US3877774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flat cable connector
Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-28
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1992-11-28
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a connector for flat multiconductor cable. Cables to be connected are inserted in slots on opposite sides of a housing, there being an upper and a lower contact adjacent the slot for each cable conductor to be mated. Each upper and lower contact has a pointed projection for each cable to be joined which projections pierce the insulation of the cable when the upper and lower contacts are driven together, thereby pinching the conductor of the cable therebetween to assure good physical and electrical contact of the cable connector with the connector contacts. If there is a metallic ground shield on the cable, an extra pair of contacts are provided adjacent the slot which contacts have teeth for engaging the shielding. In first embodiments of a connector in accordance with the invention, the upper and lower contacts are driven together by commonly actuated eccentrically mounted cams. In second embodiments of a connector in accordance with the invention, the upper and lower contacts are driven together by a heat activatable memory driving member made of a specially chosen memory alloy, such as 55-Nitinol. This memory driving member is provided with original and intermediate shapes chosen so that the upper and lower contacts will be driven together upon the application of moderate amounts of heat.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F Dorrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:16
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/24; H01R4/2404; H01R4/2412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A connector for flat cables, said cables each having at least one insulation covered conductor comprising: a housing having at least one cable receiving slot; a moveable contact mounted in said housing adjacent said slot and moveable in a direction towards said slot, said contact having, on the side thereof adjacent said slot, a pointed projection for each of the cables to be joined; a second contact mounted in said housing on the opposite side of said slot from the moveable contact, said second contact having a pointed projection for each cable to be joined, corresponding projections on said moveable and second contacts being relatively positioned so as to pinch the cable conductor therebetween when said driving means are operated; and driving means mounted in said housing adjacent the opposite side of said contact and operable to drive the contact against cables positioned in said slot, said projections piercing the cable insulation to make physical and electrical contact with the conductors of the cables, said driving means including a memory driving member comprised of a material which changes shape in response to the application of a predetermined amount of heat thereto, the change of shape of said memory driving member being chosen so that the application of said predetermined amount of heat thereto causes said driving member to drive said contact against said cables.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A connector for flat cables, said cables each having at least one insulation covered conductor comprising: a housing having at least one cable receiving slot; a moveable contact mounted in said housing adjacent said slot and moveable in a direction towards said slot, said contact having, on the side thereof adjacent said slot, a pointed projection for each of the cables to be joined; a second contact mounted in said housing on the opposite side of said slot from the moveable contact, said second contact having a pointed projection for each cable to be joined, corresponding projections on said moveable and second contacts being relatively positioned so as to pinch the cable conductor therebetween when said driving means are operated; and driving means mounted in said housing adjacent the opposite side of said contact and operable to drive the contact against cables positioned in said slot, said projections piercing the cable insulation to make physical and electrical contact with the conductors of the cables, said driving means including a memory driving member comprised of a material which changes shape in response to the application of a predetermined amount of heat thereto, the change of shape of said memory driving member being chosen so that the application of said predetermined amount of heat thereto causes said driving member to drive said contact against said cables.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second contact is mounted so as to not be moveable in said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A connector as claimed in claim 1 including a conductive shield layered on each of said cables; and including an additional moveable contact mounted in said housing adjacent said moveable contact, said additional contact having projections for each cable on the slot side thereof and a cam follower surface on the opposite side thereof; and an additional driving means for driving the projections of the additional contact into physical and electrical contact with the shield of the corresponding cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A connector as claimed in claim 3 wherein there are a plurality of conductors for each of the flat cables to be joined; and including a separate moveable contact for each pair of conductors to be connected; and a separate driving means for each of said contacts; and wherein said additional moveable contact is substituted for one of said separate moveable contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A connector as claimed in claim 4 wherein the shielding on said cables is cut back so as not to be contacted by the projections on said separatee moveable contacts and wherein the projections on said additional moveable contacts are positioned so as to engage said shielding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein said memory driving member is made of a metallic alloy material having the property that after being physically deformed into an intermediate shape is returnable to an original shape by the application of heat, said intermediate and original shapes being chosen so that the return of said driving means to said original shape causes said contact to be driven against said cables.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention in accordance with claim 6, wherein said metallic alloy material is chosen so that the application of cooling thereto after return to its original shape will produce sufficient rElaxation of said driving means to permit removal of a cable from said connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention in accordance with claim 6, wherein said metallic alloy material is 55-Nitinol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
The invention in accordance with claim 6, wherein said driving means includes a driving member having at least one driving abuttment located adjacent said opposite side of said contact, said intermediate shape of said driving member being chosen to be of generally linear form and said original shape being chosen to cause said driving abuttment to drive the contact projections against said cables with sufficient force to pierce the cable insulation to make physical and electrical contact with the conductors of the cables.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 9, wherein said driving abuttment is located between the ends of said driving member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention in accordance with claim 9, wherein a driving abuttment is provided on said driving member opposite each of said projections, and wherein said original shape is chosen so as to cause each of said abuttments to be driven against said contact.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
176 words
A connector for flat cables, said cables each having at least one insulation covered conductor comprising: a housing having at least one cable receiving slot; a moveable contact mounted in said housing adjacent said slot and moveable in a direction towards said slot, said contact havng, on the side thereof adjacent said slot, a pointed projection for each of the cables to be joined; and driving means mounted in said housing adjacent the opposite side of said contact and operable to drive the contact against cables positioned in said slot, said projections piercing the cable insulation to make physical and electrical contact with the conductors of the cables, said housing comprising first and second sections of insulative material, secured together, and wherein one of said sections is provided with a plurality of spaced ribs at locations between said contacts and the other of said sections is provided with spaced apertures for respectively receiving said ribs, the shapes of said ribs and apertures being chosen to provide interlocking when said first and second sections are secured together.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
176 words
A connector for flat cables, said cables each having at least one insulation covered conductor comprising: a housing having at least one cable receiving slot; a moveable contact mounted in said housing adjacent said slot and moveable in a direction towards said slot, said contact havng, on the side thereof adjacent said slot, a pointed projection for each of the cables to be joined; and driving means mounted in said housing adjacent the opposite side of said contact and operable to drive the contact against cables positioned in said slot, said projections piercing the cable insulation to make physical and electrical contact with the conductors of the cables, said housing comprising first and second sections of insulative material, secured together, and wherein one of said sections is provided with a plurality of spaced ribs at locations between said contacts and the other of said sections is provided with spaced apertures for respectively receiving said ribs, the shapes of said ribs and apertures being chosen to provide interlocking when said first and second sections are secured together.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
204 words
A connector for flat cables, said cables each having at least one insulation covered conductor comprising: a housing having at least one cable receiving slot; a moveable contact mounted in said housing adjacent said slot and moveable in a direction towards said slot, said contact having, on the side thereof adjacent said slot, a pointed projection for each of the cables to be joined; and driving means mounted in said housing adjacent the opposite side of said contact and operable to drive the contact against cables positioned in said slot, said projections piercing the cable insulation to make physical and electrical contact with the conductors of the cables, said driving means including a memory driving member comprised of a material which changes shape in response to the application of a predetermined amount of heat thereto, the change of shape of said memory driving member being chosen so that the application of said predetermined amount of heat thereto causes said driving member to drive said contact against said cables, said housing including a removable portion and being provided with spaced apertures located so as to be exposed when said removable portion is removed, said driving member being shaped to have ends extending into said apertures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
204 words
A connector for flat cables, said cables each having at least one insulation covered conductor comprising: a housing having at least one cable receiving slot; a moveable contact mounted in said housing adjacent said slot and moveable in a direction towards said slot, said contact having, on the side thereof adjacent said slot, a pointed projection for each of the cables to be joined; and driving means mounted in said housing adjacent the opposite side of said contact and operable to drive the contact against cables positioned in said slot, said projections piercing the cable insulation to make physical and electrical contact with the conductors of the cables, said driving means including a memory driving member comprised of a material which changes shape in response to the application of a predetermined amount of heat thereto, the change of shape of said memory driving member being chosen so that the application of said predetermined amount of heat thereto causes said driving member to drive said contact against said cables, said housing including a removable portion and being provided with spaced apertures located so as to be exposed when said removable portion is removed, said driving member being shaped to have ends extending into said apertures.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
221 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing having means for receiving at least one conductor; a contact mounted in said housing so as to be moveable in a direction towards said conductor; and a heat activatable memory driving member mounted in said housing member and made of a metallic alloy material having the property that after being physically deformed into an intermediate shape is returnable to an original shape by the application of heat; said inteRmediate and original shapes being chosen so that the return of said driving means to said original shape causes said contact to be driven into conductive engagement with said conductor, said metallic alloy material further being chosen so that the application of cooling thereto after said driving member has been returned to its original shape produces sufficient relaxation of said driving means to permit removal of said conductor from said housing, said housing being provided with a plurality of said contacts, said housing comprising first and second sections of insulative material, secured together, one of said sections being provided with a plurality of spaced ribs at locations between said contacts and the other of said sections being provided with spaced apertures for respectively receiving said ribs, the shapes of said ribs and apertures being chosen to provide interlocking when said first and second sections are secured together.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
221 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing having means for receiving at least one conductor; a contact mounted in said housing so as to be moveable in a direction towards said conductor; and a heat activatable memory driving member mounted in said housing member and made of a metallic alloy material having the property that after being physically deformed into an intermediate shape is returnable to an original shape by the application of heat; said inteRmediate and original shapes being chosen so that the return of said driving means to said original shape causes said contact to be driven into conductive engagement with said conductor, said metallic alloy material further being chosen so that the application of cooling thereto after said driving member has been returned to its original shape produces sufficient relaxation of said driving means to permit removal of said conductor from said housing, said housing being provided with a plurality of said contacts, said housing comprising first and second sections of insulative material, secured together, one of said sections being provided with a plurality of spaced ribs at locations between said contacts and the other of said sections being provided with spaced apertures for respectively receiving said ribs, the shapes of said ribs and apertures being chosen to provide interlocking when said first and second sections are secured together.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
190 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing having means for receiving at least one conductor; a contact mounted in said housing so as to be moveable in a direction towards said conductor; and a heat activatable memory driving member mounted in said housing member and made of a metallic alloy material having the property that after being physically deformed into an intermediate shape is returnable to an original shape by the application of heat; said intermediate and original shapes being chosen so that the return of said driving means to said original shape causes said contact to be driven into conductive engagement with said conductor, said metallic alloy material further being chosen so that the application of cooling thereto after said driving member has been returned to its original shape produces sufficient relaxation of said driving means to permit removal of said conductor from said housing, said housing including a removable portion, wherein said housing is provided with at least one aperture located so as to be exposed when said removable portion is removed, and wherein said driving member is shaped so that a depending portion thereof extends into said aperture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
190 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing having means for receiving at least one conductor; a contact mounted in said housing so as to be moveable in a direction towards said conductor; and a heat activatable memory driving member mounted in said housing member and made of a metallic alloy material having the property that after being physically deformed into an intermediate shape is returnable to an original shape by the application of heat; said intermediate and original shapes being chosen so that the return of said driving means to said original shape causes said contact to be driven into conductive engagement with said conductor, said metallic alloy material further being chosen so that the application of cooling thereto after said driving member has been returned to its original shape produces sufficient relaxation of said driving means to permit removal of said conductor from said housing, said housing including a removable portion, wherein said housing is provided with at least one aperture located so as to be exposed when said removable portion is removed, and wherein said driving member is shaped so that a depending portion thereof extends into said aperture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
214 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing having means for receiving at least one conductor; a contact mounted in said housing so as to be moveable in a direction towards said conductor; and a heat activatable memory driving member mounted in said housing member and made of a metallic alloy material having the property that after being physically deformed into an intermediate shape is returnable to an original shape by the application of heat; said intermediate and original shapes being chosen so that the return of said driving means to said original shape causes said contact to be driven into conductive engagement with said conductor, said metallic alloy material further being chosen so that the application of cooling thereto after said driving member has been returned to its original shape produces sufficient relaxation of said driving means to permit removal of said conductor from said housing; said housing comprising first and second sections of insulative material secured together, and wherein one of said sections is provided with a plurality of spaced ribs at locations spaced from said contact and the other of said sections is provided with spaced apertures for respectively receiving said ribs, the shapes of said ribs and apertures being chosen to provide interlocking when sid first and second sections are secured together.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
214 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing having means for receiving at least one conductor; a contact mounted in said housing so as to be moveable in a direction towards said conductor; and a heat activatable memory driving member mounted in said housing member and made of a metallic alloy material having the property that after being physically deformed into an intermediate shape is returnable to an original shape by the application of heat; said intermediate and original shapes being chosen so that the return of said driving means to said original shape causes said contact to be driven into conductive engagement with said conductor, said metallic alloy material further being chosen so that the application of cooling thereto after said driving member has been returned to its original shape produces sufficient relaxation of said driving means to permit removal of said conductor from said housing; said housing comprising first and second sections of insulative material secured together, and wherein one of said sections is provided with a plurality of spaced ribs at locations spaced from said contact and the other of said sections is provided with spaced apertures for respectively receiving said ribs, the shapes of said ribs and apertures being chosen to provide interlocking when sid first and second sections are secured together.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention in accordance with claim 16, wherein said housing includes means for receiving a second conductor such that said contact is also driven into conductive engagement with said second conductor when said driving means is returned to its original shape, and wherein said second conductor is also removable in response to cooling of said driving member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
123 words
A cable connector comprising: a housing having at least one conductor receiving means; a movabLe contact mounted in said housing adjacent said receiving means; said contact being movable in a direction towards said receiving means; said housing comprising first and second sections of insulative material, secured together, one of said sections being provided with a plurality of spaced ribs and the other of said sections being provided with spaced apertures for respectively receiving said ribs, the shapes of said ribs and apertures being chosen to provide interlocking when said first and second sections are secured together, and driving means mounted in said housing adjacent said contact and operable to drive the contact into conductive engagement with a conductor inserted in said receiving means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
123 words
A cable connector comprising: a housing having at least one conductor receiving means; a movabLe contact mounted in said housing adjacent said receiving means; said contact being movable in a direction towards said receiving means; said housing comprising first and second sections of insulative material, secured together, one of said sections being provided with a plurality of spaced ribs and the other of said sections being provided with spaced apertures for respectively receiving said ribs, the shapes of said ribs and apertures being chosen to provide interlocking when said first and second sections are secured together, and driving means mounted in said housing adjacent said contact and operable to drive the contact into conductive engagement with a conductor inserted in said receiving means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention in accordance with claim 18, wherein said contact has a cam follower surface, and wherein said driving means comprises a cam eccentrically mounted in said housing and being rotatable between inoperative and operative position, said cam when in said operative position coacting with said cam follower surface to drive said contact against said cables.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector as claimed in claim 19, wherein there are a plurality of conductors in each of the cables to be joined, and wherein a separate moveable contact is provided for each pair of conductors to be connected; and an eccentrically mounted cam for each of said contacts.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector as claimed in claim 20, including a single common means for rotating all of said cams between their operative and inoperative positions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
A connector as claimed in claim 21, wherein said cam and cam rotating means are formed as a single element of a conducting material; and including a coating of a dielectric material on at least the camming surfaces of said element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention in accordance with claim 18, wherein said driving means includes a memory driving member comprised of a material with changes shape in response to the application of a predetermined amount of heat thereto, the change of shape of said memory driving member being chosen so that the application of said predetermined amount of heat thereto causes said driving member to drive said contact into conductive engagement with said conductor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |