Patent US5230632A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5230632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual element electrical contact and connector assembly utilizing same
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-12-19
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Granted: 1993-07-27
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Expires: 2011-12-19
Abstract
Abstract An electrical contact and connector assembly utilizing same wherein the contact includes a first, highly conductive element (e.g., oxygen-free copper) having a first modulus of elasticity and including a pair of contacting portions each of which is designed for engaging respective conductors on first and second circuit members, and a second, spring element (e.g., stainless steel) operatively coupled to the first conductive element and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than that of the first, conductive element. A connector assembly is also defined which includes a common housing for having the contact (preferably several) located therein. The housing is metallic (e.g., stainless steel) and includes a coating of suitable dielectric material on appropriate surfaces thereof so as to prevent electrical shorting with the internally contained contacts. A preferred coating for this purpose is polyimide.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Baumberger
- 👤 James J. Kershaw
- 👤 James R. Petrozello
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/714; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/03; G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/06711; G01R1/06733; G01R1/06738; G01R1/06755; H01R13/22; H01R13/24; H01R13/2435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An electrical contact for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said contact comprising: a first malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively; and a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith, said second, spring element having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity of said first, conductive element, said electrical contact being of substantially C-shaped configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An electrical contact for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said contact comprising: a first malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively; and a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith, said second, spring element having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity of said first, conductive element, said electrical contact being of substantially C-shaped configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical contact according to claim 1 wherein said first, conductive element possesses a first modulus of elasticity within the range of from about 10×10 6 PSI to about 17×10 6 PSI.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical contact according to claim 1 wherein said second, spring element possesses a second modulus of elasticity within the range of from about 16×10 6 PSI to about 29×10 6 PSI.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical contact according to claim 1 wherein said metallic material of said first, conductive element is selected from the group consisting essentially of oxygen-free copper, annealed gold, annealed silver and annealed aluminum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrical contact according to claim 1 wherein said metallic material of said second, spring element is selected from the group consisting essentially of stainless steel, phosphor bronze and beryllium copper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrical contact according to claim 1 wherein said first, conductive element is positioned along an external surface of said second, spring element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrical contact according to claim 1 wherein said first, conductive element is positioned along an internal surface of said second, spring element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical contact according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of said second modulus of elasticity to said first modulus of elasticity is within the range of from about 3:1 to about 1:1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrical contact according to claim 1 wherein said first and second contacting portions of said first, conductive element each include a plurality of dendritic elements thereon, said dendritic elements being growth elements of conductive metal crystals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
An electrical connector assembly for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said assembly comprising: a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second circuit members; and a plurality of electrical contacts spacedly positioned within said housing, selected ones of said electrical contacts including a first, malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively, and a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity of said first, conductive element, said electrical contact being of substantially C-shaped configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
128 words
An electrical connector assembly for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said assembly comprising: a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second circuit members; and a plurality of electrical contacts spacedly positioned within said housing, selected ones of said electrical contacts including a first, malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively, and a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity of said first, conductive element, said electrical contact being of substantially C-shaped configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein said first, conductive element possesses a first modulus of elasticity within the range of from about 10×10 6 PSI to about 17×10 6 PSI.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein said second, spring element possesses a second modulus of elasticity within the range of from about 16×10 6 PSI to about 29×10 6 PSI.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein said metallic material of said first, conductive element is selected from the group consisting essentially of oxygen-free copper, annealed gold, annealed silver and annealed aluminum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein said metallic material of said second, spring element is selected from the group consisting essentially of stainless steel, phosphor bronze and beryllium copper.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein said first, conductive element is positioned along an external surface of said second, spring element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein said first, conductive element is positioned along an internal surface of said second, spring element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein the ratio of said second modulus of elasticity to said first modulus of elasticity is within the range of from about 3:1 to about 1:1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein said first and second contacting portions of said first, conductive element each include a plurality of dendritic elements thereon, said dendritic elements being growth elements of conductive metal crystals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10 wherein said housing includes a plurality of chambers therein, said electrical contacts being positioned within respective ones of said chambers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 19 wherein said housing is comprised of metallic material and includes a layer of electrically insulative material at selected locations thereon to prevent electrical shorting between said electrical contacts and said metallic material of said housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 20 wherein said metallic material of said housing is selected from the group consisting essentially of stainless steel, copper and electrically conductive polymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical connector assembly according to claim 21 wherein said electrically insulative material is selected from the group consisting essentially of polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene and epoxy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
128 words
An information handling system comprising: an electrical connector assembly for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said assembly including a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second circuit members, and a plurality of electrical contacts spacedly positioned within said housing, selected ones of said electrical contacts including a first, malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively, and a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity, said electrical contacts being of substantially C-shaped configuration.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
An information handling system comprising: an electrical connector assembly for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said assembly including a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second circuit members, and a plurality of electrical contacts spacedly positioned within said housing, selected ones of said electrical contacts including a first, malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively, and a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity, said electrical contacts being of substantially C-shaped configuration.
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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) | 1996-07-26 | 1997-01-25 | 1997-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-26 | 2001-01-25 | 2001-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-26 | 2005-01-25 | 2005-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |