Angled slide-on printed circuit board (PCB) connector assembly

Abstract

An angled slide-on printed circuit board (PCB) connector assembly and contacts for the connector assembly, and methods of assembling such connectors are provided. Example slide-on contacts and connectors can be connected to a PCB at a 90°-degree angle. The connection between the PCB and the connector can be plugged and unplugged multiple times after installation by using a slide-on mechanism and enabling mounting of the connector on a front panel of the housing and simply sliding it onto the PCB located inside an enclosure. Slide-on contacts provide resistance to mechanical stress such as shock and vibration, enhanced simplicity of installation by using a slide-on mechanism, enhanced and easy replaceability due to the simple disassembly process, and / or enhanced handling of manufacturing tolerances by making electrical contact with a domed contact point of the universal contact

Description

Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1ANGLED SLIDE-ON PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) CONNECTOR ASSEMBLYBACKGROUND

[0001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted as prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0002] Connector systems provide electrical interconnection between different devices allowing exchange of data, control information, power, and other electrical signals. Depending on implementation, size, shape, pin numbers, and other characteristics of the connectors may vary. Connectors on hard bases such as a busbar, an enclosure, or a printed circuit board (PCB) may be subject to shock, vibration, and misalignment during mating and use. This may reduce the longevity of the connectors and the number of mating cycles.SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure generally describes an angled slide-on printed circuit board (PCB) connector assembly and contacts for the connector assembly.

[0004] According to some examples, a slide-on contact for mating with a universal contact may include a rear contact portion to mate with another contact; and a contact body coupled to the rear contact portion. The contact body may include a slot to slide onto the universal contact, where the slot is defined by a top wall and two side walls, a front edge of the slot is chamfered, and an inside surface of the top wall is a main surface for electrical contact with a domed contact point of the universal contact; and a radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within an insulator or body of a connector.

[0005] According to further examples, a slide-on contact for mating with a universal contact may include a rear contact portion to mate with another contact; and a contact body coupled to the rear contact portion. The contact body may include a full body portion, a top wall extending from the full body portion, where a bottom surface of the top wall has a flat portion and a chamfered portion, a front edge of the flat portion is one of chamfered, beveled, filleted, tapered, or sloped, and the flat portion is a main surface for electrical contact with a domedDocket No. 3100.0174WOU1contact point of the universal contact; and a radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within an insulator or body of a connector.

[0006] According to some examples, a connector may include a shell and a contact assembly to fit inside the shell. The contact assembly may include a front insulator having a plurality of cavities; a plurality of retention clips to fit into the plurality of cavities; a plurality of slide-on contacts to be held in place by the plurality of retention clips; and a rear insulator with a plurality of cavities for the plurality of slide-on contacts, where each slide-on contact comprises a rear contact portion to make electrical connection with another contact and a contact body to make electrical connection with a domed contact point of a universal contact through at least an inside surface of a top wall.

[0007] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:FIG. 1 illustrates details of a universal contact for PCBs and placement of four universal contacts on a PCB;FIG. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective and side cross-section views of a slide-on, slot contact in socket configuration for mating with a universal contact;FIG. 3 A and 3B illustrate two example configurations of a slide-on, slot contact for mating with a universal contact;FIG. 3C, 3D, and 3E illustrate socket, pin, and direct wire configurations of a slide-on, slot contact for mating with a universal contact;Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1FIG. 4A illustrates an assembly drawing of a connector with four slide-on, slot contacts for mating with corresponding universal contacts on a PCB;FIG. 4B illustrates a mating process for a connector with four slide-on, slot contacts for mating with corresponding universal contacts on a PCB;FIG. 4C illustrates cross-section views of a connector with four slide-on, slot contacts for mating and corresponding universal contacts on a PCB in a pre-mating state;FIG. 5 illustrates various example configurations of connectors with slide-on, slot contacts for mating with universal contacts on a PCB;FIG. 6A illustrates a direct solder connection configuration of slide-on, slot contacts and an example connector assembly with direct solder connection slide-on contacts; andFIG. 6B illustrates cross-section and perspective views of a direct solder connection configuration connector assembly and separated contacts,arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. The aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

[0010] This disclosure is generally drawn, inter alia, to an angled slide-on printed circuit board (PCB) connector assembly and contacts for the connector assembly, and methods of assembling such connectors.

[0011] Example slide-on contacts and connectors for mating with a universal contact as described herein provide resistance to mechanical stress such as shock and vibration, enhanced simplicity of installation by using a slide-on mechanism, enhanced and easy replaceability due toDocket No. 3100.0174WOU1the simple disassembly process, and / or enhanced handling of manufacturing tolerances by making electrical contact with a domed contact point of the universal contact.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates details of a universal contact for PCBs and placement of four universal contacts on a PCB, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0013] Diagram 100 shows an example universal contact with a domed contact point 102, preload tabs 104, pick and place surface 106, solder well 108, and sidewalls 110. Universal contacts may be formed in various configurations such as a standard universal contact, a universal contact with reduced footprint, and a universal contact with sidewalls removed. Other configurations and sizes may also be implemented.

[0014] The universal contact is an independent surface mount type (SMT) contact that provides an electrical connection between a device and a PCB. Universal contact may be formed from a single piece of stamped material and available in multiple heights, footprints, and configurations. Through the domed contact point design, the universal contact may deliver an enhanced Hertzian Stress performance level (e.g., a minimum of 0.3N of force and 300 psi with 0.1 mm of deflection). Also, referred to as spring fingers, leaf springs, grounding contacts, PCB contacts, or shield fingers, the universal contact may fulfill multiple functions on a PCB, including antenna, microphone, vibration, speaker, battery, and grounding connections. The universal contact is formed from a single piece of stamped material with a domed contact point. The contact point is able to move up and down because of the shape and the spring properties of the stamped material.

[0015] Diagram 100 also shows an example implementation configuration, where four universal contacts are placed as opposing pairs 112, 114 on opposite surfaces of a PCB 118. The universal contacts are commonly soldered onto contact pads 116 on PCB surface. In other example implementations, universal contacts may be placed on a single surface, on opposite surfaces, and in any practical numbers.

[0016] Examples are directed to an electrical connector that can be connected to a PCB at a 90°-degree angle and contacts for the connector. The connection between the PCB and the connector can be plugged and unplugged multiple times after installation by using a slide-on mechanism and enabling mounting of the connector on a front panel of the housing and simply sliding it onto the PCB located inside the housing.Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1

[0017] FIG. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective and side cross-section views of a slide-on, slot contact in socket configuration for mating with a universal contact, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0018] As mentioned above, examples are directed to an electrical connector that can be connected to a PCB at a 90°-degree angle and contacts for the connector. A contact for an example connector may have a slot along the contact body, which does not completely cut through the contact body. The slot may be open towards one side of the contact body. Then, the contact is to be correctly aligned with the PCB and may be pushed onto the universal contact by an axial movement. A large chamfer at the end of the one-sided-slot may make the insertion process easier. The correct alignment of the contact towards the PCB may be achieved via the rear insulator body.

[0019] Diagram 200A shows a perspective view of a slide-on, slot contact in socket configuration for mating with a universal contact. The contact includes a contact body 202, slot 204, chamfered edge 206, protrusion 208, and socket 210.

[0020] Socket 210 is for connection to another connector’s pin contact. In some examples, a pin contact or a direct wire contact may be used instead of a socket. Protrusion 208 may be used to affix the contact within an insulator or body of a connector and to provide stability during axial insertion or removal actions. The slot 204 may allow correct alignment of the contact with the domed contact point of a universal contact through a slide-on insertion motion. The chamfered edge 206 may allow easier alignment and insertion. In some examples, the edge of the contact may be beveled, filleted, tapered, or sloped to provide easier insertion.

[0021] Diagram 200B shows a side cross-section view of the same contact with the socket 210, protrusion 208, contact body 202, sidewalls 212, and front opening 214. The sidewalls may be eliminated in some configurations as discussed below.

[0022] FIG. 3A and 3B illustrate two example configurations of a slide-on, slot contact for mating with a universal contact with the main contact surfaces highlighted, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0023] Diagram 300A in FIG. 3A and diagram 300B in FIG. 3B show main contact surfaces of a slide-on contact in two configurations: with and without sidewalls. In the sidewalled configuration in diagram 300A, the contact body 302 includes two sidewalls 304 with the slot toward the bottom and the slightly angled surface 308 at the top inside surface of theDocket No. 3100.0174WOU1body providing main contact with the universal contact. The front edge of the contact has chamfered edge 306 as discussed above. The contact is shown with a socket 310 on the opposite end.

[0024] Diagram 300B shows the sidewalls-omitted configuration with the same main contact area shown as slightly angled surface 318 and the chamfered edge 316. A tapered surface 320 may also provide contact with the domed contact point of a universal contact in either configuration. As shown in example illustrations above, an outside surface of the contact may be substantially round or cylindrical (except for the slot location). In some examples, the sidewalls may be formed flat. In other examples, as shown in diagram 300B, the top surface 312 of the contact may be formed flat.

[0025] FIG. 3C, 3D, and 3E illustrate socket, pin, and direct wire configurations of a slide-on, slot contact for mating with a universal contact, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0026] Diagram 300C in FIG. 3C shows a socket configuration with socket 322 and sidewall-omitted contact body 312, where the socket 322 may receive a pin of a corresponding connector. Diagram 300D in FIG. 3D shows a pin configuration with pin 324 a sidewall-omitted contact body 312, where the pin 423 may fit into a socket of a corresponding connector. Diagram 300E in FIG. 3E shows a direct wire configuration with a stripped portion 328 of a wire 326 is electrically connected (e.g., through soldering) to a flat top surface 330 of the contact body. The direct wire configuration may allow connection of conductive strands of a cable to multiple slide-on contacts. The contact body may be used in any sidewall, top surface, and inside surface configurations described herein.

[0027] FIG. 4A illustrates an assembly drawing of a connector with four slide-on, slot contacts for mating with corresponding universal contacts on a PCB, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0028] Diagram 400A shows an assembly drawing of a connector that may include two pairs of universal contacts on opposite surfaces of a PCB and provide socket contacts for another pin-configuration connector to couple to the PCB. The connector includes a front insulator portion 402, four contact retention clips 404, four socket-configuration slide-on contacts, and a rear insulator portion 410. The contacts, each, may include a socket 406 and a contact body 408Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1with a slot to slide onto a corresponding universal contact. The rear insulator portion 410 may include a diametric slot to fit over an edge of the PCB.

[0029] As discussed above, the contact bodies may or may not include sidewalls. An edge of each contact may be chamfered or configured similarly to ease the universal contact in.Outside surfaces of the contact body may also be substantially round or flat. In example implementations of discussed configurations, the contacts are fixed inside the connector shell and do not move inside the insulator body. Thus, axial movement is enabled between the contacts and the universal contacts on the PCB.

[0030] FIG. 4B illustrates a mating process for a connector with four slide-on, slot contacts for mating with corresponding universal contacts on a PCB, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0031] Diagram 400B shows a first phase 422 of the mating process, where all parts are assembled and the slide-on contacts 421 are oriented by the rear insulator so that the opening direction of the one-sided-slot points to the horizontal center plane. The PCB with the universal contacts 423 and the connector assembly 425 are separated. In a second phase 424 of the mating process, the rear insulator may engage first with the PCB and ensure the correct alignment of universal contacts 423 with the slide-on contacts 421. In a third phase 426 of the mating process, first contact point between the contact and the universal contact is made after further mating distance. The big chamfer of the contact may enable a smooth mating between domed contact point of the universal contact and the contact. In a fourth phase 428 of the mating process, the rear insulator portion is fully pushed onto the PCB. The spring property of the domed contact point of the universal contact enables a steady electrical connection with at least an inside surface of the contact.

[0032] FIG. 4C illustrates cross-section views of a connector with four slide-on, slot contacts for mating and corresponding universal contacts on a PCB in a pre-mating state, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0033] Diagram 400C shows a connector configuration, where the four-contact assembly (432, 434) is placed inside a round connector shell 430 suitable to be affixed to an enclosure (e.g., an MKJ4 receptacle). The connector shell 430 may be inserted into a hole on the enclosure with the contacts inside the connector shell making electrical connections with corresponding universal contacts 442 on the PCB 440 inside the enclosure. The connector may be affixed ontoDocket No. 3100.0174WOU1the enclosure through a rear mount jam nut, for example. The example connector configuration is for illustration purposes only. Any type of connector with any practical number of contacts may be used to mate with universal contacts on a PCB. As shown in diagram 400C, the connector assembly may further include any number of suitable seals and springs 438 for various environmental sealing and assembly / disassembly purposes.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates various example configurations of connectors with slide-on, slot contacts for mating with universal contacts on a PCB, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0035] Diagram 500 shows round connector examples 502 through 512 with symmetrical contact layout. As mentioned herein, any practical number of contacts may be used for the connectors. A size (and layout) of the contacts may also be selected based on contact size, PCB size, contact type, application type, etc. As shown in diagram 500, connectors that can incorporate contacts according to examples, are not limited to round connectors. Other shapes and types of connectors such as rectangular connectors 514 and 516 with 6 or 8 contacts may be used. In typical applications, two rows of contacts may be implemented for universal contacts on opposite surfaces of a PCB.

[0036] Connectors incorporating contacts according to examples may have insulating or conductive shells. The connectors may be affixable to an enclosure (containing a PCB) through a jam nut mechanism or other mechanisms. The connectors may also include various coupling mechanisms for other connectors to couple to the sockets or pins of the connector. Depending on application, the connectors may be environmentally sealable.

[0037] FIG. 6A illustrates a direct solder connection configuration of slide-on, slot contacts and an example connector assembly with direct solder connection slide-on contacts, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0038] Diagram 600A shows yet another implementation configuration, where contact bodies 602 of the slide-on contacts 608 may be soldered onto contact pads 604 on a PCB 606. A suitable connector 610 may then be assembled over the soldered contacts providing 90-degree electrical connection to the PCB contacts through a pin or socket type connection. The slide-on contacts 608 may be held in place inside the connector by at least a rear insulator 612. In some examples, a front insulator may also be used inside the connector assembly 610.Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1

[0039] FIG. 6B illustrates cross-section and perspective views of a direct solder connection configuration connector assembly and separated contacts, arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

[0040] As shown in diagram 600B, the universal contacts 608 are fixed via solder connection onto contact pads on a PCB 606. A rear insulator 612 with a diametric slot to accommodate the PCB is placed over the contact bodies. The rear insulator 612 may be a two-piece insulator assembled over the soldered slide-on contacts and the PCB in some examples. A correct orientation of the contacts is achieved by the rear insulator. Thus, the connection of contacts toward the PCB is rigid and stiff. Therefore, the PCB may have to be stored floating. Axial movement is enabled between the soldered contacts and the connector pre-assembly without contacts (i.e., the contacts move axially inside the main insulator body 620).

[0041] According to some examples, a slide-on contact for mating with a universal contact may include a rear contact portion to mate with another contact; and a contact body coupled to the rear contact portion. The contact body may include a slot to slide onto the universal contact, where the slot is defined by a top wall and two sidewalls, a front edge of the slot is chamfered, and an inside surface of the top wall is a main surface for electrical contact with a domed contact point of the universal contact; and a radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within an insulator or body of a connector.

[0042] According to other examples, the rear contact portion is one of a socket, a pin, or a direct wire contact. An inside surface of at least one of the two sidewalls includes a chamfer. An outside surface of the top wall is flat or substantially round.

[0043] According to further examples, a slide-on contact for mating with a universal contact may include a rear contact portion to mate with another contact; and a contact body coupled to the rear contact portion. The contact body may include a full body portion, a top wall extending from the full body portion, where a bottom surface of the top wall has a flat portion and a chamfered portion, a front edge of the flat portion is one of chamfered, beveled, filleted, tapered, or sloped, and the flat portion is a main surface for electrical contact with a domed contact point of the universal contact; and a radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within an insulator or body of a connector.

[0044] According to yet other examples, the rear contact portion is one of a socket, a pin, or a direct wire contact. An outside surface of the top wall is flat or substantially round.Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1

[0045] According to some examples, a connector may include a shell and a contact assembly to fit inside the shell. The contact assembly may include a front insulator having a plurality of cavities; a plurality of retention clips to fit into the plurality of cavities; a plurality of slide-on contacts to be held in place by the plurality of retention clips; and a rear insulator with a plurality of cavities for the plurality of slide-on contacts, where each slide-on contact comprises a rear contact portion to make electrical connection with another contact and a contact body to make electrical connection with a domed contact point of a universal contact through at least an inside surface of a top wall.

[0046] According to other examples, the rear contact portion is one of a socket, a pin, or a direct wire contact. The contact body may include a slot to slide onto the universal contact, where the slot is defined by the top wall and two sidewalls, and a front edge of the slot is chamfered; and a radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within the rear insulator. An inside surface of each of the two sidewalls includes a chamfer.

[0047] According to further examples, the contact body may include a full body portion, where the top wall extends from the full body portion, a bottom surface of the top wall has a flat portion and a chamfered portion, and a front edge of flat portion is one of chamfered, beveled, filleted, tapered, or sloped; and a radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within the rear insulator. An outside surface of the top wall is flat or substantially round. The rear insulator includes a diametric slot for a printed circuit board (PCB) to fit in. The shell is circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, or oblong. The shell is conductive or insulating.

[0048] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope.Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1

[0049] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. Such depicted architectures are merely examples, and in fact, many other architectures may be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality may be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediate components. Likewise, any two components so associated may also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated may also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically connectable and / or physically interacting components and / or wirelessly interactable and / or wirelessly interacting components and / or logically interacting and / or logically interactable components.

[0050] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0051] In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an"Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1(e.g., “a” and / or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0052] Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

[0053] For any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.

[0054] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are possible. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1CLAIMSI / WE Claim:

1. A slide-on contact for mating with a universal contact, comprising:a rear contact portion to mate with another contact; anda contact body coupled to the rear contact portion, the contact body comprising:a slot to slide onto the universal contact, whereinthe slot is defined by a top wall and two sidewalls, a front edge of the slot is chamfered, andan inside surface of the top wall is a main surface for electrical contact with a domed contact point of the universal contact; anda radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within an insulator or body of a connector.

2. The slide-on contact of claim 1, wherein the rear contact portion is one of a socket, a pin, or a direct wire contact.

3. The slide-on contact of claim 1, wherein an inside surface of at least one of the two sidewalls includes a chamfer.

4. The slide-on contact of claim 1, wherein an outside surface of the top wall is flat or substantially round.

5. A slide-on contact for mating with a universal contact, comprising:a rear contact portion to mate with another contact; anda contact body coupled to the rear contact portion, the contact body comprising:a full body portion,a top wall extending from the full body portion, whereina bottom surface of the top wall has a flat portion and a chamfered portion,Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1a front edge of the flat portion is one of chamfered, beveled, filleted, tapered, or sloped, andthe flat portion is a main surface for electrical contact with a domed contact point of the universal contact; anda radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within an insulator or body of a connector.

6. The slide-on contact of claim 5, wherein the rear contact portion is one of a socket, a pin, or a direct wire contact.

7. The slide-on contact of claim 5, wherein an outside surface of the top wall is flat or substantially round.

8. A connector, comprising:a shell; anda contact assembly to fit inside the shell, the contact assembly comprising:a front insulator having a plurality of cavities;a plurality of retention clips to fit into the plurality of cavities;a plurality of slide-on contacts to be held in place by the plurality of retention clips; anda rear insulator with a plurality of cavities for the plurality of slide-on contacts, whereineach slide-on contact comprises a rear contact portion to make electrical connection with another contact and a contact body to make electrical connection with a domed contact point of a universal contact through at least an inside surface of a top wall.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the rear contact portion is one of a socket, a pin, or a direct wire contact.

10. The connector of claim 8, wherein the contact body comprises:Docket No. 3100.0174WOU1a slot to slide onto the universal contact, whereinthe slot is defined by the top wall and two sidewalls, anda front edge of the slot is chamfered; anda radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within the rear insulator.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein an inside surface of each of the two sidewalls includes a chamfer.

12. The connector of claim 8, wherein the contact body comprises:a full body portion, whereinthe top wall extends from the full body portion,a bottom surface of the top wall has a flat portion and a chamfered portion, and a front edge of flat portion is one of chamfered, beveled, filleted, tapered, or sloped; anda radial protrusion on an outside surface of the contact body to affix the slide-on contact within the rear insulator.

13. The connector of claim 8, wherein an outside surface of the top wall is flat or substantially round.

14. The connector of claim 8, wherein the rear insulator includes a diametric slot for a printed circuit board (PCB) to fit in.

15. The connector of claim 8, wherein the shell is circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, or oblong.

16. The connector of claim 8, wherein the shell is conductive or insulating.

Images