US3915538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zero insertion force connector assembly
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1974-10-17
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A zero insertion force connector assembly including a plug housing that is movable in a socket housing, each housing having an array of terminals. As the housings are initially moved together, the terminals are not in engagement and zero insertion force is provided. When the housings are subsequently moved toward each other, the terminals are engaged with each other. Movement of the housings is effected by an improved means which include a pair of actuator elements mounted on either side of one housing by an integral hinge and movable into a latched position so that it forces the other housing member to a position whereby the individual pairs of contacts are in a touching relation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr William D Gruhn
- 👤 Arnold A Case
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/28; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/62905; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/02; H05B3/06; H01R2107/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A zero insertion force connector assembly including a first connector housing, a second connector housing mounted for movement relative to said first housing between an initial position and a final position, a plurality of pairs of terminals each pair including one terminal supported by the first housing and the other terminal supported by the second housing, the terminals of each pair being spaced apart when said housings are in the initial position and moving into engagement with each other when said housings are moved to the final position, and actuating means associated between said housings for moving said second housing from the initial position to the final position, the improvement in said actuating means comprising: a cam surface formed on the first housing facing the second housing; cam means movable between said cam surface and second housing from a released position to a latched position, whereby said second housing is moved from the initial position to the final position; and interengaging means formed on said cam surface and cam means for holding said cam means in the latched position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A zero insertion force connector assembly including a first connector housing, a second connector housing mounted for movement relative to said first housing between an initial position and a final position, a plurality of pairs of terminals each pair including one terminal supported by the first housing and the other terminal supported by the second housing, the terminals of each pair being spaced apart when said housings are in the initial position and moving into engagement with each other when said housings are moved to the final position, and actuating means associated between said housings for moving said second housing from the initial position to the final position, the improvement in said actuating means comprising: a cam surface formed on the first housing facing the second housing; cam means movable between said cam surface and second housing from a released position to a latched position, whereby said second housing is moved from the initial position to the final position; and interengaging means formed on said cam surface and cam means for holding said cam means in the latched position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said cam means is mounted at the end of an arm movably mounted on the first housing, movement of the arm causing said cam means to move from its released position to its latched position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said cam means is generally wedge shaped and said cam surface compliments said cam means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said interengaging means includes a protrusion formed on said cam surface and a recess formed on saiD cam means adapted to receive said protrusion when said cam means is in its latched position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
198 words
A zero insertion force connector assembly including a first connector housing, a second connector housing mounted for movement relative to said first housing between an initial position and a final position, a plurality of pairs of terminals each pair including one terminal supported by the first housing and the other terminal supported by the second housing, the terminals of each pair being spaced apart when said housings are in the initial position and moving into engagement with each other when said housings are moved to the final position, and actuating means associated between said housings for moving said second housing from the initial position to the final position, the improvement in said actuating means comprising: a pair of cam surfaces formed on the first housing facing the second housing; a pair of cam means, each associated with one of the cam surfaces and movable in opposite directions between the respective cam surfaces and the second housing from a released position to a latched position, whereby said second housing is moved from the initial position to the final position; and interengaging means formed on each cam surface and cam means for holding each cam means in the latched position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
198 words
A zero insertion force connector assembly including a first connector housing, a second connector housing mounted for movement relative to said first housing between an initial position and a final position, a plurality of pairs of terminals each pair including one terminal supported by the first housing and the other terminal supported by the second housing, the terminals of each pair being spaced apart when said housings are in the initial position and moving into engagement with each other when said housings are moved to the final position, and actuating means associated between said housings for moving said second housing from the initial position to the final position, the improvement in said actuating means comprising: a pair of cam surfaces formed on the first housing facing the second housing; a pair of cam means, each associated with one of the cam surfaces and movable in opposite directions between the respective cam surfaces and the second housing from a released position to a latched position, whereby said second housing is moved from the initial position to the final position; and interengaging means formed on each cam surface and cam means for holding each cam means in the latched position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein each cam means is mounted at the end of an arm movably mounted on the first housing, movement of the arm causing said cam means to move from its released position to its latched position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein each cam means is generally wedge shaped and said cam surface compliments said cam means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein each interengaging means includes a protrusion formed on each cam surface and a recess formed on each cam means adapted to receive said protrusions when said cam means is in its latched position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
316 words
A zero insertion force connector assembly including a first connector housing, a second connector housing mounted for movement relative to said first housing between an initial position and a final position, a plurality of pairs of terminals each pair including one terminal supported by the first housing and the other terminal supported by the second housing, the terminals of each pair being spaced apart when said housings are in the initial position and moving into engagement with each other when said housings are moved to the final position, and actuating means associated between said housings for moving said second housing from the initial position to the final position, the improvement in said actuating means comprising: said second housing being received and reciprocally movable within said first housing between said initial and final positions; said first housing including an interior defined by side walls and end walls, a pair of cam surfaces formed at one end of the interior of the first housing extended from an end wall and facing and spaced from said second housing, a pair of apertures formed in opposing side walls at opposite ends of the space between the cam surfaces and the second housing, two actuating elements mounted on the outside of the first housing side walls, one near each aperture, each actuating member including an arm pivotally mounted on the side wall having a cam portion on the free end thereof adapted to be received through the aperture into the space between the cam surface and the second housing and is movable in said space from a released position to a latched position when said arm is pivoted whereby said second housing is moved away from said cam surfaces from the initial position to the final position, said first housing further including interengaging means formed on each cam surface and cam portion for holding each actuator element in the latched position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
316 words
A zero insertion force connector assembly including a first connector housing, a second connector housing mounted for movement relative to said first housing between an initial position and a final position, a plurality of pairs of terminals each pair including one terminal supported by the first housing and the other terminal supported by the second housing, the terminals of each pair being spaced apart when said housings are in the initial position and moving into engagement with each other when said housings are moved to the final position, and actuating means associated between said housings for moving said second housing from the initial position to the final position, the improvement in said actuating means comprising: said second housing being received and reciprocally movable within said first housing between said initial and final positions; said first housing including an interior defined by side walls and end walls, a pair of cam surfaces formed at one end of the interior of the first housing extended from an end wall and facing and spaced from said second housing, a pair of apertures formed in opposing side walls at opposite ends of the space between the cam surfaces and the second housing, two actuating elements mounted on the outside of the first housing side walls, one near each aperture, each actuating member including an arm pivotally mounted on the side wall having a cam portion on the free end thereof adapted to be received through the aperture into the space between the cam surface and the second housing and is movable in said space from a released position to a latched position when said arm is pivoted whereby said second housing is moved away from said cam surfaces from the initial position to the final position, said first housing further including interengaging means formed on each cam surface and cam portion for holding each actuator element in the latched position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein each cam portion is generally wedge shaped and said cam surface compliments said cam portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein each interengagiNg means includes a protrusion formed on each cam and a recess formed on each cam portion adapted to receive said protrusion when said cam portion is in its latched position.
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) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |