US3629807A

US3629807A - Universal printed circuit card edge connector

Info

Publication number: US3629807A
Application number: US868033A
Authority: US
Inventors: Glenwood A Fuller
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1969-10-21
Filing date: 1969-10-21
Publication date: 1971-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-21

Abstract

A universal edge connector, preferably for use with printed circuit cards, including a plurality of contacts suitably retained in a patterned arrangement within a housing body formed of nonmetallic material, the housing body having provided on the wiring side thereof a rectangular boss comprising a first independent means for mounting the connector, at each end of the rectangular boss an elevated pad being provided, the two elevated pads combining to comprise a second independent means for mounting the connector, and the rectangular boss being further provided with at least two diametrically opposed standoffs positioned on the rectangular boss inwardly of the aforesaid two elevated pads to enable the connector to be mounted in a third independent manner.

Description

United States Patent [72] inventor Glenwood A. Fuller Bloomington, [IL

[21] Appl. No. 868,033 [22] Filed Oct. 21, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 21,1971 [73] Assignee General Electric Company [54] UNIVERSAL PRINTED CIRCUIT CARD EDGE CONNECTOR 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 339/126 [51] Int. Cl ..110lr13/46 [50] Field of Search 339/17 L,

[56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,742,636 4/1956 Alden 339/128 X 2,790,153 4/1957 Arson 339/184 2,863,131 12/1958 Carlzen et al 339/275 X 3,109,689 11/1963 Cooney 339/126 X Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore AttorneysArthur E. F oumier, Jr., David M. Schiller, Joseph B. Forman, Frank L. Neuhauser and Oscar B. Waddell ABSTRACT: A universal edge connector, preferably for use with printed circuit cards, including a plurality of contacts suitably retained in a patterned arrangement within a housing body formed of nonmetallic material, the housing body having provided on the wiring side thereof a rectangular boss comprising a first independent means for mounting the connector, at each end of the rectangular boss an elevated pad being provided, the two elevated pads combining to comprise a second independent means for mounting the connector, and the rectangular boss being further provided with at least two diametrically opposed standoffs positioned on the rectangular boss inwardly of the aforesaid two elevated pads to enable the connector to be mounted in a third independent manner.

UNIVERSAL PRINTED CIRCUIT CARD EDGE CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention My invention relates to electrical connectors, and more par ticularly to an improvement in card edge connectors of the type having opposed cantilever-type contacts between which a printed circuit card is inserted.

2. Description of the Prior Art Card edge connectors for making an electrical connection primarily with printed circuit cards have been available in the prior art for some time now. The conventional practice is to affix the connector to a suitable mounting member, the construction of which may differ from one application to another. In addition, the particular manner of affixing the connector to the mounting member may also vary depending on the type of application to which the connector is to be put as well as depending on the type of mounting member selected as most desirable for use with that particular application of the connector. For example, the card edge connector may be mounted in multiples into a metal back panel, or it may be mounted into a printed circuit mother board. If a metal back panel constitutes the mounting member, the connector may be affixed thereto by means of a press-fit, or the connector may be epoxied into the metal panel, or the connector may be staked into the metal panel. Where the mounting member is in the form of a printed circuit mother board, it is normally desirable to affix the connector thereto with the body of the connector being positioned in slightly spaced relation to the mating surface of the printed circuit mother board, suitable spacing means being provided on the connector to accomplish this result.

In order to be able to employ the aforesaid mounting options for purposes of affixing the connector to a suitable mounting member, it has heretofore been necessary to provide a plurality of models of card edge connectors, the models differing from each other primarily insofar as the structural configuration of the body of the connector is concerned. This lack of flexibility in the mounting options offered by any given model of prior art card edge connector has been recognized as constituting a serious disadvantage with regard to the use of this particular type of connector.

It is first a disadvantage to the user who having purchased one model of connector for use in a specific application finds that his work requirements having changed he is unable to put the connector to use in a new application because the individualized nature of the structural configuration of the prior art connector inherently precludes such different alternative usages. Secondly, the need on the part of the manufacturer of such prior art card edge connectors to manufacture a multiplicity of models thereof inherently is undesirable because it prevents him from taking full advantage of the economies of mass production. Finally, the need to stock a plurality of different model connectors adds to the cost of doing business on the part of the distributor who must maintain an adequate inventory of each particular model connector and as such a larger inventory of parts than would be otherwise necessary if each connector were capable of functioning in a plurality of different applications.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved universal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which is capable of being affixed to a metal back anel. p It is another object of the present invention to provide such a universal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which also has the capability of being affixed to a printed circuit mother board.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a universal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which can be press-fitted into a metal back panel for purposes of affixing the connector thereto.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a universal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which can also be epoxied into a metal back panel for purposes of affixing the connector thereto.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a universal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which can also be staked into a metal back panel for purposes of affixing the connector thereto.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide such a universal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which can also be mounted in slightly spaced relation to the mating surface of a printed circuit mother board.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is to provide such a universal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to mount, and universal in application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a preferred form of the invention there is provided a universal card edge connector for printed circuit cards which is capable of being mounted into either a metal back panel or a printed circuit mother board and which includes a plurality of opposed cantilever-type contacts suitably retained in a patterned arrangement within a housing body formed of nonmetallic material. The housing body is provided on the wiring side thereof with a substantially rectangular boss comprising a first independent means for mounting the connector to a metal back panel by means of for example a press fit. At each end of the substantially rectangular boss there is provided an elevated pad. The two elevated pads combine to comprise a second independent means for mounting the connector to a metal back panel by means of staking. The substantially rectangular boss is further provided with at least two diametrically opposed standoffs positioned on the rectangular boss inwardly of the aforesaid two elevated pads to enable the connector to be mounted in slightly spaced relation to a printed circuit mother board whereby to comprise a third independent manner of mounting the universal edge connector onto a suitable mounting member.

The invention will be more fully understood from the fol lowing detailed description and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of a universal card edge connector in accordance with the present invention and of a metal back panel and a voltage or ground plane into which the connector is intended to be mounted;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 of a universal card edge connector in accordance with the present invention and of a printed circuit mother board into which the connector is intended to be mounted;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a universal card edge connector in accordance with the present invention mounted into a printed circuit mother board, the latter being illustrated in skeleton; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing body of a universal card edge connector in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the invention as illustrated therein comprises a universal card edge connector, generally designated by reference numeral 10, and including a substantially rectangular housing body 11 preferably made of a suitable nonmetallic insulating material such as for example glass-filled nylon. The housing body 11 includes front and

rearwalls

12 and 13, respectively, and sidewalls I4, 15, I6, and 17, respectively.

Front wall I2 is provided with a relatively narrow slot 18 which extends substantially the length of the major axis of front wall 12 and which is approximately centrally located such as to be substantially equidistantly spaced from the corresponding respective edge portions of sidewalls Ml, 115, 1b, and 17. As can be seen best with reference to lFllG. 4! of the drawing, the slot 18 does not extend entirely through the housing body 11, i.e., to rearwall 13. In other words, the depth of slot 18 is less than the depth of housing body 11 measured as the distance between front wall 12 and rearwall 13.

Projecting from the slot 18 along each side of the major axis thereof and at substantially right angles thereto adjacent to the front surface of the top wall [2 are a plurality of openings 19 aligned in a pair of rows and preferably each having a substantially T-shaped configuration. The openings 19 along one side of the slot 18 are preferably positioned such as to be substantially opposite a corresponding opening 19 along the other side of slot 18. In addition, in each row of openings 19, adjacent openings 19 are spaced relative to each other by a projecting portion 120 of front wall 12 which is interposed therebetween so as to effectively divide the housing body 11 internally into a plurality of substantially isolated compartments 20 corresponding in number to half the number of openings 19. That is, there are a total of seven compartments 20 provided in the universal card edge connector illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Suitably retained in each T-shaped opening 19 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art there is provided an electrical contact 21. in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the electrical contacts 21 comprise cantilever-type contacts each having a terminal portion projecting through the housing body 11 and extending outwardly of rearwall 13 in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. Thus, it will be readily understood that in each compartment of the housing body 11 of universal card edge connector 10 there are provided a pair of opposed, mutually nonengaging cantilever-type contacts 21. Accordingly, the universal card edge connector 10 illustrated in the drawing includes a total of 14 such cantilever-type contacts 21 arranged in two parallel rows of seven each. The contacts 21 are formed of a suitable electrically conductive material such as for example beryllium copper which customarily is plated with a coating of suitable material. The aforedescribed projecting portions 12a of front wall 12 serve to insulate adjacent contacts 21 in each of the pair of rows thereof from each other.

in accord with the invention the housing body 11 is encompassing with a plurality of independent mounting means each for mounting the connector 10 relative to a mounting member in a substantially different manner. Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawing, the rearwall 13 of housing body 11 is provided with a first mounting means in the form of a substantially rectangular upstanding boss 23. The circumferential dimension of the rectangular boss 23 is less than that of the rearwall 13. Accordingly, since the rectangular boss 23 is approximately centrally positioned on the rearwall 31, a flange portion 130 exists around the outside of rectangular boss 23 in encompassing relation thereto for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. Two rows of spaced openings 24 corresponding to the rows of T-shaped openings 19 in front wall 12 are provided extending along the major axis of rectangular boss 23 adjacent each side thereof. Each pair of opposing openings 24 is in communication with one of the compartments 20 associated with slot 18. The openings 24 are each intended to receive the terminal portion 22 of a contact 21, one such terminal portion 22 being illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 4 of the drawing.

At each of the opposite ends of the rectangular boss 23 there is provided an elongated pad 25 comprising a second mounting means. The elongated pads 25 are each elevated from the upper surface of the rectangular boss 23 a very slight amount, and are each of a lesser length than the width of the rectangular boss 23. The elongated pads 25 are provided for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. inwardly of the elongated pads 25 on the rectangular boss 23 there are provided four substantially cone-shaped projections or standoffs 26 comprising a third mounting means. The standoffs 26 as best seen with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawing are preferably located between the first and second opening 24 at each end of the parallel rows of openings 24. As depicted in the drawing, the standoffs 26 each extend outwardly from the upper surface of rectangular boss 23 a substantially greater distance than do the elongated pads 25. in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the rectangular boss 23, the two elongated pads 25, and the four standoffs 26 are all formed as an integral part of the housing body 11.

Turning now to a discussion of the manner of mounting the v universal card edge connector 11) of the subject invention into a suitable mounting member, reference is had to FIG. 1 of the drawing wherein there is illustrated a metal back panel 27 which constitutes one form of mounting member with which the universal card edge connector 10 may be employed. The metal back panel 27 is preferably made of either steel or aluminum, and is provided with a plurality of substantially rectangular openings 28. Only a portion of the back panel 27 is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing, that shown being deemed sufficient for purposes of describing the manner in which a plurality of universal card edge connectors 10 are intended to be affixed thereto.

The dimensions of each of the openings 28 correspond generally to those of the substantially rectangular boss 23 projecting from the rearwall 13 of housing body 11. In one form, the dimensions of openings 28 are intentionally made slightly less than those of the rectangular bosses 23. This is to enable the rectangular boss 23 of housing body 11 of one such univer sal card edge connector 10 to be press-fitted into one of the openings 28 for purposes of affixing the given universal card edge connector 10 to the metal back panel 27.

The spacing between adjacent openings 28 in metal back panel 27 is purposely made such as to permit a universal card edge connector 10 to be mounted into each opening 28 of metal back panel 27 should this be desired. with the connector 111 mounted in opening 28, the rectangular boss 23 of housing body 11 thereof projects into the opening 28, and the flange portion 13a of rearwall 13 is in juxtaposed engagement with the surface surrounding the opening 28 on the front side of metal back panel 27. Further, the terminal portions 22 of contacts 21 extend outwardly from the rear of metal back panel 27 and accordingly are accessible to permit electrical connections to be readily made thereto.

in accordance with another method of affixing the universal card edge connector 10 to the metal back panel 27, the dimensions of one or more of the openings 28 may be made either intentionally or accidentally slightly larger than those of the rectangular boss 23 of a given connector 10. Under these circumstances, the connector 10 is incapable of being pressfitted into an opening 28 having such dimensions. However, by utilizing the elongated pads 25 provided at each end of the rectangular boss 23, the universal card edge connector 10 can be staked, preferably ultrasonically, into the desired opening 28. To accomplish this staking operation, the rectangular boss 23 of housing body 11 is inserted into an opening 28 until the flange 13a of rearwall 13 is in juxtaposed engagement with the portion of the front side of metal back panel 27 surrounding the given opening 28. Thereafter by suitable means both of the elongated pads 25 are ultrasonically deformed into contact with the adjacent portion of the rear side of metal back panel 27 such that the universal card edge connector 10 becomes now staked to the metal back panel 27.

The universal card edge connector 10 further lends itself to being epoxied into the metal back panel 27. That is, once the rectangular boss 23 of the connector 10 has been loosely positioned in a slightly oversized opening 28 of the metal back panel 27 in the manner previously described hereinabove, the corresponding engaging surfaces of the housing body 11 of the connector 10 as well as those of the back panel 27 may be provided with a coating of a suitable epoxy whereby the connector 10 will be rendered sufficiently securely affixed to the back panel 27. Thus, it can be readily seen that by virtue of permitting the employment of such a variety of mounting options,

the card edge connector functions truly as a universal connector.

Referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is illustrated therein a voltage or grounding plane 29 which is most often found employed in association with a metal back panel 27. The voltage or grounding plane 29 resembles somewhat the previously described metal back panel 27 in that it also includes a plurality of openings whose dimensions correspond generally to those of a rectangular boss 23 of a universal card edge connector 10. In addition however the voltage or grounding plane 29 has a small projection 31 extending inwardly into each opening 30. Each of the small projections 31 is provided with a centrally located hole 32 having a diameter of sufficient size such that the hole 32 is capable of receiving the terminal portion 22 of a given contact 21. As its name suggests, the voltage or grounding plane 29 functions to provide either a voltage connection or a grounding connection to a given contact 21 of connector 10 through the terminal portion 22 of the aforesaid given contact 21. In some applications, a plurality of voltage planes 29 are employed in which case the projections 31 bearing holes 32 of each voltage plane 29 are offset relative to each other such that the terminal portions 22 of different contacts 21 will be received in projections 31 of different planes 29. It is of course to be understood that the spacing between openings 30 of plane 29 is such as to permit a plurality of universal card edge connectors 10 to be simultaneously mounted thereon.

For purposes of mounting a universal card edge connector 10 to a voltage or grounding plane 29 when the latter is employed in association with a metal back panel 27, the rectangular boss 23 of the connector 10 is first inserted into a given opening 28 of metal back panel 27 and preferably suitably affixed therein in accordance with one of the methods previously described hereinabove. Thereafter, the terminal portion 22 of one contact 21 of universal card edge connector 10 is inserted into the hole 32 of projection 31 of plane 29, and the plane 29 is brought into juxtaposed relation relative to the rear surface of metal back panel 27 whereupon the terminal portion 22 is customarily flow soldered to the plane 29. The terminal portion 22 of the remaining contacts 21 of the given connector 10 pass through the opening 30 of plane 29 and thus are accessible to permit electrical connections to be readily made thereto.

Another type of mounting member into which the universal card edge connector 10 may be mounted is illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing. As illustrated therein, the mounting member comprises a printed circuit mother board 33 which is provided with a plurality of patterns of holes 34. Each group of holes 34 is arranged in two rows of seven each with the spacing between adjacent holes 34 in each row corresponding to the spacing between adjacent terminal portions 22 of the contacts 21 of the connector 10 such that the terminal portions 22 may be inserted through the holes 34 so as to project outwardly from the rear side of the printed circuit mother board 33 as best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawing. The printed circuit mother board 33 may be formed of a single layer of suitable material as depicted in the drawing or it may be multilayered, i.e., formed of a multitude of thin layers of suitable material laminated together.

In mounting the universal card edge connector 10 to the printed circuit mother board 33, the terminal portions 22 of contacts 21 of universal card edge connector 10 are simultaneously inserted into one group of holes 34 of the printed circuit mother board 33. The terminal portions 22 are inserted in the aforedescribed manner until the four previously described standoffs 26 are in abutting relation to the front side of printed circuit mother board 33. The extent to which the standoffs 26 space the rectangular boss 23 of connector 10 from the printed circuit mother board 33 is best seen with reference to FIG. 3 of the drawing. The purpose of providing the space permitted by the standoffs 26 is primarily to facilitate cleaning after flow soldering the terminal portions 22 to the printed circuit mother board 33, and also to prevent the entrapment of gases, flux and moisture resulting from the solder operation.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing body 11 of universal card edge connector 10 is provided with a notched portion 35 at the juncture of

sidewalls

14 and 17. The notched portion 35 functions as an indexing means to provide a means for readily ensuring that the universal card edge connector 10 is properly oriented before it is mounted into either the metal back panel 27 of FIG. 1 or the printed circuit mother board 33 of FIG. 2.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention there has been provided a universal card edge connector 10 for printed circuit cards which is capable of being mounted into either a metal back panel 27 or a printed circuit mother board 33. Further, the same universal card edge connector without modification is capable of being affixed to a metal back panel by means of a press-fit, by being staked thereto, or by being epoxied thereto, the choice being left up to the user. Moreover, the same universal card edge connector when utilized with a printed circuit mother board has the inherent desirable capability of being mounted in slightly spaced relation thereto.

While only one embodiment of my invention has been shown, it will be appreciated that many modifications thereof may readily be made by those skilled in the art. For example if so desired, the rectangular boss 23 and/or the elongated pads 25 and/or the four standoffs 26 may comprise independent components suitably affixed to the housing body 11 rather than being integrally formed as part of the housing body 11 as previously described. Moreover, rather than utilizing four standoffs 26, a pair of diametrically opposed standoffs 26 could conceivably be substituted in place thereof. 1 therefore intend by the appended claims to cover the above modifications as well as all other modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A universal card edge connector comprising:

a. a housing body including a front wall, a rearwall, and a plurality of sidewalls;

b. said front wall of said housing body having an elongated slot therein extending substantially the length of said front wall, said elongated slot having a plurality of openings extending substantially at right angles thereto along at least one side of said elongated slot;

c. a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in said housing body, one of said plurality of electrical contacts being positioned within at least some of said plurality of openings of said elongated slot;

cl. each of said plurality of electrical contacts including a terminal portion extending outwardly of said rearwall of said housing body for purposes of permitting an electrical connection to be made thereto;

e. a first mounting means located on said rearwall of said housing body for mounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, said first mounting means comprising a substantially rectangular boss projecting outwardly from said rearwall of said housing body;

f. a second mounting means independent of said first mounting means for mounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, said second mounting means being located on said substantially rectangular boss;

g. a third mounting means independent of said first mounting means and of said second mounting means for mounting said universal card edge connector in spaced relation to a mounting member, said third mounting means being located on said substantially rectangular boss; and

h. each of said first mounting means, said second mounting means, and said third mounting means comprising an independent means for mounting said universal card edge connector relative to a mounting member in a substantially different manner.

2. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said housing body is substantially rectangular in shape and is formed of nonmetallic insulating material;

b. each of said plurality of electrical contacts comprises a cantilever-type contact; and

c. an indexing means is formed on said housing body for use in orienting said universal card edge connector prior to the mounting thereof onto a mounting member.

3. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim ll wherein:

a. said second mounting means comprises a pair of elongated pads formed integrally with said first mounting means at either end thereof; and

b. each of said elongated pads is readily deformable to permit said universal card edge connector to be staked into a mounting member.

4. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third mounting means comprises at least one pair of diametrically opposed standoffs formed integrally with said first mounting means.

5. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said substantially rectangular boss comprising said first mounting means is formed integrally with said rearwall of said housing body; and

b. said substantially rectangular boss is of a lesser dimension than said rearwall of said housing body enabling said substantially rectangular boss and thereby said universal card edge connector to be press-fitted into a mounting member.

6. A universal card edge connector comprising:

b. said housing body being substantially rectangular in shape and being formed of nonmetallic insulating material;

c. said front wall of said housing body having an elongated slot therein extending substantially the length of said front wall, said elongated slot having a plurality of openings extending substantially at right angles thereto along each side of said elongated slot;

d. a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in said housing body, one of said plurality of electrical contacts being positioned within each of said plurality of openings of said elongated slot;

. each of said plurality of electrical contacts comprising a cantilever-type contact having a terminal portion extending outwardly of said rearwall of said housing body for purposes of permitting an electrical connection to be made thereto;

f. a first mounting means located on said rearwall of said housing body for mounting said first universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, said first mounting means comprising a substantially rectangular boss formed integrally with said rearwall of said housing body and projecting outwardly therefrom;

g. a second mounting means independent of said first mounting means for mounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, said second mounting means being located on said substantially rectangular boss;

h. a third mounting means independent of said first mounting means and of said second mounting means for mounting said universal card edge connector in spaced relation to a mounting member, said third mounting means being located on said substantially rectangular boss; and

i. each of said first mounting means, said second mounting means, and said third mounting means comprising an independent means for mounting said universal card edge connector relative to a mounting member in a substantially different manner.

7. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

a. said second mounting means comprises a pair of elongated pads formed integrally with said substantially rectangular boss; and

8. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein said third mounting means comprises at least one pair of diametrically opposed standoffs formed integrally with said substantially rectangular boss.

Claims

1. A universal card edge connector comprising: a. a housing body including a front wall, a rearwall, and a plurality of sidewalls; b. said front wall of said housing body having an elongated slot therein extending substantially the length of said front wall, said elongated slot having a plurality of openings extending substantially at right angles thereto along at least one side of said elongated slot; c. a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in said housing body, one of said plurality of electrical contacts being positioned within at least some of said plurality of openings of said elongated slot; d. each of said plurality of electrical contacts including a terminal portion extending outwardly of said rearwall of said housing body for purposes of permitting an electrical connection to be made thereto; e. a first mounting means located on said rearwall of said housing body for mounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, said first mounting means comprising a substantially rectangular boss projecting outwardly from said rearwall of said housing body; f. a second mounting means independent of said first mounting means for mounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, said second mounting means being located on said substantially rectangular boss; g. a third mounting means independent of said first mounting means and of said second mounting means for mounting said universal card edge connector in spaced relation to a mounting member, said third mounting means being located on said substantially rectangular boss; and h. each of said first mounting means, said second mounting means, and said third mounting means comprising an independent means for mounting said universal card edge connector relative to a mounting member in a substantially different manner.

2. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said housing body is substantially rectangular in shape and is formed of nonmetallic insulating material; b. each of said plurality of electrical contacts comprises a cantilever-type contact; and c. an indexing means is formed on said housing body for use in orienting said universal card edge connector prior to the mounting thereof onto a mounting member.

3. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said second mounting means comprises a pair of elongated pads formed integrally with said first mounting means at either end thereof; and b. each of said elongated pads is readily deformable to permit said universal card edge connector to be staked into a mounting member.

5. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said substantially rectangular boss comprising said first mounting means is formed integrally with said rearwall of said housing body; and b. said substantially rectangular boss is of a lesser dimension than said rearwall of said housing body enabling said substantially rectangular boss and thereby said universal card edge connector to be press-fitted into a mounting member.

6. A universal card edge connector comprising: a. a housing body including a front wall, a rearwall, and a plurality of sidewalls; b. said housing body being substantially rectangular in shape and being formed of nonmetallic insulating material; c. said front wall of said housing body having an elongated slot therein extending substantially the length of said fRont wall, said elongated slot having a plurality of openings extending substantially at right angles thereto along each side of said elongated slot; d. a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in said housing body, one of said plurality of electrical contacts being positioned within each of said plurality of openings of said elongated slot; e. each of said plurality of electrical contacts comprising a cantilever-type contact having a terminal portion extending outwardly of said rearwall of said housing body for purposes of permitting an electrical connection to be made thereto; f. a first mounting means located on said rearwall of said housing body for mounting said first universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, said first mounting means comprising a substantially rectangular boss formed integrally with said rearwall of said housing body and projecting outwardly therefrom; g. a second mounting means independent of said first mounting means for mounting said universal card edge connector onto a mounting member, said second mounting means being located on said substantially rectangular boss; h. a third mounting means independent of said first mounting means and of said second mounting means for mounting said universal card edge connector in spaced relation to a mounting member, said third mounting means being located on said substantially rectangular boss; and i. each of said first mounting means, said second mounting means, and said third mounting means comprising an independent means for mounting said universal card edge connector relative to a mounting member in a substantially different manner.

7. A universal card edge connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein: a. said second mounting means comprises a pair of elongated pads formed integrally with said substantially rectangular boss; and b. each of said elongated pads is readily deformable to permit said universal card edge connector to be staked into a mounting member.