FLAT CIRCUIT CONNECTOR WITH IMPROVED HOUSING

摘要

An electrical connector is provided for terminating a flat electrical circuit. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having an opening for receiving an end of the flat circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing in a side-by-side array and spaced along the opening. An elongated actuator is pivotally mounted on the housing for rotating movement between an open position allowing the flat circuit to be inserted into the opening and a closed position biasing the flat circuit against the terminals. The actuator includes rotating bosses at opposite longitudinal ends thereof and cam projections on end faces of the bosses. The housing includes an elongated rear portion into which the terminals can be mounted from the rear of the connector. A platform portion projects forwardly of the rear portion and combines therewith to define the opening into which the flat circuit can be inserted from the front of the connector onto the top of the platform. A pair of end walls are spaced outwardly from opposite longitudinal ends of the rear portion to define a pair of actuator-receiving slots for receiving the rotating bosses of the actuator. Cam grooves are formed in the inside faces of the end walls for receiving the cam projections on the actuator.