US3796986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interconnection system for reusable gang-type connections between flexible printed circuitry and the like
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-03
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1992-07-03
Abstract
Abstract Connections to flexible printed wiring elements and rigid printed circuit board elements are effected by the disclosed interconnection system consisting essentially of a pressure contact type connector block and backing element. Various shapes of pin connectors are disclosed. Add-on features include feedthrough elements, and a variant of backing element in which removable pressure contact wire-wrap terminal elements may be inserted. Non-noble metal, low pressure contact elements are usable.
Inventors
- 👤 P Tamburro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/61; H01R12/70; H01R12/77; H01R12/79
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
311 words
A system for making electrical connection to circuit paths contained on at least one side of a flexible tape, comprising: a connector block comprising: an interior cavity defined between two elongate closely spaced walls, said cavity having a bottoming floor, plural ribs rising from said floor, each being attached along one of said elongate walls, each rib terminating at a plane substantially half-way to said other elongate wall, adjacent ones of said ribs defining plural pin containers, said block further comprising a sunken flat exterior surface on the side opposite said interior cavity, said bottoming floor having passages through to a central zone of said flat exterior surface, one said passage occurring between each pair of adjacent ribs; and a pin element lockably disposed in each said container, each said pin comprising: a first section extending through said passage and terminating in a spring-loadable cantilevered tape-contacting pad that in the unloaded state extends beyond said sunken surface, said pad being formed by a bow in the cantilevered region formed inwardly of the bitter end of said first section said pin element further comprising a second section Housed in each said container and including a spring-loadable midportion that in the unloaded state extends beyond the terminal plane of said ribs, each said pad being adapted to pressure-contact a selected circuit path of a flexible tape placed on said sunken flat exterior surface of said connector block and each said midportion being adapted to pressure-contact a selected circuit path of an electrical insert element placed in said block interior cavity; backup block means substantially coextensive in length with said connector block means and comprising a pressure application surface for contacting said tape; and means for pressably engaging said backup block means and said connector block means to force said tape against said pin element pads thereby to spring-load said pad onto said tape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
311 words
A system for making electrical connection to circuit paths contained on at least one side of a flexible tape, comprising: a connector block comprising: an interior cavity defined between two elongate closely spaced walls, said cavity having a bottoming floor, plural ribs rising from said floor, each being attached along one of said elongate walls, each rib terminating at a plane substantially half-way to said other elongate wall, adjacent ones of said ribs defining plural pin containers, said block further comprising a sunken flat exterior surface on the side opposite said interior cavity, said bottoming floor having passages through to a central zone of said flat exterior surface, one said passage occurring between each pair of adjacent ribs; and a pin element lockably disposed in each said container, each said pin comprising: a first section extending through said passage and terminating in a spring-loadable cantilevered tape-contacting pad that in the unloaded state extends beyond said sunken surface, said pad being formed by a bow in the cantilevered region formed inwardly of the bitter end of said first section said pin element further comprising a second section Housed in each said container and including a spring-loadable midportion that in the unloaded state extends beyond the terminal plane of said ribs, each said pad being adapted to pressure-contact a selected circuit path of a flexible tape placed on said sunken flat exterior surface of said connector block and each said midportion being adapted to pressure-contact a selected circuit path of an electrical insert element placed in said block interior cavity; backup block means substantially coextensive in length with said connector block means and comprising a pressure application surface for contacting said tape; and means for pressably engaging said backup block means and said connector block means to force said tape against said pin element pads thereby to spring-load said pad onto said tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus pursuant to claim 1, wherein: each said pin element further comprises an elongate terminal extending through the respective said passage and out substantially beyond said sunken surface at an attitude normal thereto and generally at right angles to said pin''s said cantilevered pad, said flexible tape including holes for passably receiving said elongate terminals; and wherein said backup block further comprises a like number and spacing of holes also for passably receiving said elongate terminals, each said elongate terminal adapted to receive a wire connection on the region exposed beyond said backup block means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus pursuant to claim 2, further comprising: feed-through block means substantially coextensive in length with said connector block means and comprising plural three-sided hollowout regions spaced in corresponding relation to said spring-loadable contacting pads, three-sided metallic pin connector means disposed within each said hollowout region and including first and second spring-loadable ends, each said end including a midportion that in the unloaded state extends out and beyond the hollowout regions, and means for positioning said feed-through block means upon said connector block means with a first flexible tape thereinbetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |