Patent Publication Number: US-8523605-B2

Title: Loop connector and closed-circuit forming connector

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The Present Disclosure claims priority to prior-filed Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-122039, entitled “Loop Connector And Closed-Circuit Forming Connector,” and filed 20 May 2009, the contents of which is fully incorporated in its entirety herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
     The Present Disclosure relates to a loop connector and a closed-circuit forming connector. 
     Loop connectors have been used for electrically connecting a pair of circuit boards, such as that disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 54-93795. Such a loop connector has a pair of circuit boards which are arranged in parallel. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another conventional loop connector. Referring to  FIG. 13 , the housing of a loop connector  811  is engaged, by fitting, with one end of a first circuit board  891  which is one from a pair of edge cards and with one end of a second circuit board  892  which is the other one from the pair of edge cards. Specifically, a pair of guide grooves  813  is formed on the housing  811 , and connecting ends of each of the first circuit board  891  and the second circuit board  892  are inserted into each of the guide grooves  813 . Moreover, a tape cable  851  is fitted into the housing  811 , and both ends of the tape cable  851  are connected, by welding or the like, to the connecting ends of each of the first circuit board  891  and the second circuit board  892 . Furthermore, connection portions that connect both ends of the tape cable  851  to the connecting ends of each of the first circuit board  891  and the second circuit board  892  are protected by a protective cover  814 . In this way, each of conductive traces of the first circuit board  891  is electrically connected to each of conductive traces of the second circuit board  892 . 
     However, the conventional loop connector has a large format and a complex structure because it is used for connecting the conductive traces of the first circuit board  891  and the conductive traces of the second circuit board  892 , and it is thus practically impossible to be used for connecting two conductive traces of a sheet of circuit board. For example, when a plurality of electronic elements is arranged in two lines on a sheet of circuit board and all the electronic elements need to be serially connected, it is necessary to connect a conductive trace which is connected to the output terminal of the electronic element located at the termination end of one line to a conductive trace which is connected to the input terminal of the electronic element located at the termination end of the other line. In such a case, it is practically impossible to use the conventional loop connector for connecting the two conductive traces. 
     Moreover, since the tape cable  851  has both ends thereof being configured to be securely connected, by welding or the like, to the connecting ends of each of the first circuit board  891  and the second circuit board  892 , the connecting operation is difficult to perform, and also the disconnecting operation is impossible to perform; therefore, it is extremely troublesome to handle the loop connector. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE 
     Therefore, it is an object of the Present Disclosure to solve the above-described problems encountered by the conventional loop connector and to provide a loop connector and a closed-circuit forming connector having a configuration where a loop terminal, integrally formed, and includes a pair of terminals and a connecting portion is press-fit into a housing, thereby enabling the positioning of the terminal to be appropriately held and mutual connection of a pair of connectors to be stabilized. As a result, it is possible to realize a low height and miniaturization of a loop connector and a closed-circuit forming connector. Accordingly, the loop connector and the closed-circuit forming connector allow easy production thereof, to have a simple structure and high reliability in operation with a low number of parts and production costs. 
     Therefore, a loop connector according to the Present Disclosure includes a first connector having a first housing made of an insulating material and a pair of first terminals fitted in the first housing, where the first connector is configured to be surface-mounted on an end of a top surface of a board and has a fitting face thereof extended in a direction intersecting the top surface of the board; and a second connector having a second housing made of an insulating material and a second terminal fitted in the second housing and configured to make contact with the respective terminal in the first terminals so as to electrically connecting the first terminals to each other, where the second connector is configured to be engaged with the first connector and has a fitting face thereof extended in a direction intersecting an extending direction of the second terminal, wherein: the second housing is provided with a second terminal accommodation-concave portion which is configured to accommodate therein the second terminal; and, the second terminal is provided with a pair of terminal bodies and a connecting portion configured to connect respective terminal bodies together, where the terminal bodies are arranged to be perpendicular to the connecting portion when the second terminal is press-fitted into the second terminal accommodation-concave portion. 
     The loop connector according to the Present Disclosure has a configuration such that the second terminal accommodation-concave portion is provided with a connecting portion accommodation-concave portion that accommodates therein the connecting portion and a pair of body accommodation-concave portions that are arranged to be perpendicular to the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion and accommodate therein the terminal bodies, where each of the body accommodation-concave portions comprise a correcting portion configured to correct the positioning of each of the terminal bodies. 
     The loop connector according to the Present Disclosure has a configuration such that each of the body accommodation-concave portions comprises a passage allowing portion through which at least a portion of each of the terminal bodies is allowed to pass before the positioning thereof is corrected by the correcting portion, where the correcting portion has a width dimension smaller than that of the passage allowing portion. 
     The loop connector according to the Present Disclosure has a configuration such that each of the terminal bodies is provided with a fixing portion at a lower end thereof, to which both ends of the connecting portion are connected, the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion being connected to a lower end of each of the body accommodation-concave portions, where the correcting portion is formed on an upper end of each of the body accommodation-concave portions to accommodate an upper end portion of the fixing portion. 
     Moreover, a closed-circuit forming connector according to the Present Disclosure includes a housing made of an insulating material and a loop terminal fitted in the housing and configured to make contact with counterpart terminals to electrically connecting the counterpart terminals to each other, where the closed-circuit forming connector is configured to be engaged with a counterpart connector and having a fitting face thereof extended in a direction intersecting an extending direction of the loop terminal, wherein: the housing is provided with a terminal accommodation-concave portion which is configured to accommodate therein the loop terminal; and, the loop terminal is provided with a pair of terminal bodies and a connecting portion configured to connect respective terminal bodies together, where the terminal bodies are arranged to be perpendicular to the connecting portion when the loop terminal is press-fitted into the terminal accommodation-concave portion. 
     The closed-circuit forming connector according to the Present Disclosure has a configuration such that the terminal accommodation-concave portion is provided with a connecting portion accommodation-concave portion that accommodate therein the connecting portion and a pair of body accommodation-concave portions that are arranged to be perpendicular to the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion and accommodate therein the terminal bodies, where each of the body accommodation-concave portion comprise a correcting portion configured to correct the positioning of each of the terminal bodies. 
     In accordance with the Present Disclosure, the loop connector and the closed-circuit forming connector have a configuration in which the loop terminal which is integrally formed and includes a pair of terminals and the connecting portion is press-fitted into the housing. Due to such a configuration, it is made possible to enable the positioning of the terminal to be appropriately held and mutual connection of a pair of connectors to be stably maintained. As a result, it is made possible to realize a low height and miniaturization of a loop connector and a closed-circuit forming connector. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a loop connector and a closed-circuit forming connector which can be easily produced to have a simple structure with a small number of parts and low production costs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the Present Disclosure, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following Detailed Description, taken in connection with the accompanying Figures, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of a first connector according to the Present Disclosure, in which  FIG. 1A  is a top front perspective view and  FIG. 1B  is a top rear perspective view, respectively; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are views illustrating the first connector mounted on a board, in which  FIG. 2A  is a top plan view and  FIG. 2B  is a side view, respectively; 
         FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the first connector mounted on the board, taken along the arrows A-A in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first terminal according to the Present Disclosure; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of a second connector according to the Present Disclosure, in which  FIG. 5A  is a top front perspective view and  FIG. 5B  is a top rear perspective view, respectively; 
         FIGS. 6A to 6C  are three planar views of the second connector, in which  FIG. 6A  is a top plan view,  FIG. 6B  is a rear plan view, and  FIG. 6C  is a side view, respectively; 
         FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the second connector mounted on the board, taken along the arrows B-B in  FIG. 6B ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the second terminal according to the Present Disclosure; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are views illustrating a housing of the second connector, in which  FIG. 9A  is a top rear perspective view, and  FIG. 9B  is a rear plan view, respectively; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  are perspective views of the first and second connectors in their tightly engaged state, in which  FIG. 10A  is a top rear perspective view of the second connector and  FIG. 10B  is a top rear perspective view of the first connector, respectively; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the first and second connectors in their tightly engaged state; 
         FIG. 12  is a side sectional view of the first and second connectors in their tightly engaged state, taken along the arrows C-C in  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a side sectional view of a loop connector according to the prior art. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the Present Disclosure may be susceptible in different forms, there is shown in the Figures, and will be described herein in detail, with the understanding that the disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the Present Disclosure, and is not intended to limit the Present Disclosure to that as illustrated. 
     In the Present Disclosure, directional representations—i.e., up, down, left, right, front, rear and the like, used for explaining the structure and movement of the various elements of the Present Disclosure, are relative. These representations are appropriate when the elements are in the position shown in the Figures. If the description of the position of the elements changes, however, it is assumed that these representations are to be changed accordingly. 
     The loop connector includes the first connector  1  and the second connector  101 , and is configured to electrically connect a pair of conductive traces of the board  91 , thereby forming a closed circuit. Although the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  will be described as connectors for connecting together a pair of conductive traces constituting power supply lines of the board  91 , the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  may be used as connectors for connecting together a pair of conductive traces constituting signal lines. 
     Moreover, the board  91  is printed circuit board used for an electronic device or apparatus for example, and may be silicon boards or silicon carbide boards having an electronic device or apparatus arranged directly thereon or may be any type of boards. Furthermore, examples of the electronic device or apparatus include a personal computer, a cellular phone, a digital TV, a car navigation device, and a games machine and the like; however, the type of devices and apparatuses is not intended to be particularly limited. 
     The first connector  1  includes a first housing  11  as a male board housing which overall has a generally flat rectangular parallelepiped shape and is integrally made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, first terminals  51  as counterpart terminals which are made from metal and fitted in the first housing  11 , and first auxiliary metallic brackets  81  as male board housing-attachment auxiliary metallic brackets which are made from metal and attached to the first housing  11 . In the figures, although the number of first terminals  51  is two assuming that the power supply lines include one positive line and one negative line, the number of first terminals  51  may be arbitrarily changed to comply with the number of power supply lines. 
     As illustrated in the drawing figures, the first housing  11  is provided with a first top plate portion  12  as a top plate portion having a generally rectangular flat-plate shape, a first bottom plate portion  18  as a bottom plate portion which has a flat plate shape opposing the top surface of the board  91  and extends in parallel to the first top plate portion  12 , a first body portion  14  as a body portion which has top and bottom surfaces thereof being defined by the first top plate portion  12  and the first bottom plate portion  18  and holds therein the first terminals  51 , and a pair of first side wall portions  17 , as side wall portions, which is formed so as to extend along edges on both left and right sides of the first body portion  14  and upstand from the first top plate portion  12  and the first bottom plate portion  18 . Furthermore, a first fitting face  11   a  as a fitting face is configured to be extended in a direction intersecting (preferably, in a direction substantially perpendicular to) the top surface of the board  91 . 
     The first body portion  14  has formed therein, on a rear end face thereof (the left end face in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), first terminal accommodation-concave portions  14   b  which are configured to extend in the distal end direction (the rightward direction in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) from the rear end face and accommodate therein the first terminals  51  and first terminal holding grooves  14   a  which are arranged on the upper ends of the first terminal accommodation-concave portions  14   b  so as to hold therein the first terminals  51 . In the example illustrated in the drawing figures, although the numbers of first terminal holding grooves  14   a  and those of first terminal accommodation-concave portions  14   b  are two, respectively, the respective numbers of first terminal holding grooves  14   a  and first terminal accommodation-concave portions  14   b  may be arbitrarily changed to comply with the number of first terminals  51 . 
     Each of the first side wall portions  17  has formed therein a concave portion  17   a  and a bracket holding groove  17   b  so that both end portions of each of the first auxiliary metallic brackets  81  are accommodated and held in the bracket holding groove  17   b . Moreover, first connecting portions  83  as connecting portions, which are formed on the lower ends of the first auxiliary metallic brackets  81 , are fixedly secured, by soldering or the like, to first connector fixing portions  94  such as solder pads which are formed on the top surface of the board  91 . In this way, the first connector  1  can be firmly secured to the board  91 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is preferable that the first auxiliary metallic brackets  81  and the first connecting portions  83  do not protrude rightward or leftward from the side faces of the first side wall portions  17 . 
     A first engagement portion as an engagement portion, designated by reference numeral  15  is configured to extend in the distal end direction from the first body portion  14  so as to be engaged with the second connector  101 . The first engagement portion  15  is provided with a first engagement top plate portion  15   a  which is formed to be even with the first top plate portion  12 , a pair of first engagement side wall portions  15   b  which extends along the edges of the left and right sides of the first engagement top plate portion  15   a  while vertically extending downward (in a direction toward the board  91 ) from the first engagement top plate portion  15   a , and first convex engagement portions  15   c  which have a rod-like shape with a rectangular cross section and are configured to extend along the lower ends of the first engagement side wall portions  15   b , bulge outward from the left and right end faces of the first engagement side wall portions  15   b , and slightly protrude in the distal end direction from the front ends of the first engagement side wall portions  15   b . In other words, the first engagement top plate portion  15   a  can be referred to as a portion of the first top plate portion  12 . 
     A first concave engagement portion, designated by reference numeral  13  is configured to be engaged with the second connector  101  and has three sides thereof being defined by the first engagement top plate portion  15   a  and the first engagement side wall portions  15   b . In the first concave engagement portion  13 , first terminal restricting portions  16  as terminal restricting members are arranged so as to extend in the distal end direction from the first body portion  14 . The first terminal restricting portions  16  are generally rod-like members having a base end thereof being connected to the first body portion  14  and a distal end thereof being configured as a free end. In the example illustrated in the drawing figures, although the number of first terminal restricting portions  16  is two, the number of first terminal restricting portions  16  may be arbitrarily changed to comply with the number of first terminals  51 . 
     The distal end portion of each of the first terminal restricting portions  16  has a generally H-shape and includes a beam portion  16   a  which extends in a lateral direction, a lower groove portion  16   b  which has a rectangular cross section with an opened lower surface and is formed on the lower surface side of the beam portion  16   a , and an upper groove portion  16   c  which has a rectangular cross section with an opened upper surface and is formed on the upper surface side of the beam portion  16   a . The beam portions  16   a  are connected to tongue-shaped portions  16   d  which extend toward the base ends of the first terminal restricting portions  16 . 
     The first terminals  51  are integrally formed, respectively, by applying processing, e.g., bending or punching, to a metal plate. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each of the first terminals  51  is provided with a first fixing portion  53  as a body portion, a first tail portion  52  as a first surface connecting portion which is connected to the rear end of the first fixing portion  53 , and a first contacting arm portion  54  which is connected to the front end of the first fixing portion  53 . The first fixing portion  53  is held in a state of being press-fitted into the first terminal holding groove  14   a  of the first body portion  14 , and is provided with first locking projections  53   a  which project outward from the lateral sides thereof, the first locking projections  53   a  being squeezed into the wall surfaces of the first terminal holding groove  14   a , thereby realizing a firm holding state. 
     The first tail portion  52  has a generally crank-like lateral shape. The first tail portion  52  is provided with a vertical leg portion  52   a  which extends in the vertical direction and has an upper end thereof bent at about right angles to be connected to the rear end of the first fixing portion  53  and a connecting plate portion  52   b  which is bent at about right angles to be connected to the lower end of the vertical leg portion  52   a . The connecting plate portion  52   b  is electrically connected and secured, by soldering or the like, to a first connector electrode portion  93 , such as a conductive pad, formed on the top surface of the board  91 . Hence, the first terminals  51  are connected to non-illustrated conductive traces for power supply of the board  91 , formed to be connected to the first connector electrode portions  93 . Although the first tail portion  52  is exposed rearward (in the leftward direction in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) from the rear surface of the first body portion  14 , it is preferable that the first tail portion  52  does not protrude rearward beyond the rear end of each of the first side wall portions  17  and does not protrude upward from the upper end of each of the first side wall portions  17 . 
     The first contacting arm portion  54  is provided with a first contacting distal end portion  55  and a first base end portion  56 . The first contacting distal end portion  55  is a portion which comes into contact with either one of later-described second terminal bodies  151  of the second connector  101 . The first contacting distal end portion  55  is a channel-shaped portion having a substantially square cross-section opened at one side and extending in the distal end direction from the distal end of the first base end portion  56 . The first contacting distal end portion  55  includes a top plate portion  55   a  connected to the distal end of the first base end portion  56 , a bottom plate portion  55   b  extending in parallel to the top plate portion  55   a , and a side plate portion  55   c  which connects either of the left and right lateral edges of the top plate portion  55   a  and the bottom plate portion  55   b  and extends in the same direction as the extending direction of the top plate portion  55   a  and the bottom plate portion  55   b.    
     The first base end portion  56  is an elongated plate-like member narrower than the width of the first fixing portion  53  and has a base end thereof being connected to the distal end of the first fixing portion  53  while having a distal end thereof being connected to the base end of the first contacting distal end portion  55 . Moreover, since the first contacting distal end portion  55  has a channel shape having a cross-section in the form of substantially squared U-shape, the first contacting distal end portion  55  has a large secondary section modulus in the vertical direction and has a high rigidity in the vertical direction. Furthermore, since the first fixing portion  53  has a larger width than the first base end portion  56  and has left and right sides thereof being held by the first terminal holding groove  14   a , the first fixing portion  53  has a high vertical rigidity. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when the first terminals  51  are fitted into the first housing  11 , the tongue-shaped portions  16   d  of the first terminal restricting portions  16  are inserted from the side of the distal ends of the first contacting distal end portions  55  into portions disposed between the top plate portions  55   a  and the bottom plate portions  55   b  of the first contacting distal end portions  55 . Due to such a configuration, the vertical displacement of the first contacting distal end portion  55  is restricted, so that the first contacting distal end portion  55  becomes almost impossible to be displaced in the vertical direction. 
     The first housing  11  has formed therein a rearwardly projecting wall portion  21  functioning as an insulating distance-procuring portion which is a projecting wall portion configured to rearwardly project from the rear surface of the first body portion  14 . The rearwardly projecting wall portion  21  is formed to be positioned between two of the first terminals  51  which are exposed rearward from the rear surface of the first body portion  14 . Therefore, it is possible to procure a sufficient insulating distance, namely to procure a sufficiently long insulating distance at least between portions (including a portion of the rear end of the first fixing portion  53  and the first tail portion  52 ) of two neighboring ones of the first terminals  51  exposed from the rear surface of the first body portion  14 . Here, it is preferable that the rearwardly projecting wall portion  21  is at least formed so as to protrude further rearward and upward from the vertical leg portion  52   a  of the first tail portion  52 . 
     The first connector  1  is mounted on the end of the board  91  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Although only portions disposed in the vicinity of the end of the board  91  are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  for convenience&#39;s sake, actually, the board  91  is in rectangular shape, for example, and is larger than the illustration, and the first connector  1  is mounted on one end of its both longitudinal ends. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first connector  1  is mounted at such a position that the first fitting face  11   a  protrudes outward from an end face  91   a  of the board  91  and that a front end face  18   a  of the first bottom plate portion  18  of the first housing  11  becomes substantially even with the end face  91   a  which is one of both longitudinal ends of the board  91 . It should be noted that the front end face  18   a  of the first bottom plate portion  18  is not necessary perfectly even with the end face  91   a  of the board  91 ; however, it is preferable that the distance between the front end face  18   a  of the first bottom plate portion  18  and the end face  91   a  of the board  91  is short, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The front end face  18   a  of the first bottom plate portion  18  is provided with a first projecting plate portion  22  which is connected thereto as a projecting plate portion which is formed to extend frontward. The first projecting plate portion  22  is formed to extend in the distal end direction from the upper end of the front end face  18   a  so as to cover an under part of substantially the entire of the first base end portion  56  of the first terminal  51  fitted into the first housing  11  and included in a region located at a front side more than the front end face  18   a , while also covering an under part of a portion of the first contacting distal end portion  55  located adjacent to the rear end of said end portion  55 . The front end of the first projecting plate portion  22  is connected to the base end of the first terminal restricting portion  16 . 
     When a conductive member such as a conductive casing, a conductive plate for electromagnetic shielding, a metal plate for fixation, radiation, or reinforcement, another printed circuit board, another wiring component, or a fixing bracket is arranged on the rear side of the board  91 , the first projecting plate portion  22  functions as an insulating distance-procuring portion. Since the conductive member functions as a ground at zero electric potential, a potential difference may appear between the first terminal  51  and the conductive member. If the first projecting plate portion  22  is omitted, the insulating distance between a portion of the conductive member arranged on the rear side of the board  91  and located closer to the front side than the end face  91   a  and the first base end portion  56  and the first contacting distal end portion  55  will be shortened. However, since the first projecting plate portion  22  covers the under part of substantially the entire portions of the first base end portion  56  and the portion thereof located closer to the rear end of the first contacting distal end portion  55 , both the spatial distance (clearance) and the creepage distance between the conductive member and the first base end portion  56  and the first contacting distal end portion  55  can be sufficiently lengthened and thus, a sufficient insulating distance can be procured. Although the first projecting plate portion  22  does not appear at an under part of the most portion of the first contacting distal end portions  55  which is located close to the distal end of the same end portion  55 , when the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  are engaged together by fitting, the most part in the vicinity of the distal end of the first contacting distal end portion  55  are inserted in a later-described second housing  111  of the second connector  101 . Therefore, it is possible to procure a sufficient insulating distance between the conductive member and the first terminal  51  even when the first contacting distal end portion  55  does not appear. 
     The second connector  101  includes a second housing  111  as a housing which has a generally rectangular overall shape and is integrally formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and second terminals  150  as loop terminals which are made of metallic material and fitted in the second housing  111 . The second terminals  150  are each integrally formed by applying processing, e.g., punching or bending, to a metal plate. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each of the second terminals  150  is provided with a second left terminal body  151 L used as a terminal body located on the left side, a second right terminal body  151 R used as a terminal body located on the right side, and a connecting portion  152  that connects the second left terminal body  151 L and the second right terminal body  151 R. 
     Since the second left terminal body  151 L and the second right terminal body  151 R have identical shapes, they will be collectively referred to as second terminal bodies  151  used as terminal bodies. Each of the second terminal bodies  151  generally has a bifurcated fork-like shape or a tuning fork-like shape from a side view thereof, and is provided with a second fixing portion  153  used as a fixing portion and a second contacting arm portion  154  which extends forward from the second fixing portion  153 . The second contacting arm portion  154  is provided with a second upper contacting arm portion  155  which extends forward from the upper end of the second fixing portion  153  and a second lower contacting arm portion  156  which extends forward from the lower end of the second fixing portion  153 . Moreover, both ends of the connecting portion  152  are connected to the lower end of the second fixing portion  153 . Therefore, the second terminals  150  have a rear form which is generally U-shaped, in which the second terminal bodies  151  protrude upward from both ends of the connecting portion  152 . 
     As illustrated in the drawing figures, the second housing  111  is provided with a second bottom plate portion  118  as a bottom plate portion which has a generally rectangular flat-plate shape and is extend in the fitting direction (the horizontal direction in  FIGS. 6A and 6C ), a second body portion  114  as a body portion which is formed so as to extend along an edge on the rear side (the left end in  FIGS. 6A and 6C ) of the second bottom plate portion  118  and upstand from the second bottom plate portion  118 , thereby holding therein the second terminals  150 , and a pair of second side wall portions  117 , as side wall portions, which is formed so as to extend along edges on both left and right sides of the second bottom plate portion  118  and upstand from the second bottom plate portion  118 . Moreover, a second fitting face  111   a  as a fitting face is configured to extend in a direction intersecting (preferably, in a direction substantially perpendicular to) the fitting direction. The rear ends of the second side wall portions  117  are connected to both left and right ends of the second body portion  114 , the upper surface portions of the second side wall portions  117  and the upper surface portion of the second body portion  114  are formed to be continuous and even with each other, thus constituting a second top plate portion  112  having a substantially squared U-shape. Moreover, a central concave portion designated by reference numeral  113  has a lower portion thereof being defined by the second bottom plate portion  118  and three sides thereof being defined by the second side wall portions  117  and the second body portion  114 . 
     The second body portion  114  includes a second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a  used as a terminal accommodation-concave portion in which the second terminal  150  is press-fitted to be accommodated therein. Moreover, the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a  is provided with a pair of body accommodation-concave portions  114   d  which are arranged to extend in the distal end direction (the rightward direction in  FIGS. 6A and 6C  and  FIG. 7 ) from a rear end face  114   c  to accommodate therein one of the respective second terminal bodies  151  and a connecting portion accommodation-concave portion  114   b  which is configured to accommodate therein the connecting portion  152 . 
     A locking arm portion  117   a  is defined at the vicinity of the front end (the right end in  FIGS. 6A and 6C ) of each of the second side wall portions  117 , and convex engagement portions  117   b  are formed on the inner side faces of the locking arm portion  117   a  so as to engage the concave portions  17   a  which are formed on the first side wall portions  17  of the first connector  1 . 
     A second engagement portion as an engagement portion, designated by reference numeral  115  is arranged within the central concave portion  113  so as to be engaged with the first connector  1 . The second engagement portion  115  is provided with a second engagement top plate portion  115   a  which is formed to be in parallel to the second top plate portion  112 , and a second engagement support wall portion  115   b  which extends in the front-to-rear direction and supports the second engagement top plate portions  115   a . The second engagement support wall portion  115   b  is formed so as to upstand from the second bottom plate portion  118  at the central portion in the width direction of the second bottom plate portion  118  and has its upper end to which the second engagement top plate portion  115   a  is connected. 
     The second engagement top plate portion  115   a  is arranged at a lower position than the second top plate portion  112  which surrounds the three sides thereof. When the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  are engaged together by fitting, the first engagement top plate portion  15   a  of the first engagement portion  15  is positioned so as to overlap the upper surface of the second engagement top plate portion  115   a  so that the upper surface of the first engagement top plate portion  15   a  becomes substantially even with the upper surface of the second top plate portion  112 . The upper surface of the second engagement top plate portion  115   a  is smooth and flat and may function as a suctioned surface which is absorbed and sucked by a suction tool arranged at the distal end of a tool such as a robot hand. The absorption and suction by the suction tool is generally impossible when an uneven structure such as a scratch exists on the suction surface. However, since the upper surface of the second engagement top plate portion  115   a  has its three sides thereof being surrounded by the second top plate portion  112  having a large height, the upper surface is hardly damaged by coming into contact with other members during operations such as assembly steps. Therefore, the upper surface of the second engagement top plate portion  115   a  is free of uneven structures and is thus able to reliably function as a suctioned surface. 
     Moreover, spaces between the second engagement top plate portion  115   a  and the second bottom plate portion  118  on both left and right sides of the second engagement support wall portion  115   b  are configured as second concave engagement portions  113   a  as concave portions which are engaged with the first connector  1 . The first terminal restricting portion  16  and the first contacting distal end portion  55  of the first terminal  51  are inserted into the second concave engagement portions  113   a . Furthermore, slit-like openings which are formed between both left and right edges of the second engagement top plate portion  115   a  and the second side wall portions  117  on the left and right sides so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction are configured as second lateral engagement concave portions  113   b  which are in communication with the second concave engagement portions  113   a . The first engagement side wall portions  15   b  of the first engagement portion  15  are inserted into the second lateral engagement concave portions  113   b . In addition, on the inner left and right side faces of the second side wall portions  117 , second engagement groove portions  117   c  are formed, which are trenches having a rectangular cross section; opened toward the second concave engagement portions  113   a , and extending in the front-to-rear direction. The first convex engagement portions  15   c  of the first engagement portion  15  are inserted into the second engagement groove portions  117   c.    
     The front end of the second bottom plate portion  118  is connected to a second projecting plate portion  121  as a projecting plate portion which is configured to extend forward. The second projecting plate portion  121  is formed to extend in the distal end direction from the front end of the second bottom plate portion  118  so as to protrude forward from the front end of the second engagement portion  115  as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . 
     An upper contacting portion  155   a  configured to protrude downward is formed at the free end, namely in the vicinity of the distal end of the second upper contacting arm portion  155  of the second terminal body  151 , and a lower contacting portion  156   a  configured to protrude upward is formed at the free end, namely in the vicinity of the distal end of the second lower contacting arm portion  156 . The upper contacting portion  155   a  and the lower contacting portion  156   a  are portions which function as second contacting distal end portions of the second terminal bodies  151  and come into electrical contact with the first contacting distal end portions  55  of the first terminals  51 . Since at least the second upper contacting arm portion  155  of the second contacting arm portion  154  has some degree of flexibility and is thus able to elastically deform in the vertical direction, at least the upper contacting portion  155   a  is able to elastically deform in the vertical direction to some extent. 
     The second fixing portion  153  is provided with a contacting arm-holding portion  153   a  which is connected to the base end of the second upper contacting arm portion  155  and the base end of the second lower contacting arm portion  156 , a second upward locking projection  153   b  which is configured to project upwards from the upper end of the contacting arm-holding portion  153   a , and a second downward locking projection  153   c  which is configured to project downward from the lower end of the contacting arm-holding portion  153   a . When the second terminal bodies  151  are press-fitted into the body accommodation-concave portion  114   d , the second upward locking projection  153   b  is squeezed into the lower surface of the second top plate portion  112  so as to be locked there, and the second downward locking projection  153   c  is squeezed into the upper surface of the second bottom plate portion  118  so as to be locked there. The upper end and the lower end of the contacting arm-holding portion  153   a  are respectively press-fitted into the lower surface of the second top plate portion  112  and the upper surface of the second bottom plate portion  118 . That is to say, the second terminal bodies  151  are securely held in the body accommodation-concave portion  114   d  when the second upward locking projection  153   b  is squeezed into the lower surface of the second top plate portion  112 , the second downward locking projection  153   c  is squeezed into the upper surface of the second bottom plate portion  118 , and the second fixing portion  153  is pinched from the upper and lower sides by the second top plate portion  112  and the second bottom plate portion  118 . 
     As will be understood from the shape illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the second terminal  150  is obtained by applying a bending process to a plate-like member, which is integrally formed by applying a punching process to a metal plate, and bending the connecting portion  152   a  that connects together both ends of the connecting portion  152  and the lower end of left and right the second fixing portion  153  so as to have a shape such that the second terminal bodies  151  including the second fixing portion  153  are perpendicular to the connecting portion  152 . Moreover, the second terminal bodies  151  on the left and right sides are parallel to each other. 
     Due to such a configuration, in a state where the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  are engaged, by fitting, together, the second upper contacting arm portions  155  and the second lower contacting arm portions  156  on the left and right sides assume a configuration where they are perpendicular to the top plate portion  55   a  and the bottom plate portion  55   b  of the first contacting distal end portion  55  of the first terminal  51 . Therefore, the upper contacting portion  155   a  and the lower contacting portion  156   a  can make firm contact with the top plate portion  55   a  and the bottom plate portion  55   b.    
     However, due to reasons such as spring-back, even when a bending process is performed by a pressing machine, it is generally difficult to bend a metal-made flat plate to a perfect 90 degree angle. It goes without saying that when such a small member as the second terminal  150  is formed, it may be difficult, but not impossible, to achieve a perfect 90 degree angle of the second fixing portion  153  with respect to the connecting portion  152  even when the bending process is applied thereto; such an operation may take considerable labor and time, and consequently, the production cost of the second terminal  150  will increase. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion  114   b  is opened into a slit form so as to extend in the left-right direction on the rear end face  114   c  of the second body portion  114 , and the left and right body accommodation-concave portions  114   d  are opened into a slit form so as to extend in the downward direction on the rear end face  114   c  with lower ends thereof being connected to both ends of the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion  114   b . That is, the opening of the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a  has a generally U-shaped form. Moreover, each of the body accommodation-concave portions  114   d  is provided with a large-width portion  114   w  used as a passage allowing portion which has a relatively large width dimension and a small-width portion  114   n  as a correcting portion which has a relatively small width dimension and is connected to the upper end of the large-width portion  114   w . The small-width portion  114   n  has substantially the same thickness dimension as the upper end portion  153   d  of the second fixing portion  153  in the second terminal body  151  and is configured to not permit a horizontal displacement of the upper end portion  153   d . That is, in a state where the second fixing portion  153  is press-fitted into the body accommodation-concave portion  114   d , the gap between the side face of the upper end portion  153   d  and the inner side face of the small-width portion  114   n  is zero or extremely small. Moreover, the second left and right terminal accommodation-concave portions  114   a  are formed such that the central lines of the openings thereof are very close and parallel to each other, and the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion  114   b  and the left and right body accommodation-concave portions  114   d  are formed such that the central line of the opening of the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion  114   b  and the central line of the opening of the body accommodation-concave portion  114   d  are at a 90 degree angle. 
     Due to such a configuration, when the second terminal  150  is inserted from the rear of the second body portion  114  to be press-fitted into the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a  opened to the rear end face  114   c , the upper end portions  153   d  of the second fixing portions  153  in the second left and right terminal bodies  151  are restricted by the small-width portions  114   n  of the left and right body accommodation-concave portions  114   d . Therefore, the angle of the second fixing portion  153  with respect to the connecting portion  152  becomes a perfect 90 degree angle, and the second left and right terminal bodies  151  are perfectly parallel to each other. Accordingly, even when a perfect 90 degree angle of the second fixing portion  153  with respect to the connecting portion  152  is not achieved by bending processing, by inserting the second terminal  150  press-fitted into the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a , it is possible to correct the positioning of the second terminal bodies  151  so that the second terminal  150  has a correct shape such that the angle of the second terminal bodies  151  with respect to the connecting portion  152  is a perfect 90 degree angle and that the second left and right terminal bodies  151  are arranged closely and parallel to each other. 
     Since the large-width portion  114   w  is connected to the lower end of the small-width portion  114   n , in an initial stage of the operation for inserting the second terminal  150  into the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a , at least a portion of the second terminal body  151 , for example, the second upper contacting arm portion  155 , the second lower contacting arm portion  156 , and the like located below the upper end portion  153   d  are able to pass through the large-width portion  114   w  having a large width dimension but not able to pass through the small-width portion  114   n  having a small width dimension. Therefore, since the second upper contacting arm portion  155 , the second lower contacting arm portion  156 , and the like do not make contact with the inner side faces of the large-width portion  114   w , it is possible to smoothly insert the second terminal  150  with a small force, and thus, the workability is improved. Moreover, even when the angle of the second terminal body  151  with respect to the connecting portion  152  is not a perfect 90 degree angle and the second upper contacting arm portion  155 , the second lower contacting arm portion  156 , and the like are inclined with respect to the perpendicular line of the connecting portion  152 , namely, even when the second upper contacting arm portion  155 , the second lower contacting arm portion  156 , and the like are displaced in the transverse direction, they can pass through the large-width portion  114   w.    
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A ,  6 C,  7 , and  9 A, on the rear end face  114   c  of the second body portion  114 , a transverse recess portion  114   f  having a groove shape is formed so as to extend in the transverse direction. The transverse recess portion  114   f  is a concave portion which is configured to receive therein a distal end of a non-illustrated plate-like or rod-like tool used for urging the second terminal  150  to be press-fitted into the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a . Therefore, as illustrated in  FIG. 6C , the transverse recess portion  114   f  is formed such that a bottom face thereof is positioned further forward than the rear end of the second fixing portion  153  of the second terminal  150  that has been fitted. When the second terminal  150  is press-fitted into the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a , the operator grasps, for example, by hand a plate-like tool so that the front end of the tool extends in the transverse direction, and presses the front end against portions of the second left and right terminal bodies  151  corresponding to the rear end of the second fixing portion  153 , thereby applying a forward force. In this way, the operator is able to cause the pair of second left and right terminal bodies  151  to be press-fitted into the left and right body accommodation-concave portions  114   d  by a single operation, and thus, the workability is improved. 
     A description of an operation of fitting the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  having the above-described structures to be engaged together is now provided.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  are perspective views of the first and second connectors in their tightly engaged state of the Present Disclosure;  FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the first and second connectors in their tightly engaged state of the Present Disclosure; and  FIG. 12  is a side sectional view of the first and second connectors in their tightly engaged state of the Present Disclosure, taken along the arrows C-C in  FIG. 11 . In  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10A  is a top rear perspective view of the second connector and  FIG. 10B  is a top rear perspective view of the first connector, respectively. 
     The first connector  1  is surface-mounted on the board  91  in a state where the connecting plate portion  52   b  of the first tail portions  52  are connected, by soldering or the like, to the first connector electrode portions  93  formed on the top surface of the board  91 , and that the first connecting portions  83  of the first auxiliary metallic brackets  81  are connected, by soldering or the like, to the first connector fixing portions  94  formed on the top surface of the board  91 . 
     Then, an operator moves the first connector  1  and/or the second connector  101  toward either one of the connectors in a state where the first fitting face  11   a  of the first connector  1  opposes the second fitting face  111   a  of the second connector  101  so that the first terminal restricting portions  16  and the first contacting distal end portions  55  of the first terminals  51  of the first connector  1  are inserted into the second concave engagement portions  113   a  of the second connector  101 . Moreover, the first engagement side wall portions  15   b  of the first engagement portion  15  of the first connector  1  are inserted into the second lateral engagement concave portions  113   b  of the second connector  101 . Furthermore, the first convex engagement portions  15   c  of the first engagement portion  15  of the first connector  1  are inserted into the second engagement groove portions  117   c  of the second connector  101 . In this way, the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  are engaged together as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 to 12 . 
     At this time, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the first contacting distal end portion  55  of the first terminal  51  of the first connector  1  comes to be positioned between the upper contacting portion  155   a  and the lower contacting portion  156   a  of the second left and right terminal bodies  151  of the second connector  101 . Moreover, the upper contacting portion  155   a  and the lower contacting portion  156   a  of the second terminal bodies  151  come into contact with the top plate portion  55   a  and the bottom plate portion  55   b  of the first contacting distal end portion  55 . In this way, the first terminal  51  and the second left terminal body  151 L disposed on the left side are electrically connected to each other, and the first terminal  51  and the second right terminal body  151 R disposed on the right side are electrically connected to each other. As a result, a pair of first terminals  51  is electrically connected to each other via the second terminal  150 . Therefore, the conductive trace connected to the first connector electrode portion  93  on the board  91  being connected to the first tail portion  52  of one from the pair of the first terminals  51  is electrically connected to the conductive trace connected to the first connector electrode portion  93  on the board  91  being connected to the first tail portion  52  from the other one of the pair of first terminals  51 , thereby forming a closed circuit. 
     When the first contacting distal end portions  55  of the first terminals  51  come to be positioned between the upper contacting portions  155   a  and the lower contacting portions  156   a  of the second terminal bodies  151 , the distance between the upper contacting portions  155   a  and the lower contacting portions  156   a  is increased. In this case, the second upper contacting arm portions  155  are elastically deformed vertically, so that the upper contacting portions  155   a  are elastically displaced upwardly, thereby increasing the distance between the upper contacting portions  155   a  and the lower contacting portion  156   a . Therefore, the operator is able to perceive, by a sense of click-feeling, the resistance that the first contacting distal end portions  55  of the first terminals  51  receive when the upper contacting portions  155   a  are elastically displaced upwardly. Accordingly, the operator is able to correctly become aware of and to confirm completion of the operation of electrically connecting the first terminals  51  and the second terminals  150  so that the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  are engaged together. Moreover, since the first contacting distal end portions  55  of the first terminals  51  are elastically grasped from the upper and lower sides by the upper contacting portions  155   a  and the lower contacting portions  156   a  of the second terminal bodies  151 , it is possible to certainly maintain stable contact between the first contacting distal end portions  55  and the upper contacting portions  155   a  and the lower contacting portions  156   a.    
     When the engagement between the first and second connectors  1 ,  101  is completed, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the second projecting plate portion  121  of the second housing  111  covers the entire lower surface of the first projecting plate portion  22  of the first housing  11 . Therefore, a portion disposed right above the end face  91   a  of the board  91  is covered by the first projecting plate portion  22  and the second projecting plate portion  121  which overlap with each other. 
     As described above, when a conductive member such as a conductive casing, a conductive plate for electromagnetic shielding, a metal plate for fixation, radiation, or reinforcement, another printed circuit board, another wiring component, or a fixing bracket is arranged on the rear side of the board  91 , since the conductive member functions as the ground at zero electric potential, if the first projecting plate portion  22  and the second projecting plate portion  121  do not appear, the insulating distance between the conductive member disposed under the end face  91   a  of the board  91  and the first terminals  51  and/or the second terminals  151  will be shortened. As will be easily understood from  FIG. 12 , particularly, the insulating distance between the conductive member and the bottom plate portions  55   b  of the first contacting distal end portions  55  of the first terminals  51  and/or the distal ends of the second lower contacting arm portions  156  of the second terminals  151  will also be shortened. 
     However, the first projecting plate portion  22  and the second projecting plate portion  121  which overlap with each other cover the portion disposed right above the end face  91   a  of the board  91 . Therefore, both the spatial distance and the creepage distance between the conductive member and the bottom plate portions  55   b  of the first contacting distal end portions  55  of the first terminals  51  and/or the distal ends of the second lower contacting arm portions  156  of the second terminal bodies  151  can be sufficiently lengthened, and thus, a sufficient insulating distance can be procured. 
     For example, as will be obvious from the example illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the above-mentioned creepage distance can be sufficiently long by virtue of the fact that it is approximately identical to the total sum of the distances of paths: including a path extending from the lower end to the upper end of the board  91  along its end face  91   a ; a path extending from the lower end to the upper end of the first bottom plate portion  18  along its front end face  18   a  (or a path extending from the lower end to the upper end of the second projecting plate portion  121  along its front end face); and a path extending from the base end to the distal end of the first projecting plate portion  22  along its lower surface (or a path extending from the distal end to the base end of the second projecting plate portion  121  along its upper surface). 
     Therefore, it is possible to certainly prevent occurrence of any short-circuit accidents between the conductive member and the first terminals  51  and/or the second terminal bodies  151 . In the example illustrated in the drawing figures, only the first contacting distal end portion  55  and the first base end portion  56  of each of the first terminals  51  are positioned right above the end face  91   a  of the board  91 . However, the second upper contacting arm portion  155  or the second lower contacting arm portion  156  of each of the second terminal bodies  151  may be positioned right above the end face  91   a  of the board  91 . Moreover, either one of the first projecting plate portion  22  or the second projecting plate portion  121  may be omitted as required. 
     When the engagement between the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  is completed, the first engagement side wall portions  15   b  of the first engagement portion  15  of the first housing  11  come into the second lateral engagement concave portions  113   b  of the second housing  111 . Moreover, the first convex engagement portions  15   c  of the first engagement portion  15  of the first housing  11  come into the second engagement groove portions  117   c  of the second housing  111 , and the first engagement top plate portion  15   a  of the first engagement portion  15  of the first housing  11  comes into the central concave portion  113  of the second housing  111 . Furthermore, the first engagement top plate portion  15   a  overlaps the upper surface of the second engagement top plate portion  115   a  of the second housing  111 . 
     The convex engagement portions  117   b  of the second connector  101  which are formed on the inner side faces of the locking arm portion  117   a  are engaged with the concave portions  17   a  of the first side wall portions  17  of the first connector  1 , whereby the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  are locked. 
     Due to the described configuration, the first housing  11  and the second housing  111  can be firmly engaged together, and accordingly, the engagement between the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  is not released even when the relative positional relationship between the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  changes. 
     As described above, the loop connector includes the first connector  1  having the first housing  11  made of an insulating material and the pair of first terminals  51  fitted in the first housing  11 , where the first connector  1  is configured to be surface-mounted on an end of the top surface of the board  91  and has the first fitting face  11   a  extended in a direction (preferably, in a direction perpendicular to and) intersecting the top surface of the board  91 ; and the second connector  101  having the second housing  111  made of an insulating material and the second terminal  150  fitted in the second housing  111  and configured to make contact with respective first terminals  51  to electrically connecting the first terminals  51  to each other, where the second connector  101  is configured to be engaged with the first connector  1  and has the second fitting face  111   a  extended in a direction (preferably, in a direction perpendicular to and) intersecting the extending direction of the second terminal  150 . The second housing  111  is provided with the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a  which is configured to accommodate therein the second terminal  150 ; and, the second terminal  150  is provided with the pair of second terminal bodies  151  and the connecting portion  152  configured to connect respective second terminal bodies  151  together, where the second terminal bodies  151  are arranged to be perpendicular to the connecting portion  152  when the second terminal  150  is press-fitted into the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a.    
     Due to such a configuration, it is possible to positions each second terminal body  151  to be appropriately held and mutual connection of the first and second connectors  1 ,  101  to be stably maintained, thereby realizing a low height and miniaturization of a loop connector and a closed-circuit forming connector. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a loop connector and a closed-circuit forming connector which can be easily produced to have a simple structure and high reliability in operation with a small number of parts and low production costs. 
     Moreover, the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a  is provided with the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion  114   b  that accommodate therein the connecting portion  152  and the pair of body accommodation-concave portions  114   d  that are arranged to be perpendicular to the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion  114   b  and accommodate therein the second terminal bodies  151 , where each of the body accommodation-concave portions  114   d  comprising the small-width portion  114   n  are configured to correct the positioning of each of the second terminal bodies  151 . Due to such a configuration, even when the second terminal bodies  151  are not processed to have a perfect 90 degree angle with respect to the connecting portion  152  by the bending process, the angle of the second terminal bodies  151  with respect to the connecting portion  152  can be corrected to be a perfect 90 degree angle when the second terminal  150  is press-fitted into the second terminal accommodation-concave portion  114   a.    
     Furthermore, each of the body accommodation-concave portions  114   d  comprises the large-width portion  114   w  through which at least a portion of each of the second terminal bodies  151  is allowed to pass before the positioning thereof is corrected by the small-width portion  114   n , where the small-width portion  114   n  has a width dimension smaller than that of the large-width portion  114   w . Due to such a configuration, even when the second terminal bodies  151  do not have a perfect 90 degree angle with respect to the connecting portion  152 , it is possible to insert the second terminal bodies  151  into the body accommodation-concave portions  114   d.    
     Furthermore, each of the second terminal bodies  151  is provided with the second fixing portion  153  at the lower end thereof to which both ends of the connecting portion  152  are connected, the connecting portion accommodation-concave portion  114   b  being connected to the lower end of each of the body accommodation-concave portions  114   d , and the small-width portion  114   n  being formed on the upper end of each of the body accommodation-concave portions  114   d  to accommodate therein the upper end portion  153   d  of the second fixing portion  153 . Due to such a configuration, it is possible to correct the second terminal bodies  151  to have a perfect 90 degree angle with respect to the connecting portion  152  so that the second left and right terminal bodies  151  are arranged closely and in parallel to each other. 
     Moreover, the first housing  11  is provided with the first bottom plate portion  18  configured to oppose the top surface of the board  91 , the second housing  111  is provided with the second bottom plate portion  118  configured to extend in the extending direction of the second terminals  150 , and the projecting plate portion configured to procure the insulating distance between the first terminals  51  or the second terminals  150  is extended from the front end of the first bottom plate portion  18  or the second bottom plate portion  118 . Due to such a configuration, the lower portions of the first terminals  51  or the second terminals  150  are covered, and accordingly, it is possible to procure a sufficient insulating distance between the first terminals  51  or the second terminals  150 . 
     Furthermore, when the first connector  1  and the second connector  101  are engaged together, a portion of each of the first terminals  51  or the second terminals  150  are positioned right above a portion which is disposed between the front end of the first bottom plate portion  18  and the front end of the second bottom plate portion  118 , and the projecting plate portion covers the lower portion of the portion of each of the first terminals  51  or the second terminals  150 , disposed right above the portion between the front end of the first bottom plate portion  18  and the front end of the second bottom plate portion  118 . Due to such a configuration, even when a conductive member is present between the front end of the first bottom plate portion  18  and the front end of the second bottom plate portion  118 , it is possible to secure a sufficient insulating distance between the conductive member and the first terminals  51  or the second terminals  150 . 
     While a preferred embodiment of the Present Disclosure is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the foregoing Description and the appended Claims.