Miniature electrical connector

Claim 1

An electrical connecting means for connecting conductors on a first substrate to conductors on a second substrate, said substrates being in parallel spaced-apart relationship to each other, said connecting means comprising: a generally cylindrical relatively elongated connector body of elastomeric material, said body being of a material of the class known as elastomers, an elastomer being characterized by the fact that it will stretch under a low stress to at least twice its length and will snap back to its original length on release of the stress, said connector body having an axially extending central core of non-yielding material extending therethrough, said elastomeric material being bonded to said core, a flexible circuit comprising a thin film of non-yieldable insulating material, said film having a width which is greater than the circumference of said connector body and having on one surface thereof a row of closely-spaced straight line conductors, said conductors having a uniform length, said uniform length being less than the width of said film whereby portions of said film on each side of said row are devoid of said conductors, said flexible circuit being wrapped around said connector body with said row of conductors facing away from said body whereby said body has on its surface parallel spaced-apart conductors which extend therearound, said marginal side portions having there surfaces against, and bonded to, each other.