Patent ID: 6854991

Claim:
A dust-proof connector for an electronic unit detachably provided in an electronic apparatus in which an air-stream is produced in said electronic apparatus to cool an interior thereof, which connector comprises: a first type connector half provided on said electronic unit and having a first array of electrical contacts; a first dust-proof hood associated with said first type connector half and formed of a suitable elastic material, said first dust-proof hood being configured so as to block off the air-stream to thereby protect said first array of electrical contacts from penetration of dust in the air-stream; a second type connector half provided in said electronic apparatus and having a second array of electrical contacts; a second dust-proof hood associated with said second type connector half and formed of a suitable elastic material, said second dust-proof hood being configured so as to block off the air-stream to thereby protect said second array of electrical contacts from penetration of dust in the air-stream; and wherein said first and second dust-proof hoods cooperate with each other to be elastically deformed so as not to hinder establishment of a connection between said first array of electrical contacts and said second array of electrical contacts when said first type connector half and said second type connector half are connected to each other.