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:
May. 01, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 30, 1999
Michael P Eland, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
An electrical connector assembly having an ejector mechanism built thereon. Left and right ejector lever mounts are fixed on left and right sides of an electrical connector. A rigid handle couples dual ejector levers pivotally engaged with the left and right ejector lever mounts. The levers actuate ejector pads for engaging a circuit board and urging the connector away from its counterpart on the circuit board. A u-shaped connector assembly may be made from two of the connector and ejector lever arrangements. A cable joins the two arrangements, and the entire assembly may be used to couple signals from a first to a second circuit board or to another component. Once the assembly is installed on the circuit boards, a u-shaped retainer bracket may be installed on top of the assembly. The retainer bracket helps to guarantee a reliable electrical connection by urging the connectors toward their counterparts on the circuit boards. The retainer bracket may be provided with clearance holes for receiving raised portions of the ejector lever handles, thereby preventing lateral motion of the retainer bracket once installed.