Patent Publication Number: US-6213814-B1

Title: Cable connector

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/290,769 filed Apr. 13, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,969. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTOR 
     The present invention relates to a cable connector, and more particularly to a cable connector having an EMI shield for facilitating efficient signal transmission therethrough. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     Cable connectors are assembled to ends of a cable which facilitates signal transmission between two computer systems. For example, a notebook computer requires a cable to electrically connect with an external floppy disk drive or a printer. Since the cable connector is directly connected to a complimentary connector of the computer system, an EMI shielding effect must be considered in the design of the cable connector. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a cable connector having a better EMI shielding effect to ensure efficient signal transmission therethrough. 
     In order to achieve the objective set forth, a cable connector in accordance with the present invention generally comprises a housing defining a receiving chamber therein. The housing forms a mating portion for attaching to a mating connector and a rear portion through which a cable is directed. The cable is electrically connected with the connector by means of a printed circuit. An EMI bracket is arranged within the receiving chamber and a portion of the bracket extends beyond the mating portion of the housing. 
     These and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a cable connector in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial, assembled view of the cable connector in which a housing and a EMI bracket are removed for clarity; and 
     FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the cable connector of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a cable connector  1  in accordance with the present invention generally comprises an elongate insulative housing  2 , a printed circuit board  3 , a cable  4 , an EMI shield  5 , and an outer insulate shell  6 . The housing  2  defines a receiving groove  21  in a front portion thereof. The receiving groove  21  defines a plurality of passageways  22  each receiving a terminal (not shown) therein. The housing  2  forms a connecting groove (not shown) for retaining the printed circuit board  3  therein. The printed circuit board  3  is electrically connected with the terminals. The housing  2  further defines a pair of retaining slots  23  in the bottom surface thereof. The cable  4  includes a plurality of conductors  41  each connecting with a corresponding trace  31  of the printed circuit board  3 , as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The EMI shield  5  includes an upper half  51  and a lower half  52 . The upper half  51  forms a pair of retaining tabs  511  each defining a retaining hole  513  therethrough. The shield  5  further includes a clip  512  located between the retaining tabs  511 . The clip  512  is used to securely position the cable  4  during assembly. The lower half  52  forms a peripheral wall  521  extending along traverse sides thereof. The wall  521  is formed with a pair of projections  523  for engaging with the corresponding retaining holes  513  of the tabs  511 . The lower half  52  further includes a pair of positioning tabs  522  for engaging with the corresponding retaining slots  23  of the housing  2 . 
     The lower half  52  includes an extension  53  forming a mating face  54  orthogonal to a horizontal direction of the lower half  52 . The mating face  54  forms a plurality of contacting buds  55 . An edge (not labeled) of the mating face  54  is formed with a curved rim  56 . 
     The outer shell  6  includes an upper shell  61  and a lower shell  62  for enclosing the above-described elements therein. The upper shell  62  is formed with a plurality of dowel pins  611  and retaining notches  612 . The lower shell  61  is formed with a mounting hole  621  corresponding to each dowel pin  611 , and a retaining wedge  622  for engaging with the corresponding retaining notch  612  of the upper shell  61 . 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications to the present invention can be made to the preferred embodiment by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, persons of ordinary skill in this field are to understand that all such equivalent structures are to be included within the scope of the following claims.