US3792208A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Communications connector apparatus utilizing radiant energy
Assignee: Control Data Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-15
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-11-15
Abstract
Abstract Connector apparatus for a communications link includes first and second mateable housings defining an interface region therebetween. A plurality of radiation emitting devices are supported by one of the housings and a like plurality of radiation responsive devices are supported by the other housing so that upon application of an electrical signal to a radiation emitting device, the radiation emitting device emits radiation across said interface region to impinge a corresponding radiation responsive device. The level of radiation is representative of the level of the applied electrical signal, and the electrical characteristics of the receiving radiation responsive device are representative of the level of incident radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 B Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4295; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/703
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
In a communication link between first and second electrical devices, the improvement comprising: connector apparatus connecting portions of said link together, said connector apparatus including first and second housings each having an interface surface, said interface surfaces together defining an interface region therebetween when said housings are assembled together; a plurality of radiation emitting devices mounted to said first housing and adapted to emit radiation across said interface region, each of said radiation emitting devices being capable of emitting radiation at a level representative of the level of an applied electric signal; first conductor means for electrically connecting each of said radiation emitting devices to said first electrical device to apply individual electric signals to respective ones of said radiation emitting devices; a plurality of radiation responsive devices mounted to said second housing, each of said radiation responsive devices exhibiting electrical characteristics representative of the level of incident radiation; second conductor means for electrically connecting each of said radiation responsive devices to said second electrical device; and attachment means for assembling said first and second housings so that individual ones of said radiation responsive devices rEceive radiation emitted by respective ones of said radiation emitting devices, whereby the electrical characteristics of each of said radiation responsive devices are representative of the level of electric signals applied to the respective radiation emitting device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a communication link between first and second electrical devices, the improvement comprising: connector apparatus connecting portions of said link together, said connector apparatus including first and second housings each having an interface surface, said interface surfaces together defining an interface region therebetween when said housings are assembled together; a plurality of radiation emitting devices mounted to said first housing and adapted to emit radiation across said interface region, each of said radiation emitting devices being capable of emitting radiation at a level representative of the level of an applied electric signal; first conductor means for electrically connecting each of said radiation emitting devices to said first electrical device to apply individual electric signals to respective ones of said radiation emitting devices; a plurality of radiation responsive devices mounted to said second housing, each of said radiation responsive devices exhibiting electrical characteristics representative of the level of incident radiation; second conductor means for electrically connecting each of said radiation responsive devices to said second electrical device; and attachment means for assembling said first and second housings so that individual ones of said radiation responsive devices rEceive radiation emitted by respective ones of said radiation emitting devices, whereby the electrical characteristics of each of said radiation responsive devices are representative of the level of electric signals applied to the respective radiation emitting device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further including positioning means for positioning said first and second housings relative to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of said first and second housings includes a cavity portion so sized with respect to the other of said first and second housings that at least a portion of said other housing is fitted in said cavity portion upon assembly of said housings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the interface surfaces of said first and second housings are defined by at least a portion of the bounding wall of said cavity portion and at least a portion of the bounding wall of said other housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the said cavity portion includes a plurality of slots in said one housing, and said other housing includes a plurality of members adapted to be simultaneously positioned in respective ones of said slots.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, further including switch means associated with at least one of said housings for selectively establishing electrical connection for the respective electrical device connected thereto when said housings are assembled.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said switch means includes a magnetically operable switch supported by one of said housings and a magnet supported by the other of said housings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further including switch means associated with at least one of said housings for selectively establishing electrical connection for the respective electrical device connected thereto when said housings are assembled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said switch means includes a magnetically operable switch supported by one of said housings and a magnet supported by the other of said housings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, further including disable means operable by said switch means for disabling said second electrical device so as not to respond to said radiation responsive devices when said housings are disassembled.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, further including disable means operable by said switch means for disabling said second electrical device so as not to respond to said radiation responsive devices when said housings are disassembled.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further including electrical shielding means in said interface region, said shield means including electrically conductive means connected to a reference potential, and means providing a radiation path through said conductive means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said shield means further includes seal means providing a fluid seal between the interface surfaces of said first and second housings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further including seal means providing a fluid seal between the interface surfaces of said first and second housings.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |