Connector for multi-conductor tape cable

Claim 2

An electrical connector for connecting a first tape cable having a plurality of spaced electrical conductors to a similar second tape cable, the electrical connector comprising: a housing having a cavity and an axis; a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing cavity along said housing axis; a plurality of ring-shaped electrical conductors mounted on said rotatable shaft, said conductors electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship to each other as said conductors of said tape cable whereby said rings mounted on said rotatable shaft are rotatable; a first base having an axis and means for mounting said first tape cable transverse said first base axis; a second base having an axis and means for mounting said second tape cable transverse said second base axis; and means for mounting said first and second bases on said housing so that the axis of each of said bases is generally parallel to the axis of said housing and so that each of said conductors of said first cable is in contact with one of said ring conductors mounted on said shaft and each of said conductors of said second cable is in contact with one of said ring conductors whereby each of said conductors of said first cable is in electrical circuit relationship with one of the conductors of said second cable.

Claim 3

The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said cables to be connected is in the form of a flat insulating tape having a plurality of generally parallel spaced conductors therein, the respective conductors of each of the cables being bared at one end thereof.

Claim 4

An electrical connector for connecting a plurality of multi-conductor cables in predetermined circuit relationship, said connector comprising: a housing having a cavity therein and a plurality of openings each adapted to receive one of said multi-conductor cables; a plurality of ring-shaped electrical conductors; and means for rotatably mounting said ring-shaped electrical conductors in said housing cavity so that said conducting rings are electrically isolaTed from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship as the conductors of said cable, said rings mounted to be in communication with each of said openings in said housing so that when one of said cables is inserted into one of said housing openings, said cable has each of its conductors in contact with one of said conducting rings whereby when a plurality of cables are inserted into said housing openings each of said cables are connected in predetermined electrical circuit relationship.

Claim 5

An electrical connector for connecting a plurality of multi-conductor cables in predetermined circuit relationship, said connector comprising: a housing having a cavity therein and a plurality of openings each adapted to receive one of said multi-conductor cables; a plurality of ring-shaped electrical conductors; and means for rotatably mounting said ring-shaped electrical conductors in said housing cavity so that said conducting rings are electrically isolaTed from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship as the conductors of said cable, said rings mounted to be in communication with each of said openings in said housing so that when one of said cables is inserted into one of said housing openings, said cable has each of its conductors in contact with one of said conducting rings whereby when a plurality of cables are inserted into said housing openings each of said cables are connected in predetermined electrical circuit relationship.

Claim 6

The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said cables to be connected is in the form of a flat insulating tape having a plurality of generally parallel spaced conductors therein, the respective conductors of each of the cables being bared at one end thereof.

Claim 7

An electrical connector for connecting a first tape cable to a second tape cable, each of said cables to be connected is in the form of a flat insulating tape having a plurality of generally parallel spaced conductors therein, the respective conductors of each of the cables being bared at one portion of the cable, the electrical connector comprising: a housing having a cavity therein; a plurality of ring-shaped electrical conductors; means for rotatably mounted said ring-shaped electrical conductors in said housing cavity so that said conducting rings are electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship as the conductors of said tape cable; means for demountably attaching and positioning said bared portion of said first tape cable to said housing so that each of said conducting strips of said first cable is in contact with one of said conducting rings; and means for demountably attaching and positioning said bared portion of said second tape cable to said housing so that each of said conducting strips of said second cable is in contact with one of said conducting rings whereby the first tape cable is connected in electrical circuit relationship with the second tape cable.

Claim 8

An electrical connector for connecting a first tape cable to a second tape cable, each of said cables to be connected is in the form of a flat insulating tape having a plurality of generally parallel spaced conductors therein, the respective conductors of each of the cables being bared at one portion of the cable, the electrical connector comprising: a housing having a cavity therein; a plurality of ring-shaped electrical conductors; means for rotatably mounted said ring-shaped electrical conductors in said housing cavity so that said conducting rings are electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship as the conductors of said tape cable; means for demountably attaching and positioning said bared portion of said first tape cable to said housing so that each of said conducting strips of said first cable is in contact with one of said conducting rings; and means for demountably attaching and positioning said bared portion of said second tape cable to said housing so that each of said conducting strips of said second cable is in contact with one of said conducting rings whereby the first tape cable is connected in electrical circuit relationship with the second tape cable.

Claim 9

The combination recited in claim 5 wherein said means for demountably attaching said first and second tape cable comprises: a first base having a groove therein for receiving the bared portion of said first tape cable; a second base having a groove therein for receiving the bared portion of said second tape cable; and means for mounting said first and second bases on said housing so that each of said conducting strips of said first cable is in contact with one of said conducting rings and each of said conducting strips of said second cable is in contact with one of said conducting rings.

Claim 10

An electrical connector for connecting a first tape cable having a plurality of spaced electrical conductors to a similar second tape cable, the electrical connector comprising: a housing having a cavity and an axis; a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing cavity along said housing axis; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on said shaft so that portions of each contact extend from different portions of said shaft, said contacts electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship to each other as said conductor of said tape cable; a first base having an axis and means for mounting said first tape cable transverse said first base axis; a second base having an axis and means for mounting said second tape cable transverse said second base axis; and means for mounting said first and second bases on said housing so that the axis of each of said bases is generally parallel to the axis of said housing and so that each of said conductors of said first cable is in contact with one portion of said contacts mounted on said shaft and each of said conductors of said second cable is in contact with another portion of said contacts mounted on said shaft whereby each of the conductors of said first cable is in electrical circuit relationship with one of the conductors of said second cable.

Claim 11

An electrical connector for connecting a first tape cable having a plurality of spaced electrical conductors to a similar second tape cable, the electrical connector comprising: a housing having a cavity and an axis; a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing cavity along said housing axis; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on said shaft so that portions of each contact extend from different portions of said shaft, said contacts electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship to each other as said conductor of said tape cable; a first base having an axis and means for mounting said first tape cable transverse said first base axis; a second base having an axis and means for mounting said second tape cable transverse said second base axis; and means for mounting said first and second bases on said housing so that the axis of each of said bases is generally parallel to the axis of said housing and so that each of said conductors of said first cable is in contact with one portion of said contacts mounted on said shaft and each of said conductors of said second cable is in contact with another portion of said contacts mounted on said shaft whereby each of the conductors of said first cable is in electrical circuit relationship with one of the conductors of said second cable.

Claim 12

The combination as rEcited in claim 7 wherein said contacts are ring shaped.

Claim 13

An electrical connector for connecting a plurality of multi-conductor cables in predetermined circuit relationship, said connector comprising: a housing having a cavity therein and a plurality of openings each adapted to receive one of said multi-conductor cables; a plurality of electrical contacts; and means for mounting said electrical contacts on a rotatable shaft in said housing cavity so that said contacts are electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship as the conductors of said cable, said contacts mounted to be in communication with each of said openings in said housing so that when one of said cables is inserted into one of said housing openings, said cable has each of its conductors in contact with one of said contacts whereby when a plurality of cables are inserted into said housing openings each of said cables are connected in predetermined electrical circuit relationship.

Claim 14

An electrical connector for connecting a plurality of multi-conductor cables in predetermined circuit relationship, said connector comprising: a housing having a cavity therein and a plurality of openings each adapted to receive one of said multi-conductor cables; a plurality of electrical contacts; and means for mounting said electrical contacts on a rotatable shaft in said housing cavity so that said contacts are electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship as the conductors of said cable, said contacts mounted to be in communication with each of said openings in said housing so that when one of said cables is inserted into one of said housing openings, said cable has each of its conductors in contact with one of said contacts whereby when a plurality of cables are inserted into said housing openings each of said cables are connected in predetermined electrical circuit relationship.

Claim 15

In combination with an electrical connector of the type having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged within the connector in a predetermined spaced relationship adapted to connect in electrical circuit relationship the conductors of two multi-conductor electrical cables having their conductors in the same spaced relationship as the connector contacts by contact between the conductors of the cable and the connector contacts, wherein the improvement comprises: means for rotating said contacts within the connector while they are in contact with the electrical conductors of the cable to cause the surfaces in contact with the contacts to cleanse themselves thereby maintaining the electrical resistance through the surfaces at a minimum.

Claim 16

In combination with an electrical connector of the type having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged within the connector in a predetermined spaced relationship adapted to connect in electrical circuit relationship the conductors of two multi-conductor electrical cables having their conductors in the same spaced relationship as the connector contacts by contact between the conductors of the cable and the connector contacts, wherein the improvement comprises: means for rotating said contacts within the connector while they are in contact with the electrical conductors of the cable to cause the surfaces in contact with the contacts to cleanse themselves thereby maintaining the electrical resistance through the surfaces at a minimum.

Claim 17

The combination as recited in claim 10 wherein said multi-conductor cables are tape cables and wherein said means for moving said contacts comprises a shaft rotatably mounted within the connector and having mounted thereon said plurality of electrical contacts, said shaft having at least one end which communicates with the outside of said connector for receiving a means for rotating said shaft.

Claim 18

An electrical connector for connecting a first plurality of spaced electrical conductors to a second plurality of similarly spaced electrical conductors, the electrical connector comprising: a housing having a cavity and an axis; a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing cavity along said housing axis; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on said shaft so that a portion of each contact extends from different portions of said shaft, said contacts electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship to each other as said first plurality of electrical conductors; a first base having an axis and means for mounting said first plurality of electrical conductors transverse said first base axis; a second base having an axis and means for mounting said second plurality of electrical conductors transverse said second base axis; and means for mounting said first and second bases on said housing so that the axis of each of said bases is generally parallel to the axis of said housing and so that each of said first plurality of conductors is in contact with one portion of said contacts mounted on said shaft and each of said second plurality of conductors is in contact with another portion of said contacts mounted on said shaft whereby each of the first plurality of conductors of said first cable is in electrical circuit relationship with one of the conductors of said second cable.

Claim 19

An electrical connector for connecting a first plurality of spaced electrical conductors to a second plurality of similarly spaced electrical conductors, the electrical connector comprising: a housing having a cavity and an axis; a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing cavity along said housing axis; a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on said shaft so that a portion of each contact extends from different portions of said shaft, said contacts electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship to each other as said first plurality of electrical conductors; a first base having an axis and means for mounting said first plurality of electrical conductors transverse said first base axis; a second base having an axis and means for mounting said second plurality of electrical conductors transverse said second base axis; and means for mounting said first and second bases on said housing so that the axis of each of said bases is generally parallel to the axis of said housing and so that each of said first plurality of conductors is in contact with one portion of said contacts mounted on said shaft and each of said second plurality of conductors is in contact with another portion of said contacts mounted on said shaft whereby each of the first plurality of conductors of said first cable is in electrical circuit relationship with one of the conductors of said second cable.

Claim 20

The combination as recited in claim 12 wherein said electrical contacts are ring shaped.

Claim 21

In combination with an electrical connector of the type having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged within the connector in a predetermined spaced relationship adapted to connect in electrical circuit relationship the terminal conductors of at least two electrical circuits, each having their termiNal conductors in the same spaced relationship as the connector contacts, by contact between the terminal conductors of the two circuits and the connector contacts, wherein the improvement comprises: means for rotating said contacts within the connector while they are in contact with the electrical conductors of the circuits to cause the terminal conductors in contact with the contacts to cleanse themselves thereby maintaining the electrical resistance through the surfaces at a minimum.

Claim 22

In combination with an electrical connector of the type having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged within the connector in a predetermined spaced relationship adapted to connect in electrical circuit relationship the terminal conductors of at least two electrical circuits, each having their termiNal conductors in the same spaced relationship as the connector contacts, by contact between the terminal conductors of the two circuits and the connector contacts, wherein the improvement comprises: means for rotating said contacts within the connector while they are in contact with the electrical conductors of the circuits to cause the terminal conductors in contact with the contacts to cleanse themselves thereby maintaining the electrical resistance through the surfaces at a minimum.

Claim 23

An electrical connector for connecting in predetermined circuit relationship at least two electrical circuits, each having a plurality of terminal conductors arranged in the same spaced relationship, said connector comprising: a housing having a cavity therein and a plurality of openings each adapted to receive the terminal conductors of one of said circuits; a plurality of ring-shaped electrical conductors; and means for rotatably mounted said ring-shaped electrical conductors in said housing cavity so that said conducting rings are electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship as the terminal conductors of said circuits, said rings mounted to be in communication with each of said openings in said housing so that when the terminal conductors of one of said circuits are inserted into one of said housing openings, said circuit has each of its conductors in contact with one of said conducting rings whereby when the terminal conductors of said other circuit are inserted into said housing openings each of said circuits are connected in predetermined electrical circuit relationship.

Claim 24

An electrical connector for connecting in predetermined circuit relationship at least two electrical circuits, each having a plurality of terminal conductors arranged in the same spaced relationship, said connector comprising: a housing having a cavity therein and a plurality of openings each adapted to receive the terminal conductors of one of said circuits; a plurality of ring-shaped electrical conductors; and means for rotatably mounted said ring-shaped electrical conductors in said housing cavity so that said conducting rings are electrically isolated from each other and arranged in the same spaced relationship as the terminal conductors of said circuits, said rings mounted to be in communication with each of said openings in said housing so that when the terminal conductors of one of said circuits are inserted into one of said housing openings, said circuit has each of its conductors in contact with one of said conducting rings whereby when the terminal conductors of said other circuit are inserted into said housing openings each of said circuits are connected in predetermined electrical circuit relationship.

Claim 25

The combination as recited in claim 15 wherein at least one of said circuits to be connected includes a substrate comprised of a flat insulating material having a plurality of generally parallel spaced electrical conductors arranged along one end of said substrate.