US4468073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Zero insertion force connector
Assignee: PRECISION CONNECTOR DESIGNS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1983-03-21
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Granted: 1984-08-28
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Expires: 2003-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A low insertion force electrical connector having a plurality of bent contacts with free ends that are movable by cam means in two stages in a cavity for receiving mating contacts on an electrical component.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen A. Machcinski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/82; H01R12/85; H01R12/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A connector for making electrical connection with a plurality of first contacts arranged at predetermined positions on a component, said connector comprising a housing having a cavity for receiving said contacts, a plurality of second contacts secured at secured portions to said housing, said contacts being resilient, having free ends movable within said cavity in a first direction against the contact surfaces of said first contacts, having bends between said free ends and said secured portions at positions adjacent to interior housing sidewall surfaces, and having inclined contact portions between said free ends and said secured portions and being inclined relative to a second direction at an angle to said first direction, and cam means for pushing in said second direction against said inclined contact portions to cause them to move in said first direction, initially moving the entire free lengths of said contacts between said secured portions and said free ends until said bends touch said sidewalls, and thereafter moving the portions between said bends and said free ends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A connector for making electrical connection with a plurality of first contacts arranged at predetermined positions on a component, said connector comprising a housing having a cavity for receiving said contacts, a plurality of second contacts secured at secured portions to said housing, said contacts being resilient, having free ends movable within said cavity in a first direction against the contact surfaces of said first contacts, having bends between said free ends and said secured portions at positions adjacent to interior housing sidewall surfaces, and having inclined contact portions between said free ends and said secured portions and being inclined relative to a second direction at an angle to said first direction, and cam means for pushing in said second direction against said inclined contact portions to cause them to move in said first direction, initially moving the entire free lengths of said contacts between said secured portions and said free ends until said bends touch said sidewalls, and thereafter moving the portions between said bends and said free ends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said cavity is elongated, and said cam means comprises a rotatable cam member connected to a lever arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein said rotatable cam member is a bar, and said cam means further comprises a pusher block between said bar and said connector contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein at one end of said elongated cavity there is a side opening through which said electrical component can be slid, the other end of said elongated cavity being closed, and further comprising first means on said rotatable member for passing through said side opening during pushing of said free lengths in said cavity to guarantee alignment of said first contacts and said second contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector of claim 4 further comprising second means on said rotatable member and adjacent to said first means for blocking said side opening when said bends are not touching said sidewalls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The connector of claim 4 wherein there is a row of connector contacts on each side of said elongated cavity, and wherein said rotatable cam member is a bar, and said cam means further comprises a pusher block between said bar and said connector contacts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector of claim 6 wherein said housing comprises guide ribs separating adjacent connector contacts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector of claim 6 further comprising means to prevent said bar from rotating more than 90°.
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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) | 1987-08-28 | 1988-02-27 | 1988-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-28 | 1992-02-27 | 1992-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-28 | 1996-02-27 | 1996-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |