Importance

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Abstract

A backer plate (40) secured to leading end portion (20) of flexible film circuit (10), providing rigidity to facilitate manipulation of the circuit during mating with and unmating from a receptacle connector (26). Backer plate (40) may either be molded of insulative material or be conductive to serve as a ground connection. Backer plate (40) has side walls (48) beside the flex film that provide flanges (54) to precisely guide mating with connector (26) along slots (32), and may also provide detents (56) for retention in the connector. Backer plate (40) may also provide bosses (60) to stop forward movement at a precise location aligning the strip circuits with connector contacts (30). Flanges (54) offset from the central plane of the strip/backer plate assembly, line up with slots (32) offset from the central plane of cavity (24) in order to permit insertion only when the assembly is properly oriented, thus serving to polarize the assembly.

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First Claim