Patent GB596152A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3665370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zero-insertion force connector
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-08
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1991-02-08
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to a cam actuated ceramic substrate edge connector or the like. The connector has a cavity in one wall for receiving the substrate edge. Located on either side of the inserted substrate edge within the cavity are rocker member actuated electrically conductive leaf spring contacts movable from a first position offering zero-insertion force of the substrate edge to a second position of electrical engagement with circuitry located on opposite substrate surfaces. An elongated cam member pivots from a first position to a second position to actuate the rocker members.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Wilhelm Hartmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/82; H01R12/85; H01R12/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
342 words
A zero-insertion force connector for receiving a printed circuit board or ceramic substrate edge or the like and making electrical contact with electronic circuitry thereon, said connector comprising an elongated housing of generally rectangular box-like configuration including top, bottom, side and end walls, said housing having a cavity communicating with said top wall, said bottom wall including dielectric material and having a plurality of contact members arranged in a first longitudinal row and extending generally normally therethrough and each including a terminal portion extending exteriorly of said wall and a leaf spring contact portion extending interiorly into said cavity generally toward said top wall and including a contact surface, a first elongated comb-like rocker member extending the length of said first longitudinal row of contact members and having an elongated cylindrical surface located on a first side and extending the length thereof, said cylindrical surface being in pivotal engagement with one of said sidewalls, the tooth portions of said comb-like rocker member being located below said cylindrical surface with each tooth extending generally toward said bottom wall and between and separating adjacent contact members, the upper portion of said rocker member having an elongated notch located on a second side opposite to said first side and generally parallel with said cylindrical surface, said notch receiving the free ends of said leaf spring contact portions, an elongated cam member extending the length of said cavity from end wall to end wall and being parallel with said first row of contact members, said cam member having elongated raised surfaces on opposite sides thereof, said cam member being rotatable from a first position wherein said raised surfaces are out of contact with said tooth portions to a second position wherein said raised surfaces are in contact with said tooth portions and cause said rocker member to pivot about said cylindrical surface and move said leaf spring contact portions into electrical engagement with respective circuitry on a circuit board or ceramic substrate inserted into said cavity while said cam member was in the said first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
342 words
A zero-insertion force connector for receiving a printed circuit board or ceramic substrate edge or the like and making electrical contact with electronic circuitry thereon, said connector comprising an elongated housing of generally rectangular box-like configuration including top, bottom, side and end walls, said housing having a cavity communicating with said top wall, said bottom wall including dielectric material and having a plurality of contact members arranged in a first longitudinal row and extending generally normally therethrough and each including a terminal portion extending exteriorly of said wall and a leaf spring contact portion extending interiorly into said cavity generally toward said top wall and including a contact surface, a first elongated comb-like rocker member extending the length of said first longitudinal row of contact members and having an elongated cylindrical surface located on a first side and extending the length thereof, said cylindrical surface being in pivotal engagement with one of said sidewalls, the tooth portions of said comb-like rocker member being located below said cylindrical surface with each tooth extending generally toward said bottom wall and between and separating adjacent contact members, the upper portion of said rocker member having an elongated notch located on a second side opposite to said first side and generally parallel with said cylindrical surface, said notch receiving the free ends of said leaf spring contact portions, an elongated cam member extending the length of said cavity from end wall to end wall and being parallel with said first row of contact members, said cam member having elongated raised surfaces on opposite sides thereof, said cam member being rotatable from a first position wherein said raised surfaces are out of contact with said tooth portions to a second position wherein said raised surfaces are in contact with said tooth portions and cause said rocker member to pivot about said cylindrical surface and move said leaf spring contact portions into electrical engagement with respective circuitry on a circuit board or ceramic substrate inserted into said cavity while said cam member was in the said first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
245 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein a second longitudinal row of contact members are arranged in the bottom wall in parallel, spaced, mirror-image fashion to said first longitudinal row, a second elongated comb-like rocker member extending the length of said second longitudinal row of contact members and having an elongated cylindrical surface located on a first side and extending the length thereof and being in pivotal engagement with the other of said sidewalls, tooth portions of said second comb-like rocker member being located below said second mentioned cylindrical surface with each tooth extending generally toward said bottom wall and between and separating adjacent contact members, the upper portion of said second rocker member having an elongated notch located on a second side opposite said first side and generally parallel with said second mentioned cylindrical surface, said notch receiving the free ends of leaf spring contact portions of said second row of contact members, said tooth portions of said second rocker member being in operative engagement with said cam member in the same manner but on the opposite side thereof as said tooth portions of said first rocker member, said second rocker member being pivoted about said second mentioned cylindrical surface as said cam member is rotated from said first position to said second position with said leaf spring contact portions of said second row of contact members being urged toward said leaf spring contact portions of said first row of contact members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
266 words
A zero-insertion force connector for receiving a circuit board insertable along a plane of insertion, said connector comprising a housing having a top, bottom, side and end walls with said side walls being parallel to and spaced equidistant on opposite sides of said plane, a plurality of electrically conductive contact members extending through said bottom wall in each of two rows parallel to and spaced on opposite sides of said plane with leaf spring contact portions extending toward said plane with the free ends thereof extending away from said plane, said bottom wall including dielectric material electrically insulating each contact from the rest and from the housing, upstanding support means located equidistantly on opposite sides of said plane, each said support means pivotally supporting a rocker member on each side of and equidistantly from said plane, each rocker member includes a generally upstanding portion in abutting engagement with said free ends and including downwardly extending means in engagement with rotatable cam member, the axis of rotation of said cam member lying in said plane, said cam member being rotatable from said rocker members being pivotal from, and said leaf spring contact portions being movable from a first position wherein said contact portions in one row are spaced a greater distance apart from those in the second row than the thickness of a circuit board inserted in between said two rows to a second position wherein said cam member pivots said rocker member to a second position thereby moving said contact portions to a second position of electrical engagement with electrical circuitry or said inserted circuit board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
266 words
A zero-insertion force connector for receiving a circuit board insertable along a plane of insertion, said connector comprising a housing having a top, bottom, side and end walls with said side walls being parallel to and spaced equidistant on opposite sides of said plane, a plurality of electrically conductive contact members extending through said bottom wall in each of two rows parallel to and spaced on opposite sides of said plane with leaf spring contact portions extending toward said plane with the free ends thereof extending away from said plane, said bottom wall including dielectric material electrically insulating each contact from the rest and from the housing, upstanding support means located equidistantly on opposite sides of said plane, each said support means pivotally supporting a rocker member on each side of and equidistantly from said plane, each rocker member includes a generally upstanding portion in abutting engagement with said free ends and including downwardly extending means in engagement with rotatable cam member, the axis of rotation of said cam member lying in said plane, said cam member being rotatable from said rocker members being pivotal from, and said leaf spring contact portions being movable from a first position wherein said contact portions in one row are spaced a greater distance apart from those in the second row than the thickness of a circuit board inserted in between said two rows to a second position wherein said cam member pivots said rocker member to a second position thereby moving said contact portions to a second position of electrical engagement with electrical circuitry or said inserted circuit board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cam member has means at one end thereof to aid in effecting rotation of said cam member, and stop means at the other end thereof for limiting rotation of said cam member to an arc of approximately 90*.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |