초록 ▼

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 retain

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 two opposing ends, each with first and second engagement members disposed thereon. The first engagement members are inserted into the first engagement cavities and rotated toward the connector modules until the second engagement members enter and engage the second engagement cavities.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A connector assembly comprising:a plurality of individual connector elements, each of the connector elements having a connector body portion, each connector body portion having a plurality of distinct sides, said individual connector includes being arranged in a block of connector

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A connector assembly comprising:a plurality of individual connector elements, each of the connector elements having a connector body portion, each connector body portion having a plurality of distinct sides, said individual connector includes being arranged in a block of connector in side-by-side order such that said distinct sides of said connector body portions of said individual connectors cooperatively define distinct sides of said block of connectorseach of the individual connector element having a plurality of cables extruding from a first one of said connector body portion sides,a plurality of conductive terminals disposed along a second of connector body portion sides, said terminals being electrically connected to said cables;at least one retainer for retaining said connector modules together as said block, the retainer having a predetermined length and opposing, distinct first and second edges that extend lengthwise of said retainer and which are separated by an intervening body portion of said retainer, each of said retainer first and second edges further respectively including a plurality of discrete first and second engagement elements, pairs of said first and second engagement elements of said retainer engaging respective first and second engagement cavities formed in corresponding sides of each of said individual connector element body portions, so that said individual connector elements are held together as a block.