Surface-mountable connector with structure permitting to easily check flatness of contact terminals by use of a gauge and the gauge

Abstract

A connector (1) comprises an insulator (2) and four rows of contacts (3). The insulator (2) has a shape of an almost rectangular parallelepiped and has two cut-off like shaped edges (2B) and a groove (2C). The cut-off like shaped edges (2B) are provided on a lower side in an X-direction and on opposite sides in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction. The groove (2C) is provided on a lower surface (2F) of the insulator (2). The cut-off like shaped edges (2B) and the groove (2C) straightly extend in a Z-direction perpendicular to the X- and Y-directions. Each of the contacts (3) has a curved portion (3B) and a flat terminal end portion (3C). The curved portions (3B) and the flat terminal end portions (3C) of the contacts (3), which belong to two rows nearest the side surfaces (2E), are positioned within the cut-off like shaped edges (2B). The other curved portions (3B) and the other flat terminal end portions (3C) are positioned within the groove (2C). All of the flat terminal end portions (3C) are normally on the same level. To check this, the gauge (6) is used. During the check, the connector (1) is slid on the upper surface (6A) of the gauge while the flat terminal end portions (3C) are inserted into the respective gaps (6B2, 6C2, 6D2, 6D4) of the gauge (6). If one of the flat terminal end portions (3C) collides with side projections (6B1, 6C1, 6D1, 6D3) of the gauge (6), the connector (1) is judged as a defective one.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a surface mountable connector having three or more rows of contacts. The present invention also relates to a physical gauge for check whether all terminals of the contacts in the connector are flat or on the same level or not.

A connector is known which is directly mounted for example on a printed circuit board. Such a connector is called a surface mountable connector or a surface mounted connector.

There is a surface mountable connector which has three or more rows of contacts. All terminal ends of the contacts or contact terminals in the connector, which are fixedly connected to circuit patterns on the printed circuit board by soldering, should be flat or on the same level to ensure reliable connection with the printed circuit board.

However, for a connector having three or more rows of contacts, there was no physical gauge which could check whether all terminal ends of the contacts were on the same level. Also a connector was not designed in consideration of the check with a physical gauge. Conventionally, an optical instrument was therefore used in the check of the arrangement of the contacts. Such an optical instrument is expensive and the check with the optical instrument takes a lot of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a surface mountable connector which is designed in consideration of the check with a physical gauge and to provide a gauge which can be used in the check whether all terminal ends of contacts in a connector are on the same level.

According to this invention, there is provided a connector ( 1 ), which comprises:

an insulator ( 2 ) in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a lower surface ( 2 F) on a lower side in a first direction and two side surfaces ( 2 E) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the insulator ( 2 ) having two cut-off like shaped edges ( 2 B) on the lower side in the first direction and on both sides in the second direction, and further having at least one groove ( 2 C) on the lower surface ( 2 F), the cutoff like shaped edges ( 2 B) and the at least one groove ( 2 C) straightly extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second direction; and

three or more rows of contacts ( 3 ) fixedly mounted on the insulator, each of the contacts ( 3 ) having a contact portion ( 3 D), a connection portion ( 3 A), which continues from the contact portion ( 3 D), a curved portion ( 3 B), which continues from the connection portion ( 3 A) and projects towards a side of the contact portion ( 3 D), and a flat terminal end portion ( 3 C), which continues from the curved portion ( 3 B), wherein the flat terminal end portions ( 3 C) of the contacts ( 3 ) are on the same level, and wherein the curved portions ( 3 B) and the flat terminal end portions ( 3 C) of the contacts ( 3 ), which belong to two rows nearest the side surfaces ( 2 E), are positioned within the cut-off like shaped edges ( 2 B), while the other curved portions ( 3 B) and the other flat terminal end portions ( 3 C) are positioned within the at least one groove.

In the connector ( 1 ), the flat terminal end portions ( 3 C) of the contacts ( 3 ), which belong to the two rows nearest the side surfaces ( 2 E), may lie inside the side surfaces ( 2 E) in the second direction.

In the connector ( 1 ), each of the cut-off like shaped edges ( 2 B) may have at least one beveled edge ( 2 B 1 ), which extends from a corresponding one of the side surfaces ( 2 E) toward corresponding ones of the curved portions ( 3 B), and the at least one groove ( 2 C) has a bottom ( 2 C 4 ) and at least one beveled portion ( 2 C 3 ), which extends from the bottom ( 2 C 4 ) toward corresponding ones of the curved portions ( 3 B).

In the connector ( 1 ), the beveled edges ( 2 B 1 ) of the cut-off like shaped edges ( 2 B) and the beveled portion ( 2 C 3 ) may define imaginary triangle spaces together with the respective curved portions ( 3 B) and the respective flat terminal end portions ( 3 C).

In an embodiment of the connector ( 1 ), each of the cut-off like shaped edges ( 2 B) further has a first surface ( 2 B 2 ), which continues from the beveled edge ( 2 B 1 ) and is parallel to the lower surface ( 2 F), and a second surface ( 2 B 3 ), which connects between the first surface ( 2 B 2 ) and the lower surface ( 2 F). The first and second surfaces ( 2 B 2 , 2 B 3 ) define a space to accommodate corresponding ones of the curved portions ( 3 B). The at least one groove ( 2 C) further has a first portion ( 2 C 2 ), which continues from the beveled portion ( 2 C 3 ) and is parallel to the lower surface ( 2 F), and a second portion ( 2 C 1 ), which connects between the first portion ( 2 C 2 ) and the lower surface ( 2 F). The first and second portions ( 2 C 2 , 2 C 1 ) define a space to accommodate corresponding ones of the curved portions ( 3 B).

According to the present invention, there is further provided a gauge ( 6 ) for checking whether the flat terminal end portions ( 3 C) in the connector ( 1 ) of this invention are on the same level. The gauge comprises:

an upper surface ( 6 A) on an upper side in the first direction, on which the connector is mounted during the check;

opposite side surfaces 6 E in the second direction;

opposite-side projections ( 6 B, 6 C) provided on the upper surface ( 6 A) at opposite sides in the second direction and projecting from the upper surface ( 6 A) in the first direction, the opposite projections ( 6 B, 6 C) having hook-shaped cross sections which have lateral protrusions ( 6 B 1 , 6 C 1 ) which go toward the inside of the opposite side surfaces ( 6 E), respectively; and

at least one intermediate projection ( 6 D) provided on the upper surface ( 6 A) at an intermediate position between the opposite-side projections ( 6 B, 6 C) and projecting from an upper surface ( 6 A) in the first direction, the at least one intermediate projection ( 6 D) corresponding to the at least one groove ( 2 C) and having at least one hook-shaped cross-sectional portion which has a lateral protrusion ( 6 D 1 , 6 D 3 ) which faces the respective contacts ( 3 ) when the check is carried out;

wherein:

the opposite-side projections ( 6 B, 6 C) and the at least one intermediate projection ( 6 D) extend straightly in the third direction;

gaps ( 6 B 2 , 6 C 2 ), which are defined by the upper surface ( 6 A) and the side projections ( 6 B 1 , 6 C 1 ) of the opposite-side projections ( 6 B, 6 C), are for accommodating the flat terminal end portions ( 3 C) nearest the side surfaces ( 2 E) of the connector ( 1 ) when the check is carried out;

another gap ( 6 D 2 , 6 D 4 ), which is defined by the upper surface ( 6 A) and the lateral projection ( 6 D 1 , 6 D 3 ) of the at least one intermediate projection ( 6 D), is for accommodating corresponding ones of the flat terminal end portions ( 3 C) when the check is carried out; and

the at least one intermediate projection ( 6 D) is to be accommodated in the at least one groove ( 2 C) of the connector ( 1 ) when the check is carried out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a receptacle connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the connector of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector taken along lines III—III of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view showing the connector, especially, an insulator and a contact of FIG. 1 , wherein the contact is not fit into the insulator;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view showing the connector, especially, an insulator and a contact of FIG. 1 , wherein the contact is fit into the insulator;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 1 and a gauge according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a plug connector, which is a mating connector for the connector of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view showing the connector of FIG. 7 ; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing the connector taken along lines IX—IX of FIG. 8 .

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 , a receptacle connector 1 comprises an insulator 2 and a plurality of rows of contacts 3 . In this embodiment, the number of rows of the contacts 3 is four.

The insulator 2 has a shape of an almost rectangular parallelepiped, which has a lower surface 2 F on a lower side in an X-direction and two side surfaces 2 E in a Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction. The lower surface 2 F is a surface to be mounted for example on a printed circuit board. The insulator 2 is provided with two large slots 2 D in an upper surface thereof in the X-direction into which a plug connector is fit as a mating connector. The two large slots 2 D extend in parallel with each other in a Z direction perpendicular to the X- and Y-directions and are spaced from each other in the Y-direction.

In detail, the insulator 2 has external forms of rectangular cross sections in two planes, one of which is defined by the X-direction and the Z-direction, while the other of which is defined by the Y- and Z-directions. The insulator 2 has a specific external form of a cross section in a plane defined by the X- and Y-directions, due to the followings.

As specifically shown in FIG. 3 , the insulator 2 has two cut-off like shaped edges 2 B and a groove 2 C. The cut-off like shaped edges 2 B are provided on the lower side in the X-direction and on opposite sides in the Y-direction. The groove 2 C is provided on the lower surface 2 F. The cut-off like shaped edges 2 B and the groove 2 C straightly extend in the Z-direction.

Each of the cut-off like shaped edges 2 B has a beveled edge 2 B 1 , a surface 2 B 2 and a surface 2 B 3 . The beveled edge 2 B 1 extends from a corresponding one of the side surfaces 2 E downwardly and toward the inside of the side surfaces 2 E. The surface 2 B 2 continues from the beveled edge 2 B 1 and is parallel to the lower surface 2 F. The surface 2 B 3 connects between the surface 2 B 2 and the lower surface 2 F. In this embodiment, the surface 2 B 3 is also a beveled surface. The shape of each cut-off like shaped edge 2 B can be expressed as a combined shape of two slopes and a staircase of a single step.

The groove 2 C has a bottom 2 C 4 , two beveled portions 2 C 3 , two portions 2 C 2 and two portions 2 C 1 . The beveled portions 2 C 3 extend from the bottom 2 C 4 downwardly and toward the respective side surfaces 2 E. The portions 2 C 2 continue from the respective beveled portions 2 C 3 and are parallel to the lower surface 2 F. The portions 2 C 1 connect between the respective portions 2 C 2 and the lower surface 2 F. In this embodiment, the portions 2 C 1 have beveled surfaces. The shape of the groove 2 C can be expressed as a combined shape of two trapeziums, one of which is larger than the other in the Y-direction. The top face of the smaller trapezium defines the bottom 2 C 4 of the groove 2 C.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the insulator 2 is provided with a plurality of holes 2 A, each of which has a predetermined shape including walls 2 A 1 , such that the contact 3 can be fixedly accommodated therein. The plurality of holes 2 A are arranged at intervals along both sides of each of the large slots 2 D and are continuous to the corresponding one of the large slots 2 D. The fixation of the contact 3 to the insulator 2 is described afterwards.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 , each of the contacts 3 has a contact portion 3 D, a connection portion 3 A, a curved portion 3 B, and a flat terminal end portion 3 C. The contact portion 3 D is a portion to contact another contact of the plug connector, which is described afterwards. The connection portion 3 A is an S-shaped portion and continues from the contact portion 3 D. The connection portion 3 A provides for the contact 3 an elastic force which forces the contact portion 3 D to be securely in contact with the contact of the plug connector. The curved portion 3 B continues from the connection portion 3 A and is formed to project towards a side of the contact portion 3 D. The flat terminal end portion 3 C continues from the curved portion 3 B. As seen from FIG. 4 , the contact portion 3 D, the connection portion 3 A, the curved portion 3 B, and the flat terminal end portion 3 C are formed integral with each other to form a single part.

As especially shown in FIG. 4 , on the both sides of a portion 3 A 1 of the connection portion 3 A, which continues to the curved portion 3 B, a plurality of projections 3 A 2 are provided. The projections 3 A 2 serve as dowels for the walls 2 A 1 of the hole 2 A provided for the insulator 2 . Therefore, when the contact 3 is pressed and inserted to the hole 2 A, the projections 3 A 2 are forced to be fit to the walls 2 A 1 so that the contact 3 can be fixed to the insulator 2 (See FIG. 5 ) and that all of the flat terminal end portions 3 C of the contacts 3 are on the same level. The contact portions 3 D slightly project into the corresponding one of the large slots 2 D, as shown in FIG. 3 .

As especially shown in FIG. 3 , the curved portions 3 B and the flat terminal end portions 3 C of the contacts 3 , which belong to two rows nearest the side surfaces 2 E, are positioned within the cut-off like shaped edges 2 B. In this embodiment, the surfaces 2 B 2 and 2 B 3 of the cut-off like shaped edges 2 B define a space, in which the curved portions 3 B of those contacts 3 are accommodated. The flat terminal end portions 3 C of those contacts 3 lie inside the side surfaces 2 F in the Y-direction. The curved portions 3 B of those contacts 3 are seemingly connected to the respective beveled edges 2 B 1 of the cut-off like shaped edges 2 B, so that the beveled edges 2 B 1 define imaginary triangle spaces together with the respective curved portions 3 B and the respective flat terminal end portions 3 C.

On the other hand, the other curved portions 3 B and the other flat terminal end portions 3 C are positioned within the groove 2 C. In this embodiment, the respective pairs of the portions 2 C 2 and 2 C 1 define spaces, respectively, in which the other curved portions 3 B are accommodated. The other curved portions 3 B are seemingly connected to the respective beveled portions 2 C 3 , so that the beveled portions define imaginary triangle spaces together with the respective curved portions 3 B and the respective flat end portions.

Next explanation is made of a gauge for checking whether all of the flat terminal end portions 3 C in the connector 1 of this embodiment are on the same level.

With reference to FIG. 6 , the gauge 6 has an almost rectangular parallelepiped, which comprises an upper surface 6 A on an upper side in the X-direction and opposite side surfaces 6 E in the Y-direction. On the upper surface 6 A, the connector 1 is mounted when the check is carried out. In addition, the gauge 6 comprises three projections 6 B, 6 C and 6 D, which project from the upper surface 6 A in the X-direction, corresponding to the cut-off like shaped edges 2 B and the groove 2 C of the connector 1 .

Two projections 6 B and 6 C are corresponding to cut-off like shaped edges 2 B and are provided at opposite sides in the Y-direction. The other 6 D is corresponding to the groove 2 C and is provided at an intermediate position between the opposite-side projections 6 A and 6 B. The opposite-side projections 6 B and 6 C project from the upper surface 6 A in the X-direction. The opposite-side projections 6 B and 6 C have hook-shaped cross sections. The hook-shaped cross sections have tips, lateral protrusions or side projections 6 B 1 and 6 C 1 , which go toward the inside of the opposite side surfaces 6 E, respectively. The lateral protrusions 6 B 1 and 6 C 1 are provided with upper surfaces, which may incline in parallel with the beveled edges 2 B 1 of the cut-off like shaped edges 2 B of the connector 1 . The opposite-side projections 6 B and 6 C extend straightly in the Z-direction. The upper surface 6 A and the lateral protrusions 6 B 1 and 6 C 1 of the opposite-side projections 6 B and 6 C define therebetween gaps or spaces 6 B 2 and 6 C 2 . The gaps 6 B 2 and 6 C 2 serve to accommodate the normal flat terminal end portions 3 C nearest the side surfaces 2 E when the check is carried out. In other words, the gaps 6 B 2 and 6 C 2 have the same predetermined size and can be used in judgment that the connector 1 is a defective one if one of the flat terminal end portions 3 C nearest the side surfaces 2 E is not accommodated in the gap 6 B 2 or 6 C 2 .

The other, intermediate projection 6 D corresponds to the groove 2 C of the connector 1 and is to be accommodated in the groove 2 C when the check is carried out. The intermediate projection 6 D has two hook-shaped cross-sectional portions. The hook-shaped cross-sectional portions have tips, lateral protrusions or side projections 6 D 1 and 6 D 3 , which face the respective contacts 3 of the connector 1 when the check is carried out. In this embodiment, two hook-shaped cross sectional portions are formed integral with each other so that the lateral protrusions 6 D 1 and 6 D 3 go toward different orientations from each other or extend in directions opposite to each other in the Y-direction. The lateral protrusions 6 D 1 and 6 D 3 have upper surfaces, which may incline in parallel with the beveled portions 2 C 3 of the groove 2 C. In other words, the intermediate projection 6 D of this embodiment has a cross-section of an umbrella-like shape or a mushroom-like shape. The intermediate projection 6 D extend straightly in the Z direction. The upper surface 6 A and the lateral protrusion 6 D 1 and 6 D 3 define therebetween gaps or spaces 6 D 2 and 6 D 4 . The gaps 6 D 2 and 6 D 4 serve to accommodate the normal flat terminal end portions 3 C except ones nearest the side surfaces 2 E when the check is carried out. In other words, the gaps 6 D 2 and 6 D 4 have the same predetermined size as the gaps 6 B 2 and 6 C 2 and are used in judgment that the connector 1 is a defective one if one of the flat end portions except ones nearest the side surfaces 2 E is not accommodated in the gap 6 B 2 or 6 C 2 .

Next explanation is made of a method of checking whether all flat terminal end portions 3 C of the contacts 3 in the connector 1 are on the same level.

As shown in FIG. 6 , when the check is carried out, the flat terminal end portions 3 C positioned at a first side of the connector 1 in the Z-direction are inserted into the respective gaps 6 B 2 , 6 C 2 , 6 D 2 and 6 D 4 of the gauge 6 . At that time, the flat terminal end portions 3 C inserted into the gaps 6 B 2 , 6 C 2 , 6 D 2 and 6 D 4 are in contact with or near the upper surface 6 A of the gauge 6 . There are gaps between the beveled edges 2 B 1 and the lateral protrusions 6 B 1 of the opposite-side projections 6 B and 6 C, respectively. There are also gaps between the beveled portions 2 C 3 and the lateral protrusions 6 D 1 and 6 D 3 of the intermediate projection 6 D, respectively. The lateral protrusions 6 B 1 and 6 C 1 of the opposite-side projections 6 B and 6 C are accommodated in the imaginary triangle spaces which are defined by the beveled edges 2 B 1 and the respective curved portions 3 B and the respective flat terminal end portions 3 C. The lateral protrusions 6 D 1 and 6 D 3 of the intermediate projection 6 D are accommodated in the imaginary triangle spaces which are defined by the beveled portions 2 C 3 and the respective curved portions 3 B and the respective flat terminal end portions 3 C.

When the connector 1 is slid on the gauge 6 in the Z-direction, more flat terminal end portions 3 C are inserted into the respective gaps 6 B 2 , 6 C 2 , 6 D 2 and 6 D 4 . At that time, the connector 1 is also allowed to move in the X- and Y-directions because there are many gaps as mentioned above. If one of the flat terminal end portions 3 C is bent or deformed so that the connector 1 is made defective, the flat terminal end portion 3 C can not be smoothly inserted into the corresponding one of gaps 6 B 2 , 6 C 2 , 6 D 2 and 6 D 4 but collides with the corresponding one of side projections 6 B 1 , 6 C 1 , 6 D 1 and 6 D 3 . Otherwise, it can be judged that all of the flat terminal end portions 3 C are on the same level substantially. Thus, the check is easily carried out by the use of the gauge 6 .

In this embodiment, the number of rows of the contacts 3 is four. However, the number of the rows is not restricted to four but may be three, five or more.

For reference sake, next explanation is made about an example of a plug connector which is mated with the receptacle connector 1 of FIG. 1 .

With reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 , the plug connector 11 comprises an insulator 12 and a plurality of contacts 13 , each of which has a L-like shape. The insulator 12 has a base portion 12 A and two supports 12 B. The base portion 12 A has a thin plate of a rectangular shape and is provided with a rectangular opening 12 C on the center thereof, as especially shown in FIG. 8 . The supports 12 B are positioned so that the opening 12 C is arranged therebetween. Each of the supports 12 B extends in the Z-direction and projects from the base portion 12 A downwardly in the X-direction. One edge of each contact 13 is fixed on an upper surface of the base portion 12 A in the X-direction, while the other edge of each contact 13 is fixed on a side surface of a corresponding one of the supports 12 B. In detail, a pair of the contacts 13 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the same support 12 B in the Y-direction. The contacts 13 are arranged in four rows. When the two supports 12 B are inserted into the two large slots 2 D, respectively, so that plug connector 11 is fit to the receptacle connector 1 , the contacts 13 are in contact with the respective contacts 3 .

Claims

1. A connector (1) comprising:an insulator (2) in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a lower surface (2F) on a lower side in a first direction and two side surfaces (2E) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the insulator (2) having two cut-off like shaped edges (2B) on the lower side in the first direction and on both sides in the second direction, and further having at least one groove (2C) on the lower surface (2F), the cutoff like shaped edges (2B) and the at least one groove (2C) straightly extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second direction; and three or more rows of contacts (3) fixedly mounted on the insulator, each of the contacts (3) having a contact portion (3D), a connection portion (3A), which continues from the contact portion (3D), a curved portion (3B), which continues from the connection portion (3A) and projects towards a side of the contact portion (3D), and a flat terminal end portion (3C), which continues from the curved portion (3B), wherein the flat terminal end portions (3C) of the contacts (3) are on the same level, and the curved portions (3B) and the flat terminal end portions (3C) of the contacts (3), which belong to two rows nearest the side surfaces (2E), are positioned within the cut-off like shaped edges (2B), while the other curved portions (3B) and the other flat terminal end portions (3C) are positioned within the at least one groove.

2. The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flat terminal end portions (3C) of the contacts (3), which belong to the two rows nearest the side surfaces (2E), lie inside the side surfaces (2E) in the second direction.

3. The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of the cut-off like shaped edges (2B) has at least one beveled edge (2B1), which extends from a corresponding one of the side surfaces (2E) toward corresponding ones of the curved portions (3B), and the at least one groove (2C) has a bottom (2C4) and at least one beveled portion (2C3), which extends from the bottom (2C4) toward corresponding ones of the curved portions (3B).

4. The connector (1) according to claim 3, wherein the beveled edges (2B1) of the cut-off like shaped edges (2B) and the beveled portion (2C3) define imaginary triangle spaces together with the respective curved portions (3B) and the respective flat terminal end portions (3C).

5. The connector (1) according to claim 4, wherein:each of the cut-off like shaped edges (2B) further has a first surface (2B2), which continues from the beveled edge (2B1) and is parallel to the lower surface (2F), and a second surface (2B3), which connects between the first surface (2B2) and the lower surface (2F); the first and second surfaces (2B2, 2B3) define a space to accommodate corresponding ones of the curved portions (3B); the at least one groove (2C) further has a first portion (2C2), which continues from the beveled portion (2C3) and is parallel to the lower surface (2F), and a second portion (2C1), which connects between the first portion (2C2) and the lower surface (2F); and the first and second portions (2C2, 2C1) define a space to accommodate corresponding ones of the curved portions (3B).

6. A gauge (6) for checking whether the flat terminal end portions (3C) in the connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 are on the same level, comprising:an upper surface (6A) on an upper side in the first direction, on which the connector is mounted during the check; opposite side surfaces 6E in the second direction; opposite-side projections (6B, 6C) provided on the upper surface (6A) at opposite sides in the second direction and projecting from the upper surface (6A) in the first direction, the opposite-side projections (6B, 6C) having hook-shaped cross sections which have lateral protrusions (6B1, 6C1) which go toward the inside of the opposite side surfaces (6E), respectively; and at least one intermediate projection (6D) provided on the upper surface (6A) at an intermediate position between the opposite-side projections (6B, 6C) and projecting from an upper surface (6A) in the first direction, the at least one intermediate projection (6D) corresponding to the at least one groove (2C) and having at least one hook-shaped cross-sectional portion which has a lateral protrusion (6D1, 6D3) which faces the respective contacts (3) when the check is carried out; wherein:the opposite-side projections (6B, 6C) and the at least one intermediate projection (6D) extend straightly in the third direction; gaps (6B2, 6C2), which are defined by the upper surface (6A) and the side projections (6B1, 6C1) of the opposite-side projections (6B, 6C), are for accommodating the flat terminal end portions (3C) nearest the side surfaces (2E) of the connector (1) when the check is carried out; another gap (6D2, 6D4), which is defined by the upper surface (6A) and the lateral projection (6D1, 6D3) of the at least one intermediate projection (6D), is for accommodating corresponding ones of the flat terminal end portions (3C) when the check is carried out; and the at least one intermediate projection (6D) is to be accommodated in the at least one groove (2C) of the connector (1) when the check is carried out.