Patent US4630874A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4630874A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1985-06-20
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Granted: 1986-12-23
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Expires: 2005-06-20
Abstract
Abstract An electrical interconnection assembly intended for interconnecting an array of conductors in a cable to conductors on a substrate is disclosed. The assembly is comprised of a spring metal member and a housing member, said spring member having means for being pivotally mounted to said housing. Said housing means has a plurality of conductor members therein, each engageable to corresponding circuitry on the substrate. Said spring member has a stamped and formed body with a first and second section joined by an intermediate bight. The first and second sections are mutually relatively deflectable about the bight to a second position. The assembly further has a locking means to retain said body in its second position in said housing. Energy is stored in the body in its second position whereby upon positioning the cable conductors between the second body section and the circuitry of the housing member and deflecting the first section to the second position and engaging said lock, the stored energy is transmitted through the second section to the conductor array to maintain a normal force electrical contact between the cable conductors and the circuitry on the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Renn
- 👤 John R. Shoemaker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/82; H01R12/85; H01R12/88; H01R12/77; H01R12/79
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
An electrical interconnection assembly for interconnecting conductors in an array to circuitry on the surface of a substrate, the connector comprising: a housing attachable to the substrate and having a plurality of conductor members each electrically connectable to corresponding circuitry on the substrate; a unitary spring metal member attachable to the housing and further comprising a formed metal body having a first section and a second section joined by an intermediate bight, the first and second sections being relatively inclined about an acute included angle in a first position, the first and second sections being mutually relatively deflectable about said bight to a second position in which the relative inclination therebetween is less than in the first position, and a lock depending from the first section for retaining the first and second sections in the second position, energy being stored in the body in the second position, whereby upon positioning the array of conductors between the second body section and the conductor members in the housing, and deflecting the first section to the second position, the stored energy is transmitted through the second section to the conductor array to maintain a normal force electrical contact between the conductors in the array and the circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
An electrical interconnection assembly for interconnecting conductors in an array to circuitry on the surface of a substrate, the connector comprising: a housing attachable to the substrate and having a plurality of conductor members each electrically connectable to corresponding circuitry on the substrate; a unitary spring metal member attachable to the housing and further comprising a formed metal body having a first section and a second section joined by an intermediate bight, the first and second sections being relatively inclined about an acute included angle in a first position, the first and second sections being mutually relatively deflectable about said bight to a second position in which the relative inclination therebetween is less than in the first position, and a lock depending from the first section for retaining the first and second sections in the second position, energy being stored in the body in the second position, whereby upon positioning the array of conductors between the second body section and the conductor members in the housing, and deflecting the first section to the second position, the stored energy is transmitted through the second section to the conductor array to maintain a normal force electrical contact between the conductors in the array and the circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a base attachable to the substrate and a support wall extending from the base perpendicular to the substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 2 wherein the conductor members extend through the base and along a surface of the support wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 2 wherein the housing is further comprised of sidewalls which extend from the base to the substrate and are essentially perpendicular to the support wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 4 wherein the spring metal member is attached to the housing sidewalls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 5 wherein the spring metal member is pivotally mounted relative to the base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 6 wherein the lock is engageable with the sidewall in the second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 7 wherein the lock comprises at least one flange formed from a free edge of the first section and extending laterally relative to the cantilever arms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second sections are both deflectable relative to the support wall upon movement from the first to the second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 9 wherein the second section exerts greater normal force relative to the support wall in the second position than in the first position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 10 wherein the second section exerts zero normal force relative to the support wall in the first position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 1 wherein the second body section comprises a plurality spaced cantilever arms extending from the bight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrical interconnection device of claim 1 wherein the lock comprises a flange formed from a free edge of the first section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 13 wherein the flange extends laterally beyond the first section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 14 wherein the second section comprises a plurality of laterally spaced cantilever arms, the flange extending laterally relative to the cantilever arms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electrical interconnection assembly of claim 4 wherein said base further has a spring member retaining wall extending from said base, essentially parallel to and spaced apart from said support wall, said retaining wall extending between said sidewalls and providing means to retain and support said bight section of said spring member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
212 words
A zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly for interconnecting conductors in a flat cable to circuitry on the surface of a rigid substrate, the assembly comprising: a housing electrically connectable to the substrate and having a plurality of conductor members each attachable to corresponding circuitry on the substrate; a unitary spring metal member attachable to the housing and further comprising a formed metal body having a first section and a second section joined by an intermediate bight, the first and second sections being relatively inclined about an acute included angle in a first position, the first and second sections being mutually relatively deflectable about said bight to a second position in which the relative inclination therebetween is less than in the first position, and a lock depending from the first section for retaining the first and second sections in the second position, energy being stored in the body in the second position, whereby upon positioning the array of conductors between the second body section and the conductor members in the housing, and deflecting the first section to the second position, the stored energy is transmitted through the second section to the conductor array to maintain a normal force electrical contact between the conductors in the array and the circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
212 words
A zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly for interconnecting conductors in a flat cable to circuitry on the surface of a rigid substrate, the assembly comprising: a housing electrically connectable to the substrate and having a plurality of conductor members each attachable to corresponding circuitry on the substrate; a unitary spring metal member attachable to the housing and further comprising a formed metal body having a first section and a second section joined by an intermediate bight, the first and second sections being relatively inclined about an acute included angle in a first position, the first and second sections being mutually relatively deflectable about said bight to a second position in which the relative inclination therebetween is less than in the first position, and a lock depending from the first section for retaining the first and second sections in the second position, energy being stored in the body in the second position, whereby upon positioning the array of conductors between the second body section and the conductor members in the housing, and deflecting the first section to the second position, the stored energy is transmitted through the second section to the conductor array to maintain a normal force electrical contact between the conductors in the array and the circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 17 wherein the housing comprises a base attachable to the substrate and a support wall extending from the base perpendicular to the substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 18 wherein the conductor members extend through the base and along a surface of the support wall.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 18 wherein the housing is further comprised of sidewalls which extend from the base to the substrate and are essentially perpendicular to the support wall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 20 wherein the spring metal member is attached to the housing sidewalls.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 21 wherein the spring metal member is pivotally mounted relative to the base.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 22 wherein the lock is engageable with the sidewall in the second position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 23 wherein the lock comprises at least one flange formed from a free edge of the first section and extending laterally relative to the cantilever arms.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 17 wherein the first and second sections are both deflectable relative to the support wall upon movement from the first to the second position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 25 wherein the second section exerts greater normal force relative to the support wall in the second position than in the first position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
The zero insertion force electrical interconnection assembly of claim 17 wherein said base further has a spring member retaining wall extending from said base, essentially parallel to and spaced apart from said support wall, said retaining wall extending between said sidewalls and providing means to retain and support said bight section of said spring member.
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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) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-22 | 1998-06-23 | 1998-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |