US4236779A — EMI Shielded cable and connector assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 126 words

A shielded connector assembly comprising: a connector member including an electrically conductive housing, a plurality of contact elements, a mating portion for engaging a compatible connector member, and a conductor receiving terminal portion; a shielded electrical cable interconnected with said connector member and including a plurality of conductors and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductors, said conductors being terminated to said contact elements in said connector terminal portion; means for electrically connecting said inner shielding layer with one of said contact elements; shielding means electrically interconnecting said outer shielding layer and said electrically conductive housing and substantially surrounding said terminal portion for continuously shielding said connector means from electromagnetic interference; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 126 words

A shielded connector assembly comprising: a connector member including an electrically conductive housing, a plurality of contact elements, a mating portion for engaging a compatible connector member, and a conductor receiving terminal portion; a shielded electrical cable interconnected with said connector member and including a plurality of conductors and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductors, said conductors being terminated to said contact elements in said connector terminal portion; means for electrically connecting said inner shielding layer with one of said contact elements; shielding means electrically interconnecting said outer shielding layer and said electrically conductive housing and substantially surrounding said terminal portion for continuously shielding said connector means from electromagnetic interference; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 114 words

An EMI shielded double-ended connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and an EMI shielding layer surrounding said conductors, said assembly comprising: a pair of connector members arranged in spaced back-to-back relation having a plurality of contact elements, mating portions for engaging compatible connector members, and spaced terminal portions for terminating said conductors to said contact elements; intermediate conductors disposed between said terminal portions for interconnecting respective contact elements in said connector members; EMI shielding means electrically connected to said EMI shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portions for continuously shielding said connector members from electromagnetic interference; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 114 words

An EMI shielded double-ended connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and an EMI shielding layer surrounding said conductors, said assembly comprising: a pair of connector members arranged in spaced back-to-back relation having a plurality of contact elements, mating portions for engaging compatible connector members, and spaced terminal portions for terminating said conductors to said contact elements; intermediate conductors disposed between said terminal portions for interconnecting respective contact elements in said connector members; EMI shielding means electrically connected to said EMI shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portions for continuously shielding said connector members from electromagnetic interference; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 45 words

The double-ended connector assembly as described in claim 2, wherein said EMI shielding means comprises a sheet of electrically conductive material forming an envelope to substantially surround said spaced terminal portions with the ends of said conductive sheet being secured to said EMI shielding layer.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 116 words

An EMI shielded double-ended connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductors, said assembly comprising: a pair of multi-contact element connector members arranged in space back-to-back relation having mating portions for engaging compatible connector members and spaced terminal portions for terminating said conductors to said contact elements; means for electrically connecting said inner EMI shielding layer to at least one of said contact elements; EMI shielding means electrically connected to said outer shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portions to continuously shield said connector members from electromagnetic interference; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 116 words

An EMI shielded double-ended connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having a plurality of conductors and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductors, said assembly comprising: a pair of multi-contact element connector members arranged in space back-to-back relation having mating portions for engaging compatible connector members and spaced terminal portions for terminating said conductors to said contact elements; means for electrically connecting said inner EMI shielding layer to at least one of said contact elements; EMI shielding means electrically connected to said outer shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portions to continuously shield said connector members from electromagnetic interference; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 156 words

An EMI shielded double-ended connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having a plurality of central conductors and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductors, said assembly comprising: a pair of multi-contact element connector members arranged in spaced back-to-back relation having mating portions for engaging compatible connector members and spaced terminal portions for terminating said conductors to said contact elements; a plurality of intermediate conductors disposed between said terminal portions for interconnecting respective contact elements in said connector members; a ground conductor for electrically connecting said inner EMI shielding layer to one of said contact elements; a sheet of electrically conductive material forming an envelope substantially surrounding said spaced terminal portions with the ends thereof being electrically engaged to said outer shielding layer, said electrically conductive sheet providing continuous EMI shielding of said spaced terminal portions; and first and second concentric annular members for mechanically securing said conductive sheet to said cable.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 156 words

An EMI shielded double-ended connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having a plurality of central conductors and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductors, said assembly comprising: a pair of multi-contact element connector members arranged in spaced back-to-back relation having mating portions for engaging compatible connector members and spaced terminal portions for terminating said conductors to said contact elements; a plurality of intermediate conductors disposed between said terminal portions for interconnecting respective contact elements in said connector members; a ground conductor for electrically connecting said inner EMI shielding layer to one of said contact elements; a sheet of electrically conductive material forming an envelope substantially surrounding said spaced terminal portions with the ends thereof being electrically engaged to said outer shielding layer, said electrically conductive sheet providing continuous EMI shielding of said spaced terminal portions; and first and second concentric annular members for mechanically securing said conductive sheet to said cable.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 90 words

The double-ended connector assembly as described in claim 5, wherein said first annular member is interposed between said inner and outer EMI shielding layers and is electrically isolated from one of said shielding layers, and said second annular member is disposed about said outer shielding layer concentric with said first annular member, the ends of said conductive sheet being interposed between said outer shielding layer and said second annular member with said second annular member firmly securing said conductive sheet and said outer shielding layer against said first annular member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 138 words

An EMI shielded cable for use in environments having high intensity electrical and EMI radiation comprising: a plurality of bundled conductors; an inner layer of electrically conductive, EMI shielding material disposed about said bundled conductors; a layer of electrically insulating material disposed about said inner EMI shielding layer; an outer layer of electrically conductive, EMI shielding material disposed about said electrically insulating layer; and an outer electrically insulating sheath disposed about said outer EMI shielding layer, said inner and outer EMI shielding layers being electrically isolated from each other whereby said outer shielding layer provides overall protection for said conductors from environmental EMI and electrical radiation, and said inner shielding layer provides secondary protection for said conductors and prevents signal loss from said conductors, the separated inner and outer shielding layers providing a capacitance effect in said cable.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 138 words

An EMI shielded cable for use in environments having high intensity electrical and EMI radiation comprising: a plurality of bundled conductors; an inner layer of electrically conductive, EMI shielding material disposed about said bundled conductors; a layer of electrically insulating material disposed about said inner EMI shielding layer; an outer layer of electrically conductive, EMI shielding material disposed about said electrically insulating layer; and an outer electrically insulating sheath disposed about said outer EMI shielding layer, said inner and outer EMI shielding layers being electrically isolated from each other whereby said outer shielding layer provides overall protection for said conductors from environmental EMI and electrical radiation, and said inner shielding layer provides secondary protection for said conductors and prevents signal loss from said conductors, the separated inner and outer shielding layers providing a capacitance effect in said cable.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 37 words

The shielded cable as described in claim 7, wherein an electrically insulating binding tape is wrapped around said bundled conductors between said conductors and said inner shielding layer, and wherein said electrically insulating material comprises polyvinyl chloride.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

The shielded cable as described in claim 7, wherein each said shielding layer comprises a flexible, substantially cylindrical layer of braided electrically conductive metal.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 19 words

The shielded cable as described in claim 9, wherein said braided metal comprises an alloy of tin and copper.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 151 words

A connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having at least one central conductor and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductor, said assembly comprising: a connector member including a plurality of contact elements, a mating portion for engaging a compatible connector member, and a terminal portion for terminating each said central conductor to one of said contact elements; means for electrically connecting said inner shielding layer to at least one other of said contact elements; shielding means electrically connected to said outer shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portion, said shielding means comprising a sheet of electrically conductive material disposed around said terminal portion with the end of said conductive material being secured to said outer shielding layer, said shielding means providing continuous EMI shielding from said outer shielding layer to said connector member; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 151 words

A connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having at least one central conductor and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductor, said assembly comprising: a connector member including a plurality of contact elements, a mating portion for engaging a compatible connector member, and a terminal portion for terminating each said central conductor to one of said contact elements; means for electrically connecting said inner shielding layer to at least one other of said contact elements; shielding means electrically connected to said outer shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portion, said shielding means comprising a sheet of electrically conductive material disposed around said terminal portion with the end of said conductive material being secured to said outer shielding layer, said shielding means providing continuous EMI shielding from said outer shielding layer to said connector member; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 104 words

The connector assembly as described in claim 11, wherein said means for mechanically securing said conductive sheet to said cable comprises first and second annular members, said first annular member being interposed between said inner and outer EMI shielding layers and electrically isolated from one of said shielding layers, and said second annular member being disposed about said outer shielding layer concentric with said first annular member, the ends of said sheet being interposed between said outer shielding layer and said second annular member, and said second annular member firmly securing said conductive sheet and said outer shielding layer against said first annular member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 173 words

A connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having at least one central conductor and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductor, said assembly comprising: a connector member including a plurality of contact elements, a terminal portion for terminating each said central conductor to one of said contact elements and a pair of connectors disposed in spaced back-to-back relation with each said connector having a mating portion for engaging a compatible connector member and a terminal portion, said terminal portions of said pair of connectors being arranged adjacent each other; means for electrically connecting said inner shielding layer to at least one other of said contact elements; shielding means electrically connected to said outer shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portions for continuously shielding said connector member from electrical and electromagnetic interference, said shielding means comprising a sheet of electrically conducting material forming an envelope to substantially surround said terminal portions of said pair of back-to-back connectors; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 173 words

A connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having at least one central conductor and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductor, said assembly comprising: a connector member including a plurality of contact elements, a terminal portion for terminating each said central conductor to one of said contact elements and a pair of connectors disposed in spaced back-to-back relation with each said connector having a mating portion for engaging a compatible connector member and a terminal portion, said terminal portions of said pair of connectors being arranged adjacent each other; means for electrically connecting said inner shielding layer to at least one other of said contact elements; shielding means electrically connected to said outer shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portions for continuously shielding said connector member from electrical and electromagnetic interference, said shielding means comprising a sheet of electrically conducting material forming an envelope to substantially surround said terminal portions of said pair of back-to-back connectors; and means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 175 words

A connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having at least one central conductor and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductor, said assembly comprising: a connector member including a plurality of contact elements, a mating portion for engaging a compatible connector member, and a terminal portion for terminating each said central conductor to one of said contact elements; means for electrically connecting said inner shielding layer to at least one other of said contact elements; shielding means electrically connected to said outer shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portion for continuously shielding said connector member from electrical and electromagnetic interference; means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable; and said mating portion of said connector member including an electrically conductive housing in electrical engagement with said shielding means and adapted for electrical contact with said compatible connector member to provide continuous EMI shielding from said cable through said connector member to said compatible connector member when said connector assembly is mateably engaged with said compatible connector member.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 175 words

A connector assembly for terminating an electrical cable having at least one central conductor and electrically isolated inner and outer EMI shielding layers surrounding said conductor, said assembly comprising: a connector member including a plurality of contact elements, a mating portion for engaging a compatible connector member, and a terminal portion for terminating each said central conductor to one of said contact elements; means for electrically connecting said inner shielding layer to at least one other of said contact elements; shielding means electrically connected to said outer shielding layer and substantially surrounding said terminal portion for continuously shielding said connector member from electrical and electromagnetic interference; means for mechanically securing said shielding means to said cable; and said mating portion of said connector member including an electrically conductive housing in electrical engagement with said shielding means and adapted for electrical contact with said compatible connector member to provide continuous EMI shielding from said cable through said connector member to said compatible connector member when said connector assembly is mateably engaged with said compatible connector member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1983-12-02	1984-06-02	1984-12-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1987-12-02	1988-06-02	1988-12-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1991-12-02	1992-06-02	1992-12-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

EMI Shielded cable and connector assembly

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag