CN209948106U

CN209948106U - Electrical connector and connector assembly

Info

Publication number: CN209948106U
Application number: CN201790000798.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔云龙; R·L·维塔帕利; S·班德胡
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2016-04-27
Filing date: 2017-04-21
Publication date: 2020-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2027-04-21
Also published as: WO2017189363A1

Abstract

An electrical connector is described that can be vertically mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The electrical connector includes deflectable clips at opposite end walls of the connector to engage the underside of the PCB so that the electrical connector can be vertically mounted and secured on the PCB.

Description

Electrical connector and connector assembly

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electrical connector having a deflectable clamp for mounting on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), and a connector assembly.

Background

Electrical connectors are typically mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and are used to mate with a mating connector or a connecting cable via an input port or an output port. The electrical connector may be designed or configured to be readily attachable or detachable.

Disclosure of Invention

Briefly, in one aspect, the present disclosure describes an elongated electrical connector for mounting on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and mating with a mating connector along a mating direction. The connector includes an elongated base extending along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and opposite end walls extending forwardly along the mating direction from opposite longitudinal ends of the elongated base. Each end wall defines a vertical receiving slot. One or more tongues extend forward from the base along the mating direction. A plurality of contacts are disposed on the one or more tongues for contacting corresponding contacts of a mating connector. A deflectable clip is inserted into the receiving slot of each end wall for engaging the PCB. The deflectable clip includes a retention portion retained in the receiving slot, and a deflectable free end terminating in one or more hooks for engaging the PCB, such that when the connector is mounted vertically on the top side of the PCB, the deflectable clip secures the connector to the PCB by engaging the one or more hooks in each clip of the bottom side of the PCB.

In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a mounted connector assembly including a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and an elongated electrical connector mounted on the PCB. The connector includes an elongated base extending along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and opposite end walls extending forwardly along the mating direction from opposite longitudinal ends of the elongated base. Each end wall defines a vertical receiving slot. One or more tongues extend forwardly from the base along the mating direction and define a gap therebetween. A plurality of contacts are disposed on the one or more tongues for contacting corresponding contacts of a mating connector. A deflectable clip is inserted into the receiving slot of each end wall for engaging the PCB. The deflectable clip includes a retention portion retained in the receiving slot, and a deflectable free end terminating in one or more spaced apart hooks for engaging the PCB, such that when the connector is mounted vertically on the top side of the PCB, the deflectable clip secures the connector to the PCB by engaging the one or more hooks in each clip of the bottom side of the PCB. In some embodiments, the PCB is initially designed for mounting a cross-mount connector. In some embodiments, the PCB includes a recessed edge and an opposing bottom edge defining a recess to receive a bottom portion of the elongated electrical connector, wherein the one or more spaced apart hooks of each deflectable clip are adapted to engage one bottom edge. In some embodiments, the PCB includes a plurality of contact pads on which the contacts of the connector are attached or held in contact. In some implementations, the PCB includes a ground contact pad proximate to, but not connected to, each deflectable clip.

Various unexpected results and advantages are achieved in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. One such advantage of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is that the electrical connectors provided herein can be used to automate the pick and place process to position the connectors on the PCB in a vertical orientation. This allows for high volume production compared to the manual process shown in fig. 1, where the straddle mount connector 100 'is assembled from the side of the PCB 200' (e.g., the connector 100 'is mounted onto the PCB 200' along the y-axis).

Various aspects and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been summarized. The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify certain preferred embodiments using the principles disclosed herein.

Drawings

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a straddle mount connector to be assembled from the side of a PCB.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a mounted connector assembly including a connector mounted on a PCB according to one embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the mounted connector assembly of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the connector assembly of fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of the connector assembly of fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a rear partial perspective view of the mounted connector assembly of fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a close-up of a portion of the connector of fig. 2 including a deflectable clip.

Fig. 8 is a close-up of a portion of the connector of fig. 7 after assembly of the deflectable clip to the connector.

In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements. While the above-identified drawing figures, which may not be drawn to scale, set forth various embodiments of the disclosure, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the detailed description. In all cases, this disclosure describes the presently disclosed disclosure by way of representation of exemplary embodiments and not by express limitations. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. Various modifications and alterations may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not to be limited to the exemplary embodiments described below, but are to be controlled by the limitations set forth in the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a mounted connector assembly 2 according to one embodiment. The mounted connector assembly 2 includes a connector 100 mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 200. The connector 100 is configured to mate with a mating connector (not shown) along a mating direction 10. Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the connector 100 mounted on the PCB 200. The connector 100 comprises an elongated base portion 110 extending between opposite ends 110a and 110b thereof along a longitudinal direction 20 substantially perpendicular to the mating direction 10. The elongated base 110 may substantially define the width of the connector 100.

The opposite end walls 112 of the connector 100 are located at opposite ends 110a and 110b of the elongated base 110 and extend forwardly from the respective ends 110a and 110b along the mating direction 10. The end wall 112 may be an integral part of the elongated base 110, or the end wall 112 may be formed of a separate material or may be attached or affixed to the elongated base 110 after formation. The end walls 112 may provide physical stability or resistance to bending and warping, or may facilitate mating of the connector 100 with a corresponding receptacle or mating connector or help secure and stabilize the connector and receptacle/mating connector once mated.

The connector 100 also includes a first tongue 120 and a second tongue 122 disposed between the opposing end walls 112. The first and

second tongues

120, 122 are substantially coplanar with each other and extend forwardly from the base 110 along the mating direction 10. In some embodiments, the first and

second tongues

120, 122 may be the same size or a symmetrical arrangement. In some embodiments, the first and

second tongues

120, 122 may be asymmetrically arranged and sized. In some embodiments, the respective dimensions of the first and

second tongues

120, 122 may depend on the number or size of contacts desired or needed, depending on the connector type or configuration.

A gap 124 is defined between the first and

second tongues

120, 122. Within the gap 124 may be one or more ribs 136. The ribs 136 extend forward from the elongated base 110 in the mating direction 10 and may provide reinforcement of the gap 124 which may be structurally weak. Each of the first and

second tongues

120, 122 is L-shaped having a shorter

vertical portion

120a or 122a adjacent the gap 124 and a longer

horizontal portion

120b or 122b extending away from the gap 124. The

vertical portions

120a and 122a and the

horizontal portions

120b and 122b may have any suitable height and thickness, and may have beveled or chamfered ends. The chamfer may allow for easier insertion into a corresponding socket (not shown). Each of the first and

second tongues

120, 122 is adjacent one of the opposing end walls 112. The

tongue

120 or 122 and the corresponding end wall 112 define a gap 170 therebetween.

In some embodiments, a bottom wall 135 may be provided to be disposed below the first and

second tongues

120, 122 and spaced apart from the first and

second tongues

120, 122. The bottom wall 135 extends between and connects the respective bottom portions 137 of the opposing end walls 112. The bottom wall 135 may be configured to receive a locating feature of a mating connector. In some embodiments, the bottom wall 135 can include one or more optional slots 135a for engaging with locating features of a mating connector.

The connector 100, and more particularly, for example, the elongated base 110, the end wall 112, the first tongue 120, the second tongue 122, the rib 136, and the bottom wall 135 may have any suitable dimensions and may be formed from any suitable material. In some implementations, the connector 100 and its constituent components may all be made of the same material. In some embodiments, the non-conductive components of the connector 100 may be made of an injection moldable material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, the connector plug may be formed at least in part by a rapid prototyping process, such as additive 3D printing. The particular choice of plastic or other material may depend on the desired application, and may take into account moldability, flexibility, durability, heat and melt resistance, electrical resistivity, impedance, thermal expansion, density, weight, or any other electrical or physical property. For many of the features described herein, the size or configuration of the components may be based primarily on standardized connector shapes, which may limit the degree of design flexibility possible with respect to certain aspects of the connector. However, such design requirements should be well known or readily understood by those skilled in the art.

An array of contacts 130 is disposed on the respective first and

second tongues

120, 122 for making contact with corresponding contacts of a mating connector (not shown). The contacts 130 may be secured in place by fitting through the passages defined by the elongated base 110. The contacts 130 may be flattened, rounded, or stamped to better facilitate contact with corresponding contacts of a mating connector. Contacts 130, as well as other electrical contacts, may be any suitable material, including highly conductive materials such as copper, gold, silver, copper plated steel, and the like. Electrical and physical properties (such as ductility) may be considered in selecting an appropriate contact material. Exemplary contacts and connector plugs on which the contacts are disposed are described in WO 2015/191317(Qiao et al, attorney docket No. 75193WO003), which is incorporated herein by reference.

As shown in fig. 3, the contacts 130 include respective front members 131 extending forward from the base 110 and configured to contact contacts of a mating connector (not shown), and respective rear members 132 extending rearward from the base 110 and configured to contact the PCB 200. The contacts 130 also include respective retaining members 133 connecting the respective front and

rear members

131, 132. The retaining member 133 of the contact 130 is retained by the elongated base 110 and is partially visible in fig. 3. The top side 210 of the PCB 200 may have one or more contact pads 217 (see fig. 4) on which the rear member 132 may be attached or held in contact. In some implementations, after the connector 100 is vertically mounted to the PCB 200, a soldering process may be applied to attach the rear member 132 to the PCB 200.

While the embodiment of fig. 2 shows a connector including two tongues (e.g., first tongue 120 and second tongue 122) on which contact points are provided, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the connector may include other numbers of tongues (e.g., one tongue or three or more tongues) suitably arranged on the connector for a desired application.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, connector 100 includes alignment pins 155, alignment pins 155 configured to align and position connector 100 relative to PCB 200 when connector 100 is mounted vertically on PCB 200 along vertical direction 30. The vertical direction 30 is substantially perpendicular to the mating direction 10 and the longitudinal direction 20. A locating pin 155 extends downwardly from the rear portion 154 of each end wall 112 such that when the connector 100 is mounted vertically on the top side 210 of the PCB 200, the locating pin 155 is inserted into a corresponding vertical opening 157 defined in the PCB 200.

The opposing end walls 112 of the connector 100 each define a vertical receiving slot 114, as shown in fig. 4 and 5. As described further below, the deflectable clips 140 are configured to be inserted into respective receiving slots 114 and engage the PCB 200. The deflectable clips 140 are each T-shaped having a horizontal portion 145 and a deflectable vertical portion 147. The horizontal portion includes a retaining portion 142 and the deflectable vertical portion includes a deflectable free end 144 that terminates in a pair of spaced apart hooks 146 (see fig. 5). The deflectable vertical portion 147 may fit through the slot 114 with the hook 146 engaging the PCB 200. The horizontal portion 145 may be retained in the receiving slot 114. When the connector 100 is mounted vertically (e.g., along the vertical direction 30) on the top side 210 of the PCB 200, the deflectable clips 140 may secure the connector 100 to the PCB 200 by engaging a pair of hooks 146 in each clip of the bottom side 220 of the PCB 200 (see fig. 6). A pair of spaced apart hooks 146 in one deflectable clip 140 at one end wall 112 faces away from a pair of spaced apart hooks 146 in the other deflectable clip 140 at the other end wall 112. During vertical mounting of the connector 100 on the PCB 200, each deflectable clip 140 deflects along the longitudinal direction 20. It should be understood that one or more hooks 146 may be used. It should also be appreciated that any suitable locking structure other than a hook may be used for the clip 140 to engage the PCB 200.

In some embodiments, the deflectable clamp 140 may be electrically conductive. For example, the deflectable clamp may be made of or coated with metal or other conductive material. In some embodiments, the vertical portion 147 of the clamp 140 can be deflectable and the horizontal portion 145 can be rigid. It should be appreciated that the deflectable clamp 140 may be made of any suitable material such that at least the vertical portion 147 is deflectable.

Referring again to fig. 4, PCB 200 has a recess 202, recess 202 being defined by a recess edge 215 extending along longitudinal direction 20 and an opposite bottom edge 219 extending along mating direction 10. When the connector 100 is mounted vertically on the top side 210 of the PCB 200 along the recessed edge 215, a bottom portion of the connector 100 below the receiving slot 114 may be received by the recess 202. The pair of spaced apart hooks 146 of each deflectable clip 140 is adapted to engage the bottom edge 219 of the PCB 200. Fig. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the connector 100, the connector 100 being mounted to the PCB 200 and secured by engaging the hooks 146 with the bottom edge 219 of the PCB 200.

The vertically mounted connector 100 may make electrical and physical contact with contact pads (e.g., contact pads 217 in fig. 4) formed on the top side 210 near the recessed edge 215. It should be understood that in some embodiments, in the absence of connector 100, PCB 200 may be adapted to be mounted directly along the bridge (e.g., from the side of PCB 200 along mating direction 10) by another connector (e.g., connector 100' in fig. 1) along recessed edge 215, making electrical and physical contact with contact pads on PCB 200. In some embodiments, a PCB, such as PCB 200' in fig. 1, used to mount a cross-mount connector may be used directly as PCB 200 described herein without any modification.

In some embodiments, the PCB may include one or more ground contact pads for ground connection. Fig. 5 shows contact pads 160 disposed on the top side 210 of the PCB 200 proximate to, but not connected to, one of the deflectable clips 140 when the clip 140 is received by the receiving slot 114.

Fig. 7 and 8 show close-up partial views of connector 100 including end wall 112 and deflectable clip 140 received therein. The vertical receiving slot 114 of each end wall 112 extends downwardly from the top surface 112a of the end wall 114 to the opposite shoulder portion 112 b. The shoulder portions 112b are connected to respective inclined portions 112c that are engageable with a pair of hooks 146 of the clip 140 to deflect the clip 140 along the longitudinal direction 20. The end wall 112 also defines a recessed surface 116 to facilitate deflection of the deflectable clip 140 during assembly of the clip 140 to the connector 100. The recessed surface 116 is located below the receiving slot 114, faces the longitudinal direction 20 and is connected to the inner wall of the slot 114 by an inclined surface. When the deflectable clip 140 is inserted into the receiving slot 114, the horizontal portion 145 of the clip 140 rests on the opposing shoulder 112b of the receiving slot 114. The vertical portion 147 is deflectable to fit through the slot 114 and is disposed adjacent the recessed surface 116 (see fig. 8).

Each end wall 112 also defines a vertical through passage 150. A through passage 150 extends from the top surface 112a of the end wall 112 and communicates with the receiving slot 114, allowing a locking feature (e.g., one or more hooks such as the hooks 146 of the clip 140) to mate through from top to bottom when the clip 140 is assembled vertically to the connector 100. In the depicted embodiment of fig. 7, the vertical ribs 138 project toward the longitudinal direction 20 and define the receiving slots 114 and the through channels 150. When the connector 100 is mounted to the PCB 200, the vertical ribs 138 may be located on the top side 210 of the PCB 200 as shown in fig. 5. One of the vertical ribs 138 is connected to the bottom portion 137 of the end wall 112 by an L-shaped rib 138a, and the other vertical rib 138 is connected to the rear portion 154 of each end wall 112, as shown in fig. 7. The vertical ribs 138, the L-shaped ribs 138 and the bottom portion 137 protrude away from the receiving slot 114 along the longitudinal direction 120.

The present disclosure provides various electrical connectors that can be vertically mounted on a PCB. The electrical connector described herein includes one or more deflectable clips located at opposing end walls of the connector and configured to engage with the underside of the PCB such that the electrical connector may be vertically mounted and secured on the PCB. In some embodiments, the PCB may be initially designed to be directly cross-mounted from the side of the PCB such as shown in fig. 1 through a cross-mount connector. The electrical connector in the present disclosure may be vertically mounted on a PCB that was originally designed for cross-over mounting the connector without modification of the PCB. One advantage of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is that the electrical connectors provided herein can be used to automate the pick and place process to place the connectors on the PCB in a vertical orientation, which can result in high volume production compared to cross-mount connectors that require a manual process. In other words, using the same electrical connectors and methods provided in the present disclosure allows a user to convert a straddle mount plug connector assembly directly to a Surface Mount Technology (SMT) version of the connector, which may be used for reflow soldering to reduce assembly time.

Exemplary implementationScheme list

Embodiment 1 is an elongated electrical connector for mounting on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and mating with a mating connector along a mating direction, the connector comprising:

an elongated base extending along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction;

opposed end walls extending forwardly along the mating direction from opposed longitudinal ends of the elongate base, each end wall defining a vertical receiving slot;

a first tongue and a second tongue extending forward from the base along the mating direction and defining a gap therebetween;

a plurality of contacts disposed on the first and second tongues for contacting corresponding contacts of the mating connector; and

a deflectable clip inserted in the receiving slot of each end wall for engaging the PCB,

wherein the deflectable clamp comprises:

a retaining portion retained in the receiving slot; and

a deflectable free end terminating in one or more spaced apart hooks for engaging the PCB such that when the connector is mounted vertically on the top side of the PCB, the deflectable clip secures the connector to the PCB by engaging the one or more hooks in each clip of the bottom side of the PCB.

Embodiment 2 is the connector of embodiment 1, wherein each deflectable clip is T-shaped having a horizontal portion comprising the retaining portion of the clip and a deflectable vertical portion comprising the free end of the clip.

Embodiment 3 is the connector of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the vertical receiving slot of each end wall extends downward from a top surface of the end wall to an opposite shoulder portion.

Embodiment 4 is the connector of embodiment 3, wherein each end wall further defines a vertical through-channel extending from the top surface of the end wall and communicating with the receiving slot.

Embodiment 5 is the connector of embodiment 4, wherein for each clip, the horizontal portion of the clip rests on the opposing shoulders of the receiving slot corresponding to the clip, and the vertical portion is disposed in and extends beyond the corresponding through-channel, wherein the one or more hooks of the clip are positioned below and face the through-channel.

Embodiment 6 is the connector of any of embodiments 1-5, wherein the one or more spaced apart hooks of one deflectable clamp are facing away from the one or more spaced apart hooks of the other deflectable clamp.

Embodiment 7 is the connector of any of embodiments 1-6, wherein each deflectable clip deflects along the longitudinal direction during vertical mounting of the connector on the top side of the PCB.

Embodiment 8 is the connector of any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the one or more spaced apart hooks of each deflectable clip are adapted to engage a bottom edge of the PCB, the bottom edge extending along the mating direction.

Embodiment 9 is a mounted connector assembly comprising the connector of any of embodiments 1-8 mounted on the PCB.

Embodiment 10 is the connector of any of embodiments 1-9, wherein the deflectable clamp is electrically conductive.

Embodiment 11 is a mounted connector assembly comprising the connector of embodiment 10 mounted on the PCB including a ground contact pad proximate to but not connected to each deflectable clamp.

Embodiment 12 is the connector of any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein each of the first and second tongues is adjacent one of the opposing end walls, the tongues and the end walls defining a gap therebetween.

Embodiment 13 is the connector of any of embodiments 1-12, further comprising a bottom wall disposed below and spaced apart from the first and second tongues, the bottom wall extending between and connecting bottom portions of the opposing end walls.

Embodiment 14 is the connector of any one of embodiments 1-13, wherein the first tongue and the second tongue are substantially coplanar.

Embodiment 15 is the connector of any one of embodiments 1-14, wherein each of the first and second tongues is L-shaped having a shorter vertical portion adjacent to a gap between the first and second tongues and a longer horizontal portion extending away from the gap.

Embodiment 16 is the connector of any of embodiments 1-15, further comprising a locator pin extending downward from a rear portion of each end wall such that when the connector is mounted vertically on the top side of the PCB, the locator pin is inserted into a corresponding vertical opening defined in the PCB.

Embodiment 17 is the connector of any of embodiments 1-16, the connector adapted to be vertically mounted on a top side of the PCB and along a recessed edge of the PCB and in electrical and physical contact with a plurality of contact pads formed on the top side near the recessed edge, wherein the PCB is adapted to be bridge mounted along the recessed edge by another connector so as to be in electrical and physical contact with the plurality of contact pads.

Embodiment 18 is the mounted connector assembly of embodiment 9, wherein the PCB includes a recessed edge and an opposing bottom edge defining a recess, the recessed edge extending along the longitudinal direction, and the bottom edge extending along the mating direction.

Embodiment 19 is the mounted connector assembly of embodiment 9 or 18, wherein the recess receives a bottom portion of the elongated electrical connector.

Embodiment 20 is the installed connector assembly of embodiments 9, 18, or 19, wherein the one or more spaced apart hooks of each deflectable clamp are adapted to engage the respective bottom edge.

Embodiment 21 is the mounted connector assembly of any of embodiments 9 and 18-20, wherein the PCB comprises a plurality of contact pads on which the contacts of the connector are attached or held in contact, the plurality of contact pads being positioned adjacent the recessed edge.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "certain embodiments," "one or more embodiments," or "an embodiment," whether or not including the term "exemplary" preceding the term "embodiment," means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of phrases such as "in one or more embodiments," "in certain embodiments," "in one embodiment," or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

While this specification has described in detail certain exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure should not be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth hereinabove. In particular, as used herein, the recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints is intended to include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5). Additionally, all numbers used herein are to be considered modified by the term "about".

Moreover, all publications and patents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Various exemplary embodiments have been described. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An elongated electrical connector for mounting on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and mating with a mating connector along a mating direction, the connector comprising:

opposed end walls extending forwardly along the mating direction from opposed longitudinal ends of the elongate base, each end wall defining a vertical receiving slot and a vertical through passage;

one or more tongues extending forwardly from the elongated base along the mating direction;

a plurality of contacts disposed on the one or more tongues for contacting corresponding contacts of the mating connector; and

a deflectable clip inserted in the vertical receiving slot of each end wall for engaging the PCB,

wherein the deflectable clamp comprises:

a retention portion retained in the vertical receiving slot; and

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein each deflectable clip is T-shaped having a horizontal portion comprising the retaining portion of the clip and a deflectable vertical portion comprising the free end of the clip.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the vertical receiving slot of each end wall extends downwardly from a top surface of the end wall to an opposite shoulder portion.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein for each end wall, the vertical through channel extends from the top surface of the end wall and communicates with the vertical receiving slot.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein, for each clip, the horizontal portion of the clip rests on the opposing shoulders of the vertical receiving slot corresponding to the clip, and the vertical portion is disposed in and extends beyond the corresponding through-channel, wherein the one or more hooks of the clip are positioned below and face the through-channel.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the one or more hooks of one deflectable clamp are facing away from the one or more hooks of another deflectable clamp.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein each deflectable clip deflects along the longitudinal direction during vertical mounting of the connector on the top side of the PCB.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the one or more hooks of each deflectable clip are adapted to engage a bottom edge of the PCB, the bottom edge extending along the mating direction.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the deflectable clamp is electrically conductive.

10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the tongues include first and second tongues, the first and second tongues defining a gap between the first and second tongues and each of the first and second tongues being adjacent one of the opposing end walls, the tongues and the end walls defining a gap between the tongues and the end walls.

11. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a bottom wall disposed below and spaced apart from the one or more tongues, the bottom wall extending between and connecting bottom portions of the opposing end walls.

12. The connector of claim 1, wherein the one or more tongues include a plurality of tongues that are substantially coplanar.

13. The connector of claim 1, wherein each of said tongues is L-shaped having a shorter vertical portion and a longer horizontal portion.

14. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a locating pin extending downwardly from a rear portion of each end wall such that when the connector is mounted vertically on the top side of the PCB, the locating pin is inserted into a corresponding vertical opening defined in the PCB.

15. The connector of claim 1, adapted to be mounted vertically on a top side of the PCB and along a recessed edge of the PCB and make electrical and physical contact with a plurality of contact pads formed on the top side near the recessed edge, wherein the PCB is adapted to be mounted across the recessed edge by another connector so as to make electrical and physical contact with the plurality of contact pads.

16. A mounted connector assembly comprising the connector of claim 1 mounted on the PCB.

17. A mounted connector assembly comprising the connector of claim 9 mounted on the PCB, the PCB including a grounded pad proximate to but not connected to each deflectable clip.