WO2017189363A1

WO2017189363A1 - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: WO2017189363A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/028932
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yunlong Qiao; Rao L. VITTAPALLI; Saujit Bandhu
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
Priority date: 2016-04-27
Filing date: 2017-04-21
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Also published as: CN209948106U

Abstract

Electrical connectors are described that can be vertically mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The electrical connectors include deflectable clips located at opposing end walls of the connector to engage with a bottom side of the PCB such that the electrical connectors can be vertically mounted and secured on the PCB.

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to electrical connectors having a deflectable clip for mounting on a printed circuit board (PCB).

BACKGROUND

Electrical connectors are often mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and used to mate with mating connectors or connect cables with input or output ports. Electrical connectors may be designed or configured to be easily attachable or detachable.

SUMMARY

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

In another aspect, the present disclosure describes a mounted connector assembly including a printed circuit board (PCB) and an elongated electrical connector mounted on the PCB. The connector includes an elongated base extending along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction, and opposing end walls extending forwardly along the mating direction from opposite longitudinal ends of the elongated base. Each end wall defines a vertical receiving slot. One or more tongues extend forwardly along the mating direction from the base and defining a gap therebetween. A plurality of contacts is disposed on the one or more tongues for making contact with a corresponding contact of the mating connector. A deflectable clip is inserted in the receiving slot of each end wall for engaging the PCB. The deflectable clip includes a retaining portion retained in the receiving slot, and a deflectable free end terminating at one or more spaced apart hooks for engaging the PCB, such that when the connector is vertically mounted on a top side of the PCB, the deflectable clips secure the connector to the PCB by the one or more hooks in each clip engaging a bottom side of the PCB . In some embodiments, the PCB is originally designed for mounting a straddle mount connector. In some embodiments, the PCB includes a recessed edge and opposing bottom edges that define a recess to receive a bottom portion of the elongated electrical connector where the one or more spaced apart hooks of each deflectable clip is adapted to engage one bottom edge. In some embodiments, the PCB includes a plurality of contact pads onto which the contacts of the connector are attached or held in contact. In some embodiments, the PCB includes a ground contact pad near, but not connected to, each deflectable clip.

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

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

PCB.

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 8 is a close-up of a portion of the connector of FIG. 7 after the deflectable clip is assembled to the connector.

In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements. While the above-identified drawing, which may not be drawn to scale, sets forth various embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the Detailed Description. In all cases, this disclosure describes the presently disclosed disclosure by way of representation of exemplary embodiments and not by express limitations. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a mounted connector assembly 2, according to one embodiment. The mounted connector assembly 2 includes a connector 100 mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 200. The connector 100 is configured to mate with a mating connector (not shown) along a mating direction 10. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the connector 100 mounted on the PCB 200. The connector 100 includes an elongated base 1 10 extending between opposite ends 1 10a and 110b thereof along a longitudinal direction 20 substantially perpendicular to the mating direction 10. The elongated base 1 10 may substantially define a width of the connector 100.

Opposite end walls 1 12 of the connector 100 are located at the opposite ends 1 10a and 110b of the elongated base 1 10 and extend forwardly along the mating direction 10 from the respective ends 1 10a and 1 10b. The end walls 1 12 may be a unitary part of the elongated base 1 10 or the end walls 1 12 may be formed from a separate material or may be attached or adhered to the elongated base 1 10 after forming. The end walls 1 12 can provide physical stability or bend and warp resistance or may facilitate the mating of the connector 100 with a corresponding socket or mating connector or help secure and stabilize the connector and socket/mating connector once mated.

The connector 100 further includes a first tongue 120 and a second tongue 122 disposed between the opposite end walls 1 12. The first and second tongues 120 and 122 are substantially coplanar with each other, and extend forwardly along the mating direction 10 from the base 1 10. In some embodiments, the first tongue 120 and the second tongue 122 may be the same size or symmetrically arranged. In some embodiments, the first tongue 120 and the second tongue 122 may be asymmetrically arranged and sized. In some embodiments, the respective sizes of the first tongue 120 and the second tongue 122 may depend on the number or sizes of contacts desired or required depending on the connector type or configuration.

A gap 124 is defined between the first and second tongues 120 and 122. Within the gap 124 may be one or more ribs 136. The ribs 136 extend forwardly in the mating direction 10 from the elongated base 1 10 and may provide reinforcement of the otherwise potentially structurally weaker gap 124. Each of the first and second tongues 120 and 122 is L-shaped having a shorter vertical portion 120a or 122a adjacent the gap 124 and a longer horizontal portion 120b or 122b extending away from the gap 124. The vertical portions 120a and 122a, and the horizontal portion 120b and 122b may have any suitable height and thickness, and may have a beveled or chamfered end. The chamfering may allow for easier insertion into a corresponding socket (not shown). Each of the first and second tongues 120 and 122 is proximate one of the opposing end walls 1 12. The tongue 120 or 122 and the respective end walls 1 12 define a gap 170 therebetween. In some embodiments, a bottom wall 135 can be provided to be disposed below and spaced apart from the first and second tongues 120 and 122. The bottom wall 135 extends between and connects the respective bottom portions 137 of the opposing end walls 1 12. The bottom wall 135 can be configured to receive a locating feature of a mating connector. In some embodiments, the bottom wall 135 may include one or more optional slots 135a for engaging with the locating feature of the mating connector.

The connector 100, and more specifically, for example, the elongated base 1 10, the end walls 1 12, the first tongue 120, the second tongue 122, the ribs 136, and the bottom wall 135 may have any suitable dimensions and may be formed from any suitable material. In some embodiments, the connector 100 and its constituent components may be all made from the same material. In some embodiments, the non-conductive components of the connector 100 may be made out of an injection moldable material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, the connector plug may be formed at least in part through a rapid prototyping process, such as additive 3D printing. The specific choice of plastic or other material may depend on the desired application, and may take into account moldability, flexibility, durability, heat and melt resistance, resistivity, impedance, thermal expansion, density, weight, or any other electrical or physical characteristic. For many of the features described herein, the dimensions or configurations of parts may largely be based on standardized connector shapes, which may limit the degree of design flexibility possible with respect to certain aspects of the connector. Such design requirements, however, should be well known or easily accessible to those skilled in the art.

An array of contacts 130 are disposed on the respective first and second tongues 120 and 122 for making contact with corresponding contacts of a mating connector (not shown). The contacts 130 can be secured in place by fitting through channels defined by the elongated base 1 10. The contacts 130 may be flattened, rounded, or coined in order to better facilitate contact with corresponding contacts of mating connectors. The contacts 130, as well as other electrical contacts, may be any suitable material, including highly conductive materials such as copper, gold, silver, copper-plated steel, or the like may be used. Electrical characteristics and physical characteristics (such as malleability) may be considered in choosing appropriate contact materials. Exemplary contacts and connector plugs on which the contacts are disposed are described in WO 2015/191317 (Qiao et al., attorney docket No. 75193WO003), which is incorporated herein by reference.

As shown in FIG. 3, the contacts 130 include respective front members 131 extending forwardly from the base 1 10 and configured to make contact with contacts of a mating connector (not shown), and respective rear members 132 extending rearwardly from the base 1 10 and configured to make contact with the PCB 200. The contacts 130 also include respective retaining members 133 connecting the respective front and rear members 131 and 132. The retaining members 133 of the contacts 130 are retained by the elongated base 110 and are partially visible in FIG. 3. The top side 210 of the PCB 200 may have one or more contact pads 217 (see FIG. 4) onto which the rear members 132 may be attached or held in contact. In some embodiments, a soldering process can be applied to attach the rear members 132 onto the PCB 200 after the connector 100 is vertically mounted to the PCB 200. While the embodiment of FIG. 2 illustrate a connector including two tongues (e.g., first and second tongues 120 and 122) with contacts disposed thereon, it is to be understood that in other embodiments, a connector may include other numbers of tongues (e.g., one tongue, or three or more tongues) that are suitably arranged on the connector for desired applications.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the connector 100 includes a positioning pin 155 configured to align and position the connector 100 with respect to the PCB 200 when the connector 100 is vertically mounted onto the PCB 200 along a vertical direction 30. The vertical direction 30 is substantially perpendicular to the mating direction 10 and the longitudinal direction 20. The positioning pin 155 extends downwardly from a back portion 154 of each end wall 112 such that when the connector 100 is vertically mounted on a top side 210 of the PCB 200, the positioning pin 155 is inserted in a corresponding vertical opening 157 defined in the PCB 200.

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

In some embodiments, the deflectable clip 140 can be electrically conductive. For example, the deflectable clip can be made of or coated with metals or other electrically conductive materials. In some embodiments, the vertical portion 147 of the clip 140 can be deflectable and the horizontal portion 145 can be rigid. It is to be understood that the deflectable clip 140 can be made of any suitable materials such that at least the vertical portion 147 is deflectable.

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

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

In some embodiments, the PCB may include one or more ground contact pads for grounding connection. FIG. 5 illustrates a contact pad 160 disposed on the top side 210 of the PCB 200 that is near, but not connected to, one of the deflectable clips 140 when the clip 140 is received by the receiving slot 1 14.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a close-up partial view of the connector 100 including the end wall 112 and the deflectable clip 140 received therein. The vertical receiving slot 1 14 of each end wall 1 12 extends downwardly from a top surface 1 12a of the end wall 1 14 to opposing shoulder portions 1 12b. The shoulder portions 1 12b are connected to the respective sloped portions 1 12c that can engage with the pair of hooks 146 of the clip 140 to deflect the clip 140 along the longitudinal direction 20. The end wall 1 12 further defines a recessed surface 1 16 to facilitate the deflection of the deflectable clip 140 during the assembling of the clip 140 to the connector 100. The recessed surface 1 16 is located below the receiving slot 1 14, facing the longitudinal direction 20 and connecting to the inner wall of the slot 1 14 via a sloped surface. When the deflectable clip 140 is inserted into the receiving slot 1 14, the horizontal portion 145 of the clip 140 rests on the opposing shoulders 1 12b of the receiving slot 114. The vertical portion 147 can be deflected to fit through the slot 1 14 and disposed adjacent to the recessed surface 1 16 (see FIG. 8).

Each end wall 1 12 further defines a vertical through channel 150. The through channel 150 extends from the top surface 1 12a of the end wall 1 12 and in communication with the receiving slot 1 14 to allow a locking feature, e.g., one or more hooks such as the hooks 146 of the clip 140 to fit through from top to bottom when the clip 140 is vertically assembled to the connector 100. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 7, the vertical ribs 138 projects towards the longitudinal directions 20 and defines the receiving slot 1 14 and the through channel 150. When the connector 100 is mounted to the PCB 200, the vertical ribs 138 can sit on the top side 210 of the PCB 200 as shown in FIG. 5. One of the vertical ribs 138 is connected to the bottom portion 137 of the end wall 112 via an L-shaped rib 138a, and the other vertical rib 138 is connected to the back portion 154 of each end wall 1 12, as shown in FIG. 7. The vertical ribs 138, the L-shaped rib 138 and the bottom portion 137 project away from the receiving slot 1 14 along the longitudinal direction 120.

The present disclosure provides various electrical connectors that can be vertically mounted on a PCB. The electrical connectors described herein include one or more deflectable clips located at opposing end walls of the connector and configured to engage with a bottom side of the PCB such that the electrical connectors can be vertically mounted and secured on the PCB. In some embodiments, the PCBs may be originally designed to be directly straddle mounted by a straddle mount connector from a side of the PCB such as shown in FIG. 1. The electrical connectors in the present disclosure can be vertically amounted on the PCBs which are originally designed for straddle mount connectors without modifying the PCBs. One advantage of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is that the electrical connectors provided herein can be used with automate pick and place processes to dispose the connector onto the PCB in a vertical direction, which can generate a high volume production as compared to the straddle mount connectors which require a manual process. In other words, the electrical connectors and methods of using the same provided in the present disclosure allow a user to directly convert a straddle mount plug connector assembly to a surface-mount technology (SMT) version connector which can be used for reflow soldering to reduce assembly time.

Listing of Exemplary Embodiments

Embodiment 1 is an elongated electrical connector for mounting on a printed circuit board (PCB) and mating with a mating connector along a mating direction, the connector comprising:

an elongated base extending along a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the mating direction; opposing end walls extending forwardly along the mating direction from opposite longitudinal ends of the elongated base, each end wall defining a vertical receiving slot;

first and second tongues extending forwardly along the mating direction from the base and defining a gap therebetween;

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

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

a retaining portion retained in the receiving slot; and

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

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

Embodiment 3 is the connector of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the vertical receiving slot of each end wall extends downwardly from a top surface of the end wall to opposing shoulder portions.

Embodiment 4 is the connector of embodiment 3, wherein each end wall further defines a vertical through channel extending from the top surface of the end wall and in communication with the receiving slot. Embodiment 5 is the connector of embodiment 4, wherein for each clip, the horizontal portion of the clip rests on the opposing shoulders of the receiving slot corresponding to the clip, and the vertical portion is disposed in and extends beyond the corresponding through channel with the one or more hooks of the clip positioned below and facing the through channel.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Embodiment 16 is the connector of any one of embodiments 1-15 further comprising a positioning pin extending downwardly from a back portion of each end wall, such that when the connector is vertically mounted on atop side of the PCB, the positioning pin is inserted in a corresponding vertical opening defined in the PCB.

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

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

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

Embodiment 20 is a mounted connector assembly of embodiment 9, 18 or 19, wherein the one or more spaced apart hooks of each deflectable clip are adapted to engage the respective bottom edges.

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

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

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

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

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An elongated electrical connector for mounting on a printed circuit board (PCB) and mating with a mating connector along a mating direction, the connector comprising:

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

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

a retaining portion retained in the receiving slot; and

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

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the vertical receiving slot of each end wall extends downwardly from a top surface of the end wall to opposing shoulder portions.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein each end wall further defines a vertical through channel extending from the top surface of the end wall and in communication with the receiving slot.

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

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the one or more hooks in one deflectable clip face away from the one or more hooks in the other deflectable clip.

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

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

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

10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the deflectable clips are electrically conductive.

11. A mounted connector assembly comprising the connector of claim 10 mounted on the PCB, the PCB comprising a ground contact pad near, but not connected to, each deflectable clip.

12. The connector of claim 1, wherein the tongues include first and second tongues defining a gap therebetween, and each of the first and second tongues is proximate one of the opposing end walls, the tongue and the end wall defining a gap therebetween.

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

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

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

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

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