Amp LLC

Chrystal B Yates

Edward K Marsh

An electrical connector is disclosed for mounting to a printed circuit board where the electrical connector includes electrical terminals having surface mount contacts adapted for electrical engagement against conductive pads on a printed circuit board. The electrical connector also includes front mating contact portions with lead sections intermediate the contact portions and the surface mount contact portions. An alignment tine plate is positioned over the intermediate lead portions above the surface mount contacts to correctly position the surface mount contacts in an array which corresponds to the conductive pads on the printed circuit board. The alignment plate includes elongate ribs extending from a lower surface of the plate an upper surface of the surface mount contacts, thereby spanning the entire row of contacts. To form the surface mount contacts, the alignment plate is inserted over the plurality of intermediate lead portions, and a comb-like die member is inserted above the tine plate and held in place. A further die member is movable towards the intermediate lead portions transversely thereof and bends the intermediate lead portions about the respective rib members, using the rib members as mandrels for the bending process.

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Clemmons, NC, United States of America

Chrystal B Yates