Electrical connector apparatus and method

Abstract

The present embodiment relates to an electrical connector that may be fixed to a printed circuit board when assembled. The connector includes an outer periphery having one or more circumferential grooves receiving at least one sealing member, and when the connector is fixedly attached to the printed circuit board, the connector is configured to move within a bore hole of a panel in two opposite directions.

Description

Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR APPARATUS AND METHOD BY DANIEL R. BIRCHATTORNEY REFERENCE: SAMTE-0025-WO-01TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present embodiments relate generally to an electrical connector, with particular embodiments shown for an electrical connector for an edge mount and / or panel application.BACKGROUND

[0002] Typical connectors (e.g. electrical) may be fixed to the panel or housing when assembled. These connectors are fixed to the housing via linear interference within the panel configuration (e.g. stepped bore, narrowing bore, linear obstructions) and / or one or more fasteners. As a result, the connectors, when assembled or fixedly attached to the printed circuit board, are not allowed movement in one or more directions relative to the panel to accommodate expansion and contraction of the printed circuit board. Thus, there is a need to allow connector movement from expansion and / or contraction of the printed circuit board relative to the panel or housing.

[0003] The present invention is directed at overcoming, or at least improving upon, the disadvantages of the prior art.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

[0004] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an electrical connector illustrating one embodiment of a housing and printed circuit board connected thereto.

[0006] Figure 2 is an exploded view of Fig. 1.

[0007] Figure 3 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 illustrating the electrical connector fixed to the printed circuit board in an assembled position.

[0008] Figure 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 illustrating the expansion of the printed circuit board and movement of the electrical connector in a first direction relative to the housing.

[0009] Figure 5 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 illustrating the contraction of the printed circuit board and movement of the electrical connector in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, relative to the housing.

[0010] Figure 6A is a perspective view of another electrical connector with portions of the housing broken away, and

[0011] Figure 6B is a perspective view of the shield member of Fig. 6A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Embodiments may further be understood with reference to the various Figures. With reference to the Figures, an embodiment provides for one or more electrical connectors 20. The electrical connector 20 may be an edge mount, panel, and / or radio frequency (RF) connector. The connector 20 freely and / or linearly moves (e.g. in two opposite directions, along an axis) relative to the panel or housing 30 (e.g. when the connector is fixed to the printed circuit board, when the connector is in the assembled position). As shown in Figs. 1 and 3-6A, the connector 20, orAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01portions thereof, (e.g. ground members, pin) may be fixed (e.g. soldered, attached, mounted) to a printed circuit board (PCB) 40 when assembled. As shown in the one embodiment, the connector 20 may move / travel (e.g. slide, translate, linearly) in at least two opposite directions. The connector 20 moves in the two opposite directions D 1 , D2 when fixed to the printed circuit board 40. Rather than being fixed in a single / assembled position to the panel, the connector 20 may be configured to move within the bore hole 31 of the panel 30 in the two opposite directions DI, D2. The first direction DI may be towards the inlet 3 la of the bore hole 31 or distal / away from the outlet 3 lb or PCB 40. The second direction D2 may be towards the outlet 3 lb of the bore hole 31 away from the inlet 3 la or proximal / towards the PCB 40. The inlet 31a may receive the connector 20 therethrough to mount (e.g. fix, solder) to the PCB 40.

[0013] In some applications, the system 10, electrical connector 20, and / or PCB 40 may move in at least two opposite directions (e.g. linearly, relative to the bore hole). As shown in Fig. 4, the connector 20 may move in the first direction DI when the PCB 40 expands. As shown in Fig. 5, the connector 20 may move in the opposite or second direction D2 when the PCB contracts. Alternatively, the connector may move linearly in one or more directions (e.g. opposite directions DI and / or D2) within the bore hole 31 whether the PCB 40 contracts and / or expands. The panel 30 configuration does not prevent linear travel in the second direction D2 and / or first direction DI. The connector 20, or portions thereof, may move into and out of the outlet 3 lb of the bore hole 31 and / or panel’s lateral extent. The connector 20 (e.g. body 23, abutment surface 24) may move (e.g. when the PCB contracts) beyond the lateral / linear extent of the panel 30 / bore hole 31 and / or out of the bore hole 31 (e.g. outlet 31b, end, adjacent the PCB) in the second direction D2. The connector 20 may be free from fasteners (e.g. screws, set screws) securing the connector to the panel.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01

[0014] In some implementations, a distance D between the PCB 40 and the panel 30 may be varied. As shown in the Figures, the printed circuit board 40 may be spaced from the panel 30 by a distance D. When the assembled or fixed connector 20 and PCB 40 move in the opposite directions DI and / or D2, the distance D changes (e.g. increase, decrease) between the PCB 40 and the panel 30. As shown in Fig. 4, the connector 20 may move (e.g. slides) within the bore hole 31 in the first direction DI reducing the distance D (e.g. zero, greater than zero), if available, between the expanding PCB 40 and the panel 30. In some linear positions or embodiments, the PCB 40 may abut or be stopped by the panel when the connector and PCB moves in the first direction D 1 decreasing the distance D to zero. In some embodiments, the distance D may be zero before any movement (e.g. expansion and / or contract). For example, the connector and PCB may only move in the second direction D2. As shown in Fig. 5, the connector 20 may move (e.g. slides) within the bore hole 31 in the second direction D2 increasing the distance D between the contracting PCB 40 and the panel 30. The distance D (e.g. first) of the PCB / connector (e.g. expanding, Fig. 4, first position) may be less than the distance D (e.g. second) of the PCB / connector (e.g. contracting, Fig. 5, second position).

[0015] In some implementations, the system 10 and / or the panel 30 may include a through or bore hole / opening 31. The bore hole 31 may include an inlet 31a and an outlet 3 lb. The inlet 31a may be adjacent one surface of the panel and the outlet 31b may be adjacent an opposing surface of the panel. The inlet 31a may receive the connector 20 in some embodiments to install. The inlet 3 la may be distal from the PCB 40. The outlet 3 lb may be adjacent the PCB 40. The connector 20 may be installed in the second direction D2 or into the inlet 31a. It should be understood that the connector 20 may be installed in the first direction DI or into the outlet 3 lb in some embodiments. Further, the connector may be inserted into or removed from the bore hole 31 in both directions DI, D2 in some embodiments. The bore hole 31 may be a smoothAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01bore hole or include a constant diameter (e.g. inner, inner periphery). The constant diameter hole (e.g. inner) may extend between opposing ends (e.g. from the inlet 31a to the outlet 31b) of the bore hole 31 or between opposing surfaces of the panel 30. The bore hole 31 may be free from stops / steps / narrowing / reductions (e.g. linear, inner diameter) preventing linear movement in at least one direction.

[0016] In some applications, the system 10 and / or connector 20 may include a housing or body 23. The body 23 may include a first end 20a and a second end 20b. The body 23 may be electrically conductive. The body 23 may include an outer periphery 25. The body 23 or outer periphery 25 may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The outer diameter or periphery 25 may be a constant diameter. The constant diameter, body 23, or outer cylindrical periphery 25 may be between the first end 20a and the second end 20b. The first end 20a may be adjacent the inlet 31a. The second end 20b may be adjacent the PCB 40. The second end 20b of the body 23 or connector 20 may include one or more ground members 21, a pin 22, and / or an abutment surface 24. The ground members 21 may be two projecting ground wings or planar ground members 21a. The ground wings 21a may be positioned on opposing lateral sides of the pin 22. The ground member(s) 21 (e.g. ground wings 21a) and / or pin 22 project from the second end 20b, body 23, and / or abutment surface 24. The abutment surface 24 and ground member 21 and / or pin 22 are configured to engage (e.g. fix) the PCB 40 (e.g. perpendicular sides). The abutment surface 24 may face towards the second direction D2 or in the longitudinal direction of the body 23. The abutment face 24 may not engage or be stopped by the panel, or portions thereof. The abutment face 24 may be positioned outside or beyond the outlet 3 lb or bore hole 31. The connector may include one or more indicia 26 identifying the position of the ground member(s) 21 on the opposing end (e.g. second end 20b) of the connector 20. The indicia 26 may aid in visual orientation of or a sight line of the ground members 21 and / or connector 20 relative to the panelAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-0130 and / or PCB 40. The indicia 26, if used, may be on the first end 20a of the connector 20. The indicia 26 may be in the same plane (e.g. horizontal) as the ground member(s) (e.g. ground wings) and / or pin.

[0017] In some implementations, the system 10 and / or connector 20 may be fixedly attached to the PCB 40. The connector 20 may be fixedly attached to the PCB 40 and / or positioned / received within or through the bore hole 31. The connector 20 or second end 20b may be soldered / attached / fixed to the PCB 40. The abutment surface 24 and the ground member(s) 21 / pin 22 are configured to engage perpendicular sides of the PCB 40, respectively. When fixed, the ground member(s) 21 and / or pin 22 of the connector 20 (e.g. body 23, second end) may engage or abut the top surface 41 (e.g. horizontal) of the PCB 40 or a surface perpendicular to the side surface 42. The pin 22 and / or ground member(s) 21 may be soldered / fixed to the PCB 40 (e.g. top surface 41, horizontal surface, one or more surfaces). The ground member 21 or more specifically the ground wings 21a may be fixedly attached or soldered to the PCB 40 (e.g. top surface 41). When fixed, the abutment surface 24 of the connector 20 (e.g. body 23, second end) may engage or abut the end or side surface 42 (e.g. vertical) of the PCB 40 or a surface perpendicular to the top surface 41. The abutment surface 24 may be configured to not engage a panel or be linearly stopped by the panel 30, or portions thereof.

[0018] In some applications, the system 10, connector 20, outer periphery 25, and / or body 23 may include one or more circumferential grooves 27. One or more of the circumferential grooves 27 may receive or position an environmental seal and / or a shielding seal. As shown in Figs. 1-6A, the one or more circumferential grooves may include an environmental seal(s) (e.g. sealing member 28). For example, the environmental seal may be one or more sealing members 28. The sealing member(s) 28 may be positioned or receiving within a first circumferential groove. The sealing member may be an elastomeric or nonconductive gasket. The sealing member mayAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01be an O-ring as shown in the one embodiment. As shown in Figs. 6A-6B, the one or more circumferential grooves 27 may include a shielding seal (e.g. conductive member 29). For example, the shielding seal, if used, may be one or more shield or conductive members 29. The conductive member(s) 29 may be positioned or receiving within a second circumferential groove. The conductive member, if used, may be a conductive metal and / or an electromagnetic interference (EMI) or RF shield. The conductive member 29 may be a metal C-clip as shown in Figs. 6A-6B. The outer periphery of the 25, sealing member 28, and / or conductive member 29 may slidable engage the inner diameter or bore hole 31 when moving in the first and / or second directions DI, D2 and / or when the connector 20 is fixed to the PCB 40. The sealing member 28 and / or conductive member 29 may engage the bore hole 31 at the inlet 31a, outlet 3 lb, or both in one or more positions within the bore hole 31 in one or more applications. As shown in Figs.1-5, a connector 20 may have the sealing member(s) 28 (e.g. first circumferential groove). As shown in Figs. 6A, a connector 20 may have both the sealing member(s) 28 (e.g. first circumferential groove) and a conductive member(s) 29 (e.g. second circumferential groove) positioned in separate circumferential grooves. It should be understood that the sealing member may be configured to be both an environmental seal and a shielding seal in some embodiments. For example, a conductive O-ring or metal elastomer (e.g. metal covered elastomer) may be used in a single annular groove in some embodiments.

[0019] In some implementations, an electrical connector system 10 may include at least one connector 20. The electrical connector system 10 may include the panel 30 in some embodiments. The electrical connector system 10 may include the PCB 40 in various embodiments. The electrical connector system 10 may include the panel 30 and connector 20 in some embodiments. The electrical connector system 10 may include the PCB 40 and connector 20 in some embodiments.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01In various embodiments, the electrical connector system 10 may include the PCB 40, panel 30, and one or more connectors 20.

[0020] In some implementations, the second end 20b, body 23, connector 20, and / or abutment surface 24 includes one or more projecting ground members 21. The ground member(s) 21 may be positioned on the connector 20, or portions thereof, (e.g. abutment surface) and does not interfere with assembly or movement within or through the bore hole 31 (e.g. constant inner diameter) and / or panel 30. The ground members 21 may not be spaced radially inward from the outer periphery of the body 23. The one or more ground members 21 are positioned adjacent the outer periphery 25 of the body 23. The one or more ground members 21 are positioned adjacent an outer periphery 25 of the abutment surface 24. As shown in the one embodiment in the Figures, the ground members 21 may have an outer periphery 25 that is substantially the same (e.g. diameter) as the outer periphery 25 of the body 23 and / or abutment surface 24. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the one or more ground members 21 may extend radially inward from the outer periphery 25 of the body 23 and / or the abutment surface 24. The ground members 21, or portions thereof, may be positioned at substantially the same radius as the groove 27 and / or member(s) 28, 29, or portions thereof. Unlike a narrowing / stepped inner diameter paneFbore applications that may limit the linear movement / insertion / assembly because of interference with the ground members 21, the position of the ground member(s) 21 (e.g. 21a), adjacent the outer periphery 25, do not interfere with linear movement / insertion / assembly of the connector 20 within a substantially constant diameter bore hole 31.

[0021] In some embodiments, a method of moving a connector relative to a bore hole may include providing a connector. In various embodiments, the method may include providing a printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the method may include providing a panel having a bore hole. In various embodiments, the method may include fixedly attaching the connector to theAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the connector may be positioned in the bore hole. In various embodiments, when the connector is fixedly attached to the printed circuit board, the connector may be configured to move within the bore hole in two opposite directions.

[0022] In addition, in some embodiments, the connector may include one or more circumferential grooves receiving at least one sealing member. In various embodiments, at least one sealing member is an elastomeric gasket. In some embodiments, the connector may include at least one conductive member received within at least one of one or more circumferential grooves. In various embodiments, the bore hole may be a constant diameter hole. In some embodiments, when the connector is fixedly attached to the printed circuit board, the connector may move beyond a linear extent of the bore hole adjacent the printed circuit board in at least one of the two opposite directions. In various embodiments, the method may include expansion of the printed circuit board moves the connector in a first direction of the two opposite directions. In some embodiments, the method may include contraction of the printed circuit board moves the connector in a second direction of the two opposite directions.

[0023] In some embodiments, an electrical connector system may include a printed circuit board. IN various embodiments, the system may include a panel having a bore hole. In some embodiments, the bore hole may include a substantially constant inner diameter between opposing ends. In various embodiments, the system may include a connector positioned within the bore hole and fixedly attached to the printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the connector may include an outer periphery having one or more circumferential grooves receiving at least one sealing member. In various embodiments, the connector may be configured to move within the bore hole in two opposite directions.

[0024] In addition, in some embodiments, the connector may include at least one conductive member received within the one or more circumferential grooves. In various embodiments, at least oneAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01sealing member may be received within a first circumferential groove of the one or more circumferential grooves and / or at least one conductive member may be received within a second circumferential groove of the one or more circumferential grooves. In some embodiments, the connector may move beyond at least one opposing end of the bore hole adjacent the printed circuit board in at least one of the two opposite directions. In various embodiments, the connector may be an RF connector. In some embodiments, the connector freely and / or linearly moves within the bore hole in the two opposite directions when the connector is fixed to the printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the outer periphery of the connector slidably engages the bore hole when the connector is fixed to the printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the printed circuit board may be spaced from the panel by a distance, wherein the distance changes when the connector moves within the bore hole in the two opposite directions. In various embodiments, the connector may include one or more ground members adjacent the outer periphery. In some embodiments, the connector may include one or more ground members on one end fixedly attached to the printed circuit board. In various embodiments, an outer periphery of the one of more ground members may be the same diameter as the outer periphery of the connector. In some embodiments, the connector may include one or more indicia identifying the one or more ground members.

[0025] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an electrically conductive body having an outer cylindrical periphery between a first end and an opposing second end. In various embodiments, the opposing second end may include one or more ground members and an abutment surface configured to engage a printed circuit board. In some embodiments, the one or more ground members may project from the abutment surface. In various embodiments, the connector may include one or more circumferential grooves positioned in the outerAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01cylindrical periphery. In some embodiments, the connector may include at least one sealing member positioned within the one or more circumferential grooves.

[0026] In addition, in some embodiments, the connector may include one or more conductive members received within the one or more circumferential grooves. In various embodiments, at least one sealing member may be an elastomeric gasket. In some embodiments, the outer cylindrical periphery may be a constant diameter from the first end to the opposing second end. In various embodiments, the one or more ground members may be a ground wing. In some embodiments, the first end may include one or more indicia identifying the one or more ground members on the opposing second end. In various embodiments, the abutment surface and the one or more ground members are configured to engage perpendicular sides of the printed circuit board, respectively. In some embodiments, the abutment surface may be configured to not engage a panel. In various embodiments, the one or more ground members may be adjacent an outer periphery of the abutment surface and / or the outer cylindrical periphery of the body. In some embodiments, the one or more ground members may extend radially inward from the outer cylindrical periphery of the body and / or an outer periphery of the abutment surface. In various embodiments, the one or more ground members may be positioned at substantially the same radius as the one or more circumferential grooves.

[0027] In some embodiments, an electrical connector may include an electrically conductive body having an outer periphery between a first end and an opposing second end. In various embodiments, the opposing second end may include one or more ground members and an abutment surface. In some embodiments, the one or more ground members may project from the abutment surface adjacent the outer periphery. In various embodiments, the connector may include one or more circumferential grooves positioned in the outer periphery. In some embodiments, the connector may include at least one sealing member positioned within the oneAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01or more circumferential grooves. In various embodiments, the one or more ground members extend radially inward from the outer periphery of the body.

[0028] While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the function and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.[0029JA11 definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0030] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01

[0031] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0032] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0033] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected fromAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0034] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0035] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

[0036] It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of beingAtty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” “in communication with,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0037] The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and / or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

Claims

Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-01CLAIMS1. A method of moving a connector relative to a bore hole comprising:providing a connector;providing a printed circuit board;providing a panel having a bore hole; andfixedly attaching the connector to the printed circuit board, wherein the connector is positioned in the bore hole, and wherein when the connector is fixedly attached to the printed circuit board, the connector is configured to move within the bore hole in two opposite directions.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the connector includes one or more circumferential grooves receiving at least one sealing member.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one sealing member is an elastomeric gasket.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the connector includes at least one conductive member received within at least one of the one or more circumferential grooves.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4 wherein the bore hole is a constant diameter hole.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-5 wherein when the connector is fixedly attached to the printed circuit board, the connector moves beyond a linear extent of the bore hole adjacent the printed circuit board in at least one of the two opposite directions.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-6 further comprising expansion of the printed circuit board moves the connector in a first direction of the two opposite directions.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7 further comprising contraction of the printed circuit board moves the connector in a second direction of the two opposite directions.

9. An electrical connector system comprising:a printed circuit board;a panel having a bore hole, wherein the bore hole includes a substantially constant inner diameter between opposing ends; anda connector positioned within the bore hole and fixedly attached to the printed circuit board, wherein the connector includes an outer periphery having one or more circumferential grooves receiving at least one sealing member, and wherein the connector is configured to move within the bore hole in two opposite directions.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the connector includes at least one conductive member received within the one or more circumferential grooves.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-0111. The system of claim 10 wherein the at least one sealing member is received within a first circumferential groove of the one or more circumferential grooves and the at least one conductive member is received within a second circumferential groove of the one or more circumferential grooves.

12. The system of any one of claims 9-11 wherein the connector moves beyond at least one opposing end of the bore hole adjacent the printed circuit board in at least one of the two opposite directions.

13. The system of any one of claims 9-12 wherein the connector is an RF connector.

14. The system of any one of claims 9-13 wherein the connector freely and / or linearly moves within the bore hole in the two opposite directions when the connector is fixed to the printed circuit board.

15. The system of any one of claims 9-14 wherein the outer periphery of the connector slidably engages the bore hole when the connector is fixed to the printed circuit board.

16. The system of any one of claims 9-15 wherein the printed circuit board is spaced from the panel by a distance, wherein the distance changes when the connector moves within the bore hole in the two opposite directions.

17. The system of any one of claims 9-16 wherein the connector includes one or more ground members adjacent the outer periphery.

18. The system of any one of claims 9-16 wherein the connector includes one or more ground members on one end fixedly attached to the printed circuit board.

19. The system of any one of claims 17 and 18 wherein an outer periphery of the one of more ground members is the same diameter as the outer periphery of the connector.

20. The system of any one of claims 17-19 wherein the connector includes one or more indicia identifying the one or more ground members.

21. An electrical connector comprising:an electrically conductive body having an outer cylindrical periphery between a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the opposing second end includes one or more ground members and an abutment surface configured to engage a printed circuit board, and wherein the one or more ground members project from the abutment surface;one or more circumferential grooves positioned in the outer cylindrical periphery; and at least one sealing member positioned within the one or more circumferential grooves.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-0122. The electrical connector of claim 21 further comprising one or more conductive members received within the one or more circumferential grooves.

23. The electrical connector of any one of claims 21 or 22 wherein the at least one sealing member is an elastomeric gasket.

24. The electrical connector of any one of claims 21-23 wherein the outer cylindrical periphery is a constant diameter from the first end to the opposing second end.

25. The electrical connector of any one of claims 21-24 wherein the one or more ground members is a ground wing.

26. The electrical connector of any one of claims 21-25 wherein the first end includes one or more indicia identifying the one or more ground members on the opposing second end.

27. The electrical connector of any one of claims 21-26 wherein the abutment surface and the one or more ground members are configured to engage perpendicular sides of the printed circuit board, respectively.

28. The electrical connector of any one of claims 21-27 wherein the abutment surface is configured to not engage a panel.

29. The electrical connector of any one of claims 21-28 wherein the one or more ground members are adjacent an outer periphery of the abutment surface and / or the outer cylindrical periphery of the body.

30. The electrical connector of any one of claims 21-28 wherein the one or more ground members extend radially inward from the outer cylindrical periphery of the body and / or an outer periphery of the abutment surface.

31. The electrical connector of any one of claims 21-30 wherein the one or more ground members are positioned at substantially the same radius as the one or more circumferential grooves.

32. An electrical connector comprising:an electrically conductive body having an outer periphery between a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the opposing second end includes one or more ground members and an abutment surface, and wherein the one or more ground members project from the abutment surface adjacent the outer periphery;one or more circumferential grooves positioned in the outer periphery; andat least one sealing member positioned within the one or more circumferential grooves.Atty. Docket No.: SAMTE-0025-WO-0133. The electrical connector of claim 32 wherein the one or more ground members extend radially inward from the outer periphery of the body.

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