High speed high density connector electronic signals

Claim 2

An electrical connector comprising: a) a flex circuit having a first set of contact pads at a first end, the contact pads being arranged along a line; b) a first support member having a first dimension parallel to the line of contact pads; c) a compressible member between the first support member and the first set of contact pads on the flex circuit, the compressible member extending along the first dimension of the first support member; d) a first structural member; e) a spring between the first structural member and the first support member; and f) a means for holding a printed circuit board and pivoting the printed circuit board into contact with the first set of contact pads on the flex circuit.

Claim 3

An electrical connector comprising: a) a structural member having a first side and a second side; b) a plurality of conductive traces, each trace including at least two contact pads, said conductive traces extending from the first side of the structural member to the second side of the structural member, with contact pads aligned with the first side and the second side; c) a first compressible member disposed between the contact pads aligned with the first side of the structural member; d) a second compressible member disposed between the contact pads aligned with the second side of the structural member; e) first spring means for biasing the first compressible member away from the structural member; f) second spring means for biasing the second compressible member away from the structural member; and g) a means for holding a printed circuit board and pivoting the printed circuit board into contact with the contact pads.

Claim 4

An electrical connector comprising: a) a structural member having a first side and a second side; b) a plurality of conductive traces, each trace including at least two contact pads, said conductive traces extending from the first side of the structural member to the second side of the structural member, with contact pads aligned with the first side and the second side; c) a first compressible member disposed between the contact pads aligned with the first side of the structural member; d) a second compressible member disposed between the contact pads aligned with the second side of the structural member; e) first spring means for biasing the first compressible member away from the structural member; f) second spring means for biasing the second compressible member away from the structural member; and g) a means for holding a printed circuit board and pivoting the printed circuit board into contact with the contact pads.

Claim 5

An assembly of printed circuit boards comprising: a) a first printed circuit board; b) a plurality of contact pads formed on the first printed circuit board; c) a second printed circuit board; d) a plurality of contact pads formed on the second printed circuit board; e) a flexible substrate; f) a plurality of conductive traces formed on the flexible substrate, each of the conductive traces making contact with a contact pad on the first printed circuit board and a contact pad on the second printed circuit board; g) a support member connected to the first printed circuit board; h) a first compliant member, positioned between the support member and the flexible substrate and aligned with the contact pads on the first printed circuit board; i) a second compliant member, positioned between the support member and the flexible substrate and aligned with the contact pads on the second printed circuit board: j) first means for generating a force on the first compliant member normal to the first printed circuit board; k) first means for generating a force on the second compliant member normal to the second printed circuit board; and l) means for holding the second printed circuit board and rotating the contact pads on the second board into contact with a portion of the contact pads on the plurality of conductive traces.

Claim 6

An assembly of printed circuit boards comprising: a) a first printed circuit board; b) a plurality of contact pads formed on the first printed circuit board; c) a second printed circuit board; d) a plurality of contact pads formed on the second printed circuit board; e) a flexible substrate; f) a plurality of conductive traces formed on the flexible substrate, each of the conductive traces making contact with a contact pad on the first printed circuit board and a contact pad on the second printed circuit board; g) a support member connected to the first printed circuit board; h) a first compliant member, positioned between the support member and the flexible substrate and aligned with the contact pads on the first printed circuit board; i) a second compliant member, positioned between the support member and the flexible substrate and aligned with the contact pads on the second printed circuit board: j) first means for generating a force on the first compliant member normal to the first printed circuit board; k) first means for generating a force on the second compliant member normal to the second printed circuit board; and l) means for holding the second printed circuit board and rotating the contact pads on the second board into contact with a portion of the contact pads on the plurality of conductive traces.

Claim 7

An electrical connector for routing signals between a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board, comprising: a) a support structure adapted to be mounted to the first printed circuit board; b) a flex circuit having a plurality of contact pads; c) a compressible member disposed between the support structure and the contact pads on the flex circuit; and d) a pivot member, having means for holding the second printed circuit board, pivotally mounted to the support structure.

Claim 8

An electrical connector for routing signals between a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board, comprising: a) a support structure adapted to be mounted to the first printed circuit board; b) a flex circuit having a plurality of contact pads; c) a compressible member disposed between the support structure and the contact pads on the flex circuit; and d) a pivot member, having means for holding the second printed circuit board, pivotally mounted to the support structure.

Claim 9

The electrical connector of claim 4 wherein the pivot member has a hole therein and additionally comprising a pin, attached to the support structure, aligned to enter the hole in the pivot member when the pivot member is pivoted into a first position.

Claim 10

The electrical connector of claim 4 wherein the compressible member comprises an elongated elastomer member.

Claim 11

The electrical connector of claim 6 wherein the elongated elastomer member is solid.

Claim 12

The electrical connector of claim 6 wherein the elongated elastomer member has a cavity therein.

Claim 13

The electrical connector of claim 6 wherein the cavity is fluid filled.

Claim 14

The electrical connector of claim 4 wherein the support structure has a side wall with a cavity formed therein, the cavity having a rounded wall, and the pivot member is mounted in the cavity.

Claim 15

The electrical connector of claim 10 wherein the support structure has a second side wall with a cavity formed therein and a second pivot member mounted in the second cavity, the first and second pivot members having opposing slots formed therein of sufficient width to receive a printed circuit board.

Claim 16

The electrical connector of claim 4 additionally comprising: a) a second plurality of contact pads on the flex circuit, b) a second flex circuit having a plurality of contact pads and a second plurality of contact pads thereon, and c) wherein the plurality of contact pads on the flex circuit and the second flex circuit are disposed in a linear arrays and the second plurality of contact pads on the flex circuit and the second flex circuit are disposed in the same plane.

Claim 17

The electrical connector of claim 12 wherein the pivot member pivots around an axis parallel with the axis of the linear array of contact pads on the flex circuit and the second flex circuit.

Claim 18

The electrical connector of claim 12 wherein the pivot axis of the pivot member is between the axis of the linear array of contact pads on the flex circuit and the axis of the linear array of contact pads on the second flex circuit.