US3670288A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torsion contact zero-insertion force connector
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-16
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1991-02-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a connector for receiving the edge of a printed circuit board, ceramic substrate or other circuit boards of the like. The connector contains a plurality of pre-twisted contacts that are untwisted for zero-force insertion of a circuit board after which they are released to return toward their original position making electrical contact with such board.
Inventors
- 👤 William Robert Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/82; H01R12/85; H01R12/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A connector for receiving a printed circuit board, ceramic substrate, or the like comprising an elongated box-like structure, a plurality of elongated contacts communicating between a top wall and a bottom wall of said connector, said contacts having their elongated dimension generally aligned along a first longitudinal plane, each said contact being twisted about its elongated dimension, a portion of each contact intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof being generally parallel with a first lateral plane generally normal to said first longitudinal plane, contact portions at said upper end of each said contact being parallel with a second lateral plane that is at an angle to said first lateral and first longitudinal planes, movable means engaging said contact near said upper end for imparting torsional movement to said upper end, and actuating means engaging said movable means whereby torsional movement can be imparted to said contact upper end to twist it to a position generally parallel with said first lateral plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A connector for receiving a printed circuit board, ceramic substrate, or the like comprising an elongated box-like structure, a plurality of elongated contacts communicating between a top wall and a bottom wall of said connector, said contacts having their elongated dimension generally aligned along a first longitudinal plane, each said contact being twisted about its elongated dimension, a portion of each contact intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof being generally parallel with a first lateral plane generally normal to said first longitudinal plane, contact portions at said upper end of each said contact being parallel with a second lateral plane that is at an angle to said first lateral and first longitudinal planes, movable means engaging said contact near said upper end for imparting torsional movement to said upper end, and actuating means engaging said movable means whereby torsional movement can be imparted to said contact upper end to twist it to a position generally parallel with said first lateral plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable means includes at least one elongated rack-type member having a plurality of slots in one side thereof, each slot receiving one of said contacts, said rack-type member being slidable in a path parallel to said first longitudinal plane and said first lateral plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein said contact portions each include plural contact faces, said faces of each contact engaging a single circuit on a circuit board or substrate received by said connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said contact portion has a blade-like configuration with opposite sides being contact faces for mating with a slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said contact portion has an offset two prong fork configuration with contact faces in parallel offset planes for mating with a blade.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said actuating means includes a gear member in toothed engagement with mating teeth on one end of said rack-type member, said gear member concentrically located on a shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A connector as set forth in claim 3 wherein said actuating means includes a first rectangular aperture in said connector housing and an underlapping and misaligned second rectangular aperture in said rack-type member, whereby insertion of a bevel-ended rectangular tool through said first aperture into said second aperture will move the second aperture into alignment with said first aperture thus moving said rack-type member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3553630A
Cited
US3526869A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |