US5035651A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature circular DIN connector
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1990-09-27
•
Granted: 1991-07-30
•
Expires: 2010-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A miniature DIN connector is provided for mounting to a circuit board. The miniature DIN connector comprises a molded nonconductive housing having a plurality of apertures therein for receiving electrically conductive terminals. The housing includes an array of channels for positively positioning the board contact portions extending from the terminals and preventing lateral movement thereof. An internal shield is mountable in the housing to substantially surround pin-receiving portions of the terminals. The housing is lockingly engageable with a base, which in turn is mountable to the circuit board. The base includes apertures through which the board contact portions of the terminals may be directed. An external shield is disposed around four sides of the miniature DIN connector. The external and internal shields may include extensions into recesses in the front of the housing that provide ground contact to a conductive chassis panel abutting the front of the miniature DIN connector. The internal and external shields are not connected to one another, however the external shield may include a contact for directly contacting the shield of a DIN connector plug.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel A. Dixon
- 👤 Hsin Lee
- 👤 Henry Zielke
- 👤 Eugene J. Mysiak
- 👤 David L. Brunker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/721; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H01R13/6581; H01R13/6582; H01R13/6591; H01R13/6594; H01R13/6596
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
A miniature DIN connector for mating with a DIN connector plug having a conductive shield extending thereabout, said miniature DIN connector comprising: a nonconductive housing having opposed front and rear ends, a top and a bottom, a plurality of terminal-receiving apertures extending between the front and rear ends of said housing, said housing comprising an internal shield aperture extending into the front end and generally around said terminal-receiving apertures, said housing comprising an external shield aperture extending therethrough and into the internal shield aperture; a plurality of electrically conductive terminals having pin-receiving contact portions engaged in the terminal-receiving apertures of said housing and board contact portions extending beyond the bottom of said housing; an internal shield mounted in the internal shield aperture extending into the front end of said housing, said internal shield comprising contact means extending therefrom for electrical connection to a ground and comprising a slot generally aligned with the external shield aperture; a base having an array of apertures extending therethrough for receiving the board contact portions of said terminals, said base being mountable to the circuit board and comprising means for lockingly engaging the housing to the base; and an external shield defining at least three external sides of said miniature DIN connector and comprising a first contact means for grounding said external shield, said external shield comprising a second contact means extending through the external shield aperture of the housing and through the slot of the internal shield for directly contacting the shield of a DIN connector plug when the plug is mated with the miniature DIN connector, said second contact means providing a low impedance electrical connection between the external shield and the shield of the mated DIN connector plug.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
A miniature DIN connector for mating with a DIN connector plug having a conductive shield extending thereabout, said miniature DIN connector comprising: a nonconductive housing having opposed front and rear ends, a top and a bottom, a plurality of terminal-receiving apertures extending between the front and rear ends of said housing, said housing comprising an internal shield aperture extending into the front end and generally around said terminal-receiving apertures, said housing comprising an external shield aperture extending therethrough and into the internal shield aperture; a plurality of electrically conductive terminals having pin-receiving contact portions engaged in the terminal-receiving apertures of said housing and board contact portions extending beyond the bottom of said housing; an internal shield mounted in the internal shield aperture extending into the front end of said housing, said internal shield comprising contact means extending therefrom for electrical connection to a ground and comprising a slot generally aligned with the external shield aperture; a base having an array of apertures extending therethrough for receiving the board contact portions of said terminals, said base being mountable to the circuit board and comprising means for lockingly engaging the housing to the base; and an external shield defining at least three external sides of said miniature DIN connector and comprising a first contact means for grounding said external shield, said external shield comprising a second contact means extending through the external shield aperture of the housing and through the slot of the internal shield for directly contacting the shield of a DIN connector plug when the plug is mated with the miniature DIN connector, said second contact means providing a low impedance electrical connection between the external shield and the shield of the mated DIN connector plug.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 1 wherein said external shield and said internal shield are electrically and mechanically separate from one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 1 wherein said external shield surrounds four external sides of said miniature DIN connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 3 wherein said miniature DIN connector defines a receptacle of generally rectilinear configuration and defining a top, a bottom, opposed sides, a back and a front mating end for mating with a DIN connector plug, said external shield substantially surrounding both opposed sides, the top and the back of said DIN connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 4 wherein the second contact means of said external shield comprises a deflectable contact arm stamped from the portion of said external shield adjacent the top of said housing and cantilevered therefrom into contact with the shield of the DIN connector plug mated with the miniature DIN connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 4 wherein portions of said external shield surrounding the sides, the top and the back of said DIN connector are substantially continuous, and wherein the second contact means of said external shield defines a deflectable contact arm cantilevered from the top of said external shield.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 6 wherein the second contact means of the external shield is cantilevered from a portion of the external shield generally adjacent the front mating end of the connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 6 wherein the second contact means of said external shield is cantilevered from a portion of the external shield generally adjacent the back thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 1 wherein the second contact means of the external shield comprises means for engaging the shield of the DIN connector plug for increasing the forces required to unmate the DIN connector plug from the miniature DIN connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
178 words
A miniature DIN connector for mounting to a board and for receiving a DIN connector plug having a shield extending thereabout, said miniature DIN connector comprising a housing having a mating face, a board mounting face and a plurality of external faces, said housing comprising a plurality of electrically conductive terminals mounted therein, a metallic internal shield mounted to said housing and substantially surrounding and spaced from the terminals therein, said internal shield comprising contact means for grounding said internal shield to the board, a metallic external shield comprising a plurality of walls for substantially surrounding the external faces of said housing, said external shield further comprising a first contact means for grounding said external shield to the board and a second contact means for directly contacting the shield of a DIN connector plug when the plug is mated with the miniature DIN connector, said second contact means providing a low impedance electrical connection between the external shield and the shield of the DIN connector plug, said internal shield and said external shield being separate from one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
178 words
A miniature DIN connector for mounting to a board and for receiving a DIN connector plug having a shield extending thereabout, said miniature DIN connector comprising a housing having a mating face, a board mounting face and a plurality of external faces, said housing comprising a plurality of electrically conductive terminals mounted therein, a metallic internal shield mounted to said housing and substantially surrounding and spaced from the terminals therein, said internal shield comprising contact means for grounding said internal shield to the board, a metallic external shield comprising a plurality of walls for substantially surrounding the external faces of said housing, said external shield further comprising a first contact means for grounding said external shield to the board and a second contact means for directly contacting the shield of a DIN connector plug when the plug is mated with the miniature DIN connector, said second contact means providing a low impedance electrical connection between the external shield and the shield of the DIN connector plug, said internal shield and said external shield being separate from one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 10 wherein the external shield extends generally into proximity to the board mounting face of said housing, such that said external shield extends generally into abutting relationship with a board to which said DIN connector is mounted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 10 wherein the internal shield extends from the mating face of said housing and generally orthogonal thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 10 wherein the internal shield comprises a slot extending therethrough and aligned with the second contact means, said second contact means extending through said slot for contacting the shield of the DIN connector plug.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
130 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 10 wherein said housing is of generally rectilinear configuration and comprises a top wall extending generally parallel to the base mounting face of said housing, a pair of opposed generally parallel side walls and a back wall extending generally parallel to the mounting face of said housing, an aperture extending into said housing, said external shield generally conforming to the shape of said housing, and comprising a top wall, a pair of opposed generally parallel side walls extending generally orthogonally from said top wall and a back wall extending generally orthogonally from said top and side walls, said second contact means extending through the aperture in the housing for contacting the shield of the DIN connector plug mated with the miniature DIN connector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 14 wherein said second contact means is cantilevered from the top wall of said external shield.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 15 wherein said second contact means is cantilevered from a portion of the top wall generally adjacent the back wall of said external shield.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 15 wherein said second contact means is cantilevered from a portion of the top wall spaced from the back wall of the external shield.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 14 wherein said second contact means is cantilevered from the back wall of said external shield.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A miniature DIN connector as in claim 10 wherein said second contact means comprises means for grippingly engaging the shield of the DIN connector plug mated with the miniature DIN connector for increasing the forces required for unmating.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The DIN connector of claim 14 wherein the second contact means comprises a continuous depression formed in the external shield.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
71 words
The miniature DIN connector of claim 20 wherein (i) the aperture in the housing comprises an opening extending from adjacent the front of the connector toward the back wall, and (ii) the second contact means comprises a depression of substantially U-shaped cross-section extending through the aperture to contact a shield of a DIN plug in the internal shield aperture along a line in the front to back direction of the connector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
252 words
A DIN connector for mating with a DIN connector plug having a conductive shield extending thereabout, said DIN connector comprising: a nonconductive housing having opposed front and rear ends, a top and a bottom, a plurality of terminal-receiving apertures extending between the front and rear ends of said housing, said housing comprising an internal shield aperture extending into the front end and generally around said terminal-receiving apertures, said housing comprising an external shield aperture extending therethrough and into the internal shield aperture; a plurality of electrically conductive terminals having pin-receiving contact portions engaged in the terminal-receiving apertures of said housing and board contact portions extending beyond the bottom of said housing; a base having an array of apertures extending therethrough for receiving the board contact portions of said terminals, said base being mountable to the circuit board and comprising means for lockingly engaging the housing to the base; an external shield defining at least three external sides of said DIN connector and comprising a first contact means for grounding said external shield, and a second contact means extending through the external shield aperture of said housing for directly contacting the shield of a DIN connector plug when the plug is mated with the DIN connector, said second contact means providing a low impedance electrical connection between said external shield and the shield of the DIN connector plug; and whereby substantially all of the DIN connector other than the front of the nonconductive housing and the base are enclosed by the external shield.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
252 words
A DIN connector for mating with a DIN connector plug having a conductive shield extending thereabout, said DIN connector comprising: a nonconductive housing having opposed front and rear ends, a top and a bottom, a plurality of terminal-receiving apertures extending between the front and rear ends of said housing, said housing comprising an internal shield aperture extending into the front end and generally around said terminal-receiving apertures, said housing comprising an external shield aperture extending therethrough and into the internal shield aperture; a plurality of electrically conductive terminals having pin-receiving contact portions engaged in the terminal-receiving apertures of said housing and board contact portions extending beyond the bottom of said housing; a base having an array of apertures extending therethrough for receiving the board contact portions of said terminals, said base being mountable to the circuit board and comprising means for lockingly engaging the housing to the base; an external shield defining at least three external sides of said DIN connector and comprising a first contact means for grounding said external shield, and a second contact means extending through the external shield aperture of said housing for directly contacting the shield of a DIN connector plug when the plug is mated with the DIN connector, said second contact means providing a low impedance electrical connection between said external shield and the shield of the DIN connector plug; and whereby substantially all of the DIN connector other than the front of the nonconductive housing and the base are enclosed by the external shield.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
The DIN connector of claim 22 wherein said second contact means includes a depression in the external shield extending through the external shield aperture and contacting a conductive shield of a DIN plug to provide an electrical path from a conductive shield of a DIN plug to the external shield of the DIN connector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The DIN connector of claim 23 wherein the sides of the external shield are substantially continuous.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The DIN connector of claim 24 wherein the depression is continuous with said external shield.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
The DIN connector of claim 25 wherein the depression has a substantially flat surface penetrating the internal shield aperture to contact a conductive shield of a DIN plug in the internal shield aperture along a line of contact extending from the front end of the housing in the direction of the internal shield aperture.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
82 words
The DIN connector of claim 22 wherein (i) the housing includes an external shield recess in the front end of the housing extending from a side of the external shield, and (ii) the first contact means of the external shield includes an external shield extension extending from the external shield into the external shield recess and projecting outwardly from the front end of the housing whereby the external shield extension may abut a panel adjacent the front end of the DIN connector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
75 words
The DIN connector of claim 27 wherein (i) the housing includes an internal shield recess extending from the internal shield aperture in the front end of the housing, and (ii) the DIN connector further comprises an internal shield mounted in the internal shield aperture and having a slot aligned with the external shield aperture and an internal shield extension extending into the internal shield recess and projecting outwardly from the front end of the housing.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
68 words
The DIN connector of claim 28 wherein (i) the housing includes a second external shield recess in the front end of the housing extending from a side of the external shield, and (ii) the first contact means of the external shield includes a second external shield extension extending from the external shield into the second external shield recess and projecting outwardly from the front end of the housing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
64 words
The DIN connector of claim 29 wherein (i) the housing includes a second internal shield recess in the front end of the housing extending from the internal shield aperture in the front end of the housing, and (ii) the internal shield includes a second internal shield extension extending into the second internal shield recess and projecting outwardly from the front end of the housing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
133 words
The DIN connector of claim 30 wherein (i) the first contact means of the external shield includes board contact portions extending from the external shield beyond the bottom of said housing, (ii) the housing includes an internal shield channel generally adjacent the rear thereof and extending from the internal shield aperture to the bottom of the housing, (iii) the internal shield includes a board contact portion extending in said internal shield channel and beyond the bottom of said housing, and (iv) the base has an aperture extending therethrough to receive the internal shield board contact portion whereby the internal and external shields may be electrically connected to ground by contact with a conductive panel abutting the front end of the DIN connector or connection to the internal and external shield board contact portions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
54 words
The DIN connector of claim 31 wherein said second contact means includes a depression in the external shield extending through the external shield aperture and contacting a conductive shield of a DIN plug to provide an electrical path from a conductive shield of a DIN plug to the external shield of the DIN connector.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The DIN connector of claim 32 wherein the sides of the external shield are substantially continuous and the depression is continuous with said external shield.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
54 words
The DIN connector of claim 33 wherein the depression has a substantially flat surface penetrating the internal shield aperture to contact a conductive shield of a DIN plug in the internal shield aperture along a line of contact extending from the front end of the housing in the direction of the internal shield aperture.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The DIN connector of claim 34 wherein said external shield and said internal shield are electrically and mechanically separate from one another.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-29 | 1995-01-28 | 1995-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-01-28 | 1999-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-29 | 2003-01-28 | 2003-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |