Patent ID: 6918776

Claim:
A mezzanine-type electrical connector, comprising: a first connector half for mounting on a first circuit substrate, the first connector half comprising a first connector body, a first plurality of signal contacts mounted in the first connector body for conducting electrical signals, and a first electrically-conductive member mounted in a slot formed in the first connector body for conducting electrical power, the first electrically-conductive member comprising a body portion, attachment features electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion for electrically and mechanically coupling the first electrically-conductive member to a plurality of locations on the first circuit substrate, and mating features electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion; and a second connector half for mounting on a second circuit substrate and mating with the first connector half in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the second substrate, the second connector half comprising a second connector body having a barrier formed from a dielectric material, a second plurality of signal contacts mounted in the second connector body for conducting electrical signals, and a second electrically-conductive member mounted in a slot formed in the second connector body for conducting electrical power, the second electrically-conductive member comprising a body portion, attachment features electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion of the second electrically-conductive member for electrically and mechanically coupling the second electrically-conductive member to a plurality of locations on the second circuit substrate, and mating features electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion of the second electrically-conductive member, the barrier being located between the second electrically-conductive member and the second plurality of signal contacts, wherein the mating features of the second electrically-conductive member engage the mating features of the first electrically-conductive member, each of the first plurality of signal contacts mates with a respective one of the second plurality of signal contacts, and the barrier becomes disposed in a recess formed in the first connector body and having a share substantially similar to the shape of the barrier so that the first and second plurality of signal contacts are substantially electrically isolated from the first and second electrically-conductive members when the first and second connector halves are mated.