US4092057A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible circuit assembly
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1977-02-02
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Granted: 1978-05-30
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Expires: 1997-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A flexible circuit assembly and a method of making it in which there are no separate electrical interconnections between the flexible interconnecting cable and the rigid connector. A flexible insulating film is bonded to a surface of the connector member and extends from the connector to provide a flexible interconnecting cable for external electrical connections. A plurality of conductors on the insulating film provides a continuous electrically conductive path thus providing an interfaceless electrical connection between the rigid connector and the flexible interconnecting cable. In the method, a metallic clad insulating film is placed on a surface of a rigid support member which includes a portion which will serve as the connector. The support member also includes a filler block portion in the space designated for the flexible interconnecting cable. The film is selectively bonded to the connector portion of the support member. Conductors are then formed on the insulating film. The filler block is then removed to leave a rigid connector and a flexible interconnecting cable which has a plurality of continuous conductors thereon thereby eliminating a separate electrical connection therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Tommy L. Walton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:06
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/46; H05K3/4688; H05K3/4691; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/62; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09009; H05K2201/09109; H05K2201/20; H05K2201/2009; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/30; H05K2203/308; H05K3/0058; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A flexible circuit assembly having a rigid connector and a flexible interconnecting cable which does not require a separate electrical connection therebetween, said assembly comprising: a rigid support member having a major surface and serving as a rigid connector; a metallic clad insulating film bonded to said surface and extending from said rigid connector; and a plurality of spaced conductors on said insulating film, said conductors each having an enlarged portion, as an integral part thereof, at one end terminating on said rigid connector to form a contact pad and another end on the insulating film spaced from the rigid connector, each conductor and corresponding pad portion thereby providing a metallurgically continuous one piece interfaceless electrically conductive path from the rigid connector end to the insulating film which extends from the rigid connector, the combination serving as a flexible interconnecting cable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A flexible circuit assembly having a rigid connector and a flexible interconnecting cable which does not require a separate electrical connection therebetween, said assembly comprising: a rigid support member having a major surface and serving as a rigid connector; a metallic clad insulating film bonded to said surface and extending from said rigid connector; and a plurality of spaced conductors on said insulating film, said conductors each having an enlarged portion, as an integral part thereof, at one end terminating on said rigid connector to form a contact pad and another end on the insulating film spaced from the rigid connector, each conductor and corresponding pad portion thereby providing a metallurgically continuous one piece interfaceless electrically conductive path from the rigid connector end to the insulating film which extends from the rigid connector, the combination serving as a flexible interconnecting cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
An integral flexible circuit assembly having rigid connectors and an interconnecting flexible cable which requires no separate electrical connections therebetween, said assembly comprising: at least two spaced rigid support members each having a major surface and each serving as a rigid connector, each rigid connector having an edge for engaging in an external socket; an insulating film bonded to the surfaces of said rigid connectors and connecting said rigid connectors together in a spaced apart manner; a plurality of spaced continuous conductors on said insulating film, each conductor having an enlarged contact pad as a portion thereof near the edge of each rigid connector; and said insulating film bridging said rigid connectors and serving as a flexible cable, each conductor and corresponding contact pad providing a metallurgically continuous interfaceless one piece electrical conductive path between the edges of said rigid connectors without requiring separate electrical connection between the flexible cable and the rigid connectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
An integral flexible circuit assembly having rigid connectors and an interconnecting flexible cable which requires no separate electrical connections therebetween, said assembly comprising: at least two spaced rigid support members each having a major surface and each serving as a rigid connector, each rigid connector having an edge for engaging in an external socket; an insulating film bonded to the surfaces of said rigid connectors and connecting said rigid connectors together in a spaced apart manner; a plurality of spaced continuous conductors on said insulating film, each conductor having an enlarged contact pad as a portion thereof near the edge of each rigid connector; and said insulating film bridging said rigid connectors and serving as a flexible cable, each conductor and corresponding contact pad providing a metallurgically continuous interfaceless one piece electrical conductive path between the edges of said rigid connectors without requiring separate electrical connection between the flexible cable and the rigid connectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flexible circuit assembly of claim 2 wherein the insulating film is bonded to the rigid connectors with a thermosetting adhesive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3522652A
Cited
US3805213A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |