US3897991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zero insertion force connector
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
•
Filing: 1974-02-15
•
Granted: 1975-08-05
•
Expires: 1994-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A thin, board-to-board zero force insertion and withdrawal connector having a housing containing a plurality of contacts with a first end portion of the contacts secured therein. A pair of parallel rows of rib-like elements extend along the length of the housing and define a U-shaped slot into which the edge of a circuit board can be inserted. The ribs form grooves therebetween which are perpendicular to the rows of ribs. The other end portion of each of said contacts extends downwardly into a groove towards the inner sides of said rib-like elements defining a side of said U-shaped slot, and then further extends upwardly towards the outer side of said rib-like elements. A plate is positioned along the length of said housing and secured thereto by a flexible hinge which divides the plate longitudinally along its length into two sections. A first of these sections extends over the said other end portions of said contacts. The other section of said plate has inclined planes formed on the inner surfaces thereof. A flat strip of material, which also has inclined planes on one surface thereof, fits in-between said second section of said plate and said housing, with the inclined plane surfaces mated to each other. By moving the flat strip in a first direction the said plate is pivoted about its flexible hinge so that said first section thereof forces the said other end portions of said contacts down into said U-shaped slot and against the edge of a circuit board inserted therein.
Inventors
- 👤 James Pritulsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/82; H01R12/85; H01R12/89
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
377 words
A circuit board connector comprising a hOusing and a plurality of contacts retained therein; said housing comprising a first elongated main portion having a pair of parallel ledges extending along the length thereof with their inner surfaces defining a slot to receive the edge of a first circuit board therein; at least one of said ledges comprising a plurality of ribs forming parallel grooves therebetween which are perpendicular to said ledges; each of said plurality of contacts having a first end portion thereof secured in said main portion of said housing and the other end portion thereof extending into one of said grooves and configured to have a section thereof extending towards the inner surface of said ledge which defines one side of said slot and with the end of said other end portion extending away from said slot and towards the outer surface of said ledge; said housing further comprising an elongated plate extending along the length of said housing and secured to said housing by a flexible, hinge-like element which extends along at least a portion of the length of said housing and is parallel to the center line of said elongated plate; a first section of said plate on one side of said hinge-like element extending over the said other ends of said contacts; a second section of said plate on the other side of said hingelike element having its inner surface comprising a series of inclined planes extending longitudinally along said plate; and an actuator means comprising an elongated flat strip with one of its two major surfaces formed into a series of inclined planes configured to mate with the inclined planes on said plate; said flat strip insertable in between said main portion of said housing and said second section of said plate, and movable longitudinally in a first direction to cause said mated inclined planes to move with respect to each other, thereby pivoting the said plate about said hinge-like means to cause said first section of said plate to press down upon the ends of said other end portions of said contacts and thereby actuate said sections of said contacts down into said slot and against mating contacts provided on the edge of said circuit board inserted in said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
377 words
A circuit board connector comprising a hOusing and a plurality of contacts retained therein; said housing comprising a first elongated main portion having a pair of parallel ledges extending along the length thereof with their inner surfaces defining a slot to receive the edge of a first circuit board therein; at least one of said ledges comprising a plurality of ribs forming parallel grooves therebetween which are perpendicular to said ledges; each of said plurality of contacts having a first end portion thereof secured in said main portion of said housing and the other end portion thereof extending into one of said grooves and configured to have a section thereof extending towards the inner surface of said ledge which defines one side of said slot and with the end of said other end portion extending away from said slot and towards the outer surface of said ledge; said housing further comprising an elongated plate extending along the length of said housing and secured to said housing by a flexible, hinge-like element which extends along at least a portion of the length of said housing and is parallel to the center line of said elongated plate; a first section of said plate on one side of said hinge-like element extending over the said other ends of said contacts; a second section of said plate on the other side of said hingelike element having its inner surface comprising a series of inclined planes extending longitudinally along said plate; and an actuator means comprising an elongated flat strip with one of its two major surfaces formed into a series of inclined planes configured to mate with the inclined planes on said plate; said flat strip insertable in between said main portion of said housing and said second section of said plate, and movable longitudinally in a first direction to cause said mated inclined planes to move with respect to each other, thereby pivoting the said plate about said hinge-like means to cause said first section of said plate to press down upon the ends of said other end portions of said contacts and thereby actuate said sections of said contacts down into said slot and against mating contacts provided on the edge of said circuit board inserted in said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A circuit board connector in accordance with claim 1 in which said flat strip is movable in a second direction to release the pressure of said first section of said plate upon said ends of said other end portions of said contacts to enable withdrawal of said first circuit board from said slot with substantially zero force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A circuit board connector in accordance with claim 1 in which the said other end portion of each of said contacts has a section thereof which is convex with respect to the inner surface of said ribs on said ledge which defines said slot and which extends, when not actuated, inwardly towards the inner surface of said ledge ribs which define said slot, but not into said slot to an extent which will impede the insertion of the edge of said first circuit board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A circuit board connector in accordance with claim 1 in which said first end portions of said contacts extend through said main portion of said housing to form terminals which fit into mating terminals contained in a second circuit board, thereby forming a first circuit board to second circuit board connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
365 words
A zero entry force circuit board connector comprising a housing and a plurality of contacts retained therein; said housing comprising a first elongated main portion having at least one row of parallel ribs extending along the length thereof and a ledge extending along the length thereof; said row of parallel ribs and said ledge defining an elongated slot therebetween to receive the edge of a circuit board therein; said row of ribs forming grooves therebetween which are substantially normal to the longitudinal direction of said elongated slot; each of said plurality of contacts having one end portion thereof secured in said main portion of said housing and the other end portiOn thereof extending into one of said grooves and configured to have a section thereof extend towards the inner sides of said ribs which define one side of said slot, and with the end of said other end portion extending away from said slot and towards the outer sides of said ribs; an elongated plate extending along the length of said housing and secured near its midpoint to the outside surface of said housing by a hinge-like means extending along a line which divides said elongated plate longitudinally into first and second sections; said first section extending over the said other ends of said contacts; said second section having its inner surface comprising at least one inclined plane surface extending longitudinally along said elongated plate; and an actuator means comprising an elongated flat strip with a major surface formed into at least one inclined plane surface configured to mate with the inclined plane surface of said plate; said flat strip being insertable in between said main portion of said housing and said second section of said plate, and movable longitudinally in a first direction to cause said mated inclined plane surfaces to move with respect to each other and thereby pivot the said plate about said hinge-like means to cause said first section thereof to press down upon said ends of said other end portions of said contacts and thereby actuate said other end portions of said contacts down into said slot and against mating contacts on the edge of said circuit board inserted therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
365 words
A zero entry force circuit board connector comprising a housing and a plurality of contacts retained therein; said housing comprising a first elongated main portion having at least one row of parallel ribs extending along the length thereof and a ledge extending along the length thereof; said row of parallel ribs and said ledge defining an elongated slot therebetween to receive the edge of a circuit board therein; said row of ribs forming grooves therebetween which are substantially normal to the longitudinal direction of said elongated slot; each of said plurality of contacts having one end portion thereof secured in said main portion of said housing and the other end portiOn thereof extending into one of said grooves and configured to have a section thereof extend towards the inner sides of said ribs which define one side of said slot, and with the end of said other end portion extending away from said slot and towards the outer sides of said ribs; an elongated plate extending along the length of said housing and secured near its midpoint to the outside surface of said housing by a hinge-like means extending along a line which divides said elongated plate longitudinally into first and second sections; said first section extending over the said other ends of said contacts; said second section having its inner surface comprising at least one inclined plane surface extending longitudinally along said elongated plate; and an actuator means comprising an elongated flat strip with a major surface formed into at least one inclined plane surface configured to mate with the inclined plane surface of said plate; said flat strip being insertable in between said main portion of said housing and said second section of said plate, and movable longitudinally in a first direction to cause said mated inclined plane surfaces to move with respect to each other and thereby pivot the said plate about said hinge-like means to cause said first section thereof to press down upon said ends of said other end portions of said contacts and thereby actuate said other end portions of said contacts down into said slot and against mating contacts on the edge of said circuit board inserted therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A circuit board connector in accordance with claim 5 in which said flat strip is movable in a second direction to release the pressure of said first section of said plate upon said ends of said other end portions of said contacts to enable withdrawal of said circuit board from said slot with substantially zero force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A circuit board connector in accordance with claim 5 in which the said other end portion of each of said contacts has a section thereof which is convex with respect to the inner surface of said ribs on said ledge which define said slot and which extends, when not actuated, inwardly towards the inner sides of said ribs which define said slot, but not into said slot to any extent which would impede the insertion of the edge of said circuit board therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A circuit board connector in accordance with claim 5 in which said first end portions of said contacts extend through said main portions of said housings to form terminals which fit into mating terminals contained in a second circuit board, thereby forming a circuit board to circuit board connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
319 words
A circuit board connector comprising a housing and a plurality of contacts retained therein; said housing comprising a first elongated main portion having a pair of rows of parallel ribs extending along the length thereof and defining an elongated slot therebetween to receive the edge of a circuit board therein; said ribs of each row forming grooves therebetween which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said elongated slot; each of said plurality of contacts having one end portion thereof secured in said main portion of said housing and the other end portion thereof configured to extend into one of said grooves towards the sides of said ribs which define one side of said slot, and then to extend away from said slot and towards the outer sides of said ribs; an elongated plate extending along the length of said housing and secured to the side of said housing by a hinge-like means extending along a line which divides said elongated plate longitudinally into first and second sections; said first section extending over the said other end portions of said contacts; said second section having its inner surface comprising at least one inclined plane extending longitudinally along said plate; and an actuator means comprising an elongated flat strip with a major surface formed into at least one inclined plane configured to mate with the inclinEd plane surface of said plate; said flat strip being insertable in between said main portion of said housing and said second section of said plate, and movable longitudinally in a first direction to cause said mated inclined plane surfaces to move with respect to each other and thereby pivot the said plate about said hinge-like means and cause said first section to press down upon said other end portions of said contacts and thereby actuate said contacts down into said slot and against mating contacts on the edge of said circuit board inserted therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
319 words
A circuit board connector comprising a housing and a plurality of contacts retained therein; said housing comprising a first elongated main portion having a pair of rows of parallel ribs extending along the length thereof and defining an elongated slot therebetween to receive the edge of a circuit board therein; said ribs of each row forming grooves therebetween which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said elongated slot; each of said plurality of contacts having one end portion thereof secured in said main portion of said housing and the other end portion thereof configured to extend into one of said grooves towards the sides of said ribs which define one side of said slot, and then to extend away from said slot and towards the outer sides of said ribs; an elongated plate extending along the length of said housing and secured to the side of said housing by a hinge-like means extending along a line which divides said elongated plate longitudinally into first and second sections; said first section extending over the said other end portions of said contacts; said second section having its inner surface comprising at least one inclined plane extending longitudinally along said plate; and an actuator means comprising an elongated flat strip with a major surface formed into at least one inclined plane configured to mate with the inclinEd plane surface of said plate; said flat strip being insertable in between said main portion of said housing and said second section of said plate, and movable longitudinally in a first direction to cause said mated inclined plane surfaces to move with respect to each other and thereby pivot the said plate about said hinge-like means and cause said first section to press down upon said other end portions of said contacts and thereby actuate said contacts down into said slot and against mating contacts on the edge of said circuit board inserted therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A circuit board connector in accordance with claim 9 in which said flat strip is movable in a second direction to release the pressure of said first section of said plate upon said other end portions of said contacts to enable withdrawal of said circuit board from said slot with substantially zero force.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
A circuit board connector in accordance with claim 9 in which the said other end portion of each of said contacts has a section thereof which is convex with respect to the inner surface of said ribs which define said slots and which extends, when not actuated, inwardly towards the inner sides of said ribs which define said slot, but not into said slot to any extent which impedes the insertion of the edge of said circuit board.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A circuit board connector in accordance with claim 9 in which said first end portions of said contacts extend through said main portions of said housings to form terminals which fit into mating terminals contained in a second circuit board, thereby forming a circuit board to circuit board connection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
337 words
A zero entry force circuit board connector comprising a housing and a plurality of contacts retained therein; said housing comprising a first elongated main portion having at least one row of parallel ribs extending along the length thereof and a ledge extending along the length thereof; said row of parallel ribs and said ledge defining an elongated slot therebetween to receive the edge of a circuit board therein; said ribs forming grooves therebetween which are substantially normal to the longitudinal direction of said elongated slot; each of said plurality of contacts having one end portion thereof secured in said main portion of said housing and the other end portion thereof extending into one of said grooves towards the sides of said ribs which define one side of said slot and then extending away from said slot and towards the outer sides of said ribs; an elongated plate extending along the length of said housing and secured to the side of said housing by a hinge-like means extending along a line which divides said elongated plate longitudinally into first and second sections; said first section extending over the said other end portions of said contacts; said second section having its inner surface comprising at least one inclined plane extending longitudinally along said plate; and an actuator means comprising an elongated flat strip with a major surface formed into at least one inclined plane configured to mate with the inclined plane surface of said plate; said flat strip being insertable in between said main portion of said housing and said second section of said plate, and movable longitudinally in a first direction to cause said mated inclined plane surfaces to move with respect to each other and thereby pivot the said plate about said hinge-like means to cause said first section to press down upon said other end portions of said contacts and thereby actuate said other end portions of said contacts down into said slot and against mating contacts on the edge of said circuit board inserted therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
337 words
A zero entry force circuit board connector comprising a housing and a plurality of contacts retained therein; said housing comprising a first elongated main portion having at least one row of parallel ribs extending along the length thereof and a ledge extending along the length thereof; said row of parallel ribs and said ledge defining an elongated slot therebetween to receive the edge of a circuit board therein; said ribs forming grooves therebetween which are substantially normal to the longitudinal direction of said elongated slot; each of said plurality of contacts having one end portion thereof secured in said main portion of said housing and the other end portion thereof extending into one of said grooves towards the sides of said ribs which define one side of said slot and then extending away from said slot and towards the outer sides of said ribs; an elongated plate extending along the length of said housing and secured to the side of said housing by a hinge-like means extending along a line which divides said elongated plate longitudinally into first and second sections; said first section extending over the said other end portions of said contacts; said second section having its inner surface comprising at least one inclined plane extending longitudinally along said plate; and an actuator means comprising an elongated flat strip with a major surface formed into at least one inclined plane configured to mate with the inclined plane surface of said plate; said flat strip being insertable in between said main portion of said housing and said second section of said plate, and movable longitudinally in a first direction to cause said mated inclined plane surfaces to move with respect to each other and thereby pivot the said plate about said hinge-like means to cause said first section to press down upon said other end portions of said contacts and thereby actuate said other end portions of said contacts down into said slot and against mating contacts on the edge of said circuit board inserted therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3475717A
Cited
US3555488A
Cited
US3596230A
Cited
US3665370A
Cited
US3820054A
Cited
US3818419A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |