JERRY S BERG
Pilots at 5 Ave, Kasson, MN

6142802, Nov 7, 2000

Nov 16, 1999

9/441248

Jerry Berg - Kasson MN
David Peter Gaio - Rochester MN
William Kim Hogan - Rochester MN

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

H01R 1362

439180

An electrical connector system has two connectors, one of which is included in a module mateable with the other connector in a pluggable manner. The other connector includes an elongated guide rail and a connector block in which are retained two or more electrical contacts. Signal connections can be made in a predetermined sequence when the module is plugged into the other connector because the contact pads of the module are of different lengths. For example, sequencing the connection of power and ground signals with respect to data signals provides hot-pluggability. Also, a grounding contact on the module is engaged by a spring clip on the other connector to provide an additional or alternative grounding path.

6074228, Jun 13, 2000

Dec 18, 1998

9/216104

Jerry Berg - Kasson MN
David Peter Gaio - Rochester MN
William Kim Hogan - Rochester MN

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

H01R 1362

439180

An electrical connector includes a body and two or more electrical contacts. The body has a guide member that is elongated between a first end and a second end along a first axis and has a connector block at the first end. The connector has a very low profile (preferably, less than about 10 mm high), and the bottom of the body is surface-mountable on a circuit board. The height of the connector can be defined by a vertical axis perpendicular to the first axis. The connector block retains the contacts, which are spaced from one another in the direction of the first axis. The body also has a camming element that, in response to a force of a mating connector being moved along the first axis, brings the contacts of the connector and mating connector together in a generally vertical direction. The camming element may have two oppositely inclined ramp sections. When a mating connector having complementary contacts is, guided by the guide member, moved into engagement with the camming element, the first ramp lifts the mating connector, including its contacts, above the connector block, and the second ramp lowers the mating connector onto the connector block, with the contacts of the mating connector lowering onto and making contact with the contacts of the electrical connector.