Grounding Disc

The invention relates to a grounding disc for an array of contacts in a multicontact electrical connector.

Multicontact connectors comprising a cylindrical connector shell which houses an insert containing a plurality of electrical contacts are well known in the art. Such electrical connectors are used to provide a separable connection for a number of electrical circuits which may carry power or signals between two points. In certain situations, it may be desirable to create a common ground between some of the contacts which comprise the electrical connector. In the past, the common ground has been established through the use of a separate wire which had to be mechanically and electrically coupled to each of the ground contacts. The operation of attaching the wire to the contacts is labor intensive, thus adding to the cost of the connector; and the wire itself is subject to breakage, thus rendering the connector unsuitable for its intended use.

There is, accordingly, a need in the art for a connector structure which provides a simple and cost efficient means of creating a common ground between a preselected array of connector contacts.

According to the invention, a grounding disc is used to ground together a preselected array of electrical contacts. The disc comprises a conductive material having contact receiving apertures formed therein allowing the disc to be press fit over the contact array to form a secure mechanical and electrical connection therewith.

It is, accordingly, an object of the invention to provide a grounding disc comprising a conductive disc of material having an array of contact receiving apertures formed therein.

It is another object of the invention to provide a grounding disc having contact receiving apertures which allow the disc to be press fit onto an array of contacts.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in which numerals used throughout the description correspond to reference numerals found on the drawing figures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a multicontact electrical connector with a grounding disc.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the multicontact electrical connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of detail A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a multicontact electrical connector without a grounding disc.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a grounding disc.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the multicontact electrical connector of FIG. 2.

Turning now to the drawing figures, FIGS. 1 and 4 shows a multicontact connector generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The connector comprises a cylindrical connector shell 13 having a nonconductive insert 14 mounted therein. A plurality of electrical contacts 16 are mounted in the insert and are arranged in an outer ring of contacts 17, an inner ring of contacts 18, and a central contact 19.

FIG. 1 shows a grounding disc 21 comprising a disc of conductive material in exploded relation to the insert 14; and when assembled to the connector 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the disc mounts on the inner ring of contacts 18. Accordingly, the grounding disc 21 includes a pattern of press fit holes 22 which are positioned to match the array of contacts 18 which form the inner ring. Each press fit hole 22 comprises a contact aperture 23 and a relief notch 24 formed on either side thereof best seen in FIG. 5. The contact aperture is dimensioned to grippingly receive the contacts 16 comprising the array 18; and as shown in FIG. 3, the two relief notches 24 formed on either side of the contact aperture 23 allow the corner of metal 25 at the junction of the aperture 23 and the notch 24 to deflect slightly in order to permit insertion of the electrical contacts 16 therein. The grounding disc 21 also includes a central aperture 26 which is dimensioned to allow passage of the central contact 19 therethrough without making physical or electrical contact therewith. The outer diameter 27 of the grounding disc is dimensioned to fit within the outer ring of electrical contacts 17 without making contact therewith. The material used for the grounding disc 21 may comprise phosphorous bronze or beryllium copper or other suitable conductive material well known to those skilled in the art.

Although not shown, the grounding disc may be formed in other shapes such as oval, square, rectangular, or the like in order to fit onto the particular electrical connector and to make the desired connection with those electrical contacts which are to be grounded together. Also, the grounding disc may be formed without the central aperture 26 in the event the particular connector does not include a central contact 19.

Having thus described the invention, various modifications and alterations will occur to those skilled in the art, which modifications and alterations are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.