Patent US3648221A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3648221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multilayer programmable wiring board
Assignee: FCI USA LLC
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Filing: 1970-03-12
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1990-03-12
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly includes an arcuate conductive spring element mounted to a body, and a rotary cam mounted to the body for expanding the effective curvature of the spring until it engages the surfaces of adjacent intersecting printed circuit boards. The spring forms a separable electrical connecting tab between a conductor on one board and a conductor on the other. Means on the body are provided for supporting circuit boards or similar conductors in proper position relative to one or more spring elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Peter Tillmann
- 👤 Erik Lerchs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:52
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/82; H01R12/85; H01R12/88; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An electrical connector, operable to establish an electrical path between conductor surfaces positioned in adjacent intersecting planes, comprising: a substantially arcuate contact element of flexible spring material having a given radius of curvature when in the unflexed state; a housing having a slot containing said contact element with locating means to locate a pair of conductor surfaces in adjacent intersecting planes which are in substantially fixed relationship to said slot; and cam means including a rotary shaft with eccentric radial projections, coupled to said housing, operable to increase the radius of curvature of said arcuate contact element by flexing, for urging said contact element toward engagement with conductor surfaces located in said adjacent intersecting planes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An electrical connector, operable to establish an electrical path between conductor surfaces positioned in adjacent intersecting planes, comprising: a substantially arcuate contact element of flexible spring material having a given radius of curvature when in the unflexed state; a housing having a slot containing said contact element with locating means to locate a pair of conductor surfaces in adjacent intersecting planes which are in substantially fixed relationship to said slot; and cam means including a rotary shaft with eccentric radial projections, coupled to said housing, operable to increase the radius of curvature of said arcuate contact element by flexing, for urging said contact element toward engagement with conductor surfaces located in said adjacent intersecting planes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing includes a journal opening into which said cam means is inserted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electrical connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein said contact element includes a substantially fixed end portion secured to said housing, and a free end portion extending in an arc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrical connector in accordance with claim 3, wherein said housing includes a detent shoulder within said slot, positioned to engage and retain the said free end of said contact element in a flexed position following operation of said cam means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrical connector in accordance with claim 4, wherein said housing further includes a release channel adjacent to said detent shoulder, through which manual force is applied to disengage said free end of said contact element from said detent shoulder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
An electrical connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said housing includes a plurality of slots in parallel, side-by-side, spaced-apart relationship; a plurality of arcuate contact elements of flexible spring material are provided, one in each slot; said cam means comprises a rotatable shaft having a plurality of eccentric radial projections disposed in axially spaced-apart relationship; and, said journal opening extends into said housing through said slots, with said rotatable shaft inserted to position said eccentric radial projections within said slots for engagement with said contact elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electrical connector in accordance with claim 6, wherein: each contact element includes a substantially fixed end portion secured to said housing and a free end portion extending in an arc; said housing further includes a plurality of detent shoulders, one in each slot, to engage and retain the said free end of each contact element in a flexed position following operation of said cam means; and, said housing still further includes a release channel extending into said housing through said slots adjacent to said detent shoulders, through which manual force is applied to disengage the said free ends of said contact elements from said detent shoulders.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An electrical connector in accordance with claim 7, further including an elongate release key element laterally insertable into said release channel and having an inclined camming surface at one end thereof for applying transverse release forces to the said free ends of said contact elements upoN insertion into said release channel.
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) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |