Electrical connector assembly having a rotatable clip-fastening mechanism

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly () comprising a substrate (), an electrical connector mounted onto the upper surface () of the substrate () and comprising an insulative housing () with a plurality of contacts () and a load plate () pivotally mounted onto the substrate () adjacent to the insulative housing () and substantially covering the insulative housing (), a reinforcing member () assembled to the lower surface of the substrate () and an interlocking cam () rotationally mounted on a free end of the load plate (), and extending through the substrate () to interlock to the reinforcing member () at a first position in which the load plate () is pressed toward the insulative housing (), and rotated to a second position in which the load plate () is free to move away from the insulative housing (). The rotatable cam () includes a recess () that when interlocked with a projecting member () extending into a hole () in a back plate () serves to fasten the load plate () in closed position.