Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6431877
-
Patent Number
6,431,877
-
Date Filed
Friday, March 31, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, August 13, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 70
- 439 71
- 439 74
- 439 75
- 439 525
- 439 526
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An electrical connector has a non-conductive planar base defining a centrally located center aperture extending therethrough. The base has at least three generally identical sectors circumferentially arranged around the center aperture. Each sector defines a plurality of contact-receiving apertures extending through the base in a first direction perpendicular to the base. The contact-receiving apertures in each sector are organized into a plurality of rows. Each row in each sector extends along the base in a second direction with regard to such center aperture. The base is formed from an injection mold that includes a gate structure at the center aperture of the to-be-molded base. A non-conductive molding material is injected into the injection mold through the gate structure, whereby the injected material is generally evenly distributed into each sector of the base. The contacts are inserted into each contact-receiving aperture by mounting the base to a platform rotatable on an axis such that the base is perpendicular to the axis and such that the axis is coincident with the center aperture. The platform and the base mounted thereto are rotated to a first position wherein the field of view of a contact insertion device positioned adjacent the platform coincides with a first one of the sectors of the base, and the contact insertion device inserts a contact into each contact-receiving aperture of the first one of the sectors. Rotation and insertion are repeated for each additional sector.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical connector for use in connection with an electrical package having a relatively large number of terminals. More particularly, the present invention relates to such an electrical connector having a center aperture and a plurality of generally identical sectors surrounding the center aperture, each sector having a plurality of contacts for being brought into electrical contact with the terminals of the electrical package.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typically, a microprocessor, controller, or other micro-electronic device is mounted or housed within an electrical package. In one typical scenario, such electrical package also includes terminals for coupling such package to a first corresponding electrical connector, where the first electrical connector mounts to a second corresponding electrical connector on a substrate. In other typical scenarios, either the first or the second electrical connector are dispensed with, and the package with the first connector mounts directly to the substrate or the package mounts directly to the second connector on the substrate. In any case, at least one electrical connector is present, and the electrical connector includes contacts corresponding to the terminals of the electrical package. As may often be the case, the microprocessor, controller, or other micro-electronic device within the package requires a relatively high number of connections to the outside world, and therefore a relatively high number of terminals are positioned on the package and a corresponding number of contacts are positioned on the at least one electrical connector.
Conventionally, an electrical connector with a relatively high number of contacts typically has such contacts arranged into a plurality of rows in a high density arrangement (0.050 inch center-spacing or smaller), where all of the rows extend in the same general direction. However, when all of the rows extend in the same general direction, and if the planar extent of the electrical connector is sufficiently large, machinery employed to insert contacts into the connector during production thereof may find it difficult to reach every location where a contact is to be inserted, particularly toward the center of the connector. Accordingly, a need exists for an electrical connector having a design that alleviates such production issues.
In the aforementioned prior art electrical connector, all of the rows typically substantially fill the planar extent of the electrical connector. However, when all of the rows substantially fill the planar extent of the electrical connector, and if sufficient thermal activity takes place during operation of the package, such thermal activity can exert un-relieved thermal stresses on the connector. As may be appreciated, such un-relieved thermal stresses can warp or even crack the connector, and repeated cycles of such un-relieved thermal stresses can act to move contacts out of electrical connection with corresponding contacts and/or terminals. Accordingly, a need exists for an electrical connector having a design that better accommodates such thermal stresses.
The aforementioned prior art electrical connector is typically constructed from a non-conductive material during an injection molding process, where the material is gated into the injection mold at at least one location. As is to be appreciated, such molding material must expand into the mold past many mold features (contact-receiving aperture definitions in the mold, in large part) and completely fill the mold to faithfully render the connector within the mold. However, the many mold features and the relatively large distances that must be traversed by the molding material raise the likelihood that unwanted voids will be formed, and/or that the molding material will solidify prior to completely filling the mold. In such a situation, the formed connector must be discarded as a failure. Accordingly, a need exists for an electrical connector having a design that is more amenable to the injection molding process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the aforementioned need by providing an electrical connector comprising a non-conductive generally planar base defining a generally centrally located center aperture extending therethrough. The base has at least three generally identical sectors, where the sectors are circumferentially arranged around the center aperture. Each sector defines a plurality of contact-receiving apertures extending through the base in a first direction generally perpendicular to the base, where each contact-receiving aperture is for receiving a contact. The contact-receiving apertures in each sector are organized into a plurality of rows. Each row in each sector extends along the base in a second direction with regard to such center aperture.
The base is formed by providing an injection mold defining the base, where the injection mold includes a gate structure at the center aperture of the to-be-molded base. A non-conductive molding material is injected into the injection mold through the gate structure at the center aperture of the to-be-molded base, whereby the injected material is generally evenly distributed into each sector of the base. The molded base is then removed from the injection mold.
The contacts are inserted into each contact-receiving aperture by mounting the base to a platform rotatable on an axis such that the base is generally perpendicular to the axis and such that the axis is coincident with the center aperture. A contact insertion device is positioned adjacent the platform and has a field of view comprising a circumferential portion of the platform. The platform and the base mounted thereto are rotated to a first position wherein the field of view of the contact insertion device coincides with a first one of the sectors of the base, and the contact insertion device inserts a contact into each contact-receiving aperture of the first one of the sectors. Rotation and insertion are repeated for each additional sector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of the illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. As should be understood, however, the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
FIG. 1
is a plan view of an electrical connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a side view of the electrical connector of
FIG. 1
as coupled to a substrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3
is an enlarged view of a portion of
FIG. 1
, and shows the contacts employed in the electrical connector of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a plan view of an electrical connector suitable for mating with the electrical connector of
FIG. 1
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 5
is a side view of the electrical connector of
FIG. 4
as coupled to a package in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6
is an enlarged view of a portion of
FIG. 4
, and shows the contacts employed in the electrical connector of
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 7
is a flow chart detailing steps performed in forming the base of a connector such as the connectors of
FIGS. 1-6
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8
is a top plan view of an apparatus employed to load contacts into the base of a connector such as the connectors of
FIGS. 1-6
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a flow chart detailing steps performed by the apparatus of
FIG. 8
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10
is a plan view of an electrical connector in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 11
is a plan view of an electrical connector suitable for mating with the electrical connector of
FIG. 10
in accordance with the another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Certain terminology may be used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered to be limiting. For example, the words “left”, “right”, “upper”, and “lower” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Likewise, the words “inwardly” and “outwardly” are directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the referenced object. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
FIGS. 1-6
mating connectors
10
a,
10
b
constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As seen, each mating connector
10
a,
10
b
comprises a generally planar base
12
defining a plurality of contact-receiving apertures
14
. Each contact-receiving aperture
14
receives an appropriate contact
16
a,
16
b.
The apertures
14
and contacts
16
a,
16
b
in the connectors
10
a,
10
b
are arranged in a complementary manner such that each contact
16
a
in the connector
10
a
electrically couples to a corresponding contact
16
b
in the connector
10
b
when the mating connectors
10
a,
10
b
are coupled.
In one embodiment of the present invention, one mating connector
10
a,
10
b
is electrically secured to terminals of an electrical package
18
(
FIG. 5
shows connector
10
b
so coupled) while the other mating connector
10
a,
10
b
is electrically secured to a substrate
20
(
FIG. 2
shows connector
10
a
so coupled) such as a printed circuit board such that the package
18
is mounted to the substrate
20
by way of both mating connectors
10
a,
10
b.
Each of the connectors
10
a,
10
b
may include various keying features to ensure alignment of the contacts
16
a,
16
b
during mounting. In addition, the connectors
10
a,
10
b
may include screw apertures
22
for receiving jack screws (not shown) to further ensure alignment. Such jack screws when tightened also provide motive force for securely coupling each pair of corresponding contacts
16
a,
16
b
in the connectors
10
a,
10
b.
In one alternative embodiment of the present invention, the contacts
16
a,
16
b
of one mating connector
10
a,
10
b
are integrally coupled to the terminals of the package
18
and employed to mount such package
18
directly to the other mating connector
10
a,
10
b
on the substrate
20
. In another alternative embodiment, the contacts
16
a,
16
b
of one mating connector
10
a,
10
b
are integrally coupled to the substrate
20
and employed to receive the other mating connector
10
a,
10
b
as electrically secured to the package
18
. Any appropriate method of electrically securing the contacts
16
a,
16
b
of the connector
10
a,
10
b
to the package
18
or the substrate
20
may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the contacts
16
a,
16
b
may be provided with fusible elements such as solder balls
24
or the like and solder-coupled to respective terminals on the package
18
or substrate
20
.
Each contact
16
a,
16
b
is constructed as a generally unitary body from a conductive material such as KOVAR (a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) material). However, each contact
16
a,
16
b
could be formed from any suitable conductive material including a copper material, a brass material, a stainless steel material, a gold material, a metal alloy material, or the like. However, each contact
16
a,
16
b
may be formed from any other conductive material without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the contacts
16
a,
16
b
may be any appropriate contacts
16
a,
16
b
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, and as seen in
FIGS. 2 and 5
, the connector
10
a
may have dual-beam-type contacts
16
a
and the connector
10
b
may have complementary blade-type contacts
16
b,
where one beam of each contact
16
a
is in physical contact with each side of the blade of each corresponding contact
16
b
when the contacts
16
a,
16
b
are appropriately mated. An example of such contacts
16
a,
16
b
is disclosed in International Publication No. WO 98/15989 (based on International Application No. PCT/US97/18066), hereby incorporated by reference. As may be appreciated, by using dual-beam contacts
16
a
and blade contacts
16
b,
as shown, contact spacing (center to center) may be about 0.05 inches or less, with a resulting relatively high contact density on the connectors
10
a,
10
b.
The contact-receiving apertures
14
are sized to securely receive the contacts
16
a,
16
b.
As may be appreciated, such apertures
14
extend between both planar sides of the bases
12
of the connectors
10
a,
10
b
since the contacts
16
a,
16
b
received therein must be accessible at both planar sides of the base
12
. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apertures
14
are organized into rows such that a contact-insertion device (
FIG. 8
) inserting contacts
16
a,
16
b
therein inserts such contacts
16
a,
16
b
row-by-row. Any appropriate aperture
14
may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as long as the aperture
14
is designed to and does in fact securely hold a received contact
16
a,
16
b
therein. In addition, any appropriate contact-insertion device and method may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment of the present invention, and still referring to
FIGS. 1-6
, the base
12
of the connector
10
a,
10
b
defines a generally centrally located center aperture
26
extending therethrough. As should be appreciated, the center aperture
26
is much larger than any of the contact-receiving apertures
14
, and in fact is not expected to receive any element, although an element may still be received therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Preferably, the base
12
has at least three generally identical sectors
28
, where each sector
28
is circumferentially arranged around the center aperture
26
. In
FIGS. 1-6
, the base
12
of the connector
10
a,
10
b
is generally a square and has four such generally identical sectors
28
, where each sector
28
roughly corresponds to a side of the square. However, the base
12
may alternatively have three, five, six, seven, eight, etc. such sectors
28
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In any event, the sectors
28
generally surround and at least partially define the center aperture
26
, and thus extend generally tangentially with regard to such center aperture
26
, as shown.
Each sector
28
defines a plurality of contact-receiving apertures
14
, as shown. As is to be expected, each contact-receiving aperture
14
in each sector
28
extends through the base
12
in a first direction generally perpendicular to such base
12
. Thus, and as was discussed above, each contact-receiving aperture
14
can receive a contact
16
a,
16
b
therein such that the received contact
16
a,
16
b
is accessible from both planar sides of the base
12
.
Importantly, the contact-receiving apertures
14
in each sector
28
are organized into a plurality of rows
30
, and each row
30
in each sector
28
extends along the base
12
in a second direction with regard to center aperture
26
. That is, although rows
30
from different sectors
28
may not extend in the same direction, within a sector all of the rows extend in the same (second) direction. Nevertheless, such second direction is always the same with regard to the center aperture
26
, even across different sectors
28
. In one embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4
in particular, the second direction is generally tangential with regard to the center aperture
26
, where the rows
30
are generally linear and parallel with each other. That is, the rows
30
are generally parallel to the adjacent edge of the base
12
. Of course, the second direction may have a different orientation with regard to the center aperture
26
without regard to the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the second direction may be generally radial with regard to the center aperture
26
, where the rows
30
are generally parallel with each other and are perpendicular to the adjacent edge of the base
12
.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the contacts
16
a,
16
b
are generally planar in the region where such contacts
16
a,
16
b
are secured within corresponding contact-receiving apertures
14
. Accordingly, each such contact-receiving aperture
14
is generally narrow at least in the dimension spanning from one planar side to the other planar side of a received contact
16
a,
16
b.
Correspondingly, the contacts
16
a,
16
b
have an appreciable lateral extent in the region where such contacts
16
a,
16
b
are secured within corresponding contact-receiving apertures
14
. Accordingly, each such contact-receiving aperture
14
extends a distance in the dimension spanning from one lateral side to the other lateral side of a received contact
16
a,
16
b,
i.e. in a third direction in the base
12
with regard to such center aperture
26
. As should be appreciated, the third direction is generally parallel to the base
12
. In fact, in the embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIGS. 1-6
, the third direction and the second direction may be generally identical. In such a situation, it will be appreciated that each contact-receiving aperture
14
in each sector
28
extends along the base
12
generally tangentially with regard to the center aperture
26
. However, the third direction may differ with regard to the second direction without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the third direction may be generally perpendicular to the second direction.
As may be appreciated, the center aperture
26
of the connector
10
a,
10
b
of the present invention allows such connector
10
a,
10
b
to be able effectively accommodate and relieve mechanical and thermal stresses, among other things. That is, the center aperture imparts a relatively large degree of flexibility to the connector
10
a,
10
b.
Accordingly, mechanical and thermal activity experienced by the connector
10
a,
10
b
will be less likely to warp or crack the connector
10
a,
10
b,
and it is likely, that repeated cycles of mechanical or thermal stresses will act to move contacts
16
a,
16
b
out of electrical connection with corresponding contacts
16
a,
16
b
and/or terminals.
In one embodiment of the present invention, in an effort to even more effectively accommodate and relieve mechanical and thermal stresses on the connector
10
a,
10
b,
among other things, the base
12
of such connector
10
a,
10
b
is further provided with flexible corners
32
. More particularly, the base
12
has a plurality of such comers
32
such that each sector
28
meets an immediately adjacent sector
28
at one of the corners
32
. The base
12
also has a pair of opposing generally planar sides, each comer
32
has a first general side-to-side thickness TC, and each sector
28
has a second general side-to-side thickness TS greater than the first thickness TC. In fact, the first thickness TC may be as thin as the manufacturing process allows, although other thicknesses are possible and are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. As should be evident, then, the comers
32
provide the base
12
with an additional degree of flexibility over and above that provided by the center aperture
26
to relieve physical and thermal stresses to the base
12
of the connector
10
a,
10
b.
As seen, the corners
32
may define the screw apertures
22
, although such screw apertures
22
may reside elsewhere without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The base
12
of the connector
10
a,
10
b
may be formed in any appropriate manner from any appropriate non-conductive material without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the base
12
is injection molded from a non-conductive material such as a ceramic material, a polymeric material such as a liquid crystal polymer, a thermosetting resin (e.g., FR4) or an elastomeric material. In particular, and as best seen in
FIGS. 1 and 7
, an injection mold is provided that defines the base
12
, where the injection mold includes a gate structure
34
at the center aperture
26
of the to-be-molded base
12
(step
701
). Of course, the injection mold is appropriately formed to include all necessary features of the base
12
, including the sectors
28
, the center aperture
26
, the screw apertures
22
, the corners
32
, the contact-receiving apertures
14
, etc.
As may be appreciated, the non-conductive material that is to form the base
12
is injected into the injection mold through the gate structure
34
at the center aperture
26
of the to-be-molded base
12
in a manner such that the injected material is generally evenly distributed into each sector
28
of the base
12
(step
703
). In one embodiment of the present invention, and as seen, the gate structure
34
includes an egress
36
adjacent each sector
28
of the base
12
such that the injected material is generally evenly distributed from each egress
36
into the adjacent sector
28
of the base
12
. Of course, multiple egresses
36
may also be employed for each sector
28
, as may be alternate egress
36
and gate structure
34
designs, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Once properly injection molded by way of the injection mold and the gate structure
34
thereof, the molded base is removed from the injection mold (step
705
). Of course, various finishing operations may be performed, such as for example, trimming of excess injected material and smoothing thereat. Overall, injection molds, injection molding, and finishing operations after injection molding are generally known to the relevant public. Accordingly, further details regarding same need not be provided herein.
As should now be appreciated, by centrally injection molding the base
12
of the connector
10
a,
10
b
from the center aperture
26
of the to-be-molded base
12
, the injected material evenly expands into the mold past the many mold features and thereby completely fills the mold to faithfully render the base
12
within the mold. Moreover, by such even expansion from multiple egresses
36
at a central location unwanted voids in the base
12
are minimized if not eliminated, and the injection material under proper conditions does not solidify prior to completely filling the mold.
Now that the base
12
has been formed, such base
12
must be loaded with the contacts
16
a,
16
b.
In one embodiment of the present invention, and referring now to
FIGS. 8 and 9
, such contacts
16
a,
16
b
are loaded by way of a loading apparatus
38
including a platform
40
rotatable on an axis and a contact insertion device
42
adjacent thereto. The finished base
12
sans the contacts
16
a,
16
b
is appropriately mounted to the platform
40
such that the base
12
is generally perpendicular to the axis and the axis is coincident with the center aperture
26
(step
901
). Importantly, the adjacent contact insertion device
42
is positioned over the base
12
on the platform such that the device
42
has a field of view comprising a circumferential portion of the platform
40
. That is, the contact insertion device
42
upon being appropriately moved is capable of reaching any area within such circumferential portion.
As should now be appreciated, the rotatable platform
40
and the base
12
mounted thereto are rotated to a first position wherein the field of view of the contact insertion device
42
coincides with a first one of the sectors
28
of the base
12
(step
903
). In such first position, the contact insertion device
42
inserts a contact
16
a,
16
b
into each contact-receiving aperture
14
of the first one of the sectors
28
(step
905
). The rotatable platform
40
and the base
12
mounted thereto are then rotated to a second position wherein the field of view of the contact insertion device
42
coincides with a second one of the sectors
28
of the base
12
(step
907
). In such second position, the contact insertion device
42
inserts a contact
16
a,
16
b
into each contact-receiving aperture
14
of the second one of the sectors
28
. It should now be understood that the rotating and inserting steps are repeated until each sector
28
of the base
12
is filled with contacts
16
a,
16
b.
For the four-sector base
12
shown in
FIGS. 1-6
, the rotating and inserting steps are performed four times. Preferably, the rotation from position to position is about 90 degrees, although other angles of rotation may also be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Overall, loading apparati
38
for loading contacts
16
a,
16
b
into a base
12
of a connector
10
a,
10
b
and methods for using such loading apparati
38
are generally known to the relevant public. Accordingly, further details regarding same need not be provided herein.
As should now be appreciated, by employing a base
12
with a center aperture
26
and sectors
28
circumferentially surrounding such center aperture
26
, and by filling the base
12
sector-by-sector, where the rows
30
of contacts
16
a,
16
b
in each sector
28
are presented in the same manner to the contact insertion device
40
, all of the contact receiving apertures are easily reachable by such contact insertion device
40
, and such insertion may take place in an expeditious manner.
Referring now to
FIGS. 10 and 11
, a pair of connectors
100
a,
100
b
are shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Such connectors
100
a,
100
b
are similar to the connectors
10
a,
10
b
of
FIGS. 1-6
and therefore need not be described in detail. In pertinent part, the base
12
of the connector
100
a,
100
b
defines a generally centrally located center aperture
26
, and the base
12
has four generally identical sectors
28
circumferentially arranged around the center aperture
26
. Each sector
28
in the connector
100
a,
100
b
is organized into a plurality of rows
30
, where each row
30
in each sector
28
extends generally tangentially with regard to such center aperture
26
. Notably, though, each sector
28
and the rows
30
therein extends into an area reserved as a corner
32
in the connectors
10
a,
10
b.
In addition, the base
12
of the connector
100
a,
100
b
does not include screw apertures
22
for jack screws or the like.
The base
12
of the connector
100
a,
100
b
may be formed in substantially the same manner as the base
12
of the connector
10
a,
10
b,
i.e., by way of a centrally located gate structure
34
such as that shown in FIG.
1
. Moreover, the contacts
16
a,
16
b
may be loaded into the base
12
of the connector
100
a,
100
b
in substantially the same manner as into the base
12
of the connector
10
a,
10
b,
i.e., by way of the loading apparatus
38
of FIG.
8
.
In the foregoing description, it can be seen that the present invention comprises a new and useful electrical connector
10
a,
10
b,
100
a,
100
b
for use in connection with an electrical package
18
and/or a substrate
20
. It should be appreciated that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the inventive concepts thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. An electrical connector comprising a non-conductive generally planar base defining a generally centrally located center aperture extending therethrough, the base having at least three generally identical sectors, the sectors being circumferentially arranged around the center aperture, each sector defining a plurality of contact-receiving apertures extending through the base, each contact-receiving aperture for receiving a contact, the base having a plurality of corners and a pair of opposing generally planar sides, each sector meeting an immediately adjacent sector at one of the corners, each corner having a first general side-to-side thickness, each sector having a second general side-to-side thickness greater than the first thickness, wherein the corners provide the base with a degree of flexibility to relieve physical and thermal stresses thereto.
- 2. The connector of claim 1 wherein each contact-receiving aperture extends through the base in a first direction generally perpendicular to the base, the contact-receiving apertures in each sector being organized into a plurality of rows, each row in each sector extending along the base in a second direction with regard to such center aperture, and wherein each contact-receiving aperture in each sector also extends along the base in a third direction with regard to such center aperture, the third direction being generally parallel to the base.
- 3. The connector of claim 2 wherein the second direction and the third direction are generally identical.
- 4. The connector of claim 2 wherein each contact-receiving aperture in each sector extends along the base generally tangentially with regard to the center aperture.
- 5. The connector of claim 2 wherein each row in each sector extends along the base generally tangentially with regard to the center aperture.
- 6. The connector of claim 1 wherein each sector extends generally tangentially with regard to the center aperture.
- 7. The connector of claim 1 wherein the base is a generally unitary body injection-molded from a non-conductive molding material, the molding material being introduced through the center aperture during such injection-molding.
- 8. The connector of claim 1 comprising the plurality of contacts.
- 9. The connector of claim 1 wherein the base comprises four generally identical sectors.
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DE |
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