US5178549A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shielded connector block
Assignee: Cray Inc
•
Filing: 1991-06-27
•
Granted: 1993-01-12
•
Expires: 2011-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A completely shielded metallic connector block for use in multiple circuit modules of an electronic device. Electrical communication between the circuit boards is effected by an array of metallic pins which run through the blocks. The metal of the blocks can be held at ground or at a constant potential to increase the shielding between pins as well as maintaining voltage and ground planes at constant levels throughout the modules. The blocks are insulated from the pins and circuit boards by a non-conductive coating. In the preferred embodiment, the metal of the blocks is aluminum and the coating is a hardcoat anodizing.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene F. Neumann
- 👤 Melvin C. August
- 👤 Daniel C. Mansur
- 👤 Richard J. Kelley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/51; H01R12/52; H01R12/523; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H01R13/6581; H01R13/6585
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A completely shielded connector block apparatus for use in connecting at least two circuit boards via electrically conductive members extending through said connector block, comprising: a completely integral, one-piece metallic body interposed between at least two circuit boards, said body having two substantially parallel exterior faces connected by at least one side surface; at least one electrically conductive constant potential opening formed through said exterior faces of said body, each of said constant potential openings allowing passage of one of said electrically conductive members through said body, each of said constant potential openings in electrical communication with the metal of said body; at least one contact element in each of said constant potential openings, each of said contact elements making electrical connection between said body and each of said electrically conductive members passing through said constant potential openings; at least one signal opening formed through said exterior faces of said body, each of said signal openings allowing unimpeded passage of one electrically conductive member through said body, each of said signal openings having an interior surface which is electrically insulated from the metal of said body; and an electrically insulative coating dispersed over the exterior faces of said body, side surface of said body and the interior surface of each of said signal openings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A completely shielded connector block apparatus for use in connecting at least two circuit boards via electrically conductive members extending through said connector block, comprising: a completely integral, one-piece metallic body interposed between at least two circuit boards, said body having two substantially parallel exterior faces connected by at least one side surface; at least one electrically conductive constant potential opening formed through said exterior faces of said body, each of said constant potential openings allowing passage of one of said electrically conductive members through said body, each of said constant potential openings in electrical communication with the metal of said body; at least one contact element in each of said constant potential openings, each of said contact elements making electrical connection between said body and each of said electrically conductive members passing through said constant potential openings; at least one signal opening formed through said exterior faces of said body, each of said signal openings allowing unimpeded passage of one electrically conductive member through said body, each of said signal openings having an interior surface which is electrically insulated from the metal of said body; and an electrically insulative coating dispersed over the exterior faces of said body, side surface of said body and the interior surface of each of said signal openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector block apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal of said body is aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector block apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said constant potential openings has an interior surface coated with an electrically conductive coating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector bock apparatus of claim 3, wherein said electrically conductive coating further comprises a first layer of zincate, second layer of copper and a third layer of gold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector block apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electrically insulative coating is a hardcoat anodizing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector block apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said signal openings contains impedance control means for controlling the electrical impedance of said signal openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector block apparatus of claim 6, wherein said impedance control means comprises a fluoropolymer sleeve disposed within each of said signal openings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
238 words
A completely shielded connector block apparatus for use in connecting at least two circuit boards via electrically conductive members, comprising: a metallic body interposed between at least two circuit boards, said body having two substantially parallel exterior faces connected by at least one side surface; at least one electrically conductive constant potential opening formed through said exterior faces of said body to receive at least one electrically conductive member, each of said constant potential openings in electrical communication with the metal of said body; at least one ground contact element in each of said constant potential openings, each of said ground contact elements making electrical connection between electrically conductive members inserted into said constant potential openings and said metallic body; at least one signal opening formed through said exterior faces of said body to receive at least one electrically conductive member, each of said signal openings having an interior surface which is electrically insulated from the metal of said body; an electrically insulative coating dispersed over the exterior faces of said body, side surface of said body and the interior surface of each of said signal openings; an insulating sleeve in each of said signal openings for controlling the electrical impedance of said signal openings; and at least one signal contact element disposed within each of said insulating sleeves, each of said signal contact elements releasably receiving electrically conductive members inserted into opposing ends of said signal openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
238 words
A completely shielded connector block apparatus for use in connecting at least two circuit boards via electrically conductive members, comprising: a metallic body interposed between at least two circuit boards, said body having two substantially parallel exterior faces connected by at least one side surface; at least one electrically conductive constant potential opening formed through said exterior faces of said body to receive at least one electrically conductive member, each of said constant potential openings in electrical communication with the metal of said body; at least one ground contact element in each of said constant potential openings, each of said ground contact elements making electrical connection between electrically conductive members inserted into said constant potential openings and said metallic body; at least one signal opening formed through said exterior faces of said body to receive at least one electrically conductive member, each of said signal openings having an interior surface which is electrically insulated from the metal of said body; an electrically insulative coating dispersed over the exterior faces of said body, side surface of said body and the interior surface of each of said signal openings; an insulating sleeve in each of said signal openings for controlling the electrical impedance of said signal openings; and at least one signal contact element disposed within each of said insulating sleeves, each of said signal contact elements releasably receiving electrically conductive members inserted into opposing ends of said signal openings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector block apparats of claim 8, wherein each of said insulating sleeves further comprises a fluoropolymer sleeve disposed within each of said signal openings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2163412A
Cited
US2694799A
Cited
US3022480A
Cited
US2969251A
Cited
US3097032A
Cited
US3212049A
Cited
US3333225A
Cited
US3459998A
Cited
US3568011A
Cited
US3670409A
Cited
US3744128A
Cited
US3757276A
Cited
US3851221A
Cited
US3876822A
Cited
US3832603A
Cited
US3904934A
Cited
US3958851A
Cited
US4054939A
Cited
US3999830A
Cited
US4208080A
Cited
US4295184A
Cited
US4352533A
Cited
US4240198A
Cited
US4283754A
Cited
EP0039175A2
Cited
US4468076A
Cited
US4505532A
Cited
US4514784A
Cited
US4574236A
Cited
US4734046A
Cited
US4712849A
Cited
US4724180A
Cited
US4806111A
Cited
EP0243021A1
Cited
US4734058A
Cited
US4700996A
Cited
US4720770A
Cited
US4797113A
Cited
US4813128A
Cited
US4884168A
Cited
US4911645A
Cited
US4961709A
Cited
US4906194A
Cited
EP0402791A1
Cited
US5037332A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-12 | 1996-07-13 | 1997-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-12 | 2000-07-13 | 2001-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-12 | 2004-07-13 | 2005-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |