ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING CONTACT RETENTION MEANS

摘要

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND CONTACT HAVING RETENTION MEANS A right-angle electrical connector comprises an insulator supporting a plurality of electrical contacts therein. The insulator includes a locator plate having a plurality of open faced slots with parallel, straight sidewalls for retentive receipt of the contacts therein. Each contact has a mating portion that is received in an aperture in the insulator, a retention portion received in the insulator slots and a terminal portion serving as a solder post for subsequent soldering to circuits on a printed circuit board. Each retention portion is of solid cross-section and preferably comprises a trapezoidal crosssection with its non-parallel edges defining relatively sharp barbs. During insertion the barbs engage the respective sidewalls in interference fit, deforming the sidewalls in a manner to retain the contact therein and to resist movement thereof in both the horizontal and vertical directions.