US3202955A - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 24, 1965 w. H M KEE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1963 Inventor Aug. 24, 1965 w. H. MOKEE, 3,202,955

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed March 1. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIN Inventor W/ /A'd% %%Ze Mm 5AA.

United States Patent 3,262,955 ELECTRIQAHJ CGNNECTGR William H. McKee, West Covina, Qalifi, assignor to United Cai-r incorporated, a corporation of Delaware Fiied Mar. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 261367 13 (Ilaims. (ill. 339--S9) The present invention relates to an improved electrical connector and more specifically it relates to an improved edge connecter construction intended to at least minimize sliding wear on the printed circuit portions of circuit boards and on the contacts of the connectors during insertion and withdrawal of the boards into and from said edge connectors or establish or allow no more than a relatively low amount of friction between the sliding surfaces suflicient for a wiping action without excessive wear.

Present edge connector constructions for printed circuit boards generally involve sliding the printed circuit boards into the connectors to place the boards into electrically operative positions within said connectors. It is important to point out that the printed circuit portions of the boards are very thin, generally on the order of from one to a very few thousandths of an inch thick. Such circuit portions of the boards and also the contacts of the connectors are moreover normally or most often, always in the case of military or space use, plated over the engageable portions with precious metal such as gold, which is relatively soft and easily wearable, which plating is extremely thin, being measured in the millionths of an inch. It can readily be appreciated that very little wear would be required to appreciably affect the electrical characteristics of the circuitry and therefore it is essential that serious consideration be given to minimizing or holding within allowable limits abrasive wear upon the components and contacts.

The electrical connector or connector construction or" the present invention, accordingly, is directed to the pro vision of an improved connector adapted to at least minimize or hold within allowable limits abrasive or sliding wear upon the printed circuit portions of the boards and on the contacts. The edge connector of the present invention involves a two part construction wherein a printed circuit board is inserted between the two parts and the latter then placed in a clamping relation with said board. The board, therefore, is inserted between the connector parts when the latter are loose or unclamped.

It, accordingly, is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical connector for printed circuit boards.

A further object of'the present invention is the provision of an improved electrical connector construction for printed circuit boards wherein wear upon the printed circuit portions of the boards and on the contacts of the connectors is at least minimized or held within allowable limits providing for Wiping during insertion and removal of the boards within and from the connectors.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an' improved connector construction for printed circuit boards wherein a single board for example is insertable into the connector and the latter placed in a clamped condition with said board to realizedelectrical interconnection between the circuit portions ofsaid board and said connector.

A further object of a preferred form of the present invention is the provision of an improved two part electrical connector wherein both parts are identical in construction.

Another object of a preferred form of the present invention is the provision of an improved two part edge connector for printed circuit boards wherein each of said ice parts is identical in construction and adapted to be assembled in loosely opposed relation to receive a circuit board, said parts to be brought into clamped relation with an interposed circuit board after at least relatively easy insertion of said board to at least minimize sliding wear upon the printed circuit portions of said board and contacts of the connector.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularly in the appended claims. Other objects, advantages and features of the invention in its various aspects and forms will appear in the course of reading and considering the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view, in perspective, of a preferred form of connector of the present invention showing a printed circuit board received therewithin in electrically connected relation therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a face view of one of the L shaped insulating bodies of the connector together with its resilient pad and contacts, the side leg only of another such insulating body being shown fragmentarily in dotted lines;

FIGURE 3 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view of a mid portion of the base leg of the insulating body of the connector shown in FIGURE 2 without the resilient material and contacts thereon;

FIGURE 4 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIGURE 2 and in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a greatly enlarged side view of a slightly different form of electrical contact for the connector illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view of a portion of the edge connector in the spaced condition it would normally be in when the connector is in a vertical position (even though illustrated horizontally), the figure also showing a pair of slightly different insulating bodies and slightly different contacts therefor;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but showing the printed circuit board in electrically connected relation with the connector; and

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a preferred form of multiple connector for a number of printed circuit boards according to the present invention.

Referring more particularly now to FIGURE 1, the connector generally designated 10 comprises a pair of identical though reversely positioned to each other electrically insulative bodies 12 and 14 of a suitable plastic for instance. Each of the bodies 12 and 14 has a side leg 16 and a base leg 18. The side leg 16 of each insulating body defines a groove 20 (illustrated in FIGURE 6) extending most of the way therealong and terminating at a shoulder surface 21 (see FIG. 6) near the base leg. Each side leg 16 has a series of fingers 22 extending inwardly from each side of the groove 20 thereof to provide additional support for the printed circuit board 24,

(shown in FIGURE 1 with only a test pattern thereon) at spaced intervals along the groove length.

Each insulating body 12 and 14 of the connector is generally L shaped in configuration as indicated in FIG- URES 1 and 2. The base leg 18 of each of the insulating bodies defines a central recess 26 extending along a major distance of the length thereof as shown in FIGURE 2 for one of the base legs. A first series of uniformly spaced openings 28 extend along each base leg for about the length of the recesses 26 thereof, each of said openings extending fully through the thickness of the leg and further opening through the rear face of the leg as indicated at 30 in FIGURE 3 for instance. A wall- 32 of insulating material is defined between the recess 26 and the inner faces of the openings 28. A second series of q a openings 34 extend through the thickness of each base leg 18 near the front face of the leg, said openings being equal in number and width to the openings 38 and opposite thereto. A shoulder 36 is defined in each of the openings 34 of the base legs. a V a A body of resilient material 38 of a suitable rubber or synthetic for instance is received within the recess 26 of each base leg 18, said material extending along substantially the full length of the recess. The outer face 48 of each body of resilient material is slightly beyond the inner face 19 of each base leg 18. I

An electric'alcontact or prong 42 is received within each pair of opposite openings 28 and 34 of the series of openings hereinabove defined in each base leg 18. Each contact 42 includes a hook portion 44, body portion 46 and tailportion 48. The hook portion 44 of each contact is received in one of the openings 34 of one of the insulating bodies with the terminal portion of the hook 44 preferably engaging the shoulder 36 of the opening 34 to retain the contact within said opening. The body 46 of each contact 42 extends out of its opening 34 and then along the outer face of one of the resilient bodies 38. The body section' td of each contact then extends into one of the openings 28 of one of the insulating bodies 18 with the tail portion 48 of the contact extending 'rearwardly of the portion30 of the opening 28 of the insulating body.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1, 6 and 7, the insulating bodies 12 and 14 are assembled by placing the base leg portionslS thereof in face-to-face, coextensive relation. The base leg 18 of each of th insulating bodies is proyided with openings 50 and 52 (seeFIGURE 2) exte nding therethroug h. The openings at each end of the base legs 18 are in registration with each other. i

A clamping and mounting bracket 54 is positioned over the base legs, the bracket 54 being provided with openings therein which register with the openings 58 and 52' of each I of the base legs. Bolts or the likeare inserted through the openings in the bracket 54, the openings 58 and 52 of the base legs and also registering openings'in a metal support plate extending across the lower base leg 18, the bolts being fastened at the opposite ends against the support plate 56 by means of nuts (not shown), the base legs together with'their resilient bodies 38 and contacts being clampable against the interposed board 24 (as shown in FTGURE 1) into electrical engagement betweenthe contacts and conductive strips of the board, respectively, by the use of the members 54 and 56 and the screw and bolt units upon tightening of the latter. The upstanding legs 58 of ,the bracket 54 maybe utilized for mounting the connector tov a supporting structure which may be a 'moth r circuit board within holes of which, extending through conductive strips thereof, the .tails of the contacts extend respectively, in electrical engagement with the strips'respectively.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a portion of the connector Without a circuit board positioned'therein. As indicated, the

base legs 18 of each of the insulatingbodies are in facing,

coextensive relation to eachother. The main bodyportion lfi of each of the contacts 42 is held in spaced relation to the inner surface of the base leg 18 of the insulating body with which it isassociated by the body of resilient material 38 positioned within the base leg. V

FIGURES 1 and 7 illustrate the connector with a printed circuit board fully inserted therein with the co planar transverse edges 24 (only one being indicated in FIGURE '7) of a pair of terminal notches or right angle cut off corners of'thefboard, one on each side'of the board (not shown) in endwise' abutting engagement with the aforesaid shoulders at the ends of the grooves 28, re-

1 spectively, thus to produce electrical connections between the contacts of the connector and theirassociated cir:

T (:uitrytnotshown) and the "circuit'portion 6 80f the circuit board whenthe clamping action of the clamping 'rneans is effected.

The" conductive strips, of course, are provided on both surfaces of the circuit board 24.

FIGURE 2 is out of scale relative to the size and nurn- The board 24 also, of course, is of a suitable dielectric material to prevent elec trical flow between adjacent circuit portions by transference through the board itself.

The connector is actually provided with a matingcontact 42 for each of the separate strips 68 of the printed circuit board considering both sides of the board although her of contacts. As noted hereinabove,the strips 68 on the surfaces of the board 24 are usually of the order of from one to a very few thousandths of an inch in thickness and that these strips are also normally or most often gold plated (at least over the contact area thereof) to a. thickness measured in millionths of an inch. Care must be observed in the use of the circuit boards in order to prevent abrasive wearing of the strips. It can readily be seen that even slight abrasive wear of the electrically con .ductive strips may result in an appreciable effect upon the electrical characteristics of the strip and thereby upon the effectiveness 'of the board in use.

The connectorperrnits insertion and removal of the circuit board Without excessive friction or abrasive action upon the strips and contacts due to contact making pressure as by clamping or otherwise during said insertion and removal. The desired or finally established electrical interconnection between the strips on'the circuit board and the contacts of the connector, respectively, is'had after the connector is positioned fully within the connector. The desired lelectricalconnection is realized by clamping the base legs'l8 of the insulating bodies of the connector together with the resilient bodies 38 and contacts thereof against the interposed circuit board with its conductive strips. This clamping action is removed prior to with drawal of the board from the connector sothat the frictional or abrasive action may be minimized during removal.

The'board 24 is inserted into the connector by positioning the opposite side edge portions of said board within the open. ends of the grooves 28 defined within the side legs 16 of the insulating bodies. The board then is slidably moved along the groovesuntil it abutts against the surfaces 21 of the bodies 12 and 14 and rests fully within the. board receiving area defined-Within the connector. In the latter position the inner end portion of'the board will be positioned in the area defined between the facing surfaces of the base legs 18 of the insulating bodies together with their resilient bodies 38 and. contacts and laterally between the inwardly raised facing surfaces 25 of l the legs 16 beyond the grooves thereof. When the board 24 is inserted fully within the connector, as set forth hereinabove, the bolts extending through the openings 58 and 52 of the insulating bodies and the metal plates 54 and 56 are tightened upon the platesto bring the base legs 18 of the insulating bodies into closer or clamping relation.' The main body portion 26 of each of the confacts is in this manner brought into clamping engagement withone of the'strips '68 of the circuit board 24 to estab .lish the desired electrical interconnection therebetween;

' The bolts are tightened until the board is retained Within the edge connector with suitable clamping force to avoid accidental Withdrawal or discharge of the'board from the connector. It thus is seen' that the 'boardis inserted fully within the connector While the base legsllS together with the resilient bodies 38 and contacts thereof are in an unclamped condition, normally in spaced relation to each other. The normally presentspace between the main body main body portions of each of the contactsand the sur face of the adjacent strips 6tl is relatively slight, thereby to minimize frictional or abrasive wear of the very thin tstrips and of the prongs both of which, as previously pointed out, are usually or most often extremely thinly plated with rather soft gold.

When the bolts of the connector are tightened the bodies of resilient material 38 are caused to resiliently yield, after any looseness or spaced between the strips 60, contacts, resilient-bodies, and base legs is taken up, with v the contacts at least tending to move farther within the base legs or otherwise shift relatively thereto against the action of the .resilient bodies. As should be appreciated, the contacts move or shift individually against the resilient bodies as necessary to in turn individually accommodate the strips as the contacts are brought into clamping, good electrical contact making engagement with the strips. Yielding of the resilient bodies 38 therefore, permits individual adjustment or adaptation of the contacts to their respective circuit strips and also provides a resilient pressure therebetween for the establishment and maintenance of the desired good electrical engagement therebetween, while at the same time cushioning the clamping forces upon the strips.

The connector is constructed such that both sections or insulating bodies 12 and 14 thereof are identical in construction through rotated 180 relative to each other. In this manner manufacturing costs are minimized in that only one insulating body need be manufactured. Storage and supply overhead are also minimized in that different mating components for each connector need not be stored.

Pairs'of insulative bodies 12 and 14 may be assembled in a stack as illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawings. In this figure a stack of five pairs generally designated 19 is shown. The connector shown in this figure is able to receive five circuit boards 24, as illustrated. The stacked pairs 10 are unitized by passing rods 62 through each of the openings in the base legs of the pairs 10 and through openings in the metal plate 64 at the end and four similar metal plates separating the pairs 10, nuts being threaded on the ends of the rods adjacent the plate 64. The rods 62 also pass through a forward and thicker plate 66, a tensioning spring 72 and a front plate 68, nuts being threaded on the forward ends of the rods. A threaded tensioning assembly member 70 is passed through a bore in the front portion of the plate 66 and within a slot therethrough, being secured therewithin by a snap ring received within an annular groove around the end portion of the member 70. The tensioning spring 72 is disposed in curvilinear fashion between the spaced rods 62. The middle pressed out section 74 of the rear half or leaf of the tensioning spring 72 is threadedly received on the member 70 while the spring 72 is loosely received on the rods 62 and abutts the end plate 68. The tensioning spring 72 moves forwardly along the member 70 upon turning the latter by means of a screw driver received within a slot (not shown) in the front end of the member to load the spring 72 and thus provide for the clamping forces upon the stacked pairs 10 when the circuit boards 24 are fully Within the connector between the respective bodies 12 and 14 of the pairs It). The clamping force is, of course, exerted through the member 70 and the engaged plate 66, ultimately against the back up plate 64 being held firm by the rods 62 against which the spring 72 pushes in the opposite direction through the plate 68 and front nuts.

In connection with the FIGURE 8 form it is pointed out that the overall clamping means including the rods 62 and backing plate 64 is such as to be able to close up all looseness within the stacked connector and clamp even asingle board within one of the pairs 12 and 114 or any number of boards within the connector less than the total receivable number ofboards.

While the grooves in the side legs 16 of the insulative bodies 12 and 14 have been disclosed as being continuous with portions 22 extending inwardly therefrom along each side of each groove to add to the grooves, it should be clearly understood that the groove in each side leg may also be intermittent defined solely by portions like 22, for instance, of the side leg, either in staggered or in directly'opposite, paired relation to each other, extending inwardly from the unrecessed back or rest of the side leg. Use of the words groove or grooves or the like in the appended claims is therefore intended to include or cover such intermittent or interdupted grooves as well as the continuous variety.

Although not preferred, the recesses 26 could extend the entire lengths of the base legs 18 opening out to the opposite ends thereof.

Recitation in the claims that or to the effect that a resilient body, such as 38 in the disclosure, is in contact with an insulating body or a portion thereof as a face or as the back of a recess is intended to include any instance in which the resilient body is mounted on the insulating body or portion thereof by cement, adhesive, or similar unitizing of the two as well as where the resilient body is merely resting against the insulating body or portion thereof in abutting contact therewth uncemented or the like.

The clamping means need not necessarily be normally not functioning to urge or bring the insulative bodies 12 and 14 towards each other except when operated so as to effect this for the clamping action after insertion of the circuit board or boards but may normally urge the bodies 12 and 14 at least to some extent towards each other but which means can be caused not to so urge said bodies towards each other by a tool or otherwise at least while the board is or boards are moved between the base legs of said bodies 12 and 14 after which insertion the clamping means is freed or allowed to resume its normal base legs urging action which is then effective to clamp the board or boards between said base legs and carried resilient bodies 38 and contacts. It is also important to point out that in the appended claims the words clamping means or the like are intended to include all structure that is necessary to effect the clamping of a pair or pairs of insulative bodies such as 12 and 14, for instance, together with their resilient bodies 38 and contacts, and inserted circuit board or boards together including other pairs of bodies such as 12 and 14 so far as one claimed pair of bodies such as 12 and 14, for instance, is concerned and also any separating transverse plates, for instance, in the case of stacked forms of connectors.

While the two disclosed forms of the present invention are constructed to receive and electrically connect with a board or boards having printed circuit strips on both sides or faces thereof, it should, of course, be understood that other embodiments of the invention can be had for the reception of and electrical connection with a board or boards having connector engageable conductive portions or strips on one side thereof only, in which case a resilient body such as 38 and contacts need only be on one base leg of each pair of insulative bodies with the opposite base leg being unrecessed and having no contacts.

Although the spaced means receiving the opposite side edge portions of the circuit board prior to as well as after insertion of the board between the base legs 18 of the insulating bodies 12 and 14 are the groove defining side legs 16 of said bodies in the disclosed forms of the invention, such means do not necessarily have to be integral with what has been disclosed as the base legs of the insulating bodies. The insulating bodies may consist largely or entirely of what has been disclosed at the base legs of the bodies with members generally similar to or the equivalent of disclosed side legs 16 but separated from the insulating bodies being independently supported or being secured to, or even formed integral with, where these means are metal, one of the clamp bars, for instance, as 54 in the drawing but modified for the purpose. The side legs, of course, could both be joined to the same base leg while what has been disclosed as the other base leg would in this instance be an insulating body with no side legs. It might also be necessary or undesired in some instances to employ the side legs or equivalent means for receiving the opposite side edge portions of the board in which'case such legs or means could be eliminated While two embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described it-should be understood that modifications thereof and other forms of the invention may be had and are in fact had in mind. The appended claims,'therefore, should be limited. only by their terms liberally construed in the overall broad light of the invention in its various aspects.

What is claimed is: t 1 a a 1. An electrical connector adapted to electrically connect a printed circuit componentvto associated. circuitry whereby sliding action upon the printed circuit strips of the component isrninimized, said connector comprising: a pair of insulating bodies each of said bodies defining a side leg and a base leg, the base leg of each body adapted to be assembled in mating face-to-facerelation with respect to each other, the mating face of which faces towards the other base leg along at least a substantial portion threof having a recess therein at least a substantial part of which is opposite at least a substantlal part of the recess in the other base, leg, each of the recesses having' a body of resilient material such as for example resilient rubber therein at least a substantial part of which each of said base legs having a recess therein, each of said recesses having .a body of resilient material therein, said side legs each defining a groove extend ing therealong, said grooves adapted to receive the V edges of the circuit component, said base legs each having electrical contacts therein, at least one portion of each of the contacts adapted to extend over the mating face of the body of resilient material;

and r I clamping means operatively associated with said mat:

ing'base legs to clamp said baserlegs together, where- 'by said circuit component is inserted into said connectorby slidably urging it along the grooves until said component extends into the area between said ,fbase legs, said base legs then being moved into clamping relation withsaid.v componentubyw said clamping means, saidvbodies. of resilient material deflecting to s accommodate the board circuit strips and urging said 7 one portion of the contacts into electrical engagei ment with the strips onsaidrcomponent.

H 2. Anrelectrical edge connector adapted to electrically connect a printed circuit component to associated circuitry 7 the edges of the circuit component, said base legs ;each having electrical contacts therein, at least one portion of eachof the contacts adapted to extend over the mating face of the body of resilient material; and clamping means operatively associated with said-mating base legs .to elampsaidjbase legs together, where;

faces towardsthe other body of resilientrnaterial, the backof each of the resilient bodies being in contact with the back of the recess receiving the body at least in the course of the clamping of the circuit board for final desired electrical interconnection between the board and con nector and thereafter as long as' said interconnection remains made, said side legs each having a groove extending at least a substantial distance therealong, said side legs be-' ing at least towards opposite sides respectively of the .two base legs considered as a unit, said grooves being located to and suitable to receive the two opposite side edge portions of the circuit board, the two base leg and resilient body units carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively on the two faces of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion of one of the resilient bodies, facing towards the other resilient body, and is so in engagement with such portion of the resilient bodyin the course of the clamping of the base legs, together withthe resilient bodies thereof and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the base legs as tohelp cause at least some resilient deformation of the resilient body and clamping means operatively as-' sociated with said insulating bodies effective to clamp said baselegs, together with theresilient bodies thereof and the contacts, and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board'respectively after the board'has' been at least generally predeterminate'ly placed between the base legs together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof, whereby for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted into the connector by moving it within and alongsaid grooves until the board extends within the space between said base legs 7 together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof bysaid circuit component is inserted into said con-V nector' by slidably urging it along the grooves .until ;saidcomponent'extendsinto the area between said base legs, said base legs thenbeing moved into clamp ing relationwith; said component by said, clamping ,means, said resilient material deflecting to 3009111:

7 modate the.componentandcircuit strips and urging said one portion of the'eontacts into electrical engagement with the circuit strips on. said component,

3, An electrical connector forelectrically connecting a printed circuit board having a ploifality of conductors on each of thetwo opposite faces thereof to'conductor V meanswithin which connector the board is insertable with at most relativelyllow resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulat ing bodies each having a side leg, and a base leg, the base legs of said bodies facing towardseach other at least along a substantial portion of each, the side of each base leg 0o .i r.

printed circuitboard having a plurality of printed conbeing carried out when the clamping means is not so,

functioning as to so keep the base'legs together with the resilient bodies and contactsithereof at least close to each,

other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more 'than relatively lowrresistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts ofthe connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said base legs 'together'with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof in a, V desired condition" of clamping the board therebetwee'n to establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, sald bodies resiliently deformingfto'permit accommoda- 'tion of said conductors of the boardjbyesaid contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the course of said clamping. 4. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a ductors on. a face thereof 'to conductor means within which connectorthe board is insertable with at most relatively lowresistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of theconector, the connector comprising afpa'ir of insulative bodies each having a side'leg and a base leg, the base 7 legs of said bodies facing'towards'each other at least along QB. substantial portion of each, the side of one of the base legs which faces towards the other base legvalon-g at least a substantial portion of said- -,.one leghaving a recess therein atleast a substantial art of which recess is opposite at least part ofthe other base leg, ,therecess having a "body of resilient material such aslfor example; resilient rubber therein 'at least 'a substantial part of V which faces towards the base leg not having said recess and body of resilient material, the back of the resilient body being in contact with the back of the recess at least in the course of the clamping of the circuit board for desired final electrical interconnection between the board and connector and thereafter as long as said final interconnection remains made, said side legs each having a groove extending at least a substantial distance therealong, said side legs being at least towards opposite sides respectively of the two base legs considered as a unit, said grooves being located to and suitable to receive the two opposite side edge portions of the circuit board, said one base leg and resilient body unit carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion of the resilient body, facing towards the other base leg not receiving said resilient body and, is so in engagement with such-portion of the resilient body in the course of the clamping of the base legs, together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the base legs as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of the resilient body and clamping means operatively associated with said insulative bodies effective to clamp said base legs, together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the board has been at least generally predeterminately placed between the base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted into the connector by moving it within and along said grooves until the board extends within the space between said base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts in at least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, at least the movement of the board between the base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts in a desired condition of clamping the-board therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, said resilient body resiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired fina-l electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the course of said clamping.

5. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board having a plurality of printed conductors on each of the two opposite faces thereof to conductor means within which connector the board is insertable with at most relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulating bodies facing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, the side of each body which faces towards the other body along at least a substantial portion thereof having a recess therein atleast a substantial part of which is opposite at least a substantial part of the recess in the other body, each of the recesses having a body of resilient material such as for example resilient rubber therein at least a substantial part of which faces towards the other body of resilient material, the back of each of the re silient bodies being in contact with the back of the recess receiving the body at least in the course of the clamping of the circuit board for desired final electrical interconnection between the board and connector and thereafter as long as said final interconnection remains made, the two insulating body and resilient body units carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively on the two faces of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion 'of one of the resilient bodies, facing towards the other resilient body, and is so in engagement with such portion of the resilient body in the course of the clamping of the insulating bodies, together with the resilient bodies thereof and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the insulating bodies and the resilient bodies thereof as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of the resilient body, a pair of spaced board receivable means each defining a groove extending at least a substantial distance therealong, said means and grooves thereof being so located with respect to the insulating bodies and constructed as to be able to receive the two opposite side edge portions of said board and allow the board to be inserted between said insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof, and clamping means operatively associated with said insulating bodies effective to clamp the same, together with the resilient bodies thereof and the contacts, and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the board has been at least generally predeterminately placed between the insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted into the connector by moving it within and along said grooves of said board receivable means until the board extends Within the space between said insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof in at least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, at least the movement of the board between the insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, said resilient bodies resiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the course of said clamping.

6. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board having a plurality of printed conductors on a face thereof to conductor means within which connector the board is insertable with at most relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulative bodies facing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, the side of one of the bodies which faces towards the other body along at least a sub stantial portion of each, the side of one of the bodies,

l l which faces towards the other body along at least a substantial portion thereof having a recess therein at least a substantial part of which is opposite at least part of the other, body, the recess having a body of resilient material such as for example resilient rubber therein at least a substantial part of which faces towards the insulative body not having said recess and bodylof resilient material, the back of the resilient body being in contact with the back of the recess at least in the course of the clamping of the circuit board for desired final electrical interconnection between the board and connector and thereafter as long as said final interconnection remains made, said one insulative body and resilient body unit carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion of the resilient body, facing towards the other insulative body not'receiving said resilient body, and is so in en-' gagernent with such portion of the resilient body in the course of the clarnping of the insulative bodies, together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the insulative bodies as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of the resilient body, a pair of spaced board receivable means each defining a groove extending at least a substantial distance therealong, said means and grooves thereof being so located with respect to the insulative bodies and constructed as to be able to receive the two opposite side edge portions of said board and allow the board to be inserted between said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts, and clamping means operatively associated with said insulative bodies effective to clamp the same, together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the board has been at least generally predeterminately placed between the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and contacts, whereby,

for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted into the connector by moving it within and along said grooves of said board receivable means until the board extends within the space between said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts in at least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, at least the movement of the board between the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of 'said one of them and the contacts being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the insulative bodies together with the resilient body'of'said one of them and said contacts at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the consliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulating bodies facing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, the

ductors of the board and the contacts of theconnector,

the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors. of the board respectively; said resilient body resiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the conside of each body which faces towards the other body along at least a substantial portion thereof having a recess therein at least a substantial part of which is opposite at least a substantial part of the recess in the other body, each of therecesses having a body of resilient material such as for example resilient rubber therein at least a substantial part of which faces towards the other body of resilient material, the back of each of the resilient bodies being in contact with the back of the recess receiving the body at least in the course of the clamping of the circuit board for desired final electrical interconnection between the board and connector and thereafter as long as said final interconnection remains made, the two insulating body and resilient body units carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively on the two faces of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion of one of the resilient bodies, facing towards the other resilient body, and is so in engagement with such portion of the resilient body in the courseof the clamping of the insulating bodies, together with the resilient bodies thereof and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the insulating bodies and the resilient bodies thereof as to 7 contacts thereof, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board and connnector, the board is inserted within the space between said insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof into at least a generallypredetermined relation thenebetween, the movement of the board between the insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof being car- 1 ried out when the clamping means is' not so functioning as to so keep the insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the confacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said insulating bodies together'with' the resilient bodies and contacts thereof in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, said resilient bodies resiliently tacts into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the course of said clamping. a

7. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board having a plurality of printed conductors on each of the two, opposite faces thereof to conductor means within which connector the board is insertable with at most relatively low resistance to any deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the courseof said clamping. I i

Y 8. An electrical connector for electrically connectinga printed circuit board having a plurality of printed conduc tors on a face thereof to conductor means within which connector the board is insertable with at most relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the coni ductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulative bodies facing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, the side of one of the bodies which faces towards the other body along at least a substantial portion thereof having a recess therein at least a substantial part of which is opposite at least part of the other body, the recess having a body of resilient material such as for example resilient rubber therein at least a substantial part of which faces towards the insulative body not having said recess and body of resilient material, the back of the resilient body being in contact with the back of the recess at least in the course of the clamping of the circuit board for desired final electrical interconnection between the board and connector and thereafter as long as said final interconnection remains made, said one insulative body and resilient body unit carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion of the resilient body, facing towards the other insulative body not receiving said resilient body, and is so in engagement with such portion of the resilient body in the course of the clampingiof the insulative bodies, together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally pnedeterminately interposed between the insulative bodies as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of the resilient body, clamping means operatively associate with said insulative bodies effective to clamp the same together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the board has been at least generally predeterminately placed between the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and contacts, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted within the space between said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts into at least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, the movement of the board between the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the insulative bodies together with the resilientbody of said one of them and said contacts at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said con tacts in a desired condition of clamping the boardtherebetweento establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, said resilient body resiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts .into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the course'of said clamping.

, 9. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board having a plurality of printed conductors on each of the two opposite faces thereof to conduct-or means Within which connector the board is insertable with at most relativelylow resistance to any sliding movement between'the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connecton'the connector comprising a pair of insulating bodies each having a side leg and a base leg, the base legs of said bodies facing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, a body of resilient material such-as for example resilient rubber at t least loosely mounted on each base leg on the side thereof facing, along at least a substantial portion thereof, to: Wards the other base leg, said bodies of resilient material facing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, said side legs each having a groove extending at least a substantial distance therealong, said side legs being at least towards opposite sides respectively of the two base legs considered as a unit, said grooves being located to and suitable to receive the two opposite side edge portions of the circuit board, the two base leg and resilient body units carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively on the two faces of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion of one of the resilient bodies, facing towards the other resilient body, and is so in engagement with such portion of the resilient body in the course of the clamping of the base legs, together with the resilient bodies thereof and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the base legs as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of the resilient body, and clamping means operatively associated with said insulating bodies effective to clamp said base legs, together with the resilient bodies thereof and the contacts, and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the board has been at least generally predeterminately placed between the base legs together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted into the connector by moving it within and along said grooves until the board extends within the space between said base legs together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof in at least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, at least the movement of the board between the base legs together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the base legs together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said base legs together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, said resilient bodies resiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the course of said clamping.

10. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board having a plurality of conductors on a face thereof to conductor means within which connector the board is insertable with at most relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulative bodies each having a side leg and a base leg, the base legs of said bodies facing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, a body of resilient material such as for example resilient rubber at least loosely mounted on one of the base legs on the side thereof facing, along at least a substantial portion thereof, towards the other base leg, said' body of resilient material facing, at least along a substantial portion thereof, towards the base leg not having the body of resilient material, said side legs each having a groove extending at least a substantial distance therealong, said side legs being at least towards opposite sides respectively of the two base legs considered as a unit, said grooves being located to and suitable to receive thetwo opposite side edge portions of the circuit board, said one base leg and resilient body unit carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion of the resilient body, facing towards the other base leg not having said resilient body, and is so in engagement with such portion of the resilient body in the course of the clamping of the base legs, together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the base legs as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of the resilient body and clamping means operatively associated with said insulative bodies effective to clamp said base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, and interposed board together into'desired final electrical engagement between said conthe boardiis inserted into the connector 'by moving it within and along said grooves until the board extends withinthe spacebetwcen said base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts in at 'least' a generally predetermined relation therebetween, at least the movement of the board between the is of said board and allow the board to be inserted between said insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof, and clamping means operatively associated with said insulating bodies effective to clamp the same, together with the resilient bodies thereof and the contacts, and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the board has been at least generally predeterminately placed between the insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board is inr serted into the connector by moving it within and along base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the base legs together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance t-o any sliding movement between the conductor's of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn'place said base legs together with the resilient body of said one 30f them and said contacts in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement between, said contacts and said conductors of the board respeca said grooves of said board receivable means until the board extends within the space between said insulating bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof in at'least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, at least the movement of the board between the insulating bodiestogether with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the insulat ing bodies together with the resilient bodies and contacts thereof'at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said insulating bodies together with r the resilient bodies and contacts thereof 'in a desired contively, said resilient body resiliently deforming topermit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectivelyin the course of said clamping.

11. 'Anelectric'al connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit'boardhaving a plurality of printed conductors on each of the twoopposite faces thereof to conductors means within which connector the board is insertable with at mostrelatively'low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of thetboard and .the contacts of the connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulating bodies facing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, a body of resilient material such as for example resilient rubber at least loosely mounted on each'insulating body on the side there of facing, along atleast 'a' substantial portion thereof, towards the other insulating body, each 'of said bodies of resilient material facing, at least along a substantial por- 7 tion thereof, towards the other body of resilient material, the two insulating body'and resilient body .units carryr ing electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively on the two faces of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion of one of the resilient bodies, facing towards the other resilient body, and is so inengagement with such portion of the resilientbody'in the course of the clamping of the insulating bodies, to gether with the resilient bodies thereof and the'contacts,

dition of clamping thefboard therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, said resilient bodies resiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the course of said clamping.

12. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board having a plurality of printed conductors-on a face ithereofjto conductor means within which connector the board is insertable with at most relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulative bodies facing towardseach other at least along asubstantial portion of each, a bodyof resilient material such a as for example resilient rubber at least loosely mounted on one of the insulative bodieson the side thereof facing, along at least a substantial portion thereof, towards againstsaidboardafter the latterhas been atleast gen- 7 erally predeterminatelyinterposed between the insulating I bodies and the'r esilient bodies thereof as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of the resilient body, a pair of spaced board receivable means each defining a grooveextending at least a substantial distance" therealong, said means and: grooves thereof being so located withrespect to the insulating bodies and constructed as to be .able to receive thetwo, opposite side edge'portions the other insulative body, .said bodyof resilient material facing, at least along a substantial portion thereof, to-

rwards the insulative body not having the body of resilient material, said one insulative body and resilient body unit carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectivelyof said board at 'leas ta board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion 'of the resilient body, facing towards'theiother insulative bodyinot having said resilient body, and is so in engagement with such portion of'the resilient body in'the course'of the clamping of the'insulative bodies, together with the resilient body of said one ofthem and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the insulative bodies as to help cause at least some resilient deformation ofthe resilient body, a

pair of spaced board receivable :means each defining a groove extending at least a substantial distance there-"r along, said'means and grooves thereof being so located with respect to the insulative bodies and constructed as to be able to receive the two opposite side edge portions a of said boardandallow the board to be inserted between said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said oneof them and said contacts, and clamping means operatively associated with said insulative bodies effective to cl amp the same, togetherwith the resilient body 17 of said one of them and the contacts, and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the board has been at least generally predeterminately placed between the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and 'the contacts, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted into the connector by moving it within and along said grooves of said board receivable means until the board extends within the space between said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts in at least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, at least the movement of the board between the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, said resilient body resiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the course of said clamping.

13. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a printed circuit board having a plurality of printed conductors on a face thereof to conductor means within which connector the board is insertable with at most relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the connector comprising a pair of insulative bodies facing towards each other at least along a substantial portion of each, a body of resilient material such as for eX- ample resilient rubber at least loosely mounted on one of the insulative bodies on the side thereof facing, along at least a substantial portion thereof, towards the other insulative body, said body of resilient material facing, at least along a substantial portion thereof, towards the insulative body not having the body of resilient material, said one insulative body and resilient body unit carrying electrical contacts for engagement with said conductors respectively of said board at least a board conductor engageable portion of each of which contacts extends over a portion of the resilient body, facing toward the other insulative body not having said resilient body, and is so in engagement with such portion of the resilient body in the course of the clamping of the insulative bodies, together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, against said board after the latter has been at least generally predeterminately interposed between the insulative bodies as to help cause at least some resilient deformation of the resilient body, and clamping means operatively associated with said insulative bodies effective to clamp the same, together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, and interposed board together into desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively after the board has been at least generally predeterminately placed between the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts, whereby, for electrically interconnecting said board and connector, the board is inserted within the space between said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts into at least a generally predetermined relation therebetween, the movement of the board between the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and the contacts being carried out when the clamping means is not so functioning as to so keep the insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts at least close to each other as to prevent said movement of the board with no more than relatively low resistance to any sliding movement between the conductors of the board and the contacts of the connector, the clamping means then being placed in such a condition as to in turn place said insulative bodies together with the resilient body of said one of them and said contacts in a desired condition of clamping the board therebetween to establish desired final electrical engagement between said contacts and said conductors of the board respectively, said resilient body resiliently deforming to permit accommodation of said conductors of the board by said contacts respectively and resiliently urge the contacts into desired final electrical engagement with said conductors of the board respectively in the course of said clamping.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,858,515 10/58 Thunander et a1. 339-176 X 2,874,363 2/59 Ainsworth 33961 X 2,881,404 4/59 Kamm 339-61 X 2,994,056 7/61 Fox 33917 3,037,181 5/62 Leshner 339-61 X 3,038,140 6/62 Haberland 339-92 X JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner.

W. DONALD MILLER, Examiner. r

Claims (1)

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ADAPTED TO ELECTRICALLY CONNECT A PRINTED CIRCUIT COMPONENT TO ASSOCIATED CIRCUITRY WHEREBY SLIDING ACTION UPON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT STRIPS OF THE COMPONENT IS MINIMIZED, SAID CONNECTOR COMPRISING: A PAIR OF INSULATING BODIES EACH OF SAID BODIES DEFINING A SIDE LEG AND A BASE LEG, THE BASE LEG OF EACH BODY ADAPTED TO BE ASSEMBLED IN MATING FACE-TO-FACE RELATION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, THE MATING FACE OF EACH OF SAID BASE LEGS HAVING A RECESS THEREIN, EACH OF SAID RECESSES HAVING A BODY OF RESILIENT MATERIAL THEREIN, SAID SIDE LEGS EACH DEFINING A GROOVE EXTENDING THEREALONG, SAID GROOVES ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE EDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COMPONENT, SAID BASE LEGS EACH HAVING ELECTRICAL CONTACTS THEREIN, AT LEAST ONE PORTION OF EACH OF THE CONTACTS ADAPTED TO EXTEND OVER THE MATING FACE OF THE BODY OF RESILIENT MATERIAL; AND CLAMPING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MATING BASE LEGS TO CLAMP SAID BASE LEGS TOGETHERM, WHEREBY SAID CIRCUIT COMPONENT IS INSERTED INTO SAID CONNECTOR BY SLIDABLY URGING IT ALONG THE GOOVES UNTIL SAID COMPONENT EXTENDS INTO THE AREA BETWEEN SAID BASE LEGS, SAID BASE LEGS THEN BEING MOVED INTO CLAMPING RELATION WITH SAID COMPONENT BY SAID CLAMPING MEANS, SAID BODIES OF RESILIENT MATERIAL DEFLECTING TO ACCOMMODATE THE BOARD CIRCUIT STRIPS AND URGING SAID ONE PORTION OF THE CONTACT INTO ELECTRICAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE STRIPS ON SAID COMPONENT.

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