Patent US5372512A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5372512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1993-04-30
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Granted: 1994-12-13
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Expires: 2013-04-30
Abstract
Abstract An improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit which includes: a flexible first layer; at least one protrusion on the flexible first layer that has an electrical contact; a second layer having at least one electrical contact; and a spring apparatus coupled to the flexible first layer and to the second layer for pressing the electrical contact on the protrusion on the flexible first layer to the electrical contact on the second layer to electrically connect the electrical contact on the protrusion to the electrical contact on the second layer. In a specific embodiment the spring apparatus for pressing the electrical contact on the protrusion of the flexible first layer to the electrical contact on the second layer includes relief for allowing the flexible first layer to deform during assembly of the improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit. In an alternate specific embodiment the electrical contacts on the protrusions on the flexible first layer and the corresponding electrical contacts on the second layer are coated with gold. In another alternate specific embodiment the improved electrical interconnect system includes an alignment apparatus coupled to the flexible first layer and the second layer and the spring apparatus for aligning the flexible first layer with the second layer and the spring apparatus. The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit provides higher interconnect density, reduced cost and increased reliability compared to conventional interconnect systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur K. Wilson
- 👤 Patricia S. Brown
- 👤 Jason R. Arbeiter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:05
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/175; B41J2/17503; B41J2/17526; B41J2/1752; H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/62; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/36; H05K3/361; H05K3/365; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/03; H05K1/0393; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/03; H05K2201/0332; H05K2201/0364; H05K2201/0367; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09009; H05K2201/09036; H05K2201/09045; H05K2201/091; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/16; H05K2203/167; H05K3/40; H05K3/4007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit comprising: a flexible first layer; at least one protrusion on said flexible first layer having an electrical contact; a planar rigid second layer; at least one recessed electrical contact provided on a bottom surface of a rectangular recess formed on said second layer; spring means coupled to said flexible first layer and to said second layer for pressing said electrical contact on said protrusion on said flexible first layer to said electrical contact on said second layer; and wherein said electrical contact on said protrusion on said flexible first layer is electrically coupled to said electrical contact on said second layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit comprising: a flexible first layer; at least one protrusion on said flexible first layer having an electrical contact; a planar rigid second layer; at least one recessed electrical contact provided on a bottom surface of a rectangular recess formed on said second layer; spring means coupled to said flexible first layer and to said second layer for pressing said electrical contact on said protrusion on said flexible first layer to said electrical contact on said second layer; and wherein said electrical contact on said protrusion on said flexible first layer is electrically coupled to said electrical contact on said second layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit of claim 1 wherein said spring means for pressing said electrical contact on said protrusion on said flexible first layer to said electrical contact on said second layer further comprises relief means for allowing said flexible first layer to deform during assembly of said improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit of claim 2 wherein said spring means for pressing said electrical contact on said protrusion on said flexible first layer to said electrical contact on said second layer further comprises: a frame coupled to said flexible first layer and to said second layer; and pressure means coupled to said frame and to said first flexible layer for pressing said protrusion on said first flexible layer to said second layer; wherein said protrusion on said first flexible layer is between said second layer and said pressure means for pressing said protrusion on said first flexible layer to said second layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improved electrical system for a flexible circuit of claim 3 wherein said relief means for allowing said flexible first layer to deform during assembly of said improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit further comprises a relief area between said pressure means and said frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit of claim 4 wherein said relief area further comprises a bevel on said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit of claim 5 wherein said pressure means for pressing said protrusion on said first flexible layer to said second layer further comprises an elastomeric pad mounted in a recess in said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit of claim 1: wherein said electrical contact on said protrusion on said flexible first layer is coated with gold; and wherein said electrical contact on said second layer is coated with gold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit of claim 1 further comprising alignment means coupled to said flexible first layer and said second layer and said spring means for aligning said flexible first layer with said second layer and said spring means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit of claim 8 wherein said alignment means for aligning said flexible first layer with said second layer and said spring means further comprises: at least one alignment pin mounted on said frame; at least one alignment hole in said flexible first layer corresponding to said alignment pin and coupled to said alignment pin; and at least one alignment hole in said second layer corresponding to said alignment pin and coupled to said alignment pin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
206 words
An improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit comprising: a flexible first layer; a plurality of protrusions each having an electrical contact on said flexible first layer; a planar rigid second layer having a plurality of recessed electrical contacts; a frame coupled to said flexible first layer and to said second layer; an elastomeric pad mounted into a recess in said frame and coupled to said flexible first layer for applying pressure to said plurality of protrusions on said flexible first layer; bevel means coupled to said frame for allowing said flexible first layer to deform during assembly of said improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit; at least one alignment pin mounted on said frame; at least one alignment hole in said flexible first layer corresponding to said alignment pin and coupled to said alignment pin; and at least one alignment hole in said second layer corresponding to said alignment pin and coupled to said alignment pin; wherein said plurality of protrusions on said flexible first layer are located between said second layer and said elastomeric pad; and wherein said electrical contacts on said plurality of protrusions on said flexible first layer are electrically coupled to said electrical contacts on said second layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
206 words
An improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit comprising: a flexible first layer; a plurality of protrusions each having an electrical contact on said flexible first layer; a planar rigid second layer having a plurality of recessed electrical contacts; a frame coupled to said flexible first layer and to said second layer; an elastomeric pad mounted into a recess in said frame and coupled to said flexible first layer for applying pressure to said plurality of protrusions on said flexible first layer; bevel means coupled to said frame for allowing said flexible first layer to deform during assembly of said improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit; at least one alignment pin mounted on said frame; at least one alignment hole in said flexible first layer corresponding to said alignment pin and coupled to said alignment pin; and at least one alignment hole in said second layer corresponding to said alignment pin and coupled to said alignment pin; wherein said plurality of protrusions on said flexible first layer are located between said second layer and said elastomeric pad; and wherein said electrical contacts on said plurality of protrusions on said flexible first layer are electrically coupled to said electrical contacts on said second layer.
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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) | 1997-12-12 | 1998-06-13 | 1998-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-12 | 2002-06-13 | 2002-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-12 | 2006-06-13 | 2006-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |