US3727173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zero-insertion force connector
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-06
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A zero-insertion force connector comprising a supply means for providing a thermal source and a base means adapted to support one or more pairs of mating contacts. A reversible motion actuator means comprising a temperature responsive nickeltitanium alloy is adapted for connection to the mating contacts. The actuator means is selectively responsive to the thermal source for opening the mating contacts for providing zeroinsertion force for an electrical interconnection package having one or more pairs of electrical contacts thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 L Goldmann
- 👤 D Jeannotte
- 👤 B Krall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/01; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/193; H01R13/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A zero-insertion force connector comprising: a. a supply means for providing a thermal source of energy, b. a base means and at least one pair of mating contacts adapted to be supported by said base means, c. a reversible motion actuator means comprising a temperature responsive nickel-titanium alloy adapted for connection to said at least one pair of mating contacts, d. the actuator means being selectively responsive to the thermal source for opening said at least one pair of mating contacts for providing zero-insertion force for an electrical interconnection package.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A zero-insertion force connector comprising: a. a supply means for providing a thermal source of energy, b. a base means and at least one pair of mating contacts adapted to be supported by said base means, c. a reversible motion actuator means comprising a temperature responsive nickel-titanium alloy adapted for connection to said at least one pair of mating contacts, d. the actuator means being selectively responsive to the thermal source for opening said at least one pair of mating contacts for providing zero-insertion force for an electrical interconnection package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A zero-insertion force connector as in claim 1 further including: a. a plurality of pairs of mating contacts adapted to be supported by said base means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A zero-insertion force connector as in claim 2 wherein: a. said reversible motion actuator means comprises a first and a second state, said first state being constituted by a relatively high strength state and said second state being constituted by a relatively low strength state, and b. said reversible motion actuator means being responsive to said thermal source of energy for switching from said first state to said second state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A zero-insertion force connector as in claim 3 wherein: a. said plurality of pairs of mating contacts are normally in a state of compression, and b. said reversible motion actuator means is responsive to said thermal source of energy for switching from said second state to said first state for opening said plurality of pairs of mating contacts for providing zero-insertion force for an electrical interconnection package having a plurality of electrical contacts thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A zero-insertion force connector as in claim 4 wherein: a. said supply means comprises a source of thermal heat for heating said reversible motion actuator means above its transition temperature for switching from its second state to its first state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A zero-insertion force connector as in claim 4 wherein: a. said plurality of pairs of mating contacts are normally biased open in the absence of external forces, b. said reversible motion actuator means comprises a temperature responsive nickel-titanium alloy material which is in a first state under ambient conditions, and c. said reversible motion actuator means is responsive to said thermal source of energy for switching from said first state to said second state so as to allow said plurality of pairs of mating contacts to be biased to their normally open state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A zero-insertion force connector as in claim 6 wherein: a. said supply means for providing a thermal source of energy comprises a cooling means for cooling said reversible motion actuator means below its transition temperature for switching from said first state to said second state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A zero-insertion force connector As in claim 4 further including: a. an insulating connector member adapted for engagement with said plurality of pairs of mating contacts and with said reversible motion actuator means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A zero-insertion force connector as in claim 6 wherein: a. said reversible motion actuator means is integrally connected with said plurality of pairs of mating contacts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3174851A
Cited
US3569905A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |