US5224918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing metal connector blocks
Assignee: Cray Inc
•
Filing: 1992-10-20
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Granted: 1993-07-06
•
Expires: 2012-10-20
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 04:51
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; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49126; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49224
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of forming a completely shielded connector block apparatus for use in connecting at least two circuit boards via electrically conductive members, comprising the steps of: a) forming a one-piece, completely integral metallic body having two substantially parallel exterior faces connected by at least one side surface; b) forming at least one signal opening through the exterior faces of said body adapted 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; c) coating the exterior faces of said body, side surface of said body and the interior surface of each of said signal openings with an electrically insulative coating; and d) forming at least one electrically conductive constant potential opening through the exterior faces of said body adapted to receive at least one electrically conductive member, each of said constant potential openings in electrical communication with the metal of said body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of forming a completely shielded connector block apparatus for use in connecting at least two circuit boards via electrically conductive members, comprising the steps of: a) forming a one-piece, completely integral metallic body having two substantially parallel exterior faces connected by at least one side surface; b) forming at least one signal opening through the exterior faces of said body adapted 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; c) coating the exterior faces of said body, side surface of said body and the interior surface of each of said signal openings with an electrically insulative coating; and d) forming at least one electrically conductive constant potential opening through the exterior faces of said body adapted to receive at least one electrically conductive member, each of said constant potential openings in electrical communication with the metal of said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the metal of said body is substantially comprised of aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step a) of forming said body comprises casting the body of a metallic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step a) of forming said body comprises milling said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the step c) of coating comprises anodizing said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising a step: e) of coating the interior surface of each of said constant potential openings with an electrically conductive coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising, prior to step e), the step of removing said electrically insulative coating from the contact surfaces of said upper and lower sections, thereby coating the contact surfaces with the electrically conductive coating of step e).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6, wherein step e) further comprises electrolytically coating a first layer of zincate, second layer of copper and a third layer of gold.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of forming a completely shielded connector block apparatus for use in connecting at lest two circuit boards via electrically conductive members, comprising the steps of: a) forming a metallic body having two substantially parallel exterior faces connected by at least one side surface; b) forming at least one signal opening through the exterior faces of said body adapted 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; c) coating the exterior faces of said body, side surface of said body and the interior surface of each of said signal openings with an electrically insulative coating; d) forming at least one electrically conductive constant potential opening through the exterior faces of said body adapted to receive at least one electrically conductive member, each of said constant potential openings in electrical communication with the metal of said body; and e) placing an insulating sleeve in each of said signal openings to control the electrical impedance of said signal openings.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of forming a completely shielded connector block apparatus for use in connecting at lest two circuit boards via electrically conductive members, comprising the steps of: a) forming a metallic body having two substantially parallel exterior faces connected by at least one side surface; b) forming at least one signal opening through the exterior faces of said body adapted 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; c) coating the exterior faces of said body, side surface of said body and the interior surface of each of said signal openings with an electrically insulative coating; d) forming at least one electrically conductive constant potential opening through the exterior faces of said body adapted to receive at least one electrically conductive member, each of said constant potential openings in electrical communication with the metal of said body; and e) placing an insulating sleeve in each of said signal openings to control the electrical impedance of said signal openings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of forming said body further comprises the steps of forming said body in upper and lower sections, with each of said sections having one of said two exterior faces, at least a portion of said side surface, and a contact surface, such that the contact surfaces of the upper and lower sections contact each other when said body is assembled and further comprising the final step of joining the upper and lower sections to form said connector block.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the step of joining said upper and lower sections comprises: removing said electrically insulative coating from at least a portion of the side surfaces of each section, coating said portions with said electrically conductive coating, and applying solder to said portions, whereby a soldered joint is formed between said upper and lower sections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of placing 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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of placing at least one signal contact element 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 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of providing said insulating sleeves of a fluorpolymer material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of coating said exterior faces of said body comprises anodizing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of coating the interior surface of each of said constant potential openings with an electrically conductive coating.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the step of coating the interior surface of each of said constant potential openings further comprises electrolytically coating a first layer of zincate, second layer of copper and a third layer of gold.
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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) | 1996-07-05 | 1997-01-04 | 1997-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-05 | 2001-01-04 | 2001-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-01-04 | 2005-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |