Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

The Whitaker Corporation

Compao Computer Corporation

Gary J Verdun

Earl William McCleerey

Richard A Nelson

George R Defibaugh

Edward K Marsh

Mating plug and receptacle connectors each include electrically insulating housings and plural rows of electrical terminals. The plug connector includes two terminal supporting walls or platforms extending outwardly from the housing with terminal contact portions positioned in channels on the terminal support platforms. Each platform includes at an end thereof a groove which receives a grounding strip in the form of a drain wire, commoned to an outer shielding shell. The receptacle connector has an insulating housing having two elongate slots thereacross, adapted for receiving the terminal support walls of the plug connector, and receptacle contacts for mating engagement with the plug connector terminals. The receptacle housing includes a groove in the front face carrying a grounding strip commoned to an outer shielding shell. The plug and receptacle are matable with their respective shielding shells in mating contact with each other.

Electrical connector having electrostatic discharge protection

An electrostatic discharge conductor to shell continuity system is disclosed for an electrical connector. The connector (20, 120) has a dielectric housing (24) with a recess (68, 74) for receiving an electrostatic discharge conductor (70). The electrostatic discharge conductor (70) extends along a forward face of the housing (24) and extends into the recess. The portion of the electrostatic discharge conductor extending into the recess (74) engages a surface of an electrically conductive shell (44, 144) securable to the housing (24), thereby providing electrical continuity between the shell (44, 144) and the electrostatic discharge conductor (70).

Electrostatic discharge conductor to shell continuity

A high density electrical connector comprised of a block of insulative material having a plurality of electrical contacts for providing plural electrical connections and an electrical conductor for providing electrostatic discharge protection for the electrical contacts mounted thereto. The electrical conductor is positioned forward of the electrical contacts relative to the leading edge of the insulative material, thereby protecting the electrical contacts from electrostatic discharges. In alternate embodiments of the invention, the electrical connector may be a plug type electrical connector with the electrical conductor mounted on the leading edge of the projecting blades or may be a receptacle type electrical connector with the electrical conductor mounted to the leading edge of the insulative insert.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Gary J Verdun