The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 02, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 14, 1995
Emanuel G Banakis, Naperville, IL (US);
Robert C Brakenridge, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Richard A Hays, Montgomery, IL (US);
Molex Incorporated, Lisle, IL (US);
Abstract
A zero insertion force electrical connector including a connector housing having a top surface and a plurality of cavities in the top surface corresponding to an array of pin terminals. Each of the cavities includes a base wall spaced from the top surface and terminal retention openings in the base wall. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the cavities. Each of the terminals is a stamped and formed segment of flat and planar metal stock including a mounting portion substantially in the plane of the stock, a free end portion, a contact structure adjacent the free end portion and a spring arm portion between the mounting portion and the contact structure. The pin terminals are moved in the cavities between an unmated position wherein the pins are spaced from the contact structures in the cavities and a mated position wherein the pins are mated with the contact structures. The terminal mounting portion of each terminal is received in one of the terminal retention openings for securing the terminal in the cavity. The contact structure includes a pin engagement surface raised from the plane of the stock. The terminal retention opening has an enlarged portion permitting entry of the contact structure into the cavity through the base wall. The mounting portion has a projection extending out of the plane of the stock and substantially blocking the enlarged portion when the mounting portion is received in the terminal retention opening.