Connector for flexible circuitry

Claim 2

Apparatus for connecting an element of flexible circuitry to a circuit medium having like spacing between conductive lands, comprising: a unitary clamping bar with plural chambers, a spring with plural contact fingers adapted to mount in each said chamber, each said spring finger protruding a predetermined distance beyond the floor of said clamping bar, the flexible circuit insulation being stripped back on one side to expose the lands, saId spring fingers contacting said flexible circuit from the insulated side, means for affixing said clamping bar to said terminal board, thereby to bias said spring fingers and force together the flexible circuit lands and those on said terminal board, said clamping bar including alignment notches, and said flexible circuit including cutout end portions for engagement with said alignment notches.

Claim 3

Apparatus for connecting an element of flexible circuitry to a circuit medium having like spacing between conductive lands, comprising: clamping means having one or more chambers each defined by a roof, two side members, a rear and an at least partially open front for receiving said element and said medium edgewise in mating, land-contacting relation, compression means mounted in said chamber and extending across said open front and comprising first and second unitary springs each having plural spring contact arms for pressing against the insulated side of respective said lands of said flexible circuit element, each said chamber comprising ribs for locating the respective said springs, support means comprising an underlying substrate for laterally rigidifying said flexible circuit element and said medium, and a single fastening means for securing said clamping means to said support means comprising a threaded fastener centrally connecting said clamping means to said substrate.

Claim 4

Apparatus for connecting an element of flexible circuitry to a circuit medium having like spacing between conductive lands, comprising: clamping means having one or more chambers each defined by a roof, two side members, a rear and an at least partially open front for receiving said element and said medium edgewise in mating, land-contacting relation, compression means mounted in said chamber and extending across said open front and comprising first and second unitary springs each having plural spring contact arms for pressing against the insulated side of respective said lands of said flexible circuit element, each said chamber comprising ribs for locating the respective said springs, support means comprising an underlying substrate for laterally rigidifying said flexible circuit element and said medium, and a single fastening means for securing said clamping means to said support means comprising a threaded fastener centrally connecting said clamping means to said substrate.

Claim 5

Apparatus pursuant to claim 2, wherein said printed circuitry element further comprises a registration slot in its forward end for engaging said fastener.

Claim 6

Apparatus for connecting an element of flexible circuitry to a circuit medium having like spacing between conductive lands, comprising: clamping means having one or more chambers each defined by a roof including an elongated roof slot, two side members, a rear, and an at least partially open front for receiving said element and said medium edgewise in mating, land-contacting relation, compression means mounted in said chamber and extending across said open front for pressing upon the insulated side of said flexible circuitry, support means for laterally rigidifying said flexible circuit element and said medium, a single fastening means for securing said clamping means to said support means, and said support means and said fastening means comprising an elongated U-shaped spring fastener with upper and lower bearing surfaces, said upper surface engaging said roof slot and said lower surface rigidly supporting the underside of said circuit medium.

Claim 7

Apparatus for connecting an element of flexible circuitry to a circuit medium having like spacing between conductive lands, comprising: clamping means having one or more chambers each defined by a roof including an elongated roof slot, two side members, a rear, and an at least partially open front for receiving said element and said medium edgewise in mating, land-contacting relation, compression means mounted in said chamber and extending across said open front for pressing upon the insulated side of said flexible circuitry, support means for laterally rigidifying said flexible circuit element and said medium, a single fastening means for securing said clamping means to said support means, and said support means and said fastening means comprising an elongated U-shaped spring fastener with upper and lower bearing surfaces, said upper surface engaging said roof slot and said lower surface rigidly supporting the underside of said circuit medium.

Claim 8

Apparatus for connecting an element of flexible circuitry to a circuit medium having like spacing between conductive lands, comprising: clamping means having one or more chambers each defined by a roof, two side members, a rear, and at least partially open front for receiving said element and said medium edgewise in mating, land-contacting relation, compression means comprising a rubber pad mounted in, and substantially completely occupying, each said chamber, each said pad backed by an outwardly bowing leaf spring, the contacting face of each said pad being relatively flat for pressing against a substantial lengthwise portion of the insulated side of the respective said lands of said flexible circuit element, support means for laterally rigidifying said flexible circuit element and said medium, and a single fastening means for securing said clamping means to said support means.

Claim 9

Apparatus for connecting an element of flexible circuitry to a circuit medium having like spacing between conductive lands, comprising: clamping means having one or more chambers each defined by a roof, two side members, a rear, and at least partially open front for receiving said element and said medium edgewise in mating, land-contacting relation, compression means comprising a rubber pad mounted in, and substantially completely occupying, each said chamber, each said pad backed by an outwardly bowing leaf spring, the contacting face of each said pad being relatively flat for pressing against a substantial lengthwise portion of the insulated side of the respective said lands of said flexible circuit element, support means for laterally rigidifying said flexible circuit element and said medium, and a single fastening means for securing said clamping means to said support means.