Stacking connector system

Abstract

 A system is described for providing coaxial connection paths between traces on stacked circuit boards, which enables large numbers of closely spaced coaxial connections in a rugged construction. At least one stacking connector (20, Figure 2) lies between a pair of circuit boards (12, 14), the connector including a grounded electrically conductive housing (70) having multiple housing holes (72), with a dielectric device (74) fixed in each housing hole. A contact device (80) lies in each dielectric device and projects from the housing into plated-through holes (36, 56) in the circuit boards which connect to traces (32, 54) on the boards. Each contact device is fixed in one of the dielectric devices (74), so the combination of the housing, dielectric devices, and contact devices, form one or two units that can be plugged into the pin receiving holes of the circuit boards. One connector (152, Figure 6) is formed with two housing parts (166, 168) forming the housing, with a dielectric (192, 194, Figure 11) in each hole of each housing part, and with a separate contact (182, 184) in each housing part. One contact forms a socket (220) and the other forms a pin (206) for reception in the socket. The housing parts can be mated and unmated from each other to connect and disconnect the circuit boards from each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to stacking connector systems.

[0002] The traces on different circuit boards can be connected by forming plated-through holes in the boards that are connected to the traces, stacking the boards one over another, and using pins or other contact devices that extend perpendicular to the planes of the boards and that project into the plated holes to connect them. Where high frequency signals are carried in a stacked system, it is often of critical importance that a controlled impedance be maintained in all segments of the signal path. Such control is readily maintained within the circuit board by stripline traces and the like. However, it is more difficult to control impedance in connections between boards. An ideal connection system uses an array of coaxial connectors, which controls impedance and minimises crosstalk.

[0003] A coaxial connection can be obtained by locating a grounded metal housing between a pair of boards, with the housing having holes through which contact devices extend. U.S. Patent 4, 707,039 describes this general type of coaxial connection arrangement, wherein a pin contact has its opposite ends mounted to a different one of two circuit boards, and extends through an empty hole in the metal housing that lies between the circuit boards. The metal housing is accurately positioned by a screw fastener arrangement lying beside the hole in the housing.

[0004] In practice, stacked circuit boards often have large numbers of traces, such as several hundred each, that must be connected. This results in the need for large numbers of interconnections that must lie at close spacings such as about 0.1 inch or less. Although the parts can be precisely made, it is important that the parts fit well despite accumulated tolerances, to control impedance as well as maintain electrical isolation. It is also highly desirable that the connecting apparatus be useable with circuit boards of conventional construction, That is, that the circuit board manufacturer merely has to drill round holes and plate them. The connecting apparatus is preferably fabricated by the manufacture of a separate stack connector, which can be readily plugged into the circuit board and/or soldered in place. A stacked circuit board arrangement with a large number of closely-spaced, controlled-impedance coaxial connections, which could have a rugged construction provided at moderate cost, using conventional circuit board technology for the boards and requiring only a limited number of separately-handled parts supplied by the connector manufacturer, would be of considerable value.

[0005] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a stacked circuit board arrangement and stacking connector thereof, are provided, which enables coaxial connection of large numbers of traces on stacked circuit boards in a rugged and moderate cost construction. Each circuit board has a ground plane and has a plurality of signal-carrying traces that extend to plated-through holes in the circuit board. The stacking connector includes an electrically conductive housing which lies between the circuit boards and which is connected to their ground planes. The housing has a plurality of holes corresponding to the circuit board holes. A dielectric device is fixed in each of the housing holes, with each dielectric device having a dielectric hole. A contact device lies in each dielectric device. Each contact device has pin portions projecting from opposite faces of the conductive housing and projecting through plated-through holes of the circuit boards to connect them. Each contact device is preferably fixed in one of the dielectric devices so the combination of the housing, dielectric devices, and contact devices form a unit (with one or two sections) that can be supplied to a circuit board manufacturer to be plugged into the holes of stacked circuit boards to connect them.

[0006] In one arrangement, the stacking connector includes two sections, each designed to be permanently fastened to a different one of the circuit boards. The housing includes two parts, and each dielectric device includes two dielectrics, each lying in an aperture of a different one of the housing parts. Each contact device includes two contacts, each fixed in one of the dielectrics lying in one of the housing parts. Each housing part can be fixed to one circuit board, and the two housing parts can be mated to each other to temporarily connect the contacts and thereby connect the traces on the two boards. The housing parts and contacts can be unmated from each other to disconnect the two boards.

[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, a connector includes multiple pins fixed (inposition and orientation) in a pin holder, and having upper portions extending upwardly therefrom through holes in at least two separate circuit boards. A separate pass-through lies between the two circuit boards. Each pass-through includes a conductive housing member with holes, and a dielectric fixed in each hole, with the dielectric having a hole through which the pin upper portion slidably extends.

[0008] Constructional embodiments of the present invention will bow be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a simplified isometric view of a stacked connector arrangement constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of a portion of the arrangement of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view of a portion of the arrangement of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view taken on the line 4 - 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of a stacked circuit board arrangement constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5A is a partial sectional view of a stacked circuit board arrangement constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a partial exploded isometric view of a stacked circuit board arrangement constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a bottom view of the upper housing part of the arrangement of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a partial sectional side view of the arrangement of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an end view of the stacking connector of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the connector of Figure 8; and

Figure 12 is a partial sectional view of a stacked circuit board arrangement of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a stacked circuit board arrangement 10 which includes a pair of circuit boards 12, 14 and three stacking connectors 16, 18 and 20 lying between them. Each circuit board is a "high speed" type, which carries high frequency signals, that is, signals having high frequency components (e.g. over 10 megahertz) such as high rate digital signal pulses or high frequency analog signals. The two boards are connected together at three strip-shaped regions corresponding to the three connectors 16-20, with a large number of closely-spaced connections at each location. For example, the circuit boards may each have a width W of six inches (15.24cm) and a length L of ten inches (25.4cm) and each of the three connection regions may require two hundred separate connections. The connections may have to be made at small spacings, such as at a maximum of about 0.1 inch (2.54mm). All of this requires a design that assures good controlled impedance connection with reasonable tolerances.

[0010] As shown in Figure 2, the first or upper circuit board 12 is of the multi-layer type, which includes upper and lower layers 22, 24 that each bear a ground plane 26, 28. A middle layer 30 (more than one middle layer can be used) carries multiple traces such as 32 and 34, on an insulative portion of the layer. Each trace such as 32 extends to a different plated-through pin-receiving hole 36. The hole 36 has conductive walls 40 which includes a region 42 lying on each face of the board, but which is separated from a ground plane by a gap 44. The second or lower circuit board 14 is similarly constructed, with a pair of ground planes 50, 52 and with signal-carrying traces 54 that extend to a plated-through pin-receiving hole 56. However, each pin-receiving hole 56 in the second circuit board is of larger diameter, to receive a socket 60.

[0011] The stacking connector 20 which connects the circuit boards, includes an electrically conductive housing 70 that has a plurality of housing holes 72 that are preferably arranged in a plurality of rows and that correspond to the pin-receiving holes 36, 56 of the circuit boards. A dielectric device 74 is fixed in each of the housing holes, with each dielectric device having a hole 76. The stacking connector also includes a plurality of contact devices 80 that each projects through a hole 76 in the dielectric device. Each contact device has top and bottom pin portions 82, 84 that project from the upper and lower faces 86, 88 of the housing into the pin-receiving holes 36, 56 of the circuit boards. The contact devices 80 are fixably mounted in the dielectric device 74, so the contact devices 80, dielectric devices 74, and conductive housing 70 form a stacking connector that functions as a contained unit that can be connected to the holes of the circuit boards to connect corresponding traces of the boards.

[0012] As shown in Figure 3, the top pin portion 82 is of the compliant press fit type, which enables it to contract in diameter by much more than a solid piece. The particular compliant top pin portion 82 has a needle-like eye 92 that allows it to be securely press fitted into the corresponding pin-receiving hole 36 of the upper circuit board 12. The lower pin portion 84 is of substantially cylindrical shape, to be received in the socket 60 that is mounted on the lower circuit board 14. The socket 60 includes a metal tube 94 with an open upper end and closed lower end, which contains a spring terminal 96 that resiliently engages the lower pin portion 84. The socket tube 94 is press fitted into the plated-through pin-receiving hole 56 in the lower board (and may be soldered in place). It is possible to use a socket or a direct press fit for both the top and lower pin portions. The middle 90 of the contact device has a boss 100 of slightly larger diameter than that of the dielectric hole 76 so it can be press fitted therein. Similarly, the dielectric device 74 is press fitted into the hole 72 in the housing 70.

[0013] The stacking connector 20 is sold as a unit to a customer who also buys (or himself constructs) circuit boards and must connect them. Firms that construct circuit boards generally have equipment for drilling large numbers of small round holes in the board and for plating such holes. However, such firms generally do not have equipment required to economically manufacture connectors with large numbers of contacts. The manufacturer of the stacking connector 20 is likely to have equipment for machining or otherwise constructing the contact devices 80, and the dielectric devices 76, as well as for economically assembling large numbers of such devices, especially where they are very small. Thus, by using dielectric devices 76 which are fixed in place in the housing, and in which the contact devices 80 are fixed, applicant provides a connector ready for use by the customer who assembles circuit boards. It may be noted that the sockets 60 are also generally supplied by the connector manufacturer.

[0014] It would be possible to provide a conductive housing 70 with numerous holes in it, but without any dielectric device therein, and to merely project the contact devices 80 through such holes, with the contact devices held in place at their opposite pin portions 82, 84 in the boards. However, this would require the supply of a large number of such pins to the circuit board maker or user and the need for him to install such pins. Furthermore, without a dielectric device 80 in each housing hole, there is a danger that one of the pins will contact the walls of a housing hole 72 (or result in a small gap that allows breakdown at higher voltages that are encountered), or come so close to it as to result in a very low and unacceptable characteristic impedance. The fact that each contact 80 is surrounded by a dielectric device 76, assures that the middle portion of each contact will be uniformly spaced from the walls of the housing holes 72. If the accumulated tolerances are too large to permit installation of all contacts in all circuit board holes, then the circuit board manufacturer will readily observe this and will be able to correct the error, instead of shipping products with defects.

[0015] It is noted that while air has a dielectric constant of 1.0, the best suitable dielectrics have a dielectric constant of about 2.1. As a result, for a given characteristic impedance, which is commonly between about 35 and 50 ohms, the presence of a dielectric results in the need for a larger diameter housing hole 72, or a smaller diameter contact 80, to maintain the desired characteristic impedance. However, the advantages of the dielectric in holding the contact to the rest of the connector and in assuring that the connector cannot be installed with any of the contacts touching the conductive housing, overcomes such disadvantage.

[0016] Figure 5 illustrates another stacked circuit board arrangement 110 which includes three (or more) circuit boards 112 - 116 spaced apart by two pass-through assemblies or pass-throughs 120, 122. Each pass-through includes a conductive housing or housing member 123 which has housing member holes 124. A dielectric member 126 is fixed in each housing hole. A stacking connector 128 includes a pin holder 129 and a multiplicity of contact devices in the form of pin contacts 130 having lower portions 131 with barbs 133 fixed in the holder 129. Each pin contact 130 projects through the holes of both pass-throughs 120, 122, and lies loosely within the holes 132 of the dielectric members so it can readily slide through the hole. A socket contact element 134 is mounted in a plated pin-receiving hole 136 of each circuit board. Each circuit board has the type of construction shown in Figure 3. All socket contact 134 are open at their top and bottom ends, which is especially important for the middle socket contact elements 134 M because the pin contacts 130 must extend through them to reach all circuit boards.

[0017] The arrangement of Figure 5 has the advantage of simplicity in conception for connecting a plurality of circuit boards, in that each pin contact 130 is of simple pin design, except at its bottom that mounts in the pin holder 129. The pin holder 129 with multiple pin contacts 130 fixed thereon constitutes a stacking connector 128 that can be handled as a unit. Each pass-through 120, 122 with the dielectric members 126 press fitted therein, is handled separately from the stacking connector 138. It is noted that each dielectric member 126 has a height which is much less than the height of the hole 124 in the housing 120. This allows the end portion such as 139 of the socket contact element 134 to project into the housing hole to lie adjacent to the dielectric member to avoid electric end effects.

[0018] Figure 5A illustrates another stacked circuit board arrangement 140 which is largely similar to that of Figure 5. However, in Figure 5A, a pin holder 141 lies between two circuit boards 114, 142. Pin contacts or pins 143 fixed to the holder, have end portions 144, 145 that extend both upwardly and downwardly from the pin middle 146. The middle 146 of the pin contact is fixed by a boss 148 in a dielectric device or member 147 that is, in turn, fixed in the pin holder 141. The pin holder 141 forms an electrically conductive housing that lies between the two circuit boards 114, 142. A stacking connector 149 is formed by the combination of the conductive housing 141, dielectric members 147 fixed in the housing, and pin contacts 143 fixed in the dielectric members. The connector 149 is a single unit that does not have to be assembled by the circuit board user. The pass-through 120, 122, and socket contacts 134 are of the same construction as in Figure 5.

[0019] Figures 6 - 11 illustrate another stacked circuit board arrangement 150, which has the advantage of enabling the connector manufacturer to supply the entire connector for simple plug-in into plated-through holes of circuit boards, and yet which enables the circuit boards to be disconnected from each other. The arrangement includes a stacking connector 152 having upper and lower sections 154, 156 that can be mated and unmated from each other. The upper section 154 is designed to be permanently attached to a first or upper circuit board 160, while the lower section 156 is designed to be permanently attached to a second or lower circuit board 162. As also shown in Figure 11, the connector includes a housing 164 having upper and lower housing parts 166, 168. The holes 170 in the housing are formed by housing hole parts or apertures 172, 174 which are aligned with each other when the housing parts are mated. Each dielectric device 190 includes upper and lower dielectric parts or dielectrics 192, 194 respectively fixed in a corresponding housing aperture 172, 174. Each contact device 180 includes upper and lower contact parts or contacts 182, 184 lying respectively in the upper and lower dielectrics.

[0020] The upper contacts 182 has a top pin end 200 which projects from the upper face 202 of the upper housing part 166 into a pin-receiving plated hole 204 in the upper circuit board 160. The upper contact also has a downwardly-projecting pin end 206 which projects downwardly below the lower face 210 of the upper housing part. The lower contact 184 has a bottom pin end 212 which projects below the lower face 214 of the lower housing part, into a plated pin-receiving hole 216 in the lower circuit board 162. The lower contact part has an upper portion 220 which forms a socket with a spring insert for receiving the pin end 206 of the upper contact when the upper and lower sections 154, 156 are mated.

[0021] It is noted that the socket 220 has a larger outer diameter than the lower contact middle 222 which is fixed in the lower dielectric 194, Also, that there is air instead of dielectric material in the space 224 between the socket and walls of the lower aperture 174. The presence of air, which has a dielectric constant of 1.0, compensates for the larger diameter of the socket 220, to maintain a constant characteristic impedance along the length of the contact device in housing apertures of constant diameters. The manufacturer of the stacking connector

[0022] constructs the upper and lower sections 154, 156 as separate subunits. The upper dielectric 192 is fixed in a corresponding aperture 172, as by press fit or adhesive, and preferably includes a bass portion 230 that merges with other dielectrics in other holes. The upper contact 182 is installed in the upper dielectric 192 by press fit, with the upper contact having a pair of barbs 232, 234 to securely hold it in place. In a similar manner, the lower dielectric 194 is permanently installed in the lower housing part, and the lower contact 184 is permanently installed in the dielectric 194, using barbs 240, 242 to anchor the middle of lower contact in place.

[0023] When the circuit board maker wishes to assemble circuit boards, he first joins the upper section 154 to the upper circuit board 160, by inserting the top pin ends 200 into the pin-receiving holes 204 of the upper circuit board. The upper contacts can be fixed to the circuit board as by wave soldering, to provide solder joints 244. In a similar manner, the lower section 156 is joined to the lower circuit board 162, with the connection made permanent by solder joints shown at 246. When it is desired to connect the upper and lower circuit boards, this is accomplished by mating the upper and lower sections, so the downwardly - projecting pin ends 206 of the upper contacts are received in the sockets 202 of the lower contacts. The circuit boards can be disconnected, as to replace a defective one, by merely separating the upper and lower sections.

[0024] Each of the circuit boards in Figure 11 is similar to that of Figure 3. For example, the upper circuit board 160 includes three layers 252, 254,and 256, with a ground plane 260, 262 on the outer surfaces of the upper and lower layers, and with signal-carrying traces 264 lying on the middle layer and connected to the plated-through hole 206 of the circuit board.

[0025] Referring to Figure 8, it can be seen that the upper section 154 is joined to the upper circuit board 160 by an upper screw 270, while the lower section 156 is joined to the lower board 162 by a lower screw 272. After the screws are installed, the soldering operations can be performed. When the upper and lower sections are mated, a coupling screw 274 is used to hold the section securely mated.

[0026] When the upper and lower housing parts 166, 168 (Figure 6) are mated, blades or fingers (as seen in an end view) 280, 282 on the upper housing 166 are received in recesses 284, 286 in the lower housing part 168. The fingers serve to provide grounding connection between the housing parts. As shown in Figure 10, such grounding connection is enhanced by providing a grounding protuberance 290 in the recess 284 of the lower housing part 168, which the bottom of the finger must ride over as full mating approaches. The riding action results in a wiping action and additional pressure as the upper and lower sections become fully mated. The blades or fingers 280, 282 also serve to protect the pin ends 208 of the upper contact parts, by extending down at least as far as the pin ends.

[0027] Figure 12 is a sectional view of another stacked circuit board arrangement 300, which uses sections similar to that of Figure 11. However, the arrangement 300 includes four circuit boards 301 - 304. The lower contacts 184A of two sections 156A have long lower ends 212A that project completely through apertures in corresponding upper housing parts 154A that lie below them. The uppermost section 154 has a short upstanding contact 182, while the lowermost section 156 has a short depending contact 184.

[0028] It should be noted that terms such as "upper", "lower" and the like are used herein solely to aid in understanding the invention as illustrated, and that the circuit boards and connectors can be used in any orientation with respect to gravity.

[0029] Thus, the invention provides a stacked circuit board arrangement and a stacking connector thereof, which provides coaxial connections between stacked circuit boards in a reliable and moderate cost arrangement, especially where large numbers of closely spaced connections are required. The stacking connector which lies between a pair of circuit boards, includes an electrically conductive housing, which may be of solid metal or of metal-plated material such as plastic. The housing has a plurality of holes and a dielectric device is fixed in each of the housing holes. A contact device lies in each dielectric device and has pin portions projecting upwardly and downwardly from the housing. In most embodiments of the invention, the contact device is fixed in place in the dielectric, so the connector (or each of two sections of it) can be supplied as one or two units ready for plugging into plated holes of a circuit board. In one arrangement, the stacking connector includes two sections, each having apertures with dielectrics therein, and with a contact in the dielectric. Each connector section can be permanently connected to a circuit board, as by soldering thereto. However, the connector sections can be detachably mated to each other, to thereby connect two circuit boards in multiple coaxial connections.

Claims

1. A stacked circuit board arrangement (10,110;140;150;300) which includes a plurality of circuit boards (12,14;112 to 116; 114,142;301 to 304) lying one above another, wherein first and second of said circuit boards each includes a ground plane (26,28;260,262) and each includes a plurality of conductive traces (32,34; 264) that each can carry high frequency signals, and wherein each of said first and second circuit boards has a plurality of pin-receiving holes (36;132) each having conductive walls (40) connected to one of said traces characterised by at least one stacking connector (16,18,20;128;149;152) which lies between said first and second circuit boards, said stacking connector including an electrically conductive housing (70;123;141;164) which is connected to said ground planes of said first and second boards, said housing having a plurality of housing holes (72;124;170) arranged so they can be aligned with said pin-receiving holes of said circuit boards, a dielectric device (74;126;147;190) fixed in each of said housing holes with each dielectric device having a dielectric hole (76;132) , and a contact device (80;134) lying in each of said dielectric device holes, with each contact device having top and bottom pin portions (82,84) projecting respectively upwardly and downwardly from said connector housing, each of said contact devices being fixed in one of said dielectric devices so the combination of said housing, dielectric devices, and contact devices can be inserted into said pin-receiving holes (36; 132) of said first and second circuit boards (12,14;112 to 116;114,142;301 to 304) to coaxially connect said traces (32,34;264) of said first and second circuit boards.

2. A stacked circuit board arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said housing of said stacking connector includes upper and lower housing parts (166, 168) that can be mated and unmated from each other, each housing part having a plurality of apertures aligned with apertures (172,174) of the other housing part with pairs of said apertures forming said housing holes; each of said dielectric devices includes upper and lower dielectrics (192,194) mounted respectively in said apertures of said upper and lower housing parts; each of said contact devices includes upper and lower contacts (182,184) lying respectively in said upper and lower dielectrics, each said upper contact (182) having an upwardly projecting pin end (200) projecting into one of said pin-receiving holes (204) of said first board and having a downwardly-projecting pin end; each of said lower contacts (184) has an upper end (212) forming a socket which mates with said downwardly-projecting end of a corresponding upper contact when said housing parts mate, and each of said lower contacts have a downwardly projecting pin end projecting into one of said pin-receiving holes of said second board, whereby with said upper and lower housing parts and corresponding contacts mounted respectively on said first and second circuit boards, traces on said boards can be connected and disconnected by respectively mating and unmating said housing parts.

3. A stacked circuit board arrangement according to claim 2, wherein each of said lower contacts includes a middle (222) which is substantially pin-shaped and forms substantially an extension of said downwardly projecting pin end, said socket (220) being of larger outer diameter than said middle; each of said lower dielectrics surrounds said middle of one of said lower contacts but not said socket, with air lying between said socket and the walls of the corresponding aperture, whereby to maintain a substantially constant characteristic impedance.

4. A stacked circuit board arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said downwardly-projecting pin ends of said upper contacts, project downwardly beyond a corresponding housing aperture; said upper housing part has a pair of opposite sides with a downwardly projecting plate portion at each of said sides, and said lower housing part has a pair of opposite sides with walls forming a pair of recesses that are each adapted to receive one of said plate portions, with each of said plate portions having a lower end lying below the lower ends of said downwardly-projecting pin ends of said upper contacts.

5. A stacked circuit board arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a first of said housing parts has a pair of opposite sides with a grounding finger (280,282) at each side projecting toward the other housing part, and a second of said housing parts has a pair of opposite sides with walls forming a pair of recesses (284, 286) that is each adapted to receive one of said fingers, with each of said walls forming one of said recesses, having a sidewardly projecting grounding protuberance over which one of said fingers rides as said housing parts become fully mated.

6. A stacked circuit board arrangement according to claim 1, including a third circuit board which is of similar construction to said first and second circuit boards, lying above said first and second circuit boards, with said first board lying between said third and second boards; a pass-through lying between said third and first boards, said pass-through having a conductive housing member with a plurality of holes, and having a dielectric member fixed in each of said holes of said housing member with each dielectric member having a dielectric member hole; said top pin portions each projects through corresponding hole in said first circuit board, in said dielectric member of said pass-through, and in said third circuit board.

7. A stacking connector for connecting traces of first and second circuit boards that lie in parallel planes, where each of said boards includes a ground plane, a plurality of conductive traces that each can carry high frequency signals, and a plurality of pin-receiving holes with conductive walls that are each connected one of said traces, comprising first and second electrically conductive housing parts having mating ends that can be brought substantially together and that can be separated, each housing part having apertures that are aligned with apertures of the other housing part when said housing parts are together, said housing parts each having a board-engaging housing end opposite its mating end, with said board-engaging housing ends of said first and second housing parts designed to lie substantially against said first and second boards; first and second dielectrics lying in said apertures respectively of said first housing part and of said second housing part; a plurality of first contacts, each having a middle lying in one of said first dielectrics in said first housing part, and each having opposite pin ends projecting respectively from said board-engaging housing end and from said mating end of said first housing part, with said pin ends that project from said board-engaging housing end designed to project into one of said pin-receiving holes of said first board and electrically connect to the conductive walls thereof; a plurality of second contacts each mounted in one of said second dielectrics in said second housing part, each second contact having a socket end which can receive one of said pin ends of a first contact, and each second contact having a pin end that projects from said board engaging housing end and which is designed to project into one of said pin-receiving holes of said second board and electrically connect to the conductive walls thereof.

8. A stacking connector according to claim 7, wherein said downwardly-projecting pin ends of said upper contacts, project downwardly beyond a corresponding aperture; said upper housing part has a pair of opposite sides with a downwardly projecting plate portion at each of said sides, and said lower housing part has a pair of opposite sides with walls forming a pair of recesses that is each adapted to receive one of said plate portions, with each of said plate portions having a lower end lying below the extreme lower ends of said downwardly projecting pin ends of said upper contacts.

9. A stacking connector according to claim 7, wherein a first of said housing parts has a pair of opposite sides with a grounding finger at each side projecting toward the other housing part, and a second of said housing parts has a pair of opposite sides with walls forming a pair of recesses that is each adapted to receive one of said fingers, with each of said walls that forms one of said recesses having a sidewardly projecting grounding protuberance over which one of said fingers rides as said housing parts become fully mated.

10. A stacked circuit board arrangement comprising first and second circuit boards lying in parallel planes with said second board below said first board, each of said boards including a ground plane, a plurality of conductive traces that each can carry high frequency signals and a plurality of pin-receiving holes that each have metal plated walls connected to one of said traces; an electrically conductive housing member lying between said upper and lower boards and having a plurality of housing holes each aligned with one of said pin-receiving holes on each of said boards; a plurality of dielectric devices each fixed in one of said housing member holes and having a dielectric device hole; a stacking connector lying below said second board, including a pin holder and a plurality of pin contact devices in said holder, each contact device having an upper pin end portion projecting upwardly from said pin housing through corresponding holes in said dielectric devices and through corresponding pin-receiving holes in said second and first boards and electrically connected to said plated walls of said pin-receiving holes of said first and second boards.

11. A stacked circuit board arrangement according to claim 10, wherein said pin holder of said stacking connector includes a plate-like conductive housing member having a plurality of housing member holes, and a plurality of dielectric members each fixed in one of said housing member holes, with each of said pin contact devices fixed in one of said dielectric members.

12. A stacked circuit board arrangement according to claim 11, including a third circuit board which is similar to said first and second circuit boards and which lies below said stacking connector, said third board having pin-receiving holes, each of said pin contact devices has a lower pin end portion projecting downwardly from said stacking connector into said pin-receiving holes of said third circuit board.

13. A stacked circuit board arrangement according to claim 10, including a plurality of socket contact elements mounted in said pin-receiving holes of said first and second circuit boards and connected to said plated walls of said pin-receiving holes, each of said socket contact elements having an end portion projecting into an end of one of said housing holes and having an extreme end, each of said dielectric devices having upper and lower surface lying adjacent respectively to an extreme end of a different one of said socket contact extreme ends.

14. A stacking connector according to claim 10, wherein, said pin holder of said stacking connector includes a plate-like housing of dielectric material, with each of said pin contact devices having a lower end fixed in said dielectric material.

15. A method for connecting conductive traces of first and second circuit boards that lie in parallel planes, and that each has a ground plane and a plurality of said conductive traces that each can carry high frequency signals, wherein each of said circuit boards has a plurality of pin-receiving board holes with conductive hole walls connected to one of said traces, characterised by forming an electrically conductive stacking connector housing with first and second opposite faces and with a plurality of housing holes extending between said faces and mounting a plurality of dielectric devices one in each of said housing holes, with each dielectric device having a hole; mounting a plurality of contact devices that each has a middle and opposite pin portions in said housing holes, with each contact device middle fixed to one of said dielectric devices and projecting through the hole therein, and with said pin portions projecting from said opposite housing faces; inserting the contact pin portions projecting from said first housing face through said first board holes to electrically connect to said traces on said first board, and inserting the contact pin portions projecting from said second housing face through said second board holes to electrically connect to said traces on said second board.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said step of forming said connector housing includes forming upper and lower separate electrically conductive housing parts that can be mated and unmated from each other, and that have apertures that form portions of said housing holes and that are aligned when said housing parts are mated; said step of mounting a plurality of dielectric devices includes mounting an upper dielectric in each of said apertures of said upper housing part, and mounting a lower dielectric in each of said apertures of said lower housing part; said step of mounting a plurality of contact devices includes fixing upper and lower contacts respectively in said dielectrics of said upper and lower housing parts, with said upper contacts forming said pin portions that project upwardly from said upper housing part and with said lower contacts forming said pin portions that project downwardly from said lower housing part, including constructing said contacts so said upper contacts have depending pin ends projecting downwardly from said upper housing part and said lower contacts have upper ends forming sockets that can mate with said depending pin ends; said step of inserting includes permanently fixing said upper housing part adjacent to a lower face of said first circuit board, and permanently fixing said lower housing part adjacent to an upper face of said second circuit board, including soldering each pin portion to the walls of a corresponding board hole; and including with said upper and lower housing parts respectively permanently fixed to said first and second boards, temporarily mating said housing parts including inserting each of said depending pin ends into a corresponding one of said sockets.

Drawing