Connector module retainer especially suitable for wafer connectors and connector assembly utilizing same

摘要

A retainer and connector system serves to reliably hold together and align a series of thin connector modules, such as wafer connectors, into an overall unit formed from the individual connector modules. The side edges of each of the connector modules have a pair of cavities formed therein. A retainer member is provided having a length equal to the thickness of the connector unit. The retainer member has first and second engagement members disposed thereon. Both engagement members may be inserted into the cavities to hold the connectors together as a stack, or one set of engagement members may be inserted into a set of the cavities and the retainer member rotated to align the connector modules together and then the other set of engagement members may be pressed into engagement with another set of cavities.