US3941446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1974-08-21
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Granted: 1976-03-02
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Expires: 1994-08-21
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector, having a multiplicity of electrical conductors, in which pressure, to establish electrical contact between conductors, is generated by means of a single external force. Maintenance of adequate contact pressure, for all contacts, is determined by incorporating a single pressure sensing device which monitors the pressure applied to the contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph R. Cantwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/193
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
322 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing means made of electrical insulating material containing two mating parts, a plurality of electrical conductors contained and arranged in each of said housing parts such that each conductor in one of said housing parts mates with a corresponding conductor in said other housing part, forming conductor pairs, insulating means disposed between said conductor pairs, means for connecting external circuits to said conductors through said housing, two end plates, a first end plate and a second end plate, said first end plate located at one end of said housing and said second end plate located at the other end, said end plates including a rectangular block and a rectangular spring shaped to form a V, said spring attached to said block at the apex of the V, with said spring of said first end plate having at least one hole on one side of said apex, a force transmission structure including two sets of rigid rods, a first set and a second set one end of each of said rods contained in said first set being attached to said spring of said second end plate, the other ends extending through said holes of said spring of said first end plate, said rods of said second set being attached at one end to said spring of said first end plate and at the other end to said spring of said second end plate, said second set attachments being on the opposite side of said apexes from said first set of attachments and said holes, a force generating device including at least one cam shaped lever, and means for connecting the ends of said first set of rods which extend through said holes of said spring of said first end plate to said cam shaped lever whereby movement of said lever in an appropriate direction applies an external force that is transmitted to said conductors of said conductor pairs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
322 words
An electrical connector comprising: a housing means made of electrical insulating material containing two mating parts, a plurality of electrical conductors contained and arranged in each of said housing parts such that each conductor in one of said housing parts mates with a corresponding conductor in said other housing part, forming conductor pairs, insulating means disposed between said conductor pairs, means for connecting external circuits to said conductors through said housing, two end plates, a first end plate and a second end plate, said first end plate located at one end of said housing and said second end plate located at the other end, said end plates including a rectangular block and a rectangular spring shaped to form a V, said spring attached to said block at the apex of the V, with said spring of said first end plate having at least one hole on one side of said apex, a force transmission structure including two sets of rigid rods, a first set and a second set one end of each of said rods contained in said first set being attached to said spring of said second end plate, the other ends extending through said holes of said spring of said first end plate, said rods of said second set being attached at one end to said spring of said first end plate and at the other end to said spring of said second end plate, said second set attachments being on the opposite side of said apexes from said first set of attachments and said holes, a force generating device including at least one cam shaped lever, and means for connecting the ends of said first set of rods which extend through said holes of said spring of said first end plate to said cam shaped lever whereby movement of said lever in an appropriate direction applies an external force that is transmitted to said conductors of said conductor pairs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 further including a pressure sensing device to monitor the pressure applied to said contacting conductor pairs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 in which: said housing means is made of a semi-compressible insulating material, each mating part of said housing means being identical and each containing an array of appropriately spaced rectangular grooves, said grooves in one of said parts facing a corresponding groove in said other part and aligned therewith, said grooves being sufficiently large to accommodate one pair of said conductor pairs, one conductor of each of said conductor pairs inserted in each of said grooves of said mating parts with corresponding grooves containing corresponding conductors which form said conductor pairs, and said insulating means between said pairs of contacting conductors being provided by said semi-compressible insulating material of which said housing is made whereby said external force is applied to said housing causing compression of said semi-compressible material thereby accomplishing electrical contact between corresponding conductors of said conductor pairs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
173 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 in which said housing means is constructed of a semi-compressible insulating material, each part of said housing containing an array of rectangular grooves wherein said grooves in one of said parts are interwoven with said grooves in said other part in such a manner that a post formed between two grooves in one of said parts is aligned with and can be inserted in a corresponding groove in said other part, said electrical contacts are secured to one pair of opposite walls of said grooves in such a manner that one conductor of a pair of corresponding contacts in one part of said housing faces its corresponding conductor of said pair in said other part, and said insulating means between contacting pairs of electrical contacts is provided by the insulating material in the form of posts between said grooves whereby said external force is applied to said housing causing compression of said semi-compressible material thereby accomplishing electrical contact between corresponding conductors of said conductor pairs.
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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) | 1979-03-02 | 1979-09-01 | 1980-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-02 | 1983-09-01 | 1984-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-02 | 1987-09-01 | 1988-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |