Electrical connector with grounding members

Abstract

An electrical connector,is provided which has first and second shield members,which fit over an insulative housing,. Housing,has a receptacle opening,for receiving a mated plug. Each of the two shield members,is generally U-shaped, having a central mating panel,and a pair of opposed side panels,and,. The two shield members,fit over housing,so that the two mating panels,overlap. Side panels,and,of the two shield members,are disposed against four respective sides of the housing, providing substantial shielding of the connector. In an embodiment, each of the two shield members,includes a pair of ground contacts,, each of the ground contacts,projecting from a respective one of the side panels into receptacle opening,. In another embodiment, each of the side panels,and,includes a pair of locking tabs,which project from a lower edge of the panel and are bent inwardly under the mounting side of housing,. In a further embodiment, each of the side panels,and,includes a mounting leg,for engaging through a respective aperture in a circuit board. Each of the U-shaped shield members,may be formed from a generally strip-shaped blank, enabling an efficient use of materials with little waste.