Connector clamp for attaching flat electrical conductor leads to printed wiring boards

Claim 1

A connector clamp for securing a flexible sheet with traces leading to conductive surface pads across one of its edges to a printed wiring board having traces leading to complementary conductive surface pads across one of its edges, comprising: an elongated member made of spring material and having a continuous U-shaped cross-section along its length which includes a central base joined integrally with first and second opposed legs, the legs being yieldably urged toward one another along a line spaced from the base for exerting clamping force across opposite outer surfaces of a printed wiring board and flexible sheet having aligned rows of conductive surface pads in contact with one another; the central base of the U-shaped cross-section having an interior separation greater than the combined thicknesses of the sheet and board to be secured by it; and one leg of the U-shaped cross-section in the elongated member being adapted to overlie the sheet and including a row of identical transverse fingers spaced apart from one another, the fingers each including a free end adapted to be aligned with the positions of corresponding conductive pads along a sheet and board; the cross section of the spring clamp further including extensions of both legs directed back toward its base at opposite sides of the U-shaped cross-section and spaced outward from the respective legs to form elongated openings along the spring clamp for reception of tool elements designed to spread the legs of the spring clamp apart from one another.