US5248262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High density connector
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1992-06-19
•
Granted: 1993-09-28
•
Expires: 2012-06-19
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector for interconnecting a pair of circuit members (e.g., a circuit board and module), which, in one embodiment, includes a housing, at least one flexible circuit within the housing and a spring means attached to the flexible circuit at two spaced locations for exerting force against the flexible circuit to cause the circuit to engage respective conductive pads on the circuit members when the circuit members are moved toward each other (e.g., compressed). The shape of the spring means conforms substantially to the portion of the flexible circuit between the locations of attachment. In another embodiment, a connector for interconnecting such circuit members includes a housing adapted for being located between both members and at least one elongated, compressible contact member in the housing and including conductive end portions for engaging the circuit members. The contact occupies a first, prestressed position before engagement and is adapted for moving to a second, compressed position during the engagement. The conductive end portions of the flexible circuit in the first embodiment and the contact member in the second embodiment preferably comprise a plurality of dendrites for providing enhanced connections.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond A. Busacco
- 👤 Chi S. Chang
- 👤 Fletcher W. Chapin
- 👤 David W. Dranchak
- 👤 Thomas G. Macek
- 👤 James R. Petrozello
- 👤 George J. Saxenmeyer, Jr.
- 👤 Rod A. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:18
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/02; H05K7/10; H05K7/1053; H05K7/1061; H05K7/1069; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/51; H01R12/52; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/714
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A connector for electrically interconnecting first and second electrical circuit members, said connector comprising: a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second electrical circuit members; at least one elongated flexible circuit member located within said housing and including a dielectric layer and at least one conductive element having first and second conductive end portions adapted for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively when said housing is positioned substantially between said first and second electrical circuit members; and spring means operatively connected to said flexible circuit member for exerting a predetermined force against said flexible circuit member to cause said first and second conductive end portions of said conductive element to engage said first and second circuit members, said spring means attached to said flexible circuit member at spaced locations on said flexible circuit member and having a shape substantially conforming to the portion of said flexible circuit member between said spaced locations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A connector for electrically interconnecting first and second electrical circuit members, said connector comprising: a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second electrical circuit members; at least one elongated flexible circuit member located within said housing and including a dielectric layer and at least one conductive element having first and second conductive end portions adapted for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively when said housing is positioned substantially between said first and second electrical circuit members; and spring means operatively connected to said flexible circuit member for exerting a predetermined force against said flexible circuit member to cause said first and second conductive end portions of said conductive element to engage said first and second circuit members, said spring means attached to said flexible circuit member at spaced locations on said flexible circuit member and having a shape substantially conforming to the portion of said flexible circuit member between said spaced locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein said conductive element is comprised substantially of copper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein said housing is electrically insulative.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The connector according to claim 3 wherein said housing is plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein said elongated flexible circuit includes a plurality of said conductive elements spacedly positioned thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector according to claim 5 wherein said conductive end portions of said conductive elements are of substantially similar width.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector according to claim 6 wherein said conductive end portions of said conductive elements are of substantially similar thickness.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein each of said conductive end portions comprises a plurality of dendrites.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector according to claim 8 wherein said dendrites are comprised of palladium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein said dielectric layer is comprised of polymer material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The connector according to claim 10 wherein said polymer material is polyimide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes first and second parts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector according to claim 12 wherein said housing includes means for retaining said flexible circuit member in an aligned manner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector according to claim 13 wherein said means for retaining said flexible circuit member comprises at least two ribs, said ribs being located within at least one of said parts of said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector according to claim 14 wherein said ribs define a slot therebetween, said flexible circuit member being located within said slot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein said spring means is metallic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector according to claim 16 wherein said spring means is comprised of steel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein said spring means includes a tensile strength substantially greater than the tensile strength of said conductive element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector according to claim 18 wherein said tensile strength of said spring means is at least twice said tensile strength of said conductive element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein said spring means and said flexible circuit member define a first space therebetween prior to engagement between said first and second conductive end portions of said flexible circuit member and said first and second circuit members and a second, narrower space therebetween during said engagement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The connector according to claim 20 wherein said spring means and said flexible circuit member include a curved portion, said first and second spaces being located substantially between said curved portions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
160 words
A connector for electrically interconnecting first and second electrical circuit members, said connector comprising: a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second electrical circuit members; and at least one elongated, compressible contact member located within said housing in physical contact therewith and including first and second conductive end portions for engaging said first and second electrical circuit members in a penetrating manner, when said housing is positioned substantially between said first and second electrical circuit members, said contact member adapted for occupying a first position while in a prestressed condition caused by said physical contact with said housing and having a first predetermined shape within said housing prior to said engagement between said first and second conductive end portions and said first and second electrical circuit members and thereafter occupying a second position while in a compressed condition and having a second predetermined shape different from said first predetermined shape within said housing during said engagement.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
160 words
A connector for electrically interconnecting first and second electrical circuit members, said connector comprising: a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second electrical circuit members; and at least one elongated, compressible contact member located within said housing in physical contact therewith and including first and second conductive end portions for engaging said first and second electrical circuit members in a penetrating manner, when said housing is positioned substantially between said first and second electrical circuit members, said contact member adapted for occupying a first position while in a prestressed condition caused by said physical contact with said housing and having a first predetermined shape within said housing prior to said engagement between said first and second conductive end portions and said first and second electrical circuit members and thereafter occupying a second position while in a compressed condition and having a second predetermined shape different from said first predetermined shape within said housing during said engagement.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
60 words
The connector according to claim 22 wherein said housing is adapted for occupying first and second locations between said first and second electrical circuit members, said housing occupying said first location prior to said engagement of said first and second electrical circuit members by said first and second conductive end portions and moving to said second location during said engagement.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The connector according to claim 23 wherein said housing includes at least one positioning member, said elongated, compressible contact member slidably engaging said positioning member during said engagement between said first and second conductive end portions and said first and second electrical circuit members.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector according to claim 24 wherein said positioning member is electrically insulative.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector according to claim 24 wherein said positioning member includes at least one curved surface, said contact member slidably engaging said curved surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector according to claim 26, wherein said curved surface of said positioning member is substantially concave.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector according to claim 23 wherein said housing includes alignment means, said housing adapted for moving within said alignment means to occupy said first and second locations.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector according to claim 28 further including biasing means for biasing said housing in the direction of said second location within said alignment means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector according to claim 29 wherein said biasing means comprises at least one spring.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The connector according to claim 22 wherein said housing is electrically insulative.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
The connector according to claim 31 wherein said housing is plastic.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
The connector according to claim 22 wherein said compressible contact member comprises a flexible circuit member and a spring means operatively connected thereto for exerting a predetermined force against said flexible circuit member to cause said first and second conductive end portions to engage said first and second circuit members, respectively.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
83 words
The connector according to claim 33 wherein said spring means is attached to said flexible circuit member at spaced locations and includes a shape substantially conforming to the portion of said flexible circuit member between said spaced locations, said spring means and said flexible circuit member defining a first space therebetween prior to engagement between said first and second conductive end portions of said flexible circuit member and said first and second circuit members and a second, narrower space therebetween during said engagement.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector according to claim 33 wherein said elongated flexible circuit member includes a plurality of conductive elements spacedly positioned thereon.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector according to claim 35 wherein said conductive elements include said conductive end portions thereon, said conductive elements being of substantially similar width.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector according to claim 35, wherein said conductive elements include said conductive end portions thereon, said conductive elements being of substantially similar thickness.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
The connector according to claim 35 wherein said conductive elements are copper.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector according to claim 33 wherein said flexible circuit member includes a dielectric layer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector according to claim 39 wherein said dielectric material is comprised of polymer material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The connector according to claim 40 wherein said polymer material is polyimide.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
The connector according to claim 33 wherein said spring means is metallic.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The .connector according to claim 42 wherein said spring means is comprised of steel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector according to claim 42 wherein said spring means includes a tensile strength substantially greater than the tensile strength of said conductive element.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector according to claim 43 wherein said tensile strength of said spring means is at least twice said tensile strength of said conductive element.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector according to claim 22 wherein each of said conductive end portions comprises a plurality of dendrites.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector according to claim 46 wherein said dendrites are comprised of palladium.
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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) | 1996-09-27 | 1997-03-29 | 1997-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-27 | 2001-03-29 | 2001-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-27 | 2005-03-29 | 2005-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |