US3924916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector adapter
Assignee: A and P Products Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-19
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-02-19
Abstract
Abstract An adapter for coupling different size multiple conductor electrical cable terminations, which have respective connector pins and contacts located in different size arrays or spacedapart positional patterns, includes a printed circuit board to which a plurality of contacts are attached at one edge for receiving the connector pins from one of the cable terminations and to which a corresponding plurality of connector pins are attached in plated-through holes for connection with the contacts in the other cable termination. The spacings of the contacts and connector pins in the adapter correspond to the spacings, respectively, of the connector pins and contacts in the cable terminations to be coupled thereby. Electrically conductive paths are printed on the printed circuit board between respective contacts and connector pins thereon to effect fanning in or fanning out between the same, and the printed circuit board, including the connector pins and contacts thereon, is located in a housing, which facilitates coupling between the same and conventional cable terminations.
Inventors
- 👤 John T Venaleck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:53
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/75; H01R12/72; H01R12/722; H01R31/00; H01R31/02; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/11; H05K1/117
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A connector adapter for electrical and mechanical connection of a plurality of electrically conductive pins arranged in a first array pattern respectively to a plurality of electrically conductive contacts arranged in a second array pattern, comprising an electrically non-conductive housing, a substantially planar electrically non-conductive support surface in said housing, a plurality of electrically conductive paths on said support surface, a plurality of connector contacts arranged in first spaced-apart positions on said support surface and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said support surface, each connector contact having a first portion electrically connected to a respective electrically conductive path and a second portion positioned for mechanical engagement with a respective electrically conductive pin that is inserted in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said support surface to effect substantial mechanical engagement, a plurality of upstanding electrically conductive connector pins supported by said support surface at second spaced-apart positions and extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of said support surface, each of said connector pins having a first portion electrically connected to a respective electrically conductive path and a second portion positioned for mechanical engagement with a respective electrically conductive contact that is inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said support surface to effect substantial mechanical engagement, said second portions of said connector pins being positionally arranged with respect to each other in such second array pattern, said plurality of electrically conductive paths on said support surface thus electrically connecting respective connector contacts and connector pins, and at least a portion of each of said connector contacts and connector pins being retained in said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A connector adapter for electrical and mechanical connection of a plurality of electrically conductive pins arranged in a first array pattern respectively to a plurality of electrically conductive contacts arranged in a second array pattern, comprising an electrically non-conductive housing, a substantially planar electrically non-conductive support surface in said housing, a plurality of electrically conductive paths on said support surface, a plurality of connector contacts arranged in first spaced-apart positions on said support surface and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said support surface, each connector contact having a first portion electrically connected to a respective electrically conductive path and a second portion positioned for mechanical engagement with a respective electrically conductive pin that is inserted in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of said support surface to effect substantial mechanical engagement, a plurality of upstanding electrically conductive connector pins supported by said support surface at second spaced-apart positions and extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of said support surface, each of said connector pins having a first portion electrically connected to a respective electrically conductive path and a second portion positioned for mechanical engagement with a respective electrically conductive contact that is inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of said support surface to effect substantial mechanical engagement, said second portions of said connector pins being positionally arranged with respect to each other in such second array pattern, said plurality of electrically conductive paths on said support surface thus electrically connecting respective connector contacts and connector pins, and at least a portion of each of said connector contacts and connector pins being retained in said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
218 words
A connector adapter for electrical and mechanical connection of a plurality of electrically conductive pins arranged in a first array pattern respectively to a plurality of electrically conductive contacts arranged in a second array pattern, comprising a substantially planar electrically non-conductive support surface, a plurality of electrically conductive paths on said support surface, a plurality of connector contacts arranged in first spaced-apart positions on said support surface, each connector contact having a first portion electrically connected to a respective electrically conductive path and a second portion positioned for mechanical engagement with a respective electrically conductive pin, a plurality of upstanding electrically conductive cOnnector pins supported by said support surface at second spaced-apart positions and extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of said support surface, each of said connector pins having a first portion electrically connected to a respective electrically conductive path and a second portion positioned for mechanical engagement with a respective electrically conductive contact, said second portions of said connector pins being positionally arranged with respect to each other in such second array pattern, said plurality of electrically conductive paths on said support surface thus electrically connecting respective connector contacts and connector pins, and an electrically non-conductive housing within which at least a portion of each of said support surface, connector contacts and connector pins are retained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
218 words
A connector adapter for electrical and mechanical connection of a plurality of electrically conductive pins arranged in a first array pattern respectively to a plurality of electrically conductive contacts arranged in a second array pattern, comprising a substantially planar electrically non-conductive support surface, a plurality of electrically conductive paths on said support surface, a plurality of connector contacts arranged in first spaced-apart positions on said support surface, each connector contact having a first portion electrically connected to a respective electrically conductive path and a second portion positioned for mechanical engagement with a respective electrically conductive pin, a plurality of upstanding electrically conductive cOnnector pins supported by said support surface at second spaced-apart positions and extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of said support surface, each of said connector pins having a first portion electrically connected to a respective electrically conductive path and a second portion positioned for mechanical engagement with a respective electrically conductive contact, said second portions of said connector pins being positionally arranged with respect to each other in such second array pattern, said plurality of electrically conductive paths on said support surface thus electrically connecting respective connector contacts and connector pins, and an electrically non-conductive housing within which at least a portion of each of said support surface, connector contacts and connector pins are retained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A connector adapter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said substantially planar support surface comprises a printed circuit board and said plurality of electrically conductive paths comprises respective printed circuits printed thereon, and wherein said first portion of each of said connector pins is electrically connected to a respective printed circuit in a plated-through hole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector adapter as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first portion of each of said connector contacts is soldered to a respective printed circuit on said printed circuit board.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector adapter as set forth in claim 3, wherein said printed circuits fan in from said connector contacts to said connector pins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A connector adapter as set forth in claim 2, wherein said plurality of connector contacts are positioned on both the upper and lower surfaces of said substantially planar support surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A connector adapter as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second portion of each of said connector contacts is bow-shaped, and such bow-shaped portion is adapted for flattening upon engagement with an inserted pin to effect a relatively large contact area therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A connector as set forth in claim 2, wherein said housing comprises upper and lower parts fastened together, and each housing part including a respective portion cooperable with each other for firm retention of said support surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
A connector adapter as set forth in claim 2, wherein said electrically conductive pins and contacts in said respective first and second array patterns are located in respective male and female multiple conductor electrical cable terminations, said connector pins being recessed in said housing and located within an opening of a shape to receive such female termination, said connector contacts being fully recessed within said housing and respective openings in said housing providing access for said pins to respective connector contacts, and said first and second spaced-apart positions correspond to the spacing in respective arrays, whereby pins in one of such cable terminations are connected to respective connector contacts in said adapter and contacts in the other cable termination are connected to respective connector pins in said connector adapter for electrical connection between respective conductors coupled to said respective cable terminations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A connector adapter as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second portion of each of said connector pins comprises two such portions, each extending substantially in a perpendicular direction away from the respective opposed surfaces of said support surface.
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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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |