Patent ID: 7713076

Claim:
A floating connector, comprising: a spring plate having at least one slot defining a floating region concentrically disposed within a fixed region, the at least one slot further defining at least one spring beam coupling the floating region and the fixed region, the spring plate further having a connector fixedly disposed therethrough, the connector having a mating end adapted to couple to a mating connector and a mounting end which mounts to the floating region; a support member having an opening defined therein, the opening including an internal dimension greater than the mounting end of the connector to define a clearance between the opening and the mounting end of the connector, the spring plate and the connector being positioned in substantial concentric alignment with the opening; a collar for securing the spring plate to the support member, the collar further including an aperture defined therein having an internal dimension greater than the mating end of the connector to define a second clearance between the aperture and the mating end of the connector; and at least one coupling device which attaches the collar and the spring plate to the support member.