Circuit board connector

Abstract

A low insertion force connector for making electrical connection between a circuit board and an external circuit is provided. An elongated outer housing has a centrally located opening with a channel extending longitudinally along the bottom thereof. The channel bottom includes a plurality of outwardly facing ramps along the length thereof. A plurality of contacts are mounted on the housing on either side of the channel with the ends interior the housing being bowed inwardly for contacting a circuit board. An elongated cam which has a longitudinal groove on either side thereof is mounted within the channel and has a bottom surface configured to mate with the ramps of the channel. The cam is adapted to be actuated in the longitudinal direction to ride up the ramps for movement in a transverse direction. An inner housing which is mounted interior the opening of the outer housing and over the cam includes elongated upright sections forming a zone for receiving the circuit board. The upright sections include cam follower means projecting interior respective grooves and means for abutting the bowed portions which is adapted to urge the bowed portions to a position of disengagement when the cam is actuated.