US4227767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector for printed circuit boards
Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
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Filing: 1979-08-21
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Granted: 1980-10-14
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Expires: 1999-08-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved electrical connector including dual contacts comprising an insulating support, an arcuately stressed spring having each end confined within the support, and a flexible printed circuit stretched over the spring is provided. The contact function is accomplished by the flexible circuit. The spring is adapted to deflect and resiliently flex at its midpoint during engagement with a mating contact at which time the spring surfaces on both sides of their midpoints resiliently press the flexible circuit against the mating contact. The resilient flexure of the spring provides redundant pressure points between the flexible printed circuit and the mating contact and eliminates the need for a spring having both the sufficient resilience and the necessary conductive properties.
Inventors
- 👤 Bob Mouissie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/721
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An electrical connector for a mating contact comprising a dielectric housing having a slot extending along the length thereof, at least one pair of opposed pairs of springs confined in said housing and flexible printed circuits covering said springs, said springs being restrained in an arcuately stressed condition and thereby being adapted to deflect and resiliently flex at their midpoints during insertion of a mating contact into said slot causing each spring to form a dual crested shape and thereby provide redundant pressure points between said flexible printed circuit and the mating contact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An electrical connector for a mating contact comprising a dielectric housing having a slot extending along the length thereof, at least one pair of opposed pairs of springs confined in said housing and flexible printed circuits covering said springs, said springs being restrained in an arcuately stressed condition and thereby being adapted to deflect and resiliently flex at their midpoints during insertion of a mating contact into said slot causing each spring to form a dual crested shape and thereby provide redundant pressure points between said flexible printed circuit and the mating contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said dielectric housing comprises two substantially indentical blocks each having thickened vertical ends defining said slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 adapted for insertion of a mating contact which is a printed circuit board having contact strips on both sides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said flexible printed circuit is a polyester film having parallel conducting strips on its surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 further comprising pins inserted in said dielectric housing through said conducting strips and soldered thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said springs have rectangular or elliptical cross sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrical connector of claim 6 wherein said springs are connecting cross parts between continuous side strips, said side strips being confined in the dielectric housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electrical connector for a printed circuit board comprising a dielectric housing in two halves, the housing having thickened vertical ends defining a slot space extending along the length of the connector, foremost and hindmost supporting ledges and a cross section having a profile adapted to accommodate springs as they reform during insertion of said circuit board; a plurality of opposed pairs of springs arcuately stressed between said supporting ledges, wherein the springs are connecting cross parts between continuing side strips and adapted to deflect and resiliently flex at their midpoints into a dual crested shape during insertion of said circuit board; and a flexible printed circuit covering said springs in each housing half, said printed circuit being a polyester or polyimide film having parallel conducting strips on its surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electrical connector for a printed circuit board comprising a dielectric housing in two halves, the housing having thickened vertical ends defining a slot space extending along the length of the connector, foremost and hindmost supporting ledges and a cross section having a profile adapted to accommodate springs as they reform during insertion of said circuit board; a plurality of opposed pairs of springs arcuately stressed between said supporting ledges, wherein the springs are connecting cross parts between continuing side strips and adapted to deflect and resiliently flex at their midpoints into a dual crested shape during insertion of said circuit board; and a flexible printed circuit covering said springs in each housing half, said printed circuit being a polyester or polyimide film having parallel conducting strips on its surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical connector of claim 8 further comprising pins inserted in said dielectric housing through said conducting strips and soldered thereto and insulating cover plates mounted on the outer faces of said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-14 | 1984-04-14 | 1984-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-14 | 1988-04-14 | 1988-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-14 | 1992-04-14 | 1992-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |