US4187388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit board with self-locking terminals
Assignee: Miraco Inc
•
Filing: 1978-04-21
•
Granted: 1980-02-05
•
Expires: 1998-04-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an apertured circuit board having self-locking terminals which partially cover at least some of the apertures. The terminals, which are integral extensions of the circuit pathways, are adhesively anchored to the circuit board at the terminal peripheries and are covered in part by a dielectric overlay. The latter also provides environmental protection and electrical insulation to the circuit conductive pathways. A particular feature and advantage of the invention resides in the provision of an integral tie-down shoulder on each terminal for capturing by the dielectric overlay. The circuit board and integral sockets may be formed by photoimaging and chemical resist techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:31
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/325; H05K3/326; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/03; H05K2201/0332; H05K2201/0388; H05K2201/0397; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09818; H05K2201/099; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10431; H05K2201/1059; H05K3/02; H05K3/06; H05K3/061; H05K3/062; H05K3/22; H05K3/28; H05K3/281; H05K3/306; H05K3/40; H05K3/4092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A circuit board assembly of the type adapted for solderless attachment thereto of components by their leads to said board, and comprising in combination: (A) rigid, dielectric panel having at least one aperture formed between opposite surfaces thereof; (B) at least one electrically conductive circuit formed of a resiliently flexible metal, rigidly affixed at least in part to a surface of said dielectric panel, said electrically conductive circuit having (i) at least one integral termination which essentially surrounds said at least one aperture in said panel, said termination including (ii) a plurality of spaced fingers (a) disposed inwardly for a distance from edge areas of said aperture, and (b) adapted for locking mating with said component leads; and (C) an apertured, flexible, dielectric material fixedly attached at least in part to said surface so as also to cover said at least one conductive circuit at least in part, with its apertures positioned over said apertures in said rigid, dielectric panel; said integral termination, and said fingers having areas of cross-sectional thickness greater than the cross-sectional thickness of said electrically conductive circuit, said termination including a peripheral shoulder area (i) of reduced cross-section thickness and (ii) a plan area greater than said apertures in (a) said rigid, dielectric panel, and (b) said flexible, dielectric material, said peripheral shoulder being fixedly attached to said dielectric panel at least in part; and said flexible dielectric material overlaying and fixedly attached at least in part to said termination peripheral shoulder area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A circuit board assembly of the type adapted for solderless attachment thereto of components by their leads to said board, and comprising in combination: (A) rigid, dielectric panel having at least one aperture formed between opposite surfaces thereof; (B) at least one electrically conductive circuit formed of a resiliently flexible metal, rigidly affixed at least in part to a surface of said dielectric panel, said electrically conductive circuit having (i) at least one integral termination which essentially surrounds said at least one aperture in said panel, said termination including (ii) a plurality of spaced fingers (a) disposed inwardly for a distance from edge areas of said aperture, and (b) adapted for locking mating with said component leads; and (C) an apertured, flexible, dielectric material fixedly attached at least in part to said surface so as also to cover said at least one conductive circuit at least in part, with its apertures positioned over said apertures in said rigid, dielectric panel; said integral termination, and said fingers having areas of cross-sectional thickness greater than the cross-sectional thickness of said electrically conductive circuit, said termination including a peripheral shoulder area (i) of reduced cross-section thickness and (ii) a plan area greater than said apertures in (a) said rigid, dielectric panel, and (b) said flexible, dielectric material, said peripheral shoulder being fixedly attached to said dielectric panel at least in part; and said flexible dielectric material overlaying and fixedly attached at least in part to said termination peripheral shoulder area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuit board according to claim 1 wherein said resiliently flexible metal comprises a phosphor bronze.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A circuit board according to claim 1 wherein said spaced fingers and said conductive circuit are plated at least in part with an electrically conductive metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuit board accordiang to claim 1 wherein said resiliently flexible metal comprises a spring steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit board according to claim 4 wherein said spaced fingers and said conductive circuit are coated with an electrically conductive metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit board according to claim 1 wherein said flexible, dielectric material comprises a polymeric film material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit board according to claim 1 wherein said fingers terminate with inwardly facing generally concave edges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A circuit board according to claim 1 wherein said termination peripheral shoulder areas have a cross-sectional thickness in the range of 0.001 to 0.005 inches, and said fingers and other areas of said termination have a cross-sectional thickness of about 0.01 inch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit board according to claim 8 wherein said termination peripheral shoulder areas have a cross-sectional thickness of about 0.003 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A circuit board according to claim 1, and further including at least one electrical or electronic component electrically and mechanically connected to said board with its lead(s) extending through and locked by said fingers in said at least one termination.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A circuit board according to claim 1 and including two rigid, dielectric panels having electrically conductive circuits formed of resiliently flexible metal extending between said two rigid, dielectric panels, said extending circuits being (i) integral with electrically conductive circuits on said rigid, dielectric panels, and (ii) covered at least in part by said flexible, dielectric material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A circuit board according to claim 11 and further including at least one electrical or electronic component electrically and mechanically connected to said board with its lead(s) extending through and locked by said fingers in said at least one termination.
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) | 1983-02-04 | 1983-08-06 | 1984-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-04 | 1987-08-06 | 1988-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-04 | 1991-08-06 | 1992-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |