Patent US5245751A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5245751A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Array connector
Assignee: Circuit Components Inc
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Filing: 1991-10-25
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Granted: 1993-09-21
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Expires: 2011-10-25
Abstract
Abstract Processes for preparing same for demateably interconnecting arrays of contact pads. The connector has a preformed sheet-form member provided with a series of apertures through each of which an electrically conductive plated metal deposit extends. An integral end of the deposits protrudes outwardly beyond a surface of the sheet-form member, forming contact surfaces for demateably engaging the pads.
Inventors
- 👤 Barbara E. Locke
- 👤 Lynn E. Burdick
- 👤 Mark J. Owens
- 👤 Michael St. Lawrence
- 👤 Scott S. Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:48
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W70/00; H10W70/01; H10W70/05; H10W70/095; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/36; B23K26/38; B23K26/382; B23K26/389; B23K26/40; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/22; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/40; H05K3/42; H10W70/60; H10W70/62; H10W70/63; H10W70/635; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/34; B23K2101/35; B23K2101/36; B23K2101/42; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/08; B23K2103/12; B23K2103/16; B23K2103/166; B23K2103/172; B23K2103/30; B23K2103/42; B23K2103/50; B23K2103/56; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09209; H05K2201/095; H05K2201/09563; H05K2201/09654; H05K2201/09736; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49155; Y10T29/49165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A process for fabricating a demateable electrical connector member suitable for being interposed between contact arrays of opposed members to effect electrical connection therebetween, the member being of the type comprising a polymeric sheet-form member having a plurality of apertures through which conductors of plated metal deposit extend, the process characterized by the steps of: providing a preformed polymeric sheet-form member having oppositely directed first and second sides; providing a metal layer on the surface of the first side of the sheet-form member; forming apertures through the sheet-form member from the second side of the sheet-form member, with the apertures extending through the polymeric member to the metal layer to expose the metal layer to the interior of the aperture; connecting the metal layer to a suitable voltage source, depositing metal in the apertures by electroplating upon the exposed portion of the metal layer within the aperture to form a deposit that protrudes outwardly beyond the second side of the sheet-form member to form a raised electrical contact on the second side; removing the metal layer sufficiently to expose the first side of the sheet-form member, temporarily electrically connecting the plated metal contacts at the second side to a suitable voltage source, depositing metal by electroplating such that plated metal protrudes outwardly beyond the first side to form a raised electrical contact on the first side of the sheet form member; and, removing the temporary electrical connection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A process for fabricating a demateable electrical connector member suitable for being interposed between contact arrays of opposed members to effect electrical connection therebetween, the member being of the type comprising a polymeric sheet-form member having a plurality of apertures through which conductors of plated metal deposit extend, the process characterized by the steps of: providing a preformed polymeric sheet-form member having oppositely directed first and second sides; providing a metal layer on the surface of the first side of the sheet-form member; forming apertures through the sheet-form member from the second side of the sheet-form member, with the apertures extending through the polymeric member to the metal layer to expose the metal layer to the interior of the aperture; connecting the metal layer to a suitable voltage source, depositing metal in the apertures by electroplating upon the exposed portion of the metal layer within the aperture to form a deposit that protrudes outwardly beyond the second side of the sheet-form member to form a raised electrical contact on the second side; removing the metal layer sufficiently to expose the first side of the sheet-form member, temporarily electrically connecting the plated metal contacts at the second side to a suitable voltage source, depositing metal by electroplating such that plated metal protrudes outwardly beyond the first side to form a raised electrical contact on the first side of the sheet form member; and, removing the temporary electrical connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the depositing step fills the apertures with deposited metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The process of claim 2 further comprising: forming the apertures to partially extend into the metal layer forming a well; depositing into the well in order, one or more etch resistant metals, and a metal deposited to extend through the aperture above the second side of the sheet-form member, and removing the metal layer to expose the first etch resistant metal to form a raised contact region on the first side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the etch resistant metal is solder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
A process for fabricating a demateable electrical connector member suitable for being interposed between contact arrays of opposed members to effect electrical connection therebetween, the member being of the type comprising a polymeric sheet-form member having a plurality of apertures through which conductors of plated metal deposit extend, the process characterized by the steps of: providing a preformed polymeric sheet-form member having oppositely directed first and second sides; providing a layer of metal on each of the opposed first and second sides of the elastomeric sheet-form member to form a composite; forming the apertures through the thickness of the composite; depositing metal on the walls of the apertures and in electrical contact with one of the metal layers; connecting the metal layer to a suitable voltage source; electroplating metal onto the metal-coated walls to form a rim around the end of each aperture that protrudes outwardly beyond the opposed sides of the composite and removing the metal layers from the opposed sides of the sheet-form member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
A process for fabricating a demateable electrical connector member suitable for being interposed between contact arrays of opposed members to effect electrical connection therebetween, the member being of the type comprising a polymeric sheet-form member having a plurality of apertures through which conductors of plated metal deposit extend, the process characterized by the steps of: providing a preformed polymeric sheet-form member having oppositely directed first and second sides; providing a layer of metal on each of the opposed first and second sides of the elastomeric sheet-form member to form a composite; forming the apertures through the thickness of the composite; depositing metal on the walls of the apertures and in electrical contact with one of the metal layers; connecting the metal layer to a suitable voltage source; electroplating metal onto the metal-coated walls to form a rim around the end of each aperture that protrudes outwardly beyond the opposed sides of the composite and removing the metal layers from the opposed sides of the sheet-form member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the depositing step forms annular electrical contact regions extending outwardly from the side of said sheet-from member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 6 further comprising: applying to the metal layers an etch resist prior to forming the apertures, and the removing step removes all of the metal layers and resist layers from the opposed sides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the depositing step deposits metal on the walls of the apertures without filling the apertures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the depositing step forms a deposit that overlies a margin of the sheet-form member surrounding the aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the pitch of said apertures is sufficient to interconnect arrays of contact pads that have a pitch less than 25 mils.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the diameters of the apertures are 6 mils or less.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the apertures are formed at a pitch of about 12 mils or less.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the thickness of the sheet-form member is 20 mils or less.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the apertures are at an acute angle to the direction of thickness of the sheet-form member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 wherein the angle is less than 15 degrees.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the ratio of the pitch to polymer thickness is in the range from about 0.38 to about 1.7.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the sheet-form member is a yieldable elastomeric member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the sheet-form member is selected from silicone, fluoropolymer and polyimide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the sheet-form member has a Durometer value of about 30 to about 60.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 comprising forming the apertures by laser drilling.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 or 7 comprising forming fine closely spaced apertures extending in X and Y directions over an area of the sheet-form member.
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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) | 1996-09-20 | 1997-03-22 | 1997-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-20 | 2001-03-22 | 2001-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-20 | 2005-03-22 | 2005-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |