US5366380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring biased tapered contact elements for electrical connectors and integrated circuit packages
Assignee: General Datacomm Inc
•
Filing: 1993-03-29
•
Granted: 1994-11-22
•
Expires: 2013-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A contact element for an electrical connector or an integrated circuit which is used with a hold-down mechanism has a base portion, a spring portion having at least partially helical spring elements, and a tapered contact portion which mates in a biased manner with the conductive rim of a hole. The contact element is particularly useful for surface mount applications. The spring portion is preferably arranged with a partially helical spring configuration so that compression of the spring also effects a torsional rotation of the contact portion. The contact element can be fabricated from: a flat sheet with punching, rolling, and/or forming operations, thin walled drawn parts, or modular parts. Additionally, spring sections may be arranged in tandem, in either a co-rotational or counter-rotational manner to provide additional degrees of design freedom with respect to compression range, axial spring rate, and rotational rate. Contact elements can be associated with insulating housings and/or spacers which provide functions such as alignment, compression limitation, contact support, and installation fixturing. In a preferred embodiment the contact portion has a non-linear taper which permits the normal mating force to be well defined regardless of the diameter of the conductive rim of the hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Welles K. Reymond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/28; H01R4/50; H01R4/5016; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/51; H01R12/52; H01R12/55; H01R12/58; H01R12/585; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/714; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/22; H01R13/24; H01R13/2464; H01R13/2478; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/325; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H01R4/48; H01R43/00; H01R43/16; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10227; H05K2201/10393; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/17; H05K2203/176
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A contact element for an electrical connector which provides an electrical connection between a first object and a conductive rim of a hole of a second object, said electrical connector for use with a fastening means for fastening said electrical connector and said second object, said contact element comprising: a) a conductive tapered contact portion which contacts said conductive rim, said contact portion electrically coupled to said first object; b) a spring portion mechanically coupled to said contact portion and said first object, said spring portion constructed and coupled such that compression of said spring portion effects a torsional rotation of said contact portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A contact element for an electrical connector which provides an electrical connection between a first object and a conductive rim of a hole of a second object, said electrical connector for use with a fastening means for fastening said electrical connector and said second object, said contact element comprising: a) a conductive tapered contact portion which contacts said conductive rim, said contact portion electrically coupled to said first object; b) a spring portion mechanically coupled to said contact portion and said first object, said spring portion constructed and coupled such that compression of said spring portion effects a torsional rotation of said contact portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A contact element according to claim 1, wherein: said tapered contact portion has a non-linear taper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contact element according to claim 1, wherein: said spring portion includes at least one at least partially substantially helical spring element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contact element according to claim 3, wherein: said spring portion includes at least three at least partially substantially helical spring elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A contact element according to claim 3, wherein: said at least partially substantially helical spring element has a cross-section shape which is other than round.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contact element according to claim 1, wherein: said spring portion is electrically conductive and electrically couples said contact portion to said first object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A contact element according to claim 6, wherein: said spring portion and said contact portion are constructed as an integral piece.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A contact element according to claim 1, further comprising: c) a base portion which mechanically couples said spring portion to said first object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A contact element according to claim 8, wherein: said base portion and said spring portion are constructed from a single piece of conductive material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A contact element according to claim 9, wherein: said contact portion is also formed from said single piece of conductive material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A contact element according to claim 10, wherein: said piece of conductive material is a substantially flat sheet which is cut and rolled to form said contact element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A contact element according to claim 1, further comprising: c) a guiding collar in the form of a cylinder, said contact element extending at least partially within said guiding collar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A contact element according to claim 12, wherein: said guiding collar is non-conductive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A contact element according to claim 8, wherein: at least two of said spring portion, said base portion, and said contact portion are formed as separate pieces and subsequently coupled together to form said connector element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
A contact element according to claim 1, further comprising: c) a bridge portion coupled to said spring portion, wherein said spring portion is a first spring portion; d) a second spring portion coupled to said bridge portion; and e) a base portion for mechanically coupling said second spring portion to said first object, wherein said bridge portion, said second spring portion and said base portion mechanically couple said first spring portion to said first object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
73 words
A contact element according to claim 15, wherein: said second spring portion is constructed and coupled to said base portion such that compression of said second spring portion effects a torsional rotation of said contact portion in a manner opposite to compression of said first spring portion, and said first spring portion is a first at least partially helical spring, and said second spring portion is a second at least partially helical spring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electrical connector for mating with conductive rims of holes of a circuit board, comprising: a) a plurality of contact element means, each contact element means having a conductive tapered contact portion which contacts a respective said conductive rim, and a spring portion coupled to said contact portion, said spring portion constructed and coupled such that compression of said spring portion effects a torsional rotation of said contact portion; and b) fastening means for use in fastening said electrical connector to said circuit board to keep said plurality of tapered contact portions mated with said conductive rims.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electrical connector for mating with conductive rims of holes of a circuit board, comprising: a) a plurality of contact element means, each contact element means having a conductive tapered contact portion which contacts a respective said conductive rim, and a spring portion coupled to said contact portion, said spring portion constructed and coupled such that compression of said spring portion effects a torsional rotation of said contact portion; and b) fastening means for use in fastening said electrical connector to said circuit board to keep said plurality of tapered contact portions mated with said conductive rims.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electrical connector according to claim 17, further comprising: c) a dielectric housing for housing said plurality of contact element means and insulating said plurality of contact element means one from another.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein: each said tapered contact portion has a non-linear taper.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein: said spring portion has a plurality of at least partially substantially helical spring elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein: each said contact element means further comprises a base portion coupled to said spring portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electrical connector according to claim 21, wherein: at least two of said base portion, said spring portion, and said tapered contact portion are constructed from a single piece of conductive material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical connector according to claim 22, wherein: said piece of conductive material is a flat sheet which is cut and rolled to form said contact element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein: said spring portion comprises at least one at least partially substantially helical spring element having a cross-section shape which is other than round.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein: each of said plurality of contact element means further comprises a bridge portion coupled to said spring portion, wherein said spring portion is a first spring portion, a second spring portion coupled to said bridge portion, and a base portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrical connector according to claim 25, wherein: said second spring portion is constructed and coupled to said base portion such that compression of said second spring portion effects a torsional rotation of said contact portion in a manner opposite to compression of said first spring portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electrical connector according to claim 25, wherein: said first spring portion has a plurality of first a least partially substantially helical spring elements, and said second spring portion has a plurality of second at least partially substantially helical spring elements.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electrical connector according to claim 18, wherein: said dielectric housing has a collar portion in contact with said plurality of contact element means at portions of said contact element means other than said conductive tapered contact portions of said contact element means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
111 words
An integrated circuit package for use with a fastening means for fastening said integrated circuit package to a circuit device, said integrated circuit package comprising: a) an integrated circuit; and b) a plurality of conductive lead elements electrically and mechanically coupled to said integrated circuit, each of said lead elements comprising a conductive tapered contact portion which contacts a conductive rim of said circuit device, and a spring portion coupled to said contact portion, said spring portion constructed and coupled such that compression of said spring portion upon mating of said conductive tapered contact portions in said conductive rims of said circuit device effects a torsional rotation of said contact portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
111 words
An integrated circuit package for use with a fastening means for fastening said integrated circuit package to a circuit device, said integrated circuit package comprising: a) an integrated circuit; and b) a plurality of conductive lead elements electrically and mechanically coupled to said integrated circuit, each of said lead elements comprising a conductive tapered contact portion which contacts a conductive rim of said circuit device, and a spring portion coupled to said contact portion, said spring portion constructed and coupled such that compression of said spring portion upon mating of said conductive tapered contact portions in said conductive rims of said circuit device effects a torsional rotation of said contact portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 29, wherein: each said spring portion includes at least one at least partially substantially helical spring element.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 30, wherein: each said spring portion includes at least three at least partially substantially helical spring elements.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 31, wherein: each said at least partially substantially helical spring element has a cross-section shape which is other than round.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 29, wherein: said spring portion and said contact portion of each said conductive lead element are constructed as an integral piece.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 29, wherein: each said conductive lead element includes a base portion coupled to said spring portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 34, wherein: said base portion and said spring portion are constructed from a single piece of conductive material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 35, wherein: said contact portion is also formed from said single piece of conductive material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 36, wherein: said piece of conductive material is a substantially flat sheet which is cut and rolled to form said contact element.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 29, further comprising: c) a plurality of guiding collars in the form of cylinders, with respective of said plurality of conductive lead elements extending at least partially within respective of said guiding collars.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 38, wherein: said plurality of guiding collars are non-conductive.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 34, wherein: at least two of said spring portion, said base portion, and said contact portion of a said conductive lead element are formed as separate pieces and subsequently coupled together to form said conductive lead element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
52 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 29, further comprising: c) a housing for said integrated circuit, said housing having a bottom surface, wherein said plurality of lead elements are mounted substantially perpendicular to said bottom surface of said housing and within a periphery defined by said bottom surface of said housing.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
52 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 29, wherein: said plurality of lead elements each include a bridge portion coupled to said spring portion, wherein said spring portion is a first spring portion, a second spring portion coupled to said bridge portion, and a base portion coupled to said second spring portion.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
48 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 42, wherein: said second spring portion is constructed and coupled to said base portion such that compression of said second spring portion effects a torsional rotation of said contact portion in a manner opposite to compression of said first spring portion.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 42, wherein: said first spring portion is a first at least partially helical spring, and said second spring portion is a second at least partially helical spring.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
59 words
An integrated circuit package according to claim 29 in conjunction with an alignment jig, wherein: said alignment jig comprises a dielectric housing having a plurality of collar portions, each collar portion in contact with a respective conductive lead element at a portion of said conductive lead element other than said conductive tapered contact portion of said conductive lead element.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
119 words
An integrated circuit package for use with a fastening means for fastening said integrated circuit package to a circuit device having a plurality of holes with conductive rims for solderless connection to said circuit device, said integrated circuit package comprising: a) an integrated circuit; and b) a plurality of conductive lead elements electrically and mechanically coupled to said integrated circuit, each of said lead elements comprising a conductive tapered contact portion which contacts a respective one of the conductive rims of the circuit device, and a spring portion coupled to said contact portion and biasing said contact portion against the respective one of the conductive rims when the fastening means fastens said integrated circuit package to the circuit device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
119 words
An integrated circuit package for use with a fastening means for fastening said integrated circuit package to a circuit device having a plurality of holes with conductive rims for solderless connection to said circuit device, said integrated circuit package comprising: a) an integrated circuit; and b) a plurality of conductive lead elements electrically and mechanically coupled to said integrated circuit, each of said lead elements comprising a conductive tapered contact portion which contacts a respective one of the conductive rims of the circuit device, and a spring portion coupled to said contact portion and biasing said contact portion against the respective one of the conductive rims when the fastening means fastens said integrated circuit package to the circuit device.
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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) | 1997-11-21 | 1998-05-23 | 1998-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-21 | 2002-05-23 | 2002-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-21 | 2006-05-23 | 2006-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |