Surface mountable connector retention means and method

摘要

A pair of retention clips are disposed around end flanges of a connector to be mounted to a printed circuit board and have board-proximate surface sections which are firmly secured to the board surface to hold the connector firmly to the board without screws, rivets or the like. The clips allow limited axial expansion and contraction of the connector during significant changes in temperature by securely engaging the flanges. Where the retention clips are metal, the securing method could involve vapor phase reflow soldering which also solders the terminals to the conductors on the board surface. Where the retention clips are plastic, the securing method could involve actinic radiation curing of adhesive material. Retention clips also can secure an edge connector to an edge of a board.