US5281166A — Electrical connector with improved connector pin …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 99 words

A boardlock device for securing an electrical connector to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the PCB including a first surface and a second surface, the PCB defining an aperture extending through the first surface to the second surface, said boardlock device comprising: securing means attached to said connector, and extending into said aperture; and a solid solder member supported in contact with said securing means before melting thereof, said solder member being positioned to flow relative said securing means to cooperate therewith to secure said connector to said PCB upon melting of said solid solder member and subsequent solidification.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 99 words

A boardlock device for securing an electrical connector to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the PCB including a first surface and a second surface, the PCB defining an aperture extending through the first surface to the second surface, said boardlock device comprising: securing means attached to said connector, and extending into said aperture; and a solid solder member supported in contact with said securing means before melting thereof, said solder member being positioned to flow relative said securing means to cooperate therewith to secure said connector to said PCB upon melting of said solid solder member and subsequent solidification.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said securing means extends through the first surface and the second surface when said securing means is inserted into said aperture, and said solid solder member is in conductive contact with said securing means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 50 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 1 wherein, said securing means includes: a rim defining an opening therethrough; and a plurality of fingers mounted to the ring and extending generally downward therefrom, said boardlock being supported on said PCB by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the aperture.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 3 wherein, said fingers are spaced from each other to define gaps therebetween.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 14 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 3 wherein, the rim is substantially annular.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 20 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 3 wherein, the rim includes at least one orifice positioned on said rim.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 3 wherein, a circumferential lip portion extends outward substantially perpendicular to an outer periphery of the rim.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 3 wherein, said solid solder member is formed and dimensioned to be insertable within the opening.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 43 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 8 wherein, said solder means includes an upper portion which has a first cross-sectional area, and a lower portion which has a second cross-sectional area, said first cross-sectional area being smaller than said second cross-sectional area.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 35 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 8 wherein, at least one of said fingers including a respective support member extending inwardly therefrom and formed to gravitationally support said solid solder member in said opening.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 10 wherein, said solder means is sized to be seatably supported against said support members.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 3 wherein, at least one of said fingers being a resilient finger includes a respective stop member which is inclined outwardly from said rim.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 12 wherein, said resilient fingers includes a respective guide member which extends inwardly from said respective stop member.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

The boardlock device as defined in claim 12 wherein, said stop members engage the second surface of the PCB when the boardlock device is mountably received in the PCB mounting aperture.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 76 words

An electrical connector for being mounted to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) comprising: an insulator having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; a plurality of pins received within said insulator apertures; a through-hole securing means mounted on the insulator and insertable in an aperture of said PCB; and a solder means positioned proximate to said securing means, so that said solder means can be melted and then solidified to adhere the securing means to the PCB.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 76 words

An electrical connector for being mounted to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) comprising: an insulator having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough; a plurality of pins received within said insulator apertures; a through-hole securing means mounted on the insulator and insertable in an aperture of said PCB; and a solder means positioned proximate to said securing means, so that said solder means can be melted and then solidified to adhere the securing means to the PCB.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 30 words

The electrical connector as defined in claim 15 wherein, a shell is positioned on the insulator, and the insulator includes a L-shaped bracket through which the securing means is mounted.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 54 words

The connector as defined in claim 16 wherein, said securing means has a rim defining an opening and a plurality of fingers mounted to the rim, extending generally downward therefrom; and said solder means is dimensioned to be inserted within the opening and supported by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the opening.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 93 words

A method of mounting an electrical component to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) which includes a first surface, an opposite second surface and an aperture therethrough, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a through-hole mounting fixture to said component; inserting the fixture into the aperture from said first surface to said second surface; positioning a solid solder member, proximate said first surface, in supportive contact with said fixture; and melting the solid solder member to flow relative said fixture to cooperate therewith to secure the fixture to the PCB upon subsequent solidification.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 93 words

A method of mounting an electrical component to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) which includes a first surface, an opposite second surface and an aperture therethrough, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a through-hole mounting fixture to said component; inserting the fixture into the aperture from said first surface to said second surface; positioning a solid solder member, proximate said first surface, in supportive contact with said fixture; and melting the solid solder member to flow relative said fixture to cooperate therewith to secure the fixture to the PCB upon subsequent solidification.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method as defined in claim 18 wherein, said melting step is accomplished by Surface Mounting Technology.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 63 words

The method as defined in claim 18 wherein, said mounting fixture includes a rim defining an opening therethrough, and a plurality of fingers mounted to the rim and extending generally downward therefrom, said mounting fixture being supported on the PCB by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the aperture, and said positioning step includes inserting said solid solder member in said opening.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method as defined in claim 20 wherein, after said inserting step, gravitationally supporting said solid solder member in said opening through supportive contact with a respective support member from at least one of said fingers and extending generally inwardly therefrom.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 104 words

A method of mounting an electrical component to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) which includes a first surface, an opposite second surface and an aperture therethrough, the method comprising the steps of: providing a connector having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and a plurality of pins received within said insulator apertures, each pin having a portion for mounting to said PCB; mounting through-hole securing means on said connector; inserting said securing means into said PCB aperture; positioning a solid solder member proximate to said securing means; and melting and subsequently solidifying said solid solder member to secure the securing means to the PCB.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 104 words

A method of mounting an electrical component to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) which includes a first surface, an opposite second surface and an aperture therethrough, the method comprising the steps of: providing a connector having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and a plurality of pins received within said insulator apertures, each pin having a portion for mounting to said PCB; mounting through-hole securing means on said connector; inserting said securing means into said PCB aperture; positioning a solid solder member proximate to said securing means; and melting and subsequently solidifying said solid solder member to secure the securing means to the PCB.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method as defined in claim 22 wherein, said melting step is accomplished by Surface Mounting Technology.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 63 words

The method as defined in claim 22 wherein, said securing means includes a rim defining an opening therethrough, and a plurality of fingers mounted to the rim and extending generally downward therefrom, said securing means being supported on the PCB by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the aperture, and said positioning step includes inserting said solid solder member in said opening.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method as defined in claim 24 wherein, after said inserting step, gravitationally supporting said solid solder member in said opening through supportive contact with a respective support member from at least one of said fingers and extending generally inwardly therefrom.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 167 words

A boardlock device for securing an electrical connector to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the PCB including a first surface and a second surface, the PCB defining an aperture extending through the first surface to the second surface, said boardlock device comprising: securing means attached to said connector and extending into said aperture, said securing means including a rim defining an opening therethrough and a plurality of fingers mounted to the rim, said fingers extending generally downward from said rim, and said securing means being supported on the PCB by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the aperture; and solder means dimensioned to be inserted in said opening and in communication with said securing means for securing said connector to said PCB, said solder means including an upper portion which has a first cross-sectional area, and a lower portion which as a second cross-sectional area, said first cross-sectional area being smaller than said second cross-sectional area, wherein said solder means secures said connector to said PCB.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 167 words

A boardlock device for securing an electrical connector to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the PCB including a first surface and a second surface, the PCB defining an aperture extending through the first surface to the second surface, said boardlock device comprising: securing means attached to said connector and extending into said aperture, said securing means including a rim defining an opening therethrough and a plurality of fingers mounted to the rim, said fingers extending generally downward from said rim, and said securing means being supported on the PCB by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the aperture; and solder means dimensioned to be inserted in said opening and in communication with said securing means for securing said connector to said PCB, said solder means including an upper portion which has a first cross-sectional area, and a lower portion which as a second cross-sectional area, said first cross-sectional area being smaller than said second cross-sectional area, wherein said solder means secures said connector to said PCB.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 140 words

A boardlock device for securing an electrical connector to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the PCB including a first surface and a second surface, the PCB defining an aperture extending through the first surface to the second surface, said boardlock device comprising: securing means attached to said connector and extending into said aperture, said securing means including a rim defining an opening therethrough and having a circumferential lip portion extending outwardly therefrom substantially perpendicular to an outer periphery of said rim, said securing means further including a plurality of fingers mounted to the rim, said fingers extending generally downward from said rim, and said securing means being supported on the PCB by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the aperture; and solder means in communication with said securing means, wherein said solder means secures said connector to said PCB.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 140 words

A boardlock device for securing an electrical connector to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the PCB including a first surface and a second surface, the PCB defining an aperture extending through the first surface to the second surface, said boardlock device comprising: securing means attached to said connector and extending into said aperture, said securing means including a rim defining an opening therethrough and having a circumferential lip portion extending outwardly therefrom substantially perpendicular to an outer periphery of said rim, said securing means further including a plurality of fingers mounted to the rim, said fingers extending generally downward from said rim, and said securing means being supported on the PCB by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the aperture; and solder means in communication with said securing means, wherein said solder means secures said connector to said PCB.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 132 words

A boardlock device for securing an electrical connector to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the PCB including a first surface and a second surface, the PCB defining an aperture extending through the first surface to the second surface, said boardlock device comprising: securing means attached to said connector and extending into said aperture, said securing means including a rim defining an opening therethrough and having at least one orifice positioned on said rim, said securing means further including a plurality of fingers mounted to the rim, said fingers extending generally downward from said rim, and said securing means being supported on the PCB by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the aperture; and solder means in communication with said securing means, wherein said solder means secures said connector to said PCB.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 132 words

A boardlock device for securing an electrical connector to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), the PCB including a first surface and a second surface, the PCB defining an aperture extending through the first surface to the second surface, said boardlock device comprising: securing means attached to said connector and extending into said aperture, said securing means including a rim defining an opening therethrough and having at least one orifice positioned on said rim, said securing means further including a plurality of fingers mounted to the rim, said fingers extending generally downward from said rim, and said securing means being supported on the PCB by said plurality of fingers when inserted in the aperture; and solder means in communication with said securing means, wherein said solder means secures said connector to said PCB.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-01-24	1997-07-26	1998-01-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-01-24	2001-07-26	2002-01-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-01-24	2005-07-26	2006-01-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electrical connector with improved connector pin support and improved mounting to a PCB

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