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US5388997A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and system for producing electrically interconnected circuits

Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1994-05-17
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Granted: 1995-02-14
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Expires: 2014-05-17
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Abstract

Abstract A system is provided for effectively and efficiently interconnecting a first rigid circuit with a second rigid circuit. The interconnected circuit system includes, in addition to the first and second circuits, a compressive conductive member and a rigid conductive member. The compressive conductive member has a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member. The rigid conductive member has a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit. The first end of the compressive conductive member interconnectingly engages with the first end of the rigid conductive member. The second end of the rigid conductive member interconnectingly engages with the first circuit and the second end of the compressive conductive member interconnectingly engages with the second circuit. In this way, the first circuit and the second circuit together form a completed electrical circuit.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jeffrey J. Grange
  • 👤 J. P. Harmon

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 15:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/22; H01R13/24; H01R13/2407; H01R13/2421; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/714; H01R13/2464; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/908

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim 226 words
A method for interconnecting a first circuit to a second circuit, which comprises providing a first circuit and a second circuit; providing a compressive conductive member and a rigid conductive member which acts as a near-linear spring contact structure for said first circuit and second circuit, the compressive conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member, the rigid conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; connecting the second end of the compressive conductive member with the first end of the rigid conductive member; and connecting the second end of the rigid conductive member with the second circuit and the first end of the compressive conductive member with the first circuit to connect the first circuit to the second circuit to form a completed electrical circuit which, due to the compressive conductive member and the rigid conductive member acting as a near-linear spring contact structure having a significantly lower final load L 1 requirement, the first circuit remains in intimate contact with the second circuit, and the amount of force required to ensure a high level of electrical contact between the first and second circuit is substantially reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 226 words
A method for interconnecting a first circuit to a second circuit, which comprises providing a first circuit and a second circuit; providing a compressive conductive member and a rigid conductive member which acts as a near-linear spring contact structure for said first circuit and second circuit, the compressive conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member, the rigid conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; connecting the second end of the compressive conductive member with the first end of the rigid conductive member; and connecting the second end of the rigid conductive member with the second circuit and the first end of the compressive conductive member with the first circuit to connect the first circuit to the second circuit to form a completed electrical circuit which, due to the compressive conductive member and the rigid conductive member acting as a near-linear spring contact structure having a significantly lower final load L 1 requirement, the first circuit remains in intimate contact with the second circuit, and the amount of force required to ensure a high level of electrical contact between the first and second circuit is substantially reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid conductive member comprises a plunger member which interconnectingly engages the second circuit, the second circuit comprising either one of a printhead substrate and a TAB circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 65 words
The method of claim 1, which further includes the steps of providing a carrier member including means for receiving and maintaining the rigid conductive member in interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; introducing the rigid conductive member and compressive conductive member into the carrier member; and interconnectingly engaging the rigid conductive member and the second circuit, and the compressive conductive member and the first circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of claim 1, which further includes the step of fabricating either one of the rigid conductive member and the compressive conductive member of either one of a metallic material and a conductive polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises a rigid circuit or stiffened flex circuit and the second circuit comprises one of a rigid circuit or a stiffened flexible circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the second end of the rigid conductive member is formed in a substantially pointed configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the second end of the rigid conductive member is formed in a substantially rounded configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the compressive conductive member comprises a conductive coil spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the compressive conductive member comprises a conductive spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the rigid conductive member comprises a plunger member which interconnectingly engages the second circuit, the second circuit comprising either one of a printhead substrate and a TAB circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 65 words
The method of claim 10, which further includes the steps of providing a carrier member including means for receiving and maintaining the rigid conductive member in interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; introducing the rigid conductive member and compressive conductive member into the carrier member; and interconnectingly engaging the rigid conductive member and the second circuit, and the compressive conductive member and the first circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 223 words
An interconnected rigid circuit-flexible circuit system, which comprises a first circuit and a second circuit; a compressive conductive member and a rigid conductive member which acts as a near-linear spring contact structure for said first circuit and second circuit, the compressive conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member, the rigid conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; the second end of the compressive conductive member being connected with the first end of the rigid conductive member; and the second end of the rigid conductive member being connected with the second circuit and the first end of the compressive conductive member being connected with the first circuit to connect the first circuit to the second circuit to form a completed electrical circuit which, due to the compressive conductive member and the rigid conductive member acting as a near-linear spring contact structure having a significantly lower final load L 1 requirement, the first circuit remains in intimate contact with the second circuit, and the amount of force required to ensure a high level of electrical contact between the first and second circuit is substantially reduced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 223 words
An interconnected rigid circuit-flexible circuit system, which comprises a first circuit and a second circuit; a compressive conductive member and a rigid conductive member which acts as a near-linear spring contact structure for said first circuit and second circuit, the compressive conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member, the rigid conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; the second end of the compressive conductive member being connected with the first end of the rigid conductive member; and the second end of the rigid conductive member being connected with the second circuit and the first end of the compressive conductive member being connected with the first circuit to connect the first circuit to the second circuit to form a completed electrical circuit which, due to the compressive conductive member and the rigid conductive member acting as a near-linear spring contact structure having a significantly lower final load L 1 requirement, the first circuit remains in intimate contact with the second circuit, and the amount of force required to ensure a high level of electrical contact between the first and second circuit is substantially reduced.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 34 words
The system of claim 20, wherein the rigid conductive member comprises a plunger member which interconnectingly engages the second circuit, the second circuit comprising either one of a printhead substrate and a TAB circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 61 words
The system of claim 12, which further includes a carrier member including means for receiving and maintaining the rigid conductive member in interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; introducing the rigid conductive member and compressive conductive member into the carrier member; and interconnectingly engaging the rigid conductive member and the second circuit, and the compressive conductive member and the first circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system of claim 12, wherein either one of the rigid conductive member and the compressive conductive member are fabricated of either one of a metallic material and a conductive polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 32 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the first circuit comprises a rigid circuit or stiffened flex circuit and the second circuit comprises one of a rigid circuit or a stiffened flexible circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the second end of the rigid conductive member is formed in a substantially pointed configuration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the second end of the rigid conductive member is formed in a substantially rounded configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 19 words
The interconnected rigid circuit-flexible circuit system of claim 12, wherein the compressive conductive member comprises a conductive coil spring.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 14 words
The system of claim 12, wherein the compressive conductive member comprises a conductive spring.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 34 words
The system of claim 20, wherein the rigid conductive member comprises a plunger member which interconnectingly engages the second circuit, the second circuit comprising either one of a printhead substrate and a TAB circuit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 61 words
The system of claim 21, which further includes a carrier member including means for receiving and maintaining the rigid conductive member in interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; introducing the rigid conductive member and compressive conductive member into the carrier member; and interconnectingly engaging the rigid conductive member and the second circuit, and the compressive conductive member and the first circuit.
Claim 25
Independent Claim 214 words
An apparatus for connecting a first circuit to a second circuit, which comprises a compressive conductive member which acts as a near-linear spring contact structure for said first circuit and second circuit, the compressive conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member, the rigid conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; the second end of the compressive conductive member being connected with the first end of the rigid conductive member, the second end of the rigid conductive member being connected with the second circuit and the first end of the compressive conductive member being connected with the first circuit connecting the first circuit to the second circuit to form a completed electrical circuit which, due to the compressive conductive member and the rigid conductive member acting as a near-linear spring contact structure having a significantly lower final load L 1 requirement, the first circuit remains in intimate contact with the second circuit, and the amount of force required to ensure a high level of electrical contact between the first and second circuit is substantially reduced.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 214 words
An apparatus for connecting a first circuit to a second circuit, which comprises a compressive conductive member which acts as a near-linear spring contact structure for said first circuit and second circuit, the compressive conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member, the rigid conductive member having a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit; the second end of the compressive conductive member being connected with the first end of the rigid conductive member, the second end of the rigid conductive member being connected with the second circuit and the first end of the compressive conductive member being connected with the first circuit connecting the first circuit to the second circuit to form a completed electrical circuit which, due to the compressive conductive member and the rigid conductive member acting as a near-linear spring contact structure having a significantly lower final load L 1 requirement, the first circuit remains in intimate contact with the second circuit, and the amount of force required to ensure a high level of electrical contact between the first and second circuit is substantially reduced.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus for connecting a first circuit to a second circuit of claim 23, wherein the compressive conductive member comprises a conductive coil spring.

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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) 1998-02-13 1998-08-15 1999-02-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-02-13 2002-08-15 2003-02-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-02-13 2006-08-15 2007-02-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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