US4591225A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arrangement for interconnecting a printed circuit board with a multi-conductor cable
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1985-01-14
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Granted: 1986-05-27
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Expires: 2005-01-14
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a plug and receptacle connector arrangement for interconnecting a printed circuit board with a multi-conductor flat cable. The receptacle assembly includes terminals of the tuning fork type, and a housing which is mounted to an edge of a printed circuit board. The plug assembly includes a plurality of U-shaped channels having two parallel spaced-apart cable engaging walls joined by a common bight portion. One end of the bight portion comprises a plug terminal contact surface which is received by the tuning fork receptacle terminals. At the opposing end of the terminal, each wall cable engaging includes an insulation displacement termination portion for interconnection to the flat cable. Right angle and straight (in-line) embodiment of the invention are disclosed. The connector arrangement is particularly advantageous when used in a vibrating environment of an automobile or other moving vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Squitieri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/65; H01R12/67; H01R12/675; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/722; H01R12/727; H01R4/00; H01R4/02; H01R4/24; H01R4/2416; H01R4/242
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
An electrical connector arrangement for interconnecting an external circuit member to an insulated cable having a plurality of conductors surrounded by electrical insulation, the connector arrangement including a receptacle connector having a housing with a plurality of integral, stamped, metallic receptacle terminals mounted therein each having a mating end defining a tuning fork portion with opposed spaced-apart contacting surfaces and an opposite end for electrical association with said external circuit member, a plug connector mateable with said receptacle connector having a plug housing with a plurality of plug terminals mounted therein each having a mating end defining a generally flat blade portion adapted to be received between and in electrical contact with the contact surfaces of the tuning fork portion and a cable engaging end for electrical connection to the cable, the improvement in said plug terminals comprising: an elongated, integral, stamped, metallic, generally U-shaped channel extending between opposing cable engaging and mating ends and including a first elongated terminal wall, a second terminal wall extending laterally of a longitudinal edge of said first wall, and a third terminal wall spaced-apart and parallel to said second terminal wall and extending laterally from an opposite longitudinal edge of the first wall to define said U-shaped channel, the first wall having the blade portion at the mating end thereof and the second and third walls each having an insulation displacement slot formed therein and extending from the able engaging end thereof, the slots aligned with each other to receive the insulated cable therein and displace the insulation to electrically contact one of the conductors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
An electrical connector arrangement for interconnecting an external circuit member to an insulated cable having a plurality of conductors surrounded by electrical insulation, the connector arrangement including a receptacle connector having a housing with a plurality of integral, stamped, metallic receptacle terminals mounted therein each having a mating end defining a tuning fork portion with opposed spaced-apart contacting surfaces and an opposite end for electrical association with said external circuit member, a plug connector mateable with said receptacle connector having a plug housing with a plurality of plug terminals mounted therein each having a mating end defining a generally flat blade portion adapted to be received between and in electrical contact with the contact surfaces of the tuning fork portion and a cable engaging end for electrical connection to the cable, the improvement in said plug terminals comprising: an elongated, integral, stamped, metallic, generally U-shaped channel extending between opposing cable engaging and mating ends and including a first elongated terminal wall, a second terminal wall extending laterally of a longitudinal edge of said first wall, and a third terminal wall spaced-apart and parallel to said second terminal wall and extending laterally from an opposite longitudinal edge of the first wall to define said U-shaped channel, the first wall having the blade portion at the mating end thereof and the second and third walls each having an insulation displacement slot formed therein and extending from the able engaging end thereof, the slots aligned with each other to receive the insulated cable therein and displace the insulation to electrically contact one of the conductors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said plug housing has opposite mating and cable receiving ends, a plurality of terminal receiving cavities with openings adjacent the cable receiving end of the housing for receiving said plug terminals; and said second terminal walls include housing engaging means adjacent their mating end for engaging the plug housing mating end to prevent withdrawal of the plug terminals through said plug housing cable receiving end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
The arrangement of claim 2 wherin the external circuit member comprises a printed circuit board having a mounting surface, the receptacle housing includes a terminal mounting wall for engaging said printed circuit board mounting surface and a terminal support wall extending generally transverse thereto between adjacent receptacle terminals, and said receptacle terminals are mounted in said mounting wall with said contacting portions thereof immediately adjacent said support wall and said opposite ends thereof extending beyond said mounting wall; and said plug housing includes sidewalls surrounding said plug terminal and defining a mating passageway dimensioned to receive the support wall when the plug and receptacle connectors are mated for separable electrical connection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said external circuit member comprises a printed circuit board having a mounting surface, and said plug terminal contact surfaces are stamped from a flat blank such that said contacting portions have major surfaces extending parallel to said printed circuit board mounting surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The arrangement of claim 4 wherein the opposite end of said receptacle terminals comprise solder tails formed at right angles to said contacting portions to provide engagement with said printed circuit board.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
255 words
An electrical connector arrangement for interconnecting an external circuit member to an insulated cable having a plurality of conductors surrounded by electrical insulation, the connector arrangement including a receptacle connector having a housing with an integral, stamped, metallic receptacle terminal mounted therein having a mating end defining a tuning fork portion with opposed spaced-apart contacting surfaces and an opposite end for electrical association with said external circuit member, a plug connector mateable with said receptacle connector having a plug housing with a plug terminal mounted therein having a mating end defining a generally flat blade portion adapted to be received between and in electrical contact with the contact surfaces of the tuning fork portion and a cable engaging end for electrical connection to the cable, the improvement in said plug terminal comprising: an elongated, integral, stamped, metallic, generally U-shaped channel extending between opposing cable engaging and mating ends and including a first elongated terminal wall, a second terminal wall extending laterally of a longitudinal edge of said first wall, and a third terminal wall spaced-apart and parallel to said second terminal wall and extending laterally from an opposite edge of the first wall to define said U-shaped channel, the first wall having the blade portion at the mating end thereof and the second and third walls each having an insulation displacement slot formed therein and extending from the cable engaging end thereof, the slots aligned with each other to receive the insulated cable therein and displace the insulation to electrically contact one of the conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
255 words
An electrical connector arrangement for interconnecting an external circuit member to an insulated cable having a plurality of conductors surrounded by electrical insulation, the connector arrangement including a receptacle connector having a housing with an integral, stamped, metallic receptacle terminal mounted therein having a mating end defining a tuning fork portion with opposed spaced-apart contacting surfaces and an opposite end for electrical association with said external circuit member, a plug connector mateable with said receptacle connector having a plug housing with a plug terminal mounted therein having a mating end defining a generally flat blade portion adapted to be received between and in electrical contact with the contact surfaces of the tuning fork portion and a cable engaging end for electrical connection to the cable, the improvement in said plug terminal comprising: an elongated, integral, stamped, metallic, generally U-shaped channel extending between opposing cable engaging and mating ends and including a first elongated terminal wall, a second terminal wall extending laterally of a longitudinal edge of said first wall, and a third terminal wall spaced-apart and parallel to said second terminal wall and extending laterally from an opposite edge of the first wall to define said U-shaped channel, the first wall having the blade portion at the mating end thereof and the second and third walls each having an insulation displacement slot formed therein and extending from the cable engaging end thereof, the slots aligned with each other to receive the insulated cable therein and displace the insulation to electrically contact one of the conductors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein said external circuit member comprises a printed circuit board having a mounting hole formed therein, and the opposite end of the receptacle terminal comprises a solder tail for insertion in said mounting hole for electrical association with said printed circuit board.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein the plug housing includes a supporting wall projecting between said second and said third terminal walls adjacent the cable engaging ends thereof to support the cable receiving end of the plug terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
The arrangement of 6 wherein said plug housing has opposing mating and cable receiving ends, a terminal receiving cavity with an opening adjacent the cable receiving end of the housing for receiving said plug terminal; and said second terminal wall including housing engaging means adjacent its mating end for engaging the plug housing mating end to prevent withdrawal of the plug terminal through said plug housing cable receiving end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The arrangement of 6 wherein said plug housing has opposing mating and cable receiving ends, a terminal receiving cavity with an opening adjacent the cable receiving end of the housing for receiving said plug terminal; and said second terminal wall including housing engaging means adjacent its mating end for engaging the plug housing mating end to prevent withdrawal of the plug terminal through said plug housing cable receiving end.
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) | 1989-05-26 | 1989-11-25 | 1990-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-26 | 1993-11-25 | 1994-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-26 | 1997-11-25 | 1998-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |