Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A flexing connector for making a plurality of electrical connections between a stationary terminal on a stationary component of a machine such as a printer and a moving terminal on a movable component of said machine, said flexing connector comprising a flat ribbon cable having a plurality of distinct electrical conductors therein running parallel the length of said ribbon cable, said conductors for providing electrical connections between said stationary terminal and said moving terminal, said cable having a movable loop between a portion affixable to said stationary component and a portion affixable to said movable component, an inner coil of hardened steel shielding material wound in a helicoidal form of a first chirality and having a generally flat cross-section, said inner coil coiling around said ribbon cable and being electrically connectable to a ground structure of said machine, and an outer coil of hardened steel shielding material wound in a helicoidal form of a second chirality and having a generally flat cross-section, said outer coil coiling around said inner coil and being electrically connectable to a ground structure of said machine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A flexing connector for making a plurality of electrical connections between a stationary terminal on a stationary component of a machine such as a printer and a moving terminal on a movable component of said machine, said flexing connector comprising a flat ribbon cable having a plurality of distinct electrical conductors therein running parallel the length of said ribbon cable, said conductors for providing electrical connections between said stationary terminal and said moving terminal, said cable having a movable loop between a portion affixable to said stationary component and a portion affixable to said movable component, an inner coil of hardened steel shielding material wound in a helicoidal form of a first chirality and having a generally flat cross-section, said inner coil coiling around said ribbon cable and being electrically connectable to a ground structure of said machine, and an outer coil of hardened steel shielding material wound in a helicoidal form of a second chirality and having a generally flat cross-section, said outer coil coiling around said inner coil and being electrically connectable to a ground structure of said machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A flexing connector as claimed in claim 1, including a first clamp clamping together said cable, said inner coil, and said outer coil and establishing electrical contact between said inner coil and said outer coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A flexing connector as claimed in claim 2, including a second clamp clamping together said cable, said inner coil, and said outer coil, said clamps being positioned on opposite sides of said loop of said cable and preventing said coils from elongating or contracting with respect to the cable held therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flexing connector as claimed in claim 1, including a strip of flat springy material lying beside said cable within said outer coil.