Abstract:
The present invention provides a floating connector, used for electrical connection between electrical components and a circuit board. Multiple embodiments include a plurality of elastic contacts retained between the circuit board and an insulated housing movable laterally and orthogonally in a fixed range to accommodate misalignment. The contacts are in sliding contact with the circuit board to ensure a reliable connection without solder. The embodiments employ guiding slits to maintain electrical separation between the contacts during adjustment. Each embodiment accommodates movement in multiple directions, requires no solder, and provides for secure flexible electrical connection between an electronic component and the circuit board.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a floating connector that enables an electrical connection between electronic components even when the components are misaligned. 
     2. Description of the Invention 
     Electronic equipment, such as a car stereo, is typically assembled from a plurality of units. The units may include a CD unit, a MD unit, and a tuner unit depending on the user&#39;s tastes. The selected units are arranged in a chassis in multiple stages. Connectors electrically connect each unit to the required input equipment. The input equipment may be multiple switches allowing user operation through a panel. 
     Referring now to FIG. 13, an equipment chassis  1  includes units  2 ,  3 , and  4 , such as a CD unit, a MD unit, and a tuner unit. Units  2 ,  3 , and  4  are arranged in three vertical stages and have different functions. Units  2 ,  3 , and  4  internally include respective sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a . Sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a , and  3   b  mount manufacturer selected electronics (not shown) and have corresponding conductive patterns  2   b,    3   b ,  4   b . Conductive patterns  2   b ,  3   b , and  4   b , are printed on externally projecting end surfaces of each corresponding unit  2 ,  3 , and  4 . Conductive patterns  2   b    3   b , and  4   b  constitute external terminals electrically connected to corresponding printed circuit board connectors  100 ,  110 ,  120 . 
     Printed circuit board connectors  100 ,  110 ,  120  include corresponding insulated housings  102 ,  112 ,  122 . Insulated housings  102 ,  112 ,  122  include corresponding connection recess  102   a ,  112   a ,  122   a  shaped to receive corresponding sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a . Each connection recess  102   a ,  112   a ,  122   a , includes a corresponding contact  101 ,  111 ,  121 . Terminal portions  101   a ,  111   a ,  121   a , are on a first side of each respective contact  101 ,  111 ,  121 , and correspond to respective connection recess  102   a ,  112   a ,  122   a . Lead-out portions  101   b ,  111   b , and  121   b , are on a second side of each contact  101 ,  111 ,  121 . 
     Leg portions (not shown) of insulated housings  102 ,  112 , and  122  penetrate through printed circuit board  130  and locate insulated housings  102 ,  112 ,  122 , opposite to sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a  of units  2 ,  3 , and  4 . Printed circuit board connectors  100 ,  110 ,  120  thus connect to printed circuit board  130  to allow sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a  to insert into connection recesses  102   a ,  112   a , and  122   a.    
     Lead-out portions  101   b ,  111   b ,  121   b  are soldered to a lead portion (not shown) of printed circuit board  130 . During assembly, sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a  insert into connection recess  102   a ,  112   a ,  122   a  and terminal portions  101   a ,  111   a ,  121   a  contact conductive patterns  2   b ,  3   b ,  4   b  for electric connection. 
     In this structure, printed circuit board  130  and the equipment chassis  1  are assembled together and units  2 ,  3 ,  4  connect to the corresponding printed circuit board connectors  100 ,  110 ,  120 . 
     In this structure when an assembly error occurs and the insertion angle(pitch) is not optimized, sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a  of units  2 ,  3 ,  4  cannot simultaneously insert into printed circuit board connectors  100 ,  110 ,  120 . If sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a , are forcibly inserted, equipment damage may result. Accordingly, a floating connector is frequently used which allows the components to absorb the attachment error. 
     Additionally referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, showing a conventional floating connector described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-15747. 
     A floating connector  150  includes a front housing  160  and a rear housing  170 . Front housing  160  includes a joining projection  161 . Rear housing  170  includes a horizontal long joining hole  171 . During assembly, joining projection  161  inserts into joining hole  171  to fix front housing  160  to rear housing  170 . Joining hole  171  has a shape that retains joining projection  161  while allowing adjustment in a linear direction, as will be explained. 
     Rear housing  170  is positioned and fixed to a printed circuit board  190  by leg portions  173 . Leg portions  173  are at opposite ends of rear housing  170 . Leg portions  173  extend through printed circuit board  190 . In an assembled state, front housing  160  can be moved in a linear direction, as shown by an arrow A, relative to rear housing  170 . 
     It should be understood that printed circuit board  190  corresponds to the printed circuit board  130  for purposes of this disclosure. 
     A contact  180  includes a horizontal terminal portion  181 , a vertical leadout portion  182 , and a flexing portion  183 . It should be understood that multiple contacts  180  may be employed with this assembly. Flexing portion  183  is between horizontal terminal portion  181  and vertical lead-out portion  182 . 
     Lead-out portion  182  extends through a slits  172  in a rear portion of rear housing  170  to penetrate printed circuit board  190 . Lead-out portions  182  connect to printed circuit board  190  by soldering to printed circuit board  190 . 
     Terminal portion  181  penetrates through a contact through-hole  162  formed in front housing  160  and contacts a contact  220 . Contacts  220  constitute external terminals of connectors  210  and are mounted on a printed circuit board  200 . Thus, contact  180  achieves electrical connection with circuit board  200 . 
     During assembly, when front housing  160  moves along the direction shown by the arrow A, flexing portions  183  of contacts  180  flex to maintain electrical connection between printed circuit boards  190  and  200 . Thus, despite an error in assembly, front housing  160  moves to absorb the error, and enables printed circuit boards  190  and  200  to remain electrically connected. 
     Floating connector  150 , however, has several functional and reliability problems: 
     First, since the movement of front housing  160  is only in one single direction, the single lateral direction shown by arrow A, error in another nonlateral single direction cannot be accommodated. 
     Second, since contacts  180  are soldered to printed circuit board  190 , a soldering step is required, thereby increasing the number of connection steps and manufacturing costs. 
     Third, soldering and soldering byproducts may adversely affect the environment. 
     Fourth, since front housing  160  can move in only one direction and contacts  180  are fixed by soldering, when an external force such an impact or vibration causes front housing  160  to move cracks may occur in the solder and cause a faulty electrical connection. 
     The present invention has been provided in view of these conventional problems, and it is an object thereof to provide a floating connector that can be moved in multiple directions to accommodate a wide range of attachment errors and that requires no soldered portion while making the connection more reliable. 
     OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a floating connector that accommodates movement and maintains an electrical connection between an electrical connector and an equipment chassis. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a floating connector that allows elastic contact with at least one of a plurality of land patterns on a printed circuit board. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a floating connector having a cover that surrounds and sandwiches an insulated housing between the cover and a printed board in a substantially locked but transversely and orthogonally adjustable state. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide lead-out portions of contacts that are in elastic slidable contact with a printed circuit board. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment that allows slidable, two-dimensional adjustment along a surface of a printed circuit board. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment that allows slidable, three-dimensional adjustment orthogonal to a surface of a printed circuit board, thus allowing an insulated housing to move in directions both orthogonal and lateral to a printed circuit board. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a floating connector that minimizes soldering steps and simplifies assembly and construction while increasing reliability. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of a floating connector having a cover made of metal or other material to increase the strength of the cover. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of a floating connector having a metal cover that minimizes static electricity damage, shields minor electromagnetic waves, and connects to external grounding connectors. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of a floating connector allowing well-balanced elastic connection between a plurality of land patterns and an external terminal thus minimizing inclination under a reaction force from a biased direction. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an embodiment of a floating connector where contacts project from opposite sides of a cover and cross one another. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide embodiments allowing single or multiple slits and support plates adaptable to allow increased elastic motion of contacts and ensure long live and adaptability to a variety of customer needs. 
     Briefly stated, the present invention provides a floating connector, used for electrical connection between electrical components and a circuit board. Multiple embodiments include a plurality of elastic contacts retained between the circuit board and an insulated housing movable laterally and orthogonally in a fixed range to accommodate misalignment. The contacts are in sliding contact with the circuit board to ensure a reliable connection without solder. The embodiments employ guiding slits to maintain electrical separation between the contacts during adjustment. Each embodiment accommodates movement in multiple directions, requires no solder, and provides for secure flexible electrical connection between an electronic component and the circuit board. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector for use with a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads thereon, comprising: a support plate, a plurality of resilient contacts on a surface of the support plate which faces the circuit board, at least some of the resilient contacts being alienable with ones of the contact pads, a connection portion rising orthogonal to the support plate, the connection portion including means for positioning terminal portions connected to the resilient contacts, the means for positioning being effective for positioning the terminal portions accessible to an external plug, a cover fittable over the connection portion, an opening in the cover, the opening having an internal dimension larger than an external dimension of the connection portion, whereby a gap remains between the cover and the connection portion, the gap permitting the connection portion to adjust transversely to accommodate misalignment of the external plug, and means for latching the cover into frictional contact with the support plate whereby the resilient contacts are urged into contact with the contact pads without solder. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, wherein: the means for positioning permitting the connection portion to adjust orthogonally to the circuit board to accommodate misalignment of the external plug. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising: a presser portion in the cover, and the presser portion in frictional contact with the support plate thereby permitting the support plate to move transversely to accommodate misalignment of the external plug. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising: an insert hole, the insert hole extends from a top side to a bottom side of the connection portion, a tapered guide surface on the top side of the insert hole, and the tapered guide surface permitting easy insertion of the external plug. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising: a plurality of locking grooves on a first and second inner wall surface of the insert hole, the locking grooves being effective to electrically separate the terminal portions, and the locking grooves being effective to lock the terminal portions in the connection portion whereby the terminal portions are accessible to the external plug. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising a plurality of slits on the support plate, the slits in at least a first row, the slits extending from the bottom side to a top side of the at least first support plate, each the slit being effective to receive and guide each the contact during adjustment, the slits being effective to electrically separate the contacts during adjustment. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising: at least the first and a second support plate, the connection portion rising orthogonal to the second support plate, the second support plate opposite the first support plate, the slits in at least the first row on the second support plate, a first section of the terminal portions on the first inner wall surface, a second section of the terminal portions in the second inner wall surface, the first section connected to the resilient contacts on the first support plate, and the second section connected to the resilient contacts on the second support plate. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising: the slits in the first and a second row, the first and second rows on each the first and second support plate, the second rows being further from the connecting portion than the first rows, the resilient contacts having one of at least a first and a second length, the second length greater than the first length, the slits in the first rows operably receiving the resilient contacts having the first lengths, the slits in the second rows operably receiving the resilient contacts having the second lengths, and the slits in the first rows alternating with the slits in the second rows to operably insulate and guide the contacts and permit elastic slidable electrical connection with the external circuit board without solder. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, wherein: the cover is constructed from at least a first material, the first material being a metal, and the metal being effective to strengthen the cover whereby cover failure is minimized. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, wherein: the cover is electrically grounded to the circuit board through an external ground pattern, whereby the cover is effective to shield the connection portion and the resilient contacts from electromagnetic waves and static disruption. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising: at least the first and a second support plate, the connection portion rising orthogonal to the second support plate, the second support plate opposite the first support plate, the slits in at least the first row on the second support plate, a first section of the terminal portions on the first inner wall surface, a second section of the terminal portions in the second inner wall surface, the first section connected to the resilient contacts on the second support plate, the second section connected to the resilient contacts on the first support plate, and the resilient contacts operably extending across the insert hole and being operably effective to increase elastic deformation of the resilient contacts without solder. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising: the slits in the first and a second row, the first and second rows on each the first and second support plate, the second rows being further from the connecting portion than the first rows, the resilient contacts having one of at least a first and a second length, the second length greater than the first length, the slits in the first rows operably receiving the resilient contacts having the first lengths, the slits in the second rows operably receiving the resilient contacts having the second lengths, and the slits in the first rows alternating with the slits in the second rows to operably insulate and guide the contacts and permit elastic slidable electrical connection with the external circuit board without solder. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, wherein: the cover is constructed from at least a first material, the first material being a metal, and the metal being effective to strengthen the cover whereby cover failure is minimized. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, wherein: the cover is electrically grounded to the circuit board through an external ground pattern, whereby the cover is effective to shield the connection portion and the resilient contacts from electromagnetic waves and static disruption. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising: a plurality of vertical recessed slits, the recessed slits on at least one side of a first and second side of the connecting portion, the recessed slits operably extending from the at least one side to each corresponding the slit, the recessed slits opposite the locking grooves on at least one the first and second inner wall, a buffer portion on each the resilient contact, the buffer portions operable within the recessed slits, the buffer portions being effective to increase a spring span of each the resilient contact whereby elastic fatigue is reduced, and the vertical recessed slits being effective to electrically insulate each the buffer portion and the resilient contact during the adjustment along the circuit board without solder. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a floating connector, further comprising: at least the first and a second support plate, the connection portion rising orthogonal to the second support plate, the second support plate opposite the first support plate, the slits in the first row on the second support plate, the locking grooves on the first and the second inner wall surfaces, the terminal portions on the first inner wall surface extending under the second support plate, the terminal portions on the second inner wall surface extending under the first support plate, the resilient contacts flexibly extending across the insert hole, and the buffer portions flexibly extending across the insert hole and being effective to increase elastic deformation of the contacts whereby elastic fatigue of the resilient contacts is reduced. 
     The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent form the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a floating connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a floating connector connected to an external unit. 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of a floating connector. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of an insulated housing. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the insulated housing. 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cover. 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of the cover. 
     FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of a printed circuit board. 
     FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a floating connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of the floating connector. 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a floating connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of the floating connector. 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a plurality of conventional units connected to an equipment chassis. 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a conventional floating connector. 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view of a conventional floating connector. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a floating connector  10 , includes an insulated housing  11  and a cover  12 . Floating connector  10  mounts on a printed circuit board  13 . Printed circuit board  13  mounts switches (not shown) on a surface panel of an electronic equipment chassis  1 . Electronic equipment chassis  1  includes a operable units  2  and  3  such as a CD unit, a MD (mini-disk) unit, DVD unit, or a tuner. It is to be understood that equipment chassis  1  may included multiple operable units  2 ,  3 , or others, according to customer need. 
     Operable units  2 ,  3 , include a sub-substrate  2   a ,  3   a , that mounts various electronic components. Each sub-substrate  2   a ,  3   a , has an external terminal  2   b ′,  3   b ′, on a first end extending away from corresponding unit  2 ,  3 . External terminals  2   b ′,  3   b ′ are formed on opposite surfaces of the first end and constitute a conducive pattern electrically connectable to floating connector  10 . 
     Insulated housing  11  includes a connecting portion  14 . A supporting plate portion  15  is positioned generally orthogonal to said connection portion. Insulated housing  11  is typically molded from an insulating synthetic resin. 
     Connecting portion  14  extends upward(orthogonal) from a horizontal surface of a printed circuit board  13 . This upward direction is to be understood as a vertical direction, as will be explained. It is to be understood, that the phrases upward, downward etc are used for convenience only in this description since the invention may be positioned in multiple directions according to user need. 
     Connecting portion  14  is externally shaped into a horizontally long rectangle and includes an insertion hole  16 . Insertion hole  16  penetrates connecting portion  14  and is shaped as a long horizontal rectangle. A tapered guide surface  16   a  is formed on an upper end side of insertion hole  16  and facilitates the insertion of sib-substrates  2   a ,  3   a , as will be explained. 
     A plurality of locking grooves  18  are on the inner wall surfaces of insertion hole  16  along the vertical direction. Locking grooves  18  engage and lock the positions of terminal portions  17   a  located on one side of each contact  17 , as will be explained. 
     Locking grooves  18  are at equal pitches along longitudinal inner side surfaces of connecting portion  14 , so that terminal portions  17   a , may attache in two rows opposite to one another across insertion hole  16 , as will be explained. 
     Additionally referring now to FIGS. 4 through 5, supporting plate portions  15 ,  15  are separate from connecting portion  14 . Supporting plate portions  15 ,  15  extend from a bottom of connecting portion  14  on opposite sides in a horizontal direction. Supporting plate portions  15 ,  15  each have staggered slits  19 ,  20  along two or more rows. Stagger slits  19 ,  20  accommodate lead-out portions  17   b  located on the other side of contacts  17 . 
     Slits  19 , 20  are on a connecting portion  14  side of supporting plate portions  15 . Slits  20  are formed on a side of supporting plate portion  15  remote from connecting portion  14 . Thus, slits  19 ,  20  prevent electrical contact between adjacent contacts  17  or land patterns  21 ,  22 , as will be explained. 
     Contacts  17  are attached to insulated housing  11  and molded in an approximate L-shape. In assembly, terminal portions  17   a  are inserted in connecting portion  14  from below and pressed into and locked in locking groove  18 . Contacts  17  are attached to insulated housing  11  and aligned on equal pitches to one another. Terminal portions  17   a  face insertion hole  16  to contact conductive patterns  2   b ′,  3   b′.    
     Contacts  17  have a base  17   c  bent perpendicularly below connecting portion  14 , along the direction of supporting plate portion  15 . Lead-out portions  17   b  are guided by slits  19 ,  20  to allow elastic expansion outward along a bottom surface of supporting plate portion  15 . 
     A first and a second length lead-out portions  17   b ,  17   b  are required for contacts  17 ,  17 . Slits  19 ,  20  are staggered in two alternating rows to accommodate first and second lead-out portions  17   b ,  17   b.    
     Additionally referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8, lead-out portions  17   b ,  17   b  correspond to a plurality of staggered land patterns  21 , 22  on printed circuit board  13 . As a result, lead-out portions  17   b ,  17   b , allow elastic contact with corresponding land patterns  21 ,  22 . A curved end portion of lead-out portions  17   b , allows sliding contact on land patterns  21 ,  22  without solder, as will also be explained. 
     A cover  12  includes a presser portion  23  and a hook portion  24 . Presser portion  23  is externally shaped into a rectangular cylinder. Hook portion  24  is integrally formed with a lower end of presser portion  23 . 
     Presser portion  23  has an insertion hole  23   a  lager than the external shape of connecting portion  14 . Insertion hole  23   a  is also shaped in a horizontally long rectangle similar to the external shape of connecting portion  14 . Insertion hole  23   a  allows loose insertion of connecting portion  14  of insulated housing  11 . A fixed gap G forms between presser portion  23  and connection portion  14  after insertion. 
     Gap G is substantially uniform about the outer circumference of connecting portion  14 . Gap G allows insulated housing  11  to move a distance corresponding to gap G, in the transverse (longitudinal or lateral) direction of circuit board  13 , thus allow for adjustment and misalignment. 
     Presser portion  23  of cover  12  has integrally formed hook portions  24 . Hook portions  24  are at the four bottom corners of presser portion  23 . Hook portions  24  include retaining edges to affix to printed circuit board  13 , as will be explained. Engagement holes  25 , in printed circuit board  13  are positioned to receive hook portions  24 . Hook portions  24  lock and fix cover  12  to printed circuit board  13 , as will be explained. 
     Upon assembly, a lower end surface of pressure portion  23  abuts a surface side of supporting plate portions  15 ,  15 . The lower end surface of pressure portion  23  serves to sandwich supporting plate portions  15 ,  15  between presser portion  23  and printed circuit board  13  to secure an electrical connection. Thus, connecting portion  14  is allowed compensating movement and supporting plate portions  15 ,  15  are frictionally secured to printed circuit board  13 . As a result, supporting plate portions  15 ,  15  may be frictionally adjusted where needed by an end user. 
     The presser cylindrical portion  23  has hook portions  24  formed integrally therewith at the bottom of four corners thereof in such a fashion as to extend perpendicularly. The hook portions  24  penetrate through engagement holes  25  formed in the printed circuit board  13  to engage with the printed circuit board  13 , thereby fixing the cover  12  to the printed circuit board  13  in a locked but adjustable state. 
     Positioning projections  26  are formed on longitudinally opposite ends of cover  12 . Positioning projections  26  extend away from cover  12 . Positioning holes  27  are formed in printed circuit board  13 , below cover  12 . Positioning holes  27  are shaped to receive positioning projections  26  and act to position cover  12  on printed circuit board  13 . Together, positioning holes  27  and positioning projections  26  act to minimize elastic backlash when fixed cover  12  to printed circuit board  13 . 
     Land patterns  21 ,  22  are formed on a top surface(also called the front surface) of printed circuit board  13  opposite cover  12 . After assembly, land patterns  21 ,  22  electrically connect to contacts  17  and allow electrical control of units  2 ,  3 ,  4 , or other devices through lead patterns(not shown) on printed circuit board  13 . 
     Land patterns  21 ,  22  are staggered on printed circuit board  13  and positioned to maintain electrical contact with the variable lengths of lead-out portions  17   b . Land patterns  21 ,  22  allow electrical connection with contacts  17  through the range of motion allowable by gap G. The curved end portion of lead-out portions  17   b  allows sliding electrical contact with land patterns  21 ,  22 . 
     Land patterns  21 , 22  are each formed to embrace an elastic contact area of lead-out portions  17   b , and have vertical and horizontal widths at least equal to or greater than the length of gap  2 G. 
     It is to be understood, that insulated housing  11  and each contact  17  can be moved a distance corresponding to the length of gap  2 G within a fixed area in the longitudinal or lateral direction in parallel with printed circuit board  13 . 
     In this embodiment, since the lengths of the lead-out portions  17   b  of the adjacent contacts  17  vary, the land patterns  21 ,  22  are staggered to allow the corresponding lead-out portions  17   b  to contact therewith. 
     It is to be understood, that floating connector  10 , according to the first embodiment is assembled by covering insulated housing  11  and contacts  17  with cover  12  so that connecting portion  14  loosely fits within presser portion  23 . 
     In detail, insulated housing  11  is first placed on printed circuit board  13  to position lead-out portions  17   b  opposite to and on land patterns  12 ,  22 . Second, cover  12 , with presser portion  23  is placed over insulated housing  11  and hook portions  24  are inserted into engagement holes  25  to engagingly lock cover  12 . Third, positioning projections  26  are fitted in positioning holes  27  so that cover  12  is further accurately positioned on printed circuit board  13 . 
     Once cover  12  is fixed, supporting plate portions  15 ,  15  are next sandwiched between the lower end surfaces of presser portions  23  to frictionally lock insulated housing  11  within the fixed lateral or longitudinal range described above. 
     Alternatively, cover  12  with insulated housing  11 , may be fixed to printed circuit board  13  after connecting portion  14  is inserted into presser portion  23 . 
     After installation, lead-out portions  17   b  of contacts  17  project through slits  19 ,  20  and contact opposing land patterns  21 ,  22  and establish slidable elastic electrical contact. 
     After, floating connector  10  is installed on printed circuit board  13 , sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a , of equipment chassis  1 , are inserted at connecting portion  23  into insertion hole  16 , terminal portions  17   a  electrically contact external terminals  2   a ′,  3   a ′. In this manner, printed circuit board  13  is electrically connected to chassis  1 . 
     It is to be understood, that during installation, floating connector  10  can be independently adjusted along the transverse surface direction of printed circuit board  13 . In this manner, connecting cylindrical portion  23  follows the position of sub-substrates  2   a ,  3   a  in the lateral or longitudinal direction or a mixture of both. 
     It is to be further understood, that since lead-out portions  17   b  of each contact  17  are elastically deformed during installation, insulated housing  11  may be adjusted orthogonally(vertically) to the surface of printed circuit board  13  as allowed by the elastic deformation of contacts  17 . As a result, connecting portion  14  may extend away from circuit board  13  while maintaining electrical connection through elastic contacts  17 . It is also to be understood that insulated housing  11  may be allowed to move at an angle(inclined) to the vertical surface of printed circuit board  13  through a combination of transverse and orthogonal adjustment, to ensure electrical connection. 
     It is to be further understood, that since the above described embodiment allows adjustment in the vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal directions relative to circuit board  13  or units  2 ,  3 , electrical connections may be maintained despite misalignment, and assembly errors minimized. 
     It is to be further understood, that since lead-out portions  17   b  and terminal portions  17   a  of contacts  17  are in slidable elastic contact with respective land patterns  21 ,  22  and external terminals  2   b ′,  3   b ′ the soldering step is eliminated. The elimination of a soldering step both reduces assembly time and minimizes environmental concerns. The elimination of a soldering step also minimizes cracks and pattern ‘peel-off’ thereby increasing reliability. 
     It is to be further understood, that since terminal portions  17   a  are arranged in connecting portion  14  at equal pitches and lead-out portions  17   b  project outward from cover  12 , a well-balanced contact is maintained and reliability is increased. 
     Additionally referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, showing a floating connector  30  of a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, bases  17   c  of contacts  17  are positioned opposite each other inside insulated housing  11 . Bases  17   c  do not electrically contact one another since contacts  17 ,  17  are arranged opposite each other inside insertion hole  16  and hang from terminal portions  17   a.    
     Terminal portions  17   a  are inserted in and retained by locking grooves  18 . Locking grooves  18  are formed along an inner surface of connection portion  14 . Contacts  17  hang from locking grooves  18  and bases  17   c  are elastically bent to come into elastic electrical contact with land patterns  21 ,  22  on printed circuit board  13 . As, in the first embodiment, a free end side of lead-out portions  17   b  elastically contacts land patterns  21 ,  22  to ensure electrical contact. 
     In the second embodiment, since bases  17   c  are arranged to cross each other a spring-span of each lead-out portion  17   b  is supported in a cantilever manner and is increased beyond that of the first embodiment. As a result, plastic (not elastic) deformation of lead-out portions  17   b  is minimized. Since plastic deformation of lead-out portions  17   b  is minimized durability and life span is increased. 
     Additionally, it is to be understood, that since bases  17   c  cross each other, their respective projecting length from connecting cylindrical portion  14  is minimized. Since the projecting length is minimized, supporting plate portions  15  may be reduced and shortened. Since supporting plate portions  15  are reduced, insulated housing  11  may also be reduced in size thereby reducing the overall size of floating connector  30 . 
     It is to be understood, that despite a reduction in the size of floating connector  30 , the adjustable nature of floating connector  30  is maintained or increased. 
     Additionally referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, showing a floating connector  40  of a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, supporting plate portion  15  of insulated housing  11  is on a single first side along connection portion  14 . 
     Slits  28  are formed in supporting plate portion  15  in a series of single lines. Lead-out portions  17   b  of contacts  17  fit into slits  28  and allow electrical connection with corresponding land patterns  21 ,  22  on printed circuit board  13 . 
     A plurality of recessed vertical slits  29  are externally formed on the first side of connecting portion  14 . Vertical slits  29  are on the same first side as supporting plate portion  15 . Each vertical slit  28  corresponds to one of slits  28 . Vertical slits  29  communicate with the inside of each corresponding slit  28 . 
     A buffer portion  17   d  of contact  17  is recessed slit  29 . Buffer portion  17   d  is bent to stand away from base  17   c  of contact  17  and away from printed circuit board  13 . 
     During assembly, terminal portion  17   a  is inserted and engagingly locks into locking groove  18 . Terminal portion  17   a , hangs along an inner surface of connecting portion  14  and is elastically retained within connecting portion  14 . Buffer portion  17   d  inserts into recessed slit  29  and lead-out portion  17   b  inserts into slit  28  in supporting plate portion  15 . 
     It is to be understood, that buffer portion  17   d  serves to increase the spring span of contact  17  while additionally serving to prevent plastic(not elastic) deformation. It is to be further understood, that since supporting plate portion  15  is on only the first side of connecting portion  14 , the overall size of floating connector  40  may be reduced. It is to be further understood, that in the same embodiment, supporting plate portion  15  with slits  28 , and contacts  17  with buffer portions  17   d , may be provided on both sides of connecting portion  14  according to manufacturer need while still maintaining a minimum shape. 
     It is to be further understood, that in a fourth combination(not shown) according to the instant invention, cover  12 , may be made of metal or other strong conductive material. Cover  12  may be made of metal or other strong conductive material to increase strength and minimize static electricity while actively shielding contacts  17  from electromagnetic waves. 
     It is to be further understood, that in the fourth combination, at least one grounding pattern(not shown) is on printed circuit board  13  where cover  12  inserts. 
     It is to be understood that the grounding pattern may be formed on the top or bottom surface of printed circuit board  13  and engage alternatively hook portions  24 , or positioning projections  26 , or both according to manufacturer need. Depending upon further manufacturer need, hook portions  24  and positioning projections  26  may release-ably and slidably engage the ground patterns or may be soldered to the ground patterns. 
     It is to be understood, that in the above embodiments, floating connectors  10 ,  30 , and  40  connect to substrates  2   a ,  3   a , and may be connected to additional substrates(not shown) according to manufacturer need. 
     It is to be understood that external terminals  2   b ′,  3   b ′ are not limited to the conductive patterns on circuit board  13 , but may be connectors or contacts attached to plugs, or conductive patters such as an IC card or a memory card in alternative embodiments. 
     It is to be further understood, that insulative housing  11 , cover  12 , and support plates  15  may be adapted to rectangular, square, semicircular, triangular, or other simple or complex geometric shape according to manufacturer desire to reduce or increase the size of the floating connector or increase contact connections through a single floating connector. 
     It is to be further understood, that hook portions  24  may be extended a set distance(not shown) below circuit board  13  to allow orthogonal adjustment of insulating housing away from circuit board  13 . In this embodiment, hook portions  24  are slidably through engagement holes  25  away from circuit board  13 . As a result, electrical connection is maintained alternatively through elastic lead-out portions  17   c , base  17   c , and buffer portions  17   d  depending upon the embodiment required by the manufacturer. 
     It is to be further understood, that although the above embodiments may describe only a first or a first and second row on only a first or a first and second supporting plate portion that these may be arranged according to manufacturer need. It is to be further understood, that any of these combinations may be combined to include buffer portions  17   d  and vertical slits  29 . 
     Although only a single or few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiment(s) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies entirely on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface whereas a screw&#39;s helical surface positively engages the wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. 
     Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.