Electrical connector

Abstract

An electrical connector ( ) straddle-mounted on an edge ( ) of a printed circuit board ( ) includes an insulative housing ( ) having an elongated groove ( ) for mating. A plurality of receiving channels ( ) each used to receive a support subassembly ( ) is formed adjacently to and communicated with the mating groove ( ). The support subassembly ( ) includes a base ( ) with signal contacts ( ) and a ground member ( ) attached thereon. Every contact ( ) includes an engaging end ( ) exposed to the mating groove ( ) and a tail end ( ) extending out of the receiving channel ( ) in a suspended status. And the ground member ( ) includes a plurality of contacting legs ( ) extending from the ground member ( ) and being arranged to stagger with the tail end ( ) of every contact ( ) along the lengthwise of the connector ( ). Several holding elements ( ) are formed in a hook shape on one edge side of the ground member ( ) to hook and be partially inserted into the apertures ( ) formed on the housing ( ) to stop further insertion of the support subassembly ( ), and the holding elements ( ) of the neighboring ground member ( ) are inserted in the same apertures ( ) so that they can establish a common ground path to reduce their needed contacting legs ( ) to the printed circuit board ( ).