US4647140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connectors
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Ltd
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Filing: 1985-04-04
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Granted: 1987-03-03
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Expires: 2005-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A printed circuit board connector is disclosed in which contacts of the connector are self-cleaning as the board is inserted into or extracted from the connector.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregan F. Crawford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/721; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/703; H01R2201/00; H01R2201/16; H01R2201/20; H01R29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
An electrically-conductive, resiliently-flexible element for use in a connector comprising that element (600) and a second electrically-conductive, resiliently flexible element (300), the second element comprising three in-line elongate portions (303,308,303), which are integrally connected in coplanar relationship by a bridge portion (301), the third elongate portion (308) extending between the other two elongate portions (303) from the bridge portion as a curved leaf-spring portion, and the two elongate portions (303,303) being formed adjacent the bridge portion each with an arch portion (304), said second element further comprising a mounting portion, integrally formed with the elongate portions and the bridge portion, and said element (600) comprising three in-line elongate portions (610, 620,630) integrally connected by a bridge portion (640), the element further comprising a laterally extending portion (650) and a mounting portion, said element being characterized in that two of said elongate portions (610, 630) are formed as curved leaf-spring portions lying in parallel relationship and the third (620) of which is positioned between the leaf-spring portions the construction and arrangement of said element being such that it can be mounted in face-to-face relationship with the second element, with the leaf-spring portions (610,630) of said element extending to make electrical contact with the planar portions (303,303) of the second element, the leaf-spring portion (308) of the second element making electrical contact with the third portion (620) of said element and the laterally-extending portion (650) of said element facing the arch portions (304) of the second element, whereby, when a printed circuit board is inserted between the elements (300,600), the arch portions (304) and the laterally-extending portion (650) are urged apart, thus causing end portions of each leaf-spring portion (307,670) to wipe against surface portions of the opposed elongate portions (620,303) to provide self-cleaning of the contacting surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
An electrically-conductive, resiliently-flexible element for use in a connector comprising that element (600) and a second electrically-conductive, resiliently flexible element (300), the second element comprising three in-line elongate portions (303,308,303), which are integrally connected in coplanar relationship by a bridge portion (301), the third elongate portion (308) extending between the other two elongate portions (303) from the bridge portion as a curved leaf-spring portion, and the two elongate portions (303,303) being formed adjacent the bridge portion each with an arch portion (304), said second element further comprising a mounting portion, integrally formed with the elongate portions and the bridge portion, and said element (600) comprising three in-line elongate portions (610, 620,630) integrally connected by a bridge portion (640), the element further comprising a laterally extending portion (650) and a mounting portion, said element being characterized in that two of said elongate portions (610, 630) are formed as curved leaf-spring portions lying in parallel relationship and the third (620) of which is positioned between the leaf-spring portions the construction and arrangement of said element being such that it can be mounted in face-to-face relationship with the second element, with the leaf-spring portions (610,630) of said element extending to make electrical contact with the planar portions (303,303) of the second element, the leaf-spring portion (308) of the second element making electrical contact with the third portion (620) of said element and the laterally-extending portion (650) of said element facing the arch portions (304) of the second element, whereby, when a printed circuit board is inserted between the elements (300,600), the arch portions (304) and the laterally-extending portion (650) are urged apart, thus causing end portions of each leaf-spring portion (307,670) to wipe against surface portions of the opposed elongate portions (620,303) to provide self-cleaning of the contacting surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An element according to claim 1 characterized in that the laterally-extending portion (650) of the element is formed as an arch portion between the bridge portion and the elongate planar portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An element according to claim 1 characterized in that the laterally-extending portion (650) of the element is provided by the bridge portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An element according to claim 1 characterized in that the end portions (670) of the leaf-spring portions (610,630) of the element are bent to provide shoe portions which can rub against the surface portions of the corresponding elongate planar portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
241 words
A connector for connection to conductive traces on an edge portion of a printed circuit board, the connector comprising first and second spaced, electrically-conductive, resiliently-flexible elements (300,600) each of which comprises three in-line elongate portions (303,307,303,610, 620,630) integrally-formed with a bridge portion (301,640), inwardly-facing, laterally-extending portions (304,650), and a mounting portion (305,605), the elongate portions of the first element providing two coplanar portions (303) and a curved leaf-spring portion (308) extending from the bridge portion (304) toward the second element, and two of the elongate portions of the second element providing a planar portion (620) including said mounting portion (605) and a curved leaf-spring portion, the connector being characterized in that the third elongate portion of the second element (600) is also formed as a curved leaf-spring portion with the planar portion (620) located between the two curved leaf-spring portions (610,630), the construction and arrangement being such that, when the first and second elements are mounted in face-to-face relationship to receive an edge portion of a printed circuit board, the leaf-spring portions (308,610,630) extend to make electrical contact with the planar portion(s) (620,303,303) of the opposed element, and the spacing of the opposed laterally-extending portions (304,650) being such that they are urged apart by insertion, and flex together on extraction, of a circuit board therebetween to cause end portions (307,670) of the leaf-spring portions (308,610,630) to wipe against surface portions of the elongate portions to provide self-cleaning of the contacting surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
241 words
A connector for connection to conductive traces on an edge portion of a printed circuit board, the connector comprising first and second spaced, electrically-conductive, resiliently-flexible elements (300,600) each of which comprises three in-line elongate portions (303,307,303,610, 620,630) integrally-formed with a bridge portion (301,640), inwardly-facing, laterally-extending portions (304,650), and a mounting portion (305,605), the elongate portions of the first element providing two coplanar portions (303) and a curved leaf-spring portion (308) extending from the bridge portion (304) toward the second element, and two of the elongate portions of the second element providing a planar portion (620) including said mounting portion (605) and a curved leaf-spring portion, the connector being characterized in that the third elongate portion of the second element (600) is also formed as a curved leaf-spring portion with the planar portion (620) located between the two curved leaf-spring portions (610,630), the construction and arrangement being such that, when the first and second elements are mounted in face-to-face relationship to receive an edge portion of a printed circuit board, the leaf-spring portions (308,610,630) extend to make electrical contact with the planar portion(s) (620,303,303) of the opposed element, and the spacing of the opposed laterally-extending portions (304,650) being such that they are urged apart by insertion, and flex together on extraction, of a circuit board therebetween to cause end portions (307,670) of the leaf-spring portions (308,610,630) to wipe against surface portions of the elongate portions to provide self-cleaning of the contacting surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector according to claim 5 characterized in that the laterally-extending portions (304,650) of the first and second elements are formed as arch portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector claim 5 characterized in that each laterally-extending portion (304,650) is provided between a respective elongate planar portion and the respective bridge portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A connector claim 5, characterized in that each laterally-extending portion (304,650) is provided by the bridge portion of the respective element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
Means for connecting circuit means to components on a printed circuit board, said means comprising a plurality of connectors as set forth in claim 5 and arranged in a linear array for receiving and making electrical contact with conductive traces provided along an edge portion of the circuit board and electrically connected with said components.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4087151A
Cited
US4285565A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-03-02 | 1990-09-01 | 1991-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-02 | 1994-09-01 | 1995-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-02 | 1998-09-01 | 1999-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |