GB1508507A - Connector assembly for printed circuit board - Google Patents

Abstract

1508507 Edge connectors MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO Ltd 20 June 1975 [20 June 1974 (5)] 26293/75 Heading H2E An edge connector comprises an elastic retaining member 74 positioned, at least in part, within an open groove between two side walls 56, 56<SP>1</SP> of a housing 52 and in engagement with at least one of the side walls, the member 74, in use, pressing against the edge of a printed circuit board 20<SP>1</SP> to hold it in position in contact with contact elements 66 carried by at least one of the side walls, the member 74 being electrically isolated from both the board contacts and the elements 66. The retaining member 74 may be a metal or plastics plate and comprises arms 76 seated in grooves 68, 68<SP>1</SP> and a bifurcated catch 82 with edges 90, 92 which latch against the housing and the mother board 54; projections 80 engage an aperture 94 in the board 20<SP>1</SP>. If of metal plate, the retaining member may serve as a conductor between the circuit boards 54, 20<SP>1</SP> and connector. Various shapes of retaining member are possible: it may have only one arm 76 for use with boards having contacts on one side; it may have a resilient projection (100, Fig. 10, not shown) to prevent withdrawal from the housing; edges 90, 92 may be replaced by teeth (98, Fig. 9), and teeth (96, Fig. 8) may be present on the arms (76); it may be formed from wire to act on one side (Figs. 16-18) of the board or both sides (Figs. 13-15); it may be an integral part of the side walls of the housing in the form of a bifurcated projection (Fig. 19). When in the form of a wire, the end may be seated in a stepped recess (144a, 144b, Fig. 18a) instead of a groove in the housing side wall: by choice of the appropriate step the pressing of the member against the circuit board can be varied.