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US5295852A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Coplanar computer docking system

Assignee: Whitaker LLC
•
Filing: 1993-07-12
•
Granted: 1994-03-22
•
Expires: 2013-07-12
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Abstract

Abstract The invention hereof relates to electronic apparatus, such as a computer docking connector. More particularly, the invention relates to a docking connector for edge mounting to a "mother" board, where a "daughter" board, memory card, or similar device is inserted into said connector to electrically interconnect the mother board to the inserted device. The apparatus comprises a pair of spring biased, hermaphroditic, resilient housing members, which when assembled define an elongated slot planarly aligned with an edge of the mother board. Opposed camming surfaces are provided with the slot to operatively spread the housing members upon insertion of the electronic device int the slot. Finally a flexible film member containing electrical circuitry thereon is mounted within the housing members for electrically interconnecting corresponding circuitry on the mother board and the electronic device.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert M. Renn
  • 👤 Keith L. Volz
  • 👤 Robert D. Irlbeck
  • 👤 Frederick R. Deak
  • 👤 David C. Johnson
  • 👤 Warren A. Bates

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 22:23
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/51; H01R12/52; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/721

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 113 words
Electronic apparatus for card edge mounting an electronic device, to a mother board, said apparatus comprising a pair of spring biased, hermaphroditic, resilient housing members, which when assembled define an elongated slot which receives an edge of said mother board therein, opposed camming surfaces within said slot to operatively spread said housing members upon insertion of said electronic device into said slot, and a flexible film member containing electrical circuitry thereon mounted within said housing members for electrically interconnecting corresponding circuitry on said mother board and said electronic device, wherein said electronic device includes a camming relief notch for receiving said camming surfaces when said electronic device is fully inserted into said slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 113 words
Electronic apparatus for card edge mounting an electronic device, to a mother board, said apparatus comprising a pair of spring biased, hermaphroditic, resilient housing members, which when assembled define an elongated slot which receives an edge of said mother board therein, opposed camming surfaces within said slot to operatively spread said housing members upon insertion of said electronic device into said slot, and a flexible film member containing electrical circuitry thereon mounted within said housing members for electrically interconnecting corresponding circuitry on said mother board and said electronic device, wherein said electronic device includes a camming relief notch for receiving said camming surfaces when said electronic device is fully inserted into said slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said housing members are provided with a pair of C-shaped metal clips formed of a spring metal to facilitate opening and closing of said slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible film member is in the form of a continuous loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 19 words
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible film member is in the form of a scroll.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said housing members include a thin transverse wall portion to allow flexing of said housing members.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4111510A Cited
US4969824A Cited
US5041003A Cited
US5145381A Cited
US5161981A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-03-21 1997-09-20 1998-03-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-03-21 2001-09-20 2002-03-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-03-21 2005-09-20 2006-03-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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