced approximately the same distance from printed circuit board  11 .  
         [0045]     A support member  92   b  may be positioned between body straight sections  106   b  proximate angled  104   b  to position and secure the light pipe straight sections  106   b  with respect to each other and with respect to connector housing  12 . The width of support member  106   b  may be set to provide and maintain a desired predetermined spacing between straight sections  106   b . Also, the length of support member  92   b  may be set to provide a press fit between upper cage base component  58  and lower cage cover component  34  when light pipe assembly  82   b  is inserted into the cavity  18  formed between the upper port  16  and lower port  14  of the connector housing. The support member  92   b  may also be plated with a metallic material to form a conductive member extending between upper cage assembly base component  58  and lower cage assembly cover component  34 . This provides additional grounding contact between cage assemblies  28  and  30 .  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the portions of light pipe straight sections  106   b  which include output faces  88   b  may be received in a shroud, or endcap  108 . The end cap  108  is preferably formed of a conductive material, such a metal alloy or a plated plastic, that will provide some degree of EM shielding. The endcap  108  is adapted to position and secure the light pipe output faces  88   b  and to provide additional EMI shielding for the connector assembly. The endcap also may ensure a proper alignment and spacing between the light pipes so that they will fit in the intervening space between the connector slots. For these purposes, the end cap  108  may be disposed to create intimate contact with both the upper cage assembly  58  and the lower cage assembly  36 . Also, the shroud  108 , along with cage assemblies  58 ,  36 , will generally be connected to a grounding member located on printed circuit board  11  or a chassis of another electronic component.  
         [0047]     In  FIGS. 7 and 8 , two light pipe assemblies  82   b  are embodied in two pairs of spaced apart light pipes  84   b  extending along opposite sides of connector housing  12 . In this embodiment, the light pipe assemblies  82   b  reside within housing recesses  20 , within upper cage cover component  60 , and within the cavity  18  formed between upper port  16  and lower port  14 . As such, the light pipe assembly  82   b  resides within the existing printed circuit board “footprint” of the connector assembly as defined by connector housing  12  and 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 board  11 .  
         [0048]     Assembly of the first embodiment of connector assembly  10  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2  and  6 . In a first step, the terminals are press-fit into connector housing  12 . Terminal tail portions  22  are then inserted into tail aligner holes  26  and the tail aligner  24  is secured to connector housing  12 , thereby securing tail portions  22  with respect to housing  12 . The upper and lower cage assemblies  58 ,  36  are then secured over the connector housing  20  to upper and lower housing ports  14  and  16 , respectively.  
         [0049]     The rear wall  78  of the cage assembly is then attached to the shielding cage assembly over the upper and lower assemblies  30 ,  28  and the upper cover component  60  to enclose terminal tail portions  22 , tail aligner  24  and to close off the rear portion of connector housing  12 . The rear wall  78  is generally secured in intimate contact with one or more walls of each of upper cage assembly base component  58 , upper cage assembly cover component  60 , lower cage assembly base component  32  and lower cage assembly cover component  34 . As stated previously, mounting pin portions  80  may also be formed on the shielding cage rear wall  78  in a desired pattern to engage and mate with corresponding mounting holes on the circuit board  11 . These holes may be plated through holes which are electrically coupled to circuit traces on printed circuit board  11 . These circuit traces are connected to one or more grounding features, thereby providing a grounding path for electromagnetic energy flowing through cage assemblies  28  and  30 . After securing rear wall  78  to upper and lower cage assemblies  28  and  30 , the connector assembly  10  may be electrically attached as a single unit to the printed circuit board  11 .  
         [0050]     Assembly of the second embodiment of connector assembly  12  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  7  and  8 . In a first step, the terminals are press-fit into connector housing  12 . Terminal tail portions  22  are then inserted into tail aligner holes  26  and tail aligner  24  is secured to connector housing  12 , thereby securing tail portions  22  with respect to housing  12 . In this embodiment, the lower cage assembly  28  is then secured to the connector lower housing port  14 , and the base portion  58  of the upper cage assembly  30  is then attached to the connector upper housing port  16 . The light pipe assembly  82   b  is then press-fit into housing recess  20  and the housing cavity  18 . Upper cage assembly cover component  60  is then attached to upper cage assembly base component  60 , thereby enclosing light pipe assembly  82   b  within side walls of upper cover component  60 . The spacing between the upper and lower cage assemblies  30 ,  28  defines a cavity that extends lengthwise of the connector assembly and this cavity accommodates the horizontal extent of the light pipe assemblies.  
         [0051]     The rear wall  78  may then attached to cage assemblies  28 ,  30  to enclose terminal tail portions, tail aligner  24  and the rear portion of connector housing  12  as described above. After securing rear wall  78  to upper and lower cage assemblies  30  and  28 , connector assembly  10  may be electrically attached to printed circuit board  11 .  
         [0052]     While the preferred embodiment of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims