U.S. patent application number 13/197467 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-07 for straddle mount connector for a pluggable transceiver module.
This patent application is currently assigned to TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Frank Cina, Randall Robert Henry, Michael J. Phillips, David Szczesny. Invention is credited to Michael Frank Cina, Randall Robert Henry, Michael J. Phillips, David Szczesny.
Application Number | 20130034998 13/197467 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47627213 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130034998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cina; Michael Frank ; et
al. |
February 7, 2013 |
STRADDLE MOUNT CONNECTOR FOR A PLUGGABLE TRANSCEIVER MODULE
Abstract
A straddle mount connector is provided for edge mounting to a
circuit board of a pluggable module. The straddle mount connector
includes a dielectric connector body having a base and a plug
extending from the base. The base is configured to be coupled to an
edge of the circuit board. The plug has opposite first and second
sides and a plate cavity that extends within the plug between the
first and second sides. The plug is configured to be received
within a receptacle of a receptacle connector. Electrical contacts
are held by the connector body. The electrical contacts include
mating segments. The mating segments of a first group of the
electrical contacts are arranged in a first row that extends a
length along the first side of the plug. The mating segments of a
second group of the electrical contacts are arranged in a second
row that extends a length along the second side of the plug. A
ground plate is held within the plate cavity of the plug of the
connector body. The ground plate extends between the first and
second rows of electrical contacts along the lengths of the first
and second rows.
Inventors: |
Cina; Michael Frank;
(Elizabethtown, PA) ; Henry; Randall Robert;
(Harrisburg, PA) ; Phillips; Michael J.; (Camp
Hill, PA) ; Szczesny; David; (Hershey, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cina; Michael Frank
Henry; Randall Robert
Phillips; Michael J.
Szczesny; David |
Elizabethtown
Harrisburg
Camp Hill
Hershey |
PA
PA
PA
PA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TYCO ELECTRONICS
CORPORATION
Berwyn
PA
|
Family ID: |
47627213 |
Appl. No.: |
13/197467 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/629 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 13/6461 20130101;
H01R 12/721 20130101; G02B 6/4278 20130101; G02B 6/4246 20130101;
H01R 13/6586 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/629 |
International
Class: |
H01R 24/00 20110101
H01R024/00 |
Claims
1. A straddle mount connector for edge mounting to a circuit board
of a pluggable module, the straddle mount connector comprising: a
dielectric connector body having a base and a plug extending from
the base, the base being configured to be coupled to an edge of the
circuit board, the plug having opposite first and second sides and
a plate cavity that extends within the plug between the first and
second sides, the plug being configured to be received within a
receptacle of a receptacle connector; electrical contacts held by
the connector body, the electrical contacts comprising mating
segments, the mating segments of a first group of the electrical
contacts being arranged in a first row that extends a length along
the first side of the plug, the mating segments of a second group
of the electrical contacts being arranged in a second row that
extends a length along the second side of the plug; and a ground
plate held within the plate cavity of the plug of the connector
body, the ground plate extending between the first and second rows
of electrical contacts along the lengths of the first and second
rows.
2. The straddle mount connector of claim 1, wherein the first group
of electrical contacts comprises signal contacts and ground
contacts, the ground contacts being engaged with and electrically
connected to the ground plate such that the ground plate and the
ground contacts are electrically common.
3. The straddle mount connector of claim 1, wherein the ground
plate extends between the first and second rows of the electrical
contacts along an entirety of the lengths of the first and second
rows.
4. The straddle mount connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical
contacts comprise contact bases coupled to the base of the
connector body, the mating segments extending lengths outwardly
from the contact bases, the ground plate extending between the
first and second rows of the electrical contacts along an entirety
of the lengths of the mating segments.
5. The straddle mount connector of claim 1, wherein the first group
of electrical contacts comprises signal contacts and ground
contacts, the second group of electrical contacts comprising signal
contacts and ground contacts, at least one of the ground contacts
within the first group comprising a commoning segment that extends
along the second side of the plug and engages a ground contact of
the second group of electrical contacts in electrical connection
therewith.
6. The straddle mount connector of claim 1, wherein the first group
of electrical contacts comprises signal contacts and ground
contacts, the second group of electrical contacts comprising signal
contacts and ground contacts, at least one of the ground contacts
within the first group comprising a commoning segment that extends
along the second side of the plug and engages a ground contact of
the second group of electrical contacts in electrical connection
therewith, wherein the commoning segment extends through the plug
from the first side to the second side of the plug.
7. The straddle mount connector of claim 1, wherein the ground
plate comprises opposite first and second sides that face the first
and second sides, respectively, of the plug, the ground plate
comprising an edge that extends from the first side to the second
side of the ground plate, the first and second groups of electrical
contacts each comprising signal contacts and ground contacts, at
least one of the ground contacts within the first group comprising
a commoning segment that extends along the second side of the plug
and engages a ground contact of the second group of electrical
contacts in electrical connection therewith, wherein the commoning
segment extends from the first side of the ground plate, over the
edge of the ground plate, to the second side of the ground
plate.
8. The straddle mount connector of claim 1, wherein the plug
comprises a layered structure that includes a bottom layer of
dielectric material having the second side of the plug, a middle
layer defined by the ground plate, and an upper layer of dielectric
material having the first side of the plug.
9. The straddle mount connector of claim 1, wherein the first group
of electrical contacts comprises signal contacts and ground
contacts, the second group of electrical contacts comprising signal
contacts and ground contacts, the ground contacts being engaged
with and electrically connected to the ground plate such that the
ground plate and the ground contacts are electrically common.
10. A straddle mount connector for edge mounting to a circuit board
of a pluggable module, the straddle mount connector comprising: a
dielectric connector body having a base and a plug extending from
the base, the base being configured to be coupled to an edge of the
circuit board, the plug having a side and being configured to be
received within a receptacle of a receptacle connector; first and
second signal contacts held by the connector body and comprising
signal mating segments that are configured to mate with signal
mating contacts of the receptacle connector; and a ground contact
held by the connector body and comprising a ground mating segment
that is configured to mate with a ground mating contact of the
receptacle connector, the signal and ground mating segments being
arranged in a row that extends a length along the side of the plug,
the signal and ground mating segments comprising opposite
broad-side surfaces and opposite edge-side surfaces that extend
between the broad-side surfaces, the broad-side surfaces having a
greater surface area than the edge-side surfaces, the ground mating
segment being arranged in the row between the signal mating
segments of the first and second signal contacts, wherein one of
the broad-side surfaces of the ground mating segment faces an
edge-side surface of the first signal contact and the other
broad-side surface of the ground mating segment faces an edge-side
surface of the second signal contact.
11. The straddle mount connector of claim 10, wherein the
broad-side surfaces of the ground mating segment are oriented
approximately perpendicular to the broad-side surfaces of the
signal mating segments.
12. The straddle mount connector of claim 10, wherein one of the
edge-side surfaces of the ground mating segment extends coplanar
with one of the broad-side surfaces of the first signal contact and
extends coplanar with one of the broad-side surfaces of the second
signal contact.
13. (canceled)
14. The straddle mount connector of claim 10, further comprising a
third signal contact, the first and third signal contacts being
arranged in a differential pair, wherein an edge-side surface of
the first signal contact faces an edge-side surface of the third
signal contact.
15. The straddle mount connector of claim 10, further comprising
third and fourth signal contacts, the first and third signal
contacts being arranged in a first differential pair, the second
and fourth signal contacts being arranged in a second differential
pair, the ground mating segment extending in the row between the
first and second differential pairs.
16. A straddle mount connector for edge mounting to a circuit board
of a pluggable module, the straddle mount connector comprising: a
dielectric connector body having a base and a plug extending from
the base, the base being configured to be coupled to an edge of the
circuit board, the plug having opposite first and second sides, the
plug being configured to be received within a receptacle of a
receptacle connector; and ground contacts held by the connector
body and comprising mating segments, the mating segments of a first
group of the ground contacts being arranged in a first row that
extends along the first side of the plug, the mating segments of a
second group of the ground contacts being arranged in a second row
that extends along the second side of the plug, wherein at least
one ground contact within the first group is engaged with and
electrically connected to at least one ground contact within the
second group such that the at least one ground contact within the
first group is electrically common to the at least one ground
contact within the second group.
17. The straddle mount connector of claim 16, wherein the at least
one of the ground contact within the first group comprises a
commoning segment that extends along the second side of the plug of
the connector body and engages the at least one ground contact
within the second group.
18. The straddle mount connector of claim 16, wherein the at least
one of the ground contact within the first group comprises a
commoning segment that extends along the second side of the plug of
the connector body and engages the at least one ground contact
within the second group, the commoning segment extending through
the plug from the first side to the second side of the plug.
19. The straddle mount connector of claim 16, further comprising a
ground plate held within the plug of the connector body such that
the ground plate extends between the first and second rows of
ground contacts, the ground plate comprising opposite first and
second sides that face the first and second sides, respectively, of
the plug, the ground plate comprising an edge that extends from the
first side to the second side of the ground plate, the at least one
of the ground contact within the first group comprising a commoning
segment that extends along the second side of the plug of the
connector body and engages the at least one ground contact within
the second group, wherein the commoning segment extends from the
first side of the ground plate, over the edge of the ground plate,
to the second side of the ground plate.
20. The straddle mount connector of claim 16, further comprising a
ground plate held within the plug of the connector body such that
the ground plate extends between the first and second rows of
ground contacts, the ground contacts being engaged with and
electrically connected to the ground plate such that the ground
plate and the ground contacts are electrically common.
21. The straddle mount connector of claim 10, wherein the side of
the plug is a broad side, the plug comprising an edge side that
extends from the broad side, the broad side having a greater
surface area than the edge side, the row of signal and ground
mating segments extending the length along a row axis that extends
approximately parallel to the broad side of the plug.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter described and/or illustrated herein
relates generally to transceiver assemblies.
[0002] Various types of fiber optic and copper based transceiver
assemblies that permit communication between host equipment and
external devices are known. These transceiver assemblies typically
include a module assembly that can be pluggably connected to a
receptacle connector in the host equipment. The module assemblies
are constructed according to various standards for size and
compatibility, one standard being the Quad Small Form-factor
Pluggable (QSFP) module standard. Conventional QSFP modules and
receptacle assemblies perform satisfactorily conveying data signals
at rates up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). Another pluggable
module standard, the XFP standard, calls for the transceiver module
to also convey data signals at rates up to 10 Gbps.
[0003] As electrical and optical devices become smaller, the signal
paths thereof become more densely grouped. Moreover, the rate at
which the data signals propagate along the signal paths is
continually increasing to satisfy the demand for faster devices.
Accordingly, there is a demand for transceiver assemblies that can
handle the increased signal rates and/or that have a higher density
of signal paths. However, because of the increased signal rates
and/or higher density, differential pairs of signal contacts within
a transceiver assembly may interfere with each other, which is
commonly referred to as "crosstalk". For example, adjacent
differential pairs in the same row and/or differential pairs in
opposing rows may experience crosstalk. Such crosstalk can become a
relatively large contributor to errors along the signal paths of
the transceiver assembly. Coupling between signal contacts within
the same differential pair may also contribute to errors along the
signal paths of the transceiver assembly. Moreover, the increased
signal rates and/or higher density may make it difficult to
maintain a desired impedance value of the transceiver assembly,
which may result in impedance discontinuities between the
transceiver assembly and the host equipment and/or the external
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one embodiment, a straddle mount connector is provided
for edge mounting to a circuit board of a pluggable module. The
straddle mount connector includes a dielectric connector body
having a base and a plug extending from the base. The base is
configured to be coupled to an edge of the circuit board. The plug
has opposite first and second sides and a plate cavity that extends
within the plug between the first and second sides. The plug is
configured to be received within a receptacle of a receptacle
connector. Electrical contacts are held by the connector body. The
electrical contacts include mating segments. The mating segments of
a first group of the electrical contacts are arranged in a first
row that extends a length along the first side of the plug. The
mating segments of a second group of the electrical contacts are
arranged in a second row that extends a length along the second
side of the plug. A ground plate is held within the plate cavity of
the plug of the connector body. The ground plate extends between
the first and second rows of electrical contacts along the lengths
of the first and second rows.
[0005] In another embodiment, a straddle mount connector is
provided for edge mounting to a circuit board of a pluggable
module. The straddle mount connector includes a dielectric
connector body having a base and a plug extending from the base.
The base is configured to be coupled to an edge of the circuit
board. The plug has a side and is configured to be received within
a receptacle of a receptacle connector. First and second signal
contacts are held by the connector body and include signal mating
segments that are configured to mate with signal mating contacts of
the receptacle connector. A ground contact is held by the connector
body and includes a ground mating segment that is configured to
mate with a ground mating contact of the receptacle connector. The
signal and ground mating segments include opposite broad-side
surfaces and opposite edge-side surfaces that extend between the
broad-side surfaces. The broad-side surfaces have a greater surface
area than the edge-side surfaces. The ground mating segments being
arranged between the signal mating segments of the first and second
signal contacts. One of the broad-side surfaces of the ground
mating segment faces an edge-side surface of the first signal
contact and the other broad-side surface of the ground mating
segment faces an edge-side surface of the second signal
contact.
[0006] In a further embodiment, a straddle mount connector is
provided for edge mounting to a circuit board of a pluggable
module. The straddle mount connector includes a dielectric
connector body having a base and a plug extending from the base.
The base is configured to be coupled to an edge of the circuit
board. The plug has opposite first and second sides. The plug is
configured to be received within a receptacle of a receptacle
connector. Ground contacts are held by the connector body and
include mating segments. The mating segments of a first group of
the ground contacts are arranged in a first row that extends along
the first side of the plug. The mating segments of a second group
of the ground contacts are arranged in a second row that extends
along the second side of the plug. At least one ground contact
within the first group is engaged with and electrically connected
to at least one ground contact within the second group such that
the at least one ground contact within the first group is
electrically common to the at least one ground contact within the
second group.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a transceiver assembly.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transceiver assembly
shown in FIG. 1 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a pluggable
module mated with an exemplary embodiment of a receptacle
assembly.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the pluggable
module shown in FIG. 2 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a
circuit board and an exemplary embodiment of a straddle mount
connector for mounting to the circuit board.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the straddle mount connector
shown in FIG. 3 viewed from a different angle than FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the straddle mount
connector shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
straddle mount connector shown in FIGS. 3-5.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of a row of electrical contacts and an exemplary
embodiment of a ground plate of the straddle mount connector shown
in FIGS. 3-6.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment
of a straddle mount connector.
[0015] FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the straddle mount
connector shown in FIG. 8 viewed from a different angle than FIG.
8.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of an
exemplary embodiment of a row of electrical contacts and a portion
of an exemplary embodiment of a ground plate.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a side of the
ground plate shown in FIG. 10.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a straddle mount connector.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of a row of electrical contacts of the straddle mount
connector shown in FIG. 12.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
a receptacle connector of the transceiver assembly shown in FIG.
1.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the receptacle
connector shown in FIG. 14 illustrating an exemplary embodiment of
a row of electrical contacts.
[0022] FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of a
portion of the receptacle connector shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary
embodiment of a transceiver assembly 10. In the exemplary
embodiment, the transceiver assembly 10 is adapted to address,
among other things, conveying data signals at high rates, such as
data transmission rates of at least 10 gigabits per second (Gbps),
which is required by the SFP+ standard. For example, in some
embodiments the transceiver assembly 10 is adapted to convey data
signals at a data transmission rate of at least 28 Gbps. Moreover,
and for example, in some embodiments the transceiver assembly 10 is
adapted to convey data signals at a data transmission rate of
between approximately 20 Gbps and approximately 30 Gbps. It is
appreciated, however, that the benefits and advantages of the
subject matter described and/or illustrated herein may accrue
equally to other data transmission rates and across a variety of
systems and standards. In other words, the subject matter described
and/or illustrated herein is not limited to data transmission rates
of 10 Gbps or greater, any standard, or the exemplary type of
transceiver assembly shown and described herein.
[0024] The transceiver assembly 10 includes a pluggable module 12
configured for pluggable insertion into a receptacle assembly 14
that is mounted on a host circuit board 16. The host circuit board
16 may be mounted in a host system (not shown) such as, but not
limited to, a router, a server, a computer, and/or the like. The
host system typically includes a conductive chassis having a bezel
18 including an opening 20 extending therethrough in substantial
alignment with the receptacle assembly 14. The receptacle assembly
14 is optionally electrically connected to the bezel 18.
[0025] The pluggable module 12 is configured to be inserted into
the receptacle assembly 14. Specifically, the pluggable module 12
is inserted into the receptacle assembly 14 through the bezel
opening 20 such that a front end 22 of the pluggable module 12
extends outwardly from the receptacle assembly 14. The pluggable
module 12 includes a housing 24 that forms a protective shell for a
circuit board 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3) that is disposed within the
housing 24. The circuit board 26 carries circuitry, traces, paths,
devices, and/or the like that perform transceiver functions in a
known manner. An edge 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the circuit board 26 is
exposed at a rear end 30 of the housing 24. In an exemplary
embodiment, a connector 32 (FIGS. 2-6) is mounted to the circuit
board 26 and exposed through the rear end 30 of the housing 24 for
plugging into a receptacle connector 34 of the receptacle assembly
14, as will be described below. The connector 32 is not shown in
FIG. 1. In alternative to the connector 32, the circuit board 26 of
the pluggable module 12 may directly mate with the receptacle
connector 34. In other words, in some alternative embodiments, the
edge 28 of the circuit board 26 of the pluggable module 12 is
received within a receptacle 50 of the receptacle connector 34 to
electrically connect the pluggable module 12 to the receptacle
connector 34. The pluggable module 12, the circuit board 26, and/or
the connector 32 may be referred to herein as a "mating
connector".
[0026] In general, the pluggable module 12 and the receptacle
assembly 14 may be used in any application requiring an interface
between a host system and electrical and/or optical signals. The
pluggable module 12 interfaces to the host system through the
receptacle assembly 14 via the receptacle connector 34 of the
receptacle assembly 14, which is located within a receptacle guide
frame 36, also referred to as a cage. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
guide frame 36 includes a front end 38 having a front opening 40
that is open to an interior space 42 of the guide frame 36. The
receptacle connector 34 is positioned within the interior space 42
at a rear 44 of the guide frame 36. The interior space 42 of the
guide frame 36 is configured to receive the pluggable module 12
therein in electrical connection with the receptacle connector
34.
[0027] The pluggable module 12 interfaces to one or more optical
cables (not shown) and/or one or more electrical cables (not shown)
through a connector interface 46 at the front end 22. Optionally,
the connector interface 46 comprises a mechanism that cooperates
with a fiber or cable assembly (not shown) to secure the fiber or
cable assembly to the pluggable module 12. Suitable connector
interfaces 46 are known and include adapters for the LC style fiber
connectors and the MTP/MPO style fiber connectors offered by Tyco
Electronics Corporation (Harrisburg, Pa.).
[0028] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the transceiver assembly
10 illustrating the pluggable module 12 mated with the receptacle
assembly 14. The receptacle connector 34 is mounted on the host
circuit board 16. The receptacle connector 34 includes a dielectric
connector body 48 having the receptacle 50. A straddle mount
connector 32 is mounted to the edge 28 of the circuit board 26 and
is electrically connected thereto, as described in further detail
below.
[0029] The receptacle 50 of the receptacle connector 34 receives a
plug 52 of the straddle mount connector 32 therein. The receptacle
connector 34 includes electrical contacts 54 and electrical
contacts 56. The electrical contacts 54 extend within the
receptacle 50 and engage corresponding electrical contacts 58
(FIGS. 3 and 5) on a side 60 of the plug 52 of the straddle mount
connector 32. The electrical contacts 56 also extend within the
receptacle 50, but the electrical contacts 56 engage corresponding
electrical contacts 62 (FIGS. 3-7) on a side 64 of the plug 52 that
is opposite the side 60. The electrical contacts 58 and 62 of the
straddle mount connector 32 are electrically connected to
corresponding electrically conductive contact pads 66 and 68 (FIG.
3) on opposite sides 70 and 72, respectively, of the circuit board
26 to establish an electrical connection between the circuit board
26 and the host circuit board 16. The electrical contacts 54 may be
referred to herein as an "auxiliary contacts". The contact pads 66
and/or 68 may be referred to herein as "mating contacts" and/or
"contacts". Each side 60 and 64 of the plug 52 may be referred to
herein as a "first side" and/or a "second side".
[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the pluggable
module 12 illustrating the circuit board 26 and the straddle mount
connector 32. The circuit board 26 includes the opposite sides 70
and 72 and the edge 28. The edge 28 includes an edge surface 74 and
portions of the sides 70 and 72 that extend proximate the edge
surface 74. The contact pads 66 are arranged on the side 70 of the
circuit board 26 along the edge 28. The contact pads 68 are
arranged on the side 72 along the edge 28.
[0031] The straddle mount connector 32 is configured to be mounted
to the edge 28 of the circuit board 26. For example, the straddle
mount connector 32 is loaded onto the edge 28 in a loading
direction A. The electrical contacts 58 of the straddle mount
connector 32 include mounting segments 76 having mounting
interfaces 77 that engage corresponding ones of the contact pads 66
on the side 70 of the circuit board 26. The electrical contacts 62
include mounting segments 78 having mounting interfaces 79 that
engage corresponding ones of the contact pads 68 on the side 72 of
the circuit board 26. The mounting segments 76 and 78 of the
electrical contacts 58 and 62, respectively, straddle the edge 28
of the circuit board 26 therebetween.
[0032] The straddle mount connector 32 includes a dielectric
connector body 80 having a base 82 and the plug 52, which extends
outwardly from the base 82. The base 82 is configured to be coupled
to the edge 28 of the circuit board 26. In an exemplary embodiment,
the base 82 receives a portion of the edge 28 of the circuit board
26 within slots 84 of the base 82 with an interference fit to
securely couple the circuit board 26 to the base 82. However, the
base 82 may be coupled to the edge 28 of the circuit board 26 using
any other structure, means, connection type, and/or the like, such
as, but not limited to, using a snap-fit connection, using a latch,
a threaded or other fastener, an adhesive, and/or the like.
Optionally, ribs 86 may extend from a side 88 and/or a side 90 of
the base 82 for interfacing with the housing 24 (FIG. 1) of the
pluggable module 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2). For example, the ribs 86 may
be captured within the housing 24 of the pluggable module 12 when
the pluggable module 12 is assembled to secure the straddle mount
connector 32 with respect to the housing 24 at the rear end 30
(FIG. 1) thereof.
[0033] As described above, the plug 52 is configured to be received
within the receptacle 50 (FIGS. 2 and 14) of the receptacle
connector 34 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 14-16). The plug 52 includes the
opposite sides 60 and 64. The plug 52 extends a length L outwardly
from the base 82 to an end surface 92 of the plug 52. As will be
described below, the plug 52 includes a plate cavity 94 (FIGS. 4
and 5) that receives a ground plate 96 (FIGS. 5-7) therein.
[0034] The electrical contacts 58 and 62 of the straddle mount
connector 32 are held by the connector body 80. The electrical
contacts 62 include signal contacts 62a and ground contacts 62b.
The signal contacts 62a are configured to conduct electrical data
signals, while the ground contacts 62b are configured to be
electrically connected to a ground. Optionally, the electrical
contacts 62 include one or more power contacts that are configured
to conduct electrical power. In an exemplary embodiment, the
electrical contacts 58 of the straddle mount connector 32 include
signal contacts 58a but do not include ground contacts. However, in
some alternative embodiments, the electrical contacts 58 include
ground contacts. Optionally, the electrical contacts 58 include one
or more power contacts that are configured to conduct electrical
power. Each of the signal contacts 58a and 62a may be referred to
herein as a "first" and/or a "second" signal contact.
[0035] The electrical contacts 58 of the straddle mount connector
32 include mating segments 98 having mating interfaces 100 at which
the electrical contacts 58 engage the corresponding electrical
contacts 54 (FIGS. 2 and 14) of the receptacle connector 34.
Engagement between the mating interfaces 100 of the electrical
contacts 58 and the corresponding electrical contacts 54
establishes an electrical connection between the connectors 32 and
34. The mating segments 98 of the electrical contacts 58 are
arranged in a row 102 that extends a length L.sub.1 along the side
60 of the plug 52. The row 102 extends the length L.sub.1 along a
row axis 104. The electrical contacts 58 may be referred to herein
as a "first group" and/or a "second group". The row 102 may be
referred to herein as a "first row" and/or a "second row". Each
mating segment 98 may be referred to herein as a "ground mating
segment".
[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the straddle mount connector
32 viewed from a different angle than FIG. 3. More specifically,
FIG. 3 illustrates the sides 60 and 88 of the plug 52 and base 82,
respectively, while FIG. 4 illustrates the sides 64 and 90 of the
respective plug 52 and base 82. The electrical contacts 62 of the
straddle mount connector 32 include mating segments 106 having
mating interfaces 108 at which the electrical contacts 62 engage
the corresponding electrical contacts 56 (FIGS. 2, 15, and 16) of
the receptacle connector 34 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 14-16). Engagement
between the mating interfaces 108 of the electrical contacts 62 and
the corresponding electrical contacts 56 establishes an electrical
connection between the connectors 32 and 34. The mating segments
106 of the electrical contacts 62 are arranged in a row 110 that
extends a length L.sub.2 along the side 64 of the plug 52. The row
110 extends the length L.sub.2 along a row axis 112. The electrical
contacts 62 may be referred to herein as a "first group" and/or a
"second group". The row 110 may be referred to herein as a "first
row" and/or a "second row".
[0037] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the straddle mount
connector 32. FIG. 5 illustrates a signal contact 62a in the row
110 of electrical contacts 62 and a signal contact 58a in the row
102 of electrical contacts 58. The signal contacts 58a and 62a
include respective contact bases 114a and 116a that are securely
coupled to the base 82 of the connector body 80. In an exemplary
embodiment, the contact bases 114a and 116a include one or more
retention bosses 118a and 120a, respectively, that engage a portion
of the base 82 to provide interference therewith to hold the
contacts 58a and 62a in position with respect to the connector body
80. Additionally or alternatively, the contacts 58a and/or 62a may
be securely coupled to the connector body 80 using any other
structure, means, connection type, and/or the like, such as, but
not limited to, using a snap-fit connection, using a latch, a
threaded or other fastener, an adhesive, and/or the like.
[0038] Mating segments 98a and 106a of the signal contacts 58a and
62a, respectively, extend respective lengths L.sub.3 and L.sub.4
outwardly from the respective contact bases 114a and 116a along the
sides 60 and 64, respectively, of the plug 52. Mating interfaces
100a and 108a of the mating segments 98a and 106a, respectively,
are provided for mating with the respective electrical contacts 54
(FIGS. 2 and 14) and 56 (FIGS. 2, 15, and 16) of the receptacle
connector 34 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 14-16). Each mating segment 98a and
106a may be referred to herein as a "signal mating segment".
[0039] Mounting segments 76a and 78a of the signal contacts 58a and
62a, respectively, extend outwardly from the respective contact
bases 114a and 116a in opposite directions to the mating segments
98a and 106a. The mounting segments 76a and 78a include respective
mounting interfaces 77a and 79a for engagement with the respective
contact pads 66 and 68 (FIG. 3) on the sides 70 and 72,
respectively, of the circuit board 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3). A space 122
is provided between the mounting segments 76a and 78a for receiving
the edge 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the circuit board 26. In other
words, the mounting segments 76a and 78a of the signal contacts 58a
and 62a, respectively, straddle the edge 28 of the circuit board 26
therebetween. Optionally, the mounting interfaces 77a and/or 79a
are soldered to the respective contact pads 66 and 68. Other
mounting means are possible in alternative embodiments. Optionally,
and as can be seen in FIG. 5, the signal contacts 58a and 62a are
arranged such that a signal contact 58a is aligned with a signal
contact 62a on the opposite sides 60 and 64 of the plug 52.
[0040] As briefly described above, the plug 52 includes a plate
cavity 94 that receives a ground plate 96 therein. The plate cavity
94 extends within the plug 52 between the sides 60 and 64. The
plate cavity 94 extends through the plug 52 toward the end surface
92 of the plug 52. The plate cavity 94 optionally extends through
the end surface 92. FIG. 5 illustrates the ground plate 96 received
within the plate cavity 94. When installed within the plate cavity
94, the ground plate 96 extends between the rows 102 and 110 of the
respective electrical contacts 58 and 62 along the lengths L.sub.1
(FIG. 3) and L.sub.2 (FIG. 4) of the respective rows 102 and 110.
The ground plate 96 also extends between the rows 102 and 110 along
the lengths L.sub.3 and L.sub.4 of the mating segments 98a and 106a
of the signal contacts 58a and 62a, respectively. Optionally, and
as can be seen in FIG. 5, the ground plate 96 extends between the
rows 102 and 110 along an entirety of the lengths L.sub.3 and
L.sub.4 of the mating segments 98a and 106a of the signal contacts
58a and 62a, respectively. When the ground plate 96 is installed
within the plate cavity 94, the plug 52 has a layered structure
that includes a bottom layer 101 of dielectric material, a middle
layer 105 defined by the ground plate 96, and an upper layer 103 of
dielectric material. The bottom layer 101 includes the side 60 of
the plug 52, while the upper layer 103 includes the side 64 of the
plug 52.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of the straddle mount
connector 32 illustrating the ground plate 96 and the ground
contacts 62b of the electrical contacts 62. FIG. 6 illustrates the
signal contacts 62a in the row 110 of electrical contacts 62 as
being arranged along the side 64 of the plug 52. However, the
ground contacts 62b in the row 110 of electrical contacts 62 have
been exploded from the side 64 of the plug 52 for clarity.
Moreover, the ground plate 96 has been exploded out of the plug 52
for clarity.
[0042] The ground contacts 62b include contact bases 116b that are
optionally securely coupled to the base 82 of the connector body
80. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact bases 116b include one
or more retention bosses 120b, respectively, that engage a portion
of the base 82 to provide interference therewith to hold the ground
contacts 62b in position with respect to the connector body 80.
Additionally or alternatively, the ground contacts 62b may be
securely coupled to the connector body 80 using any other
structure, means, connection type, and/or the like, such as, but
not limited to, using a snap-fit connection, using a latch, a
threaded or other fastener, an adhesive, and/or the like.
[0043] Mating segments 106b of the ground contacts 62b extend
lengths L.sub.5 outwardly from the contact bases 116b. As shown in
FIG. 4, the mating segments 106b extend along the side 64 of the
plug 52. Mating interfaces 108b of the mating segments 106b are
provided for mating with the corresponding electrical contacts 56
(FIGS. 2, 15, and 16) of the receptacle connector 34 (FIGS. 1, 2,
and 14-16). Each mating segment 106b may be referred to herein as a
"ground mating segment".
[0044] The ground contacts 62b are optionally engaged with and
electrically connected to the ground plate 96 such that the ground
plate 96 and the ground contacts 62b are electrically common. For
example, the mating segments 106b of the ground contacts 62b
optionally extend through openings 124 that extend through the side
64 of the plug 52 and fluidly communicate with the plate cavity 94
(FIGS. 4 and 5). The openings 124 enable the mating segments 106b
to engage, and thereby electrically connect to, the ground plate
96. Optionally, the contact bases 116b include retention tabs 126
for mounting the ground contacts 62b to the ground plate 96.
[0045] Mounting segments 78b of the ground contacts 62b extend
outwardly from the contact bases 116b in opposite directions to the
mating segments 106b. The mounting segments 78b include mounting
interfaces 79b for engagement with the corresponding contact pads
68 (FIG. 3) on the side 72 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the circuit board 26.
Optionally, the mounting interfaces 79b are soldered to the
corresponding contact pads 68. Other mounting means are possible in
alternative embodiments.
[0046] The ground plate 96 extends a length L.sub.6 from an end 128
to an opposite end 130. The ground plate 96 extends a width W from
an end 132 to an opposite end 134. In an exemplary embodiment, and
as can be seen in FIG. 6, the ground plate 96 is approximately
planar. More specifically, the ground plate 96 has an approximately
planar shape defined between the ends 128 and 130 and between the
ends 132 and 134. The ground plate 96 optionally includes a
plurality of slots 136 that receive the retention tabs 126 of the
ground contacts 62b with an interference fit to mount the ground
contacts 62b to the ground plate 96. Additionally or alternatively,
other structures, means, connection types, and/or the like may be
used to mount the ground contacts 62b to the ground plate 96, such
as, but not limited to, using a snap-fit connection, using a latch,
a threaded or other fastener, an adhesive, and/or the like.
[0047] Referring again to FIG. 4, the ground plate 96 is indicated
with phantom lines. When installed within the plate cavity 94, the
ground plate 96 extends between the rows 102 and 110 of the
electrical contacts 58 and 62, respectively, along the lengths
L.sub.1 (FIG. 3) and L.sub.2 of the respective rows 102 and 110.
More specifically, the length L.sub.6 (FIG. 6) of the ground plate
96 extends between the rows 102 and 110 of the electrical contacts
58 and 62, respectively, along the lengths L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 of
the respective rows 102 and 110. Optionally, the length L.sub.6 of
the ground plate 96 extends between the rows 102 and 110 along an
entirety of the lengths L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 of the respective rows
102 and 110.
[0048] The ground plate 96 also extends between the rows 102 and
110 of the electrical contacts 58 (FIGS. 3 and 5) and 62,
respectively, along the lengths of the respective mating segments
98 and 106. More specifically, the width W of the ground plate 96
extends between the rows 102 and 110 of the electrical contacts 58
and 62, respectively, along the lengths L.sub.4 and L.sub.5 of the
respective mating segments 106a and 106b of the signal and ground
62a and 62b, respectively, in the row 110. Optionally, the width W
of the ground plate 96 extends between the rows 102 and 110 along
an entirety of the lengths L.sub.4 and L.sub.5 of the respective
mating segments 106a and 106b. The width W of the ground plate 96
also extends between the rows 102 and 110 of the electrical
contacts 58 and 62, respectively, along the lengths L.sub.3 of the
mating segments 98 of the electrical contacts 58 in the row 110.
Optionally, the width W of the ground plate 96 extends between the
rows 102 and 110 along an entirety of the lengths L.sub.3 of the
mating segments 98.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the row 110 of
electrical contacts 62 and the ground plate 96. As can be seen in
FIG. 7, the ground contacts 62b of the electrical contacts 62 are
mounted to the ground plate 96 such that the ground contacts 62 are
engaged with and electrically connected to the ground plate 96.
Alternatively, one or more of the ground contacts 62b is not
mounted to and/or is not engaged with the ground plate 96.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal contacts 62a in the
row 110 are arranged in differential pairs 62A. Alternatively, one
or more of the signal contacts 62a in the row 110 is not arranged
in a differential pair with any of the other signal contacts 62a in
the row 110. Moreover, one or more of the signal contacts 62a in
the row 110 may be arranged in a differential pair within a signal
contact 58a (FIGS. 3 and 5) in the row 102 (FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0051] The ground contacts 62b are arranged between the
differential pairs 62A of the signal contacts 62a. More
specifically, the mating segments 106b of the ground contacts 62b
are arranged in the row 110 between the mating segments 106a
adjacent differential pairs 62A of the signal contacts 62a. The
mating segments 106b of the ground contacts 62b provide electrical
shielding between the mating segments 106a of adjacent signal
contacts 62a. In an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 7,
the ground contacts 62b provide electrical shielding between
adjacent differential pairs 62A of the signal contacts 62a.
Optionally, the row 110 of electrical contacts 62 includes a ground
contact 62b at an end 138 and/or at an opposite end 141 of the row
110. Although only a single ground contact 62b is shown as
extending between adjacent differential pairs 62A, any number of
ground contacts 62b may extend between adjacent differential pairs
62A.
[0052] The mating segments 106 of each of the electrical contacts
62 includes opposite broad-side surfaces 140 and opposite edge-side
surfaces 142 that extend between the broad-side surfaces 140. More
specifically, the mating segments 106a of the signal contacts 62a
include broad-side surfaces 140a and edge-side surfaces 142a, while
the mating segments 106b of the ground contacts 62b include
broad-side surfaces 140b and edge-side surfaces 142b. As can be
seen in FIG. 7, the broad-side surfaces 140a have a greater surface
area than the edge-side surfaces 142a. Similarly, the broad-side
surfaces 140b have a greater surface area than the edge-side
surfaces 142b. The broad-side surfaces 140b of the ground contacts
62b have a greater surface area than the edge-side surfaces 142a of
the signal contacts 62a. Within the differential pairs 62A, an edge
side surface 142a of one of the signal contacts 62a within the
differential pair 62A optionally faces an edge-side surface 142a of
the other signal contact 62a within the differential pair 62A. For
example, the edge-side surfaces 142a of signal contacts 62a within
a differential pair 62A optionally extend approximately parallel to
each other. The mating segments 106a of signal contacts 62a within
a differential pair 62A may be positioned closer together than the
mating segments of at least some known differential pairs of signal
contacts.
[0053] For each ground contact 62b, the broad-side surfaces 140b of
the mating segment 106b face corresponding edge-side surfaces 142a
of the mating segments 106a of adjacent signal contacts 62a. For
example, one of the broad-side surfaces 140ba of the mating segment
106b of a ground contact 62ba faces an edge-side surface 142aa of
the mating segment 106a of an adjacent signal contact 62aa, while
the other broad-side surface 140bb of the mating segment 106b of
the ground contact 62ba faces an edge-side surface 142ab of the
mating segment 106a of another adjacent signal contact 62ab.
Optionally, an edge-side surfaces 142b of the ground contacts 62b
extends coplanar with a broad-side surface 140a of the signal
contacts 62a, as is indicated by the plane 148 shown within FIG.
7.
[0054] The mating segments 106b of the ground contacts 62b may
provide a greater amount of shielding than at least some known
ground contacts. Moreover, the mating segments 106b of the ground
contacts 62b may enable adjacent signal contacts 62a (e.g.,
adjacent differential pairs 62A of signal contacts 62a) to be
closer together while providing the same amount of shielding as
compared to at least some known ground contacts.
[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, and as can be seen in FIG. 7,
the broad-side surfaces 140b of the mating segments 106b of the
ground contacts 62b extend approximately perpendicular to the
broad-side surfaces 140a of the mating segments 106a of adjacent
signal contacts 62a. For example, the broad-side surfaces 140b of
the ground contacts 62b lie within planes 146 and the broad-side
surfaces 140a of the signal contacts 62a lie within planes 148. The
planes 146 are oriented approximately perpendicular to the planes
148. But, the broad-side surfaces 140b of the mating segments 106b
of the ground contacts 62b may extend at any non-parallel angle
relative to the broad-side surfaces 140a of the mating segments
106a of adjacent signal contacts 62a.
[0056] Referring again to FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the
row 102 of the electrical contacts 58 does not include any ground
contacts. Alternatively, the row 102 of electrical contacts 58
includes one or more ground contacts. For example, the row 102 of
electrical contacts 58 may include one or more ground contacts
having a mating segment that has the shape and/or orientation of
the mating segments 98a of the signal contacts 58a (FIGS. 3 and 5).
Another example includes providing the row 102 of electrical
contacts 58 with one or more ground contacts having a mating
segment that has the shape and/or orientation of the mating
segments 106b (FIGS. 4, 6, and 7) of the ground contacts 62b (FIGS.
3, 4, 6, and 7).
[0057] In some embodiments wherein the row 102 of electrical
contacts 58 includes at least one ground contact, one or more of
the ground contacts in the row 102 may be electrically connected to
one or more of the ground contacts 62b in the row 110 to
electrically common the electrically connected ground contacts
together. For example, a ground contact in the row 102 may be
engaged with a ground contact 62b in the row 110. Moreover, and for
example, a ground contact in the row 102 may be electrically
connected to a ground contact 62b in the row 110 via the ground
plate 96 (e.g., both ground contacts engage the ground plate
96).
[0058] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment
of a straddle mount connector 232. The straddle mount connector 232
includes ground contacts 262b arranged in a row 310 that are
engaged with corresponding ground contacts 258b (FIG. 9) arranged
in a different row 302 (FIG. 9). The straddle mount connector 232
is configured to be mounted to the edge 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the
circuit board 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in a substantially similar manner
to the straddle mount connector 32 (FIGS. 2-6).
[0059] The straddle mount connector 232 includes a dielectric
connector body 280 having a base 282 and a plug 252, which extends
outwardly from the base 282. The plug 252 is configured to be
received within the receptacle 50 (FIGS. 2 and 14) of the
receptacle connector 34 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 14-16). The plug 252
includes opposite sides 260 and 264. FIG. 8 illustrates the side
264 of the plug 252. Optionally, the plug 252 includes a plate
cavity (not shown) that receives an optional ground plate 296
(FIGS. 10 and 11) therein. Each side 260 and 264 of the plug 252
may be referred to herein as a "first side" and/or a "second
side".
[0060] The connector body 280 holds a plurality of electrical
contacts 258 (FIG. 9) and a plurality of electrical contacts 262.
The electrical contacts 262 include signal contacts 262a and ground
contacts 262b. The signal contacts 262a are configured to conduct
electrical data signals, while the ground contacts 262b are
configured to be electrically connected to a ground. Optionally,
the electrical contacts 262 include one or more power contacts that
are configured to conduct electrical power. The signal and ground
contacts 262a and 262b include respective mating segments 306a and
306b having respective mating interfaces 308a and 308b at which the
electrical contacts 262 engage corresponding electrical contacts 56
(FIGS. 2, 15, and 16) of the receptacle connector 34. The mating
segments 306a and 306b of the signal and ground contacts 262a and
262b, respectively, are arranged in the row 310, which extends a
length along the side 264 of the plug 252. The electrical contacts
262 may be referred to herein as a "first group" and/or a "second
group". The row 310 may be referred to herein as a "first row"
and/or a "second row". Each of the signal contacts 262a may be
referred to herein as a "first" and/or a "second" signal contact.
Each mating segment 306a may be referred to herein as a "signal
mating segment". Each mating segment 306b may be referred to herein
as a "ground mating segment".
[0061] FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the straddle mount
connector 232 viewed from a different angle than FIG. 8. FIG. 9
illustrates the side 260 of the plug 252. The electrical contacts
258 include signal contacts 258a and ground contacts 258b. The
signal contacts 258a are configured to conduct electrical data
signals, while the ground contacts 258b are configured to be
electrically connected to a ground. Optionally, the electrical
contacts 258 include one or more power contacts that are configured
to conduct electrical power. Each of the signal contacts 258a may
be referred to herein as a "first" and/or a "second" signal
contact.
[0062] The signal and ground contacts 258a and 258b include
respective mating segments 298a and 298b having respective mating
interfaces 300a and 300b at which the electrical contacts 262
engage corresponding electrical contacts 54 (FIGS. 2 and 14) of the
receptacle connector 34. The mating segments 298a and 298b of the
signal and ground contacts 258a and 258b, respectively, are
arranged in the row 302, which extends a length along the side 260
of the plug 252. The electrical contacts 258 may be referred to
herein as a "first group" and/or a "second group". The row 302 may
be referred to herein as a "first row" and/or a "second row". Each
mating segment 298a may be referred to herein as a "signal mating
segment". Each mating segment 298b may be referred to herein as a
"ground mating segment".
[0063] As can be seen in FIG. 9, at least one of the ground
contacts 262b in the row 310 include a commoning segment 350 that
extends along the side 260 of the plug 252. The commoning segment
350 engages a corresponding one of the ground contacts 258b in the
row 302 to electrically connect the ground contact 262b in the row
310 to the corresponding ground contact 258b in the row 302.
Referring again to FIG. 8, the commoning segment 350 extends
outwardly from the mating segment 306b of the corresponding ground
contact 262b along the side 264 of the plug 252. As should be
apparent when considering FIGS. 8 and 9 together, the commoning
segment 350 extends from the side 264 of the plug 252 to the side
260 of the plug 252. Referring again to FIG. 9, the commoning
segment 350 extends along the side 260 of the plug 252 into
engagement with a contact tip 352 of the mating segment 298b of the
corresponding ground contact 258b in the row 302.
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the commoning segment 350
extends through the plug 252. More specifically, the commoning
segment 350 extends from the side 264 of the plug 252, through the
plug 252, to the side 260 of the plug 252. Alternatively, the
commoning segment 350 extends from the side 264 of the plug, over
an end surface 292 of the plug 252, to the side 260. Although only
some of the ground contacts 262b are shown as including the
commoning segment, alternatively all of the ground contacts 262b in
the row 310 include a commoning segment 350.
[0065] The straddle mount connector 232 optionally includes a
ground plate 296 (FIGS. 10 and 11) held within the plug 252 such
that the ground plate 296 extends between the rows 302 and 310 of
the respective electrical contacts 258 and 262. FIG. 10 is a
perspective view illustrating a portion of the row 310 of
electrical contacts 262 and a portion of the ground plate 296. The
signal contacts 262a in the row 310 have been removed for clarity.
The ground plate 296 includes opposite sides 354 and 356 and edges
358 that extend from the side 354 to the side 356. When the ground
plate 296 is held within the plug 252, the side 354 of the ground
plate 296 faces the side 264 of the plug, while the side 356 faces
the side 260 of the plug 252.
[0066] The ground contacts 262b in the row 310 are mounted to the
ground plate 296 such that the mating segments 106b extend along
the side 354 of the ground plate 296. The commoning segments 350
extend outwardly from the corresponding mating segment 106b along
the side 354 of the ground plate 296. The commoning segments 350
extend over an edge 358a of the ground plate 296 to the side 356 of
the ground plate 296. FIG. 11 is another perspective view
illustrating the side 356 of the ground plate 296. The commoning
segments 350 extend from the side 354 of the ground plate 296, over
the edge 358a, to the side 356. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the
commoning segments 350 extend along the side 356 of the ground
plate 296 toward an edge 358b of the ground plate 296 for
engagement with the contact tip 352 (FIG. 9) of the corresponding
ground contact 258b (FIG. 9) in the row 302 (FIG. 9).
[0067] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a straddle mount connector 432. The straddle mount
connector 432 includes a row 510 of electrical contacts 462 having
a mating sequence. In other words, some of the electrical contacts
462 in the row 510 mate with corresponding electrical contacts 56
(FIGS. 2, 15, and 16) of the receptacle connector 34 (FIGS. 1, 2,
and 14-16) before other electrical contacts 462 in the row 510. The
straddle mount connector 432 is configured to be mounted to the
edge 28 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the circuit board 26 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in
a substantially similar manner to the straddle mount connectors 32
(FIGS. 2-6) and 232 (FIGS. 8 and 9). The electrical contacts 462
may be referred to herein as a "first group" and/or a "second
group".
[0068] The straddle mount connector 432 includes a dielectric
connector body 480 having a base 482 and a plug 452, which extends
outwardly from the base 482. The plug 452 is configured to be
received within the receptacle 50 (FIGS. 2 and 14) of the
receptacle connector 34. The plug 452 includes opposite sides 460
and 464 and extends a length outwardly from the base 482 to an end
surface 492 of the plug 452. Optionally, the plug 452 includes a
plate cavity (not shown) that receives an optional ground plate
(now shown) therein. Each side 460 and 464 of the plug 452 may be
referred to herein as a "first side" and/or a "second side".
[0069] The connector body 480 holds a plurality of electrical
contacts 462. The electrical contacts 462 include respective mating
segments 506 having mating interfaces 508 at which the electrical
contacts 462 engage corresponding electrical contacts 56 of the
receptacle connector 34. The mating segments 506 of the electrical
contacts 462 are arranged in the row 510, which extends a length
along the side 464 of the plug 452. The row 510 may be referred to
herein as a "first row" and/or a "second row". Each mating segment
506 may be referred to herein as a "signal mating segment" and/or a
"ground mating segment".
[0070] The connector body 480 optionally holds a plurality of
electrical contacts (not shown) that include mating segments (not
shown) arranged in a row (not shown) on the side 460 of the plug
452. Such a row of electrical contacts having mating segments
arranged on the side 460 of the plug 452 would include mating
interfaces (not shown) at which the electrical contacts engage
corresponding electrical contacts 54 (FIGS. 2 and 14) of the
receptacle connector 34. Each of the electrical contacts on the
side 460 of the plug 452 may be referred to herein as a "first"
and/or a "second" signal contact.
[0071] The electrical contacts 462 include signal contacts 462a and
ground contacts 462b. The electrical contacts 462 optionally
include power contacts 462c, miscellaneous signal contacts 462d,
and/or one or more detection contacts 462e. The signal contacts
462a are configured to conduct electrical data signals and are
arranged in differential pairs 462A. The ground contacts 462b are
configured to be electrically connected to a ground. The power
contacts 462c are configured to conduct electrical power. The
miscellaneous signal contacts 462d are configured to conduct
electrical data signals and are not arranged in differential pairs.
The detection contact 462e is configured to detect a predetermined
event, such as, but not limited to, whether all of the other
electrical contacts 462 in the row 510 have mated with the
corresponding electrical contacts 56 of the receptacle connector
34. The straddle mount connector 432 may have any number of each of
the electrical contacts 462a, 462b, 462c, 462d, and 462e. Each of
the signal contacts 462a may be referred to herein as a "first"
and/or a "second" signal contact.
[0072] The mating segments 506 of the electrical contacts 462
extend lengths along the side 464 of the plug 452 from the base 482
to contact tips 552 of the mating segments 506. At least one of the
electrical contacts 462 has a contact tip 552 that is positioned
closer to the end surface 492 of the plug 452 than the contact tip
552 of at least one other electrical contact 462. Accordingly, as
the plug 452 is inserted into the receptacle 50 (FIGS. 2 and 14) of
the receptacle connector 34, the mating segment 506 of the
electrical contact 462 having the contact tip 552 that is closer to
the end surface 492 will mate with the corresponding electrical
contact 56 of the receptacle connector 34 before the mating segment
506 of the electrical contact 462 having the contact tip 552 that
farther from the end surface 492 mates with the corresponding
electrical contact 56.
[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, a mating segment 506 of the
detection contact 462e extends a length L.sub.7 along the side 464
from the base 482 to a contact tip 552e of the detection contact
462e. The contact tip 552e of the detection contact 462e is thus
located a distance D from the end surface 492 of the plug 452.
Mating segments 506 of the signal contacts 462a extend lengths
L.sub.8 along the side 464 from the base 482 to contact tips 552 of
the signal contacts 462a. Mating segments 506 of the miscellaneous
signal contacts 462d also extend lengths L.sub.8 along the side 464
from the base 482 to contact tips 552 of the miscellaneous signal
contacts 462d. Accordingly, the contact tips 552 of the signal
contacts 462a and the miscellaneous signal contacts 462d,
respectively, are thus located a distance D.sub.1 from the end
surface 492 of the plug 452. Mating segments 506 of the power
contacts 462c extend lengths L.sub.9 along the side 464 from the
base 482 to contact tips 552 of the power contacts 462c. The
contact tips 552 of the power contacts 462c are thus located a
distance D.sub.2 from the end surface 492 of the plug 452. Mating
segments 506 of the ground contacts 462b extend lengths L.sub.10
along the side 464 from the base 482 to contact tips 552 of the
ground contacts 462a. Accordingly, the contact tips 552 of the
ground contacts 462b are located a distance D.sub.3 from the end
surface 492 of the plug 452.
[0074] As can be seen in FIG. 12, in an exemplary embodiment the
length L.sub.10 is greater than the length L.sub.9, the length
L.sub.9 is greater than the length L.sub.8, and the length L.sub.8
is greater than the length L.sub.7. Accordingly, the distance D is
greater than the distance D.sub.1, the distance D.sub.1 is greater
than the distance D.sub.2, and the distance D.sub.2 is greater than
the distance D.sub.3. The contact tips 552b of the ground contacts
462b are thus positioned closer to the end surface 492 of the plug
452 than the contact tips 552c of the power contacts 462c. The
contact tips 552c of the power contacts 462c are positioned closer
to the end surface 492 of the plug 452 than the contact tips 552a
and 552d of the signal contacts 462a and the miscellaneous signal
contacts 462d, respectively. The contact tips 552a and 552d of the
signal contacts 462a and the miscellaneous signal contacts 462d,
respectively, are positioned closer to the end surface 492 of the
plug 452 than the contact tip 552e of the detection contact
462e.
[0075] Accordingly, when the plug 452 is inserted into the
receptacle 50 of the receptacle connector 34, the ground contacts
462b will mate with the corresponding contacts 56 of the receptacle
connector 34 first. Next, the power contacts 462c will mate with
the corresponding contacts 56 of the receptacle connector 34.
Thereafter, the signal contacts 462a and the miscellaneous signal
contacts 462d will mate with the corresponding contacts 56. The
detection contact 462e will be the last electrical contact 462 to
mate with the corresponding contact 56 of the receptacle connector
34. In other words, a mating sequence of the electrical contacts
462 with the corresponding electrical contacts 56 of the receptacle
connector 34 begins with the ground contacts 462b, follows with the
power contacts 462c and thereafter the signal contacts 462a and the
miscellaneous signal contacts 462d, and ends with the detection
contact 462e.
[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, the mating sequence of the
electrical contacts 462 with the corresponding electrical contacts
56 includes four stages. Namely, the first stage of the mating
sequence is the ground contacts 462b, the second stage is the power
contacts 462c, the third stage is the signal contacts 462a and the
miscellaneous signal contacts 462d, and the fourth stage is the
detection contact 462e. But, the mating sequence of the electrical
contacts 462 may include any other number of stages. Moreover, the
mating sequence is not limited to the order of the electrical
contacts 462a, 462b, 462c, 462d, and 462e described and illustrated
herein. Rather, the mating sequence may include any other order of
mating of the electrical contacts 462a, 462b, 462c, 462d, and 462e.
Providing the straddle mount connector 432 with a mating sequence
may enable the receptacle connector 34 to be more easily
manufactured and/or to be manufactured at less cost, for example
because the connector body 48 of the receptacle connector 34 may
not need to be reconfigured to provide any electrical contacts of
the receptacle connector 34 with different lengths and/or positions
relative to each other.
[0077] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the row 510 of
the electrical contacts 462. In an exemplary embodiment, and as can
be seen in FIG. 13, the different lengths L.sub.7, L.sub.8,
L.sub.9, and L.sub.10 (FIG. 12) are provided by giving the
electrical contacts 462 different overall lengths. For example,
each of the ground contacts 462b has an overall length OL that is
greater than an overall length OL.sub.1 of each of the power
contacts 462c. Similarly, the overall length OL.sub.1 of each of
the power contacts 462c is greater than an overall length OL.sub.2
of each of the signal contacts 462a and each of the miscellaneous
signal contacts 462d. Finally, the overall length OL.sub.2 of each
of the contacts 462a and 462d is greater than an overall length
OL.sub.3 of the detection contact 462e. However, in some
alternative embodiments the position of one or more of the
electrical contacts 462 is shifted along the length of the plug 452
(FIG. 12) relative to one or more other electrical contacts 462 to
provide the different lengths L.sub.7, L.sub.8, L.sub.9, and/or
L.sub.10.
[0078] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the receptacle connector 34. The receptacle connector 34 includes
the connector body 48, which extends from a front end 600 to a rear
end 602 and includes a bottom side 604. The connector body 48 is
configured to be mounted on the host circuit board 16 (FIGS. 1 and
2) at the bottom side 604. The front end 600 of the connector body
48 includes the receptacle 50. More particularly, the receptacle 50
extends through the front end 600 and into the connector body 48
toward the rear end 602.
[0079] The electrical contacts 54 of the receptacle connector 34
are held by the connector body 48. Optionally, the connector body
48 includes a plurality of grooves 606 that receive corresponding
electrical contacts 54 therein. The grooves 606 may facilitate
holding the electrical contacts 54 in position relative to one
another (e.g. side-to-side position). The electrical contacts 54
include mating segments 608 and mounting segments 609, which
include mounting feet 610. The mounting segments 609 of the
electrical contacts 54 are arranged in a row 611 that extends along
the front end 600 of the connector body 48. The mating segments 608
of the electrical contacts 54 are arranged within a row 612 and
extend within the receptacle 50. The mating segments 608 include
mating interfaces 614 that are exposed within the receptacle 50.
The mating interfaces 614 of the electrical contacts 54 are
configured to engage corresponding ones of the electrical contact
58 (FIGS. 3 and 5) of straddle mount connector 32 (FIGS. 2-6).
[0080] As can be seen in FIG. 14, the mounting feet 610 of the
electrical contacts 54 extend along the front end 600 of the
connector body 48. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting foot
610 of each electrical contact 54 is configured to be surface
mounted to the host circuit board 16. More particularly, the
mounting feet 610 are mounted on corresponding terminations (not
shown) on the host circuit board 16 in electrical and/or optical
connection therewith. In some alternative embodiments, one or more
of the electrical contacts 54 is mounted on the host circuit board
16 using another type of mounting than surface mounting, such as,
but not limited to, using a compliant pin (instead of the mounting
foot 610) that is received within a via (not shown) of the host
circuit board 16.
[0081] The receptacle connector 34 may include any number of the
electrical contacts 54. Each of the electrical contacts 54 may be a
signal contact, a ground contact, or a power contact. Optionally,
some or all electrical contacts 54 used as signal contacts may be
arranged in pairs with each signal contact within a pair conveying
a differential signal, thus defining one or more differential
pairs. Within the arrangement of the electrical contacts 54, one or
more ground contacts may be provided between adjacent differential
pairs of signal contacts. Any other contact arrangement of the
electrical contacts 54 may be provided.
[0082] The connector body 48 of the receptacle connector 34 also
holds the electrical contacts 56 (FIGS. 15 and 16), which mate with
corresponding electrical contacts 62 (FIGS. 3-7) of the straddle
mount connector 32. The connector body 48 includes a plurality of
optional grooves (not shown) that receive corresponding electrical
contacts 56 therein. Similar to the grooves 606, the grooves may
facilitate holding the electrical contacts 56 in position relative
to one another (e.g. side-to-side position).
[0083] Optionally, some or all of the electrical contacts 56 of the
receptacle connector 34 convey data signals at a higher rate than
some or all of the electrical contacts 54 of the receptacle
connector 34. For example, in some embodiments, signal contacts 56a
(FIGS. 15 and 16) of the electrical contacts 56 convey data signals
at a data rate of at least 10 Gbps, while the electrical contacts
54 convey data signals at less than 10 Gbps. Moreover, and for
example, in some embodiments the signal contacts 56a convey data
signals at a data transmission rate of at least 28 Gbps, while the
electrical contacts 54 convey data signals at less than 28 Gbps.
Moreover, and for example, in some embodiments the signal contacts
56a convey data signals at a data transmission rate of between
approximately 20 Gbps and approximately 30 Gbps, while the
electrical contacts 54 convey data signals at less than 20 Gbps. In
other embodiments, some or all of the electrical contacts 56 of the
receptacle connector 34 convey data signals at approximately the
same or a lesser rate than some or all of the electrical contacts
54 of the receptacle connector 34. For the purposes of comparison
with the data rate of any of the signal contacts 56a, any
electrical contact 54 that conveys electrical power or electrical
ground will be considered to convey data signals at a rate of
approximately 0 Gbps. The signal contacts 56a may be referred to
herein as "signal mating contacts".
[0084] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the receptacle
connector 34 illustrating a row 618 of the electrical contacts 56.
The connector body 48 (FIGS. 2 and 14) and the electrical contacts
54 (FIGS. 2 and 14) of the receptacle connector 34 have been
removed from FIG. 15 for clarity. The electrical contacts 56
include the signal contacts 56a and ground contacts 56b. The signal
contacts 56a are configured to conduct electrical data signals,
while the ground contacts 56b are configured to be electrically
connected to a ground. Optionally, the row 618 of the electrical
contacts 56 includes one or more power contacts that are configured
to conduct electrical power. The ground contacts 56b may be
referred to herein as "ground mating contacts".
[0085] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal contacts 56a are
arranged in differential pairs 56A. Alternatively, some or all of
the signal contacts 56a are not arranged in differential pairs. The
signal contacts 56a include mating segments 620a and mounting
segments 621a. The mounting segments 621 include mounting feet
622a. As should be apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 14 and 15,
the mating segments 620a of the signal contacts 56a extend within
the receptacle 50 (FIGS. 2 and 14) of the receptacle connector 34.
The mating segments 620a of the signal contacts 56a include mating
interfaces 624a that are exposed within the receptacle 50 and
engage corresponding ones of the signal contacts 62a (FIGS. 3-5 and
7) of the straddle mount connector 32 (FIGS. 2-6).
[0086] The ground contacts 56b also include mating segments 620b
and mounting segments 621b, which include mounting feet 622b. The
mating segments 620b of the ground contacts 56b extend within the
receptacle 50 and include mating interfaces 624b that are exposed
within the receptacle 50 and engage corresponding ones of the
ground contacts 62b (FIGS. 3-7) of the straddle mount connector 32.
The receptacle connector 34 may include any number of the
electrical contacts 56, including any number of signal contacts
56a, any number of ground contacts 56b, and any number of
differential pairs 56A. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the mounting feet
622 of the signal and ground contacts 56a and 56b, respectively,
extend along the rear end 602 of the connector body 48 of the
receptacle connector 34.
[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting feet 622 of the
electrical contacts 56 are each configured to be surface mounted to
the host circuit board 16. More particularly, the mounting feet 622
are mounted on corresponding terminations (not shown) on the host
circuit board 16 in electrical and/or optical connection therewith.
In some alternative embodiments, one or more of the electrical
contacts 56 is mounted on the host circuit board 16 using another
type of mounting than surface mounting, such as, but not limited
to, using a compliant pin (instead of the mounting foot 622) that
is received within a via (not shown) of the host circuit board
16.
[0088] The mating segments 620a and 620b of the signal and ground
contacts 56a and 56b, respectively, are arranged side-by-side
within the row 618, which extends a length along a row axis 626. As
should be apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 14 and 15, the row
618 of the mating segments 620a and 620b of the electrical contacts
56 opposes the row 612 (FIG. 14) of the mating segments 608 (FIG.
14) of the electrical contacts 54 (FIG. 14). The mating interfaces
624 of the electrical contacts 56 oppose the mating interfaces 614
(FIG. 14) of the electrical contacts 54 within the receptacle 50.
The mounting segments 621a and 621b are arranged in a row 623 that
extends along the rear end 602 of the connector body 48.
[0089] As can be seen in FIG. 15, within the row 618 of the mating
segments 620, a single ground contact 56b is provided between
adjacent differential pairs 56A of the signal contacts 56a. The
mating segment 620b of the ground contact 56b extends within the
row 618 between the mating segments 620a of the signal contacts 56a
of the two adjacent differential pairs 56A. Alternatively, two or
more ground contacts 56b extend between adjacent differential pairs
56A within the row 618.
[0090] The mating segments 620 of each of the electrical contacts
56 includes opposite broad-side surfaces 628 and opposite edge-side
surfaces 630 that extend between the broad-side surfaces 628. More
specifically, the mating segments 620a of the signal contacts 56a
include broad-side surfaces 628a and edge-side surfaces 630a, while
the mating segments 620b of the ground contacts 56b include
broad-side surfaces 628b and edge-side surfaces 630b. As can be
seen in FIG. 15, the broad-side surfaces 628a have a greater
surface area than the edge-side surfaces 630a. Similarly, the
broad-side surfaces 628b have a greater surface area than the
edge-side surfaces 630b. The broad-side surfaces 628b of the ground
contacts 56b have a greater surface area than the edge-side
surfaces 630a of the signal contacts 56a. Within the differential
pairs 56A, an edge side surface 630a of one of the signal contacts
56a within the differential pair 56A optionally faces an edge-side
surface 630a of the other signal contact 56a within the
differential pair 56A. For example, the edge-side surfaces 630a of
signal contacts 56a within a differential pair 56A optionally
extend approximately parallel to each other. The mating segments
620a of signal contacts 56a within a differential pair 56A may be
positioned closer together than the mating segments of at least
some known differential pairs of signal contacts.
[0091] For each ground contact 56b, the broad-side surfaces 628b of
the mating segment 620b face corresponding edge-side surfaces 630a
of the mating segments 620a of adjacent signal contacts 56a. For
example, one of the broad-side surfaces 628ba of the mating segment
620b of a ground contact 56ba faces an edge-side surface 630aa of
the mating segment 620a of an adjacent signal contact 56aa, while
the other broad-side surface 628bb of the mating segment 620b of
the ground contact 56ba faces an edge-side surface 630ab of the
mating segment 620a of another adjacent signal contact 56ab.
Optionally, an edge-side surface 630b of the ground contacts 56b
extends coplanar with a broad-side surface 628a of the signal
contacts 56a.
[0092] The mating segments 620b of the ground contacts 56b may
provide a greater amount of shielding than at least some known
ground contacts. Moreover, the mating segments 620b of the ground
contacts 56b may enable adjacent signal contacts 56a (e.g.,
adjacent differential pairs 56A of signal contacts 56a) to be
closer together while providing the same amount of shielding as
compared to at least some known ground contacts.
[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, the broad-side surfaces 628b of
the mating segments 620b of the ground contacts 56b extend
approximately perpendicular to the broad-side surfaces 628a of the
mating segments 620a of adjacent signal contacts 56a. For example,
the broad-side surfaces 628b of the ground contacts 56b lie within
planes (not shown) that are oriented approximately perpendicular to
planes (not shown) that the broad-side surfaces 628a of the signal
contacts 56a lie within. But, the broad-side surfaces 628b of the
mating segments 620b of the ground contacts 56b may extend at any
non-parallel angle relative to the broad-side surfaces 628a of the
mating segments 620a of adjacent signal contacts 56a.
[0094] FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of a
portion of the receptacle connector 34. The electrical contacts 54
(FIGS. 2 and 14) of the receptacle connector 34 are not shown in
FIG. 16 for clarity. In addition to the electrical contacts 54, the
receptacle connector 34 includes the connector body 48, the
electrical contacts 56, and a ground shield 650. Optionally, the
signal contacts 56a of the receptacle connector 34 are held by one
or more dielectric inserts 652 and 654 that are held by the
connector body 48. The inserts 652 and 654 include contact cavities
656 and 658, respectively, through which the signal contacts 56a
extend. As can be seen in FIG. 16, the mounting segments 621b of
the ground contacts 56b are angled relative to the mating segments
620b. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting segments 621b are
angled approximately perpendicular to the mating segments 620b, but
the mounting segments 621b may extend at any non-parallel angle
relative to the mating segments 620b.
[0095] The ground shield 650 includes a receptacle plate 660 and a
body plate 662 that extends from the receptacle plate 660. In an
exemplary embodiment, the body plate 662 extends approximately
perpendicular to the receptacle plate 660 such that the ground
shield 650 has is L-shaped. But the body plate 662 may extend at
any angle relative to the receptacle plate 660.
[0096] The ground shield 650 includes a plurality of slots 664 that
extend through at least the body plate 662. The slots 664 are
configured to receive tabs 666 of the mounting segments 621b of the
ground contacts 56b. Reception of the tabs 666 within the slots 664
may facilitate aligning the ground contacts 56b (e.g., relative to
the ground shield 650, the connector body 48, and/or the signal
contacts 56a) and/or may facilitate electrically connecting the
ground contacts 56b to the ground shield 650 (e.g., via engagement
with walls of the ground shield 650 that define the slots 664). As
should be apparent from FIGS. 15 and 16, when the electrical
contacts 56 are assembled with the ground shield 650 as shown in
FIG. 15, sub-segments 668 of the lengths of the mating segments
620b of the ground contacts 56b are optionally engaged with
portions of the receptacle plate 660. Moreover, other sub-segments
670 of the lengths of the mating segments 620b are spaced apart
from other portions of the receptacle plate 660. The engagement
between the sub-segments 668 and the receptacle plate 660
electrically connects the ground contacts 56b to the ground shield
650, such that the ground contacts 56b and the ground shield 650
are electrically common.
[0097] Referring again to FIG. 14, the ground shield 650 is shown
with phantom lines. The ground shield 650 extends within the
receptacle 50. More specifically, the receptacle plate 660 of the
ground shield 650 extends within the receptacle 50 between the row
618 (FIG. 15) of the mating segments 620 of the electrical contacts
56 (FIGS. 2, 15, and 16) and the row 612 of the mating segments 608
of the electrical contacts 54. As can be seen in FIG. 14, the
receptacle 50 extends a length L.sub.11 from an end 672 to an
opposite end 674. As should be apparent from a comparison of FIGS.
14 and 15, the length of the row 618 of the electrical contacts 56
extends along the length L.sub.11 of the receptacle 50.
[0098] The ground shield 650 also extends within the connector body
48 of the receptacle connector 34. The ground shield 650 is
positioned within the connector body 48 interior to the electrical
contacts 54 and 56. The body plate 662 of the ground shield 650
extends within the connector body 48 between the row 623 (FIG. 15)
of the mounting segments 621 (FIGS. 15 and 16) of the electrical
contacts 56 and the row 611 of the mounting segments 609 of the
electrical contacts 54.
[0099] Referring again to FIG. 15, the receptacle plate 660 extends
along a plane that is approximately parallel to the length of the
row 618 of the mating segments 620 of the electrical contacts 56.
The receptacle plate 660 of the ground shield 650 overlaps the
mating segments 620 of the electrical contacts 56 along the length
of the row 618 of the mating segments 620. As should be apparent
from a comparison of FIGS. 14 and 15, the receptacle plate 660 of
the ground shield overlaps the mating segments 620 within the
receptacle 50. Optionally, the receptacle plate 660 of the ground
shield overlaps the mating segments 620 of the electrical contacts
56 along an entirety of the length of the row 618 of the mating
segments 620. Moreover, the receptacle plate 660 of the ground
shield optionally overlaps the mating segments 620 along an
entirety of the length of the receptacle 50.
[0100] The body plate 662 extends along a plane that is
approximately parallel to the length of the row 623 of the mounting
segments 621 of the electrical contacts 56. The body plate 662 of
the ground shield 650 overlaps the mounting segments 621 of the
electrical contacts 56 along the length of the row 623 of the
mounting segments 621. Optionally, the body plate 662 overlaps the
mounting segments 621 of the electrical contacts 56 along an
entirety of the length of the row 623.
[0101] The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein may
facilitate controlling (e.g., matching) an impedance (which may
include controlling both a differential and common mode impedance)
of a receptacle connector, a pluggable module, a straddle mount
connector, a host circuit board, and/or a transceiver assembly
overall. The embodiments described and/or illustrated herein may
facilitate reducing an amount of crosstalk, signal attenuation,
and/or the like experienced by a receptacle connector, a pluggable
module, a straddle mount connector, a host circuit board, and/or a
transceiver assembly overall.
[0102] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in
combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions,
types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the
number and positions of the various components described herein are
intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no
means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other
embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing
the above description. The scope of the invention should,
therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in
which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective
terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following
claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used
merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the
following claims are not written in means--plus-function format and
are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112,
sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly
use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function void
of further structure.
* * * * *