US5334029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High density connector for stacked circuit boards
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1993-05-11
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Granted: 1994-08-02
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Expires: 2013-05-11
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a device for electrically coupling stocked circuit boards using conductive polymer interconnect material and a spacer element. In one embodiment, coaxial connection is provided by means of an array of wires within undulating metal envelopes. In another embodiment, pins are provided within holes in a plastic spacer. In a third embodiment, wires are laid on a substrate and successive laminations are built up to form the spacer element. In a fourth embodiment, wire arrays are extrusion molded within thermoplastic sheets which are laminated to form the spacer element.
Inventors
- 👤 Kaushik S. Akkapeddi
- 👤 Rocco Bonanni
- 👤 Robert J. Gashler
- 👤 Michael G. German
- 👤 William R. Lambert
- 👤 Eugene C. Schramm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/51; H01R12/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A connector for providing electrical connection between pads on the surfaces of stacked circuit boards comprising: a pair of flexible sheets, each having major surfaces and exhibiting anisotropic conduction between the major surfaces; a spacer element mounted between the pair of flexible sheets, the spacer element comprising an array of individual, stand-alone, conductive elements which are held in place by a spacer body; and a clamping assembly which aligns the spacer and stack of circuit boards in three perpendicular directions and includes a spring-loaded screw assembly comprising a screw inserted within a coil spring for exerting a uniform force over the major surfaces of the sheets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A connector for providing electrical connection between pads on the surfaces of stacked circuit boards comprising: a pair of flexible sheets, each having major surfaces and exhibiting anisotropic conduction between the major surfaces; a spacer element mounted between the pair of flexible sheets, the spacer element comprising an array of individual, stand-alone, conductive elements which are held in place by a spacer body; and a clamping assembly which aligns the spacer and stack of circuit boards in three perpendicular directions and includes a spring-loaded screw assembly comprising a screw inserted within a coil spring for exerting a uniform force over the major surfaces of the sheets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein the spacer body is a rigid material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein the flexible sheets comprise room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber with magnetically aligned conductive particles extending between the major surfaces to provide the anisotropic conduction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein the conductive elements comprise insulation coated wires.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector according to claim 4 wherein the spacer body comprises a plurality of stacked undulating conductive sheets with the wires located within spaces formed between adjacent conductive sheets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector according to claim 5 wherein the conductive sheets are electrically grounded to provide an electromagnetic shield for the wires.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein the conductive elements are spaced less than 1.5 mm apart, and the spacer element is at least 15 mm thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein the screw is located in the center of the clamping assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein the clamping assembly further comprises top and bottom half shells, one on either side of the stacked circuit boards.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector according to claim 1 wherein the conductive elements have flat surfaces which contact the sheets.
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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) | 1997-08-01 | 1998-01-31 | 1998-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-01 | 2002-01-31 | 2002-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-01 | 2006-01-31 | 2006-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |