US5599595A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printed plastic circuits and contacts and method for making same
Assignee: Methode Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-06
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Granted: 1997-02-04
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Expires: 2015-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A conductive component for carrying electrical signals constructed from a molded polymer substrate and a conductive coating adhered to the substrate, the coating defining a continuous electrical pathway between at least two terminals. Preferably, molded plastic such as liquid crystal polymer is formed to make circuits having conductive ink adhered thereto in order to provide inexpensive and versatile printed circuit boards for carrying electrical traces and other components and to provide printed formed contacts. The conductive solderable inks can be adhered to the substrate, for example, via screen printing, brush, spraying, dipping, masking, vacuum plating or vacuum deposition with subsequent oven drying, reflowing in a vapor phase, post curing or plating.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. McGinley
- 👤 John R. Cannon
- 👤 William J. Green
- 👤 Richard P. Zanardo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/03; H01R13/035; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/716; H01R13/04; H01R43/00; H01R43/16; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/11; H05K1/119; H05K3/00; H05K3/0011; H05K3/0014; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/325; H05K3/326; H05K1/0284; H05K1/09; H05K1/092; H05K1/095; H05K1/117; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/01; H05K2201/0137; H05K2201/0141; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09009; H05K2201/09045; H05K2201/09081; H05K2201/09118; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10431; H05K2201/10439; H05K2201/10446; H05K2201/1059; H05K3/36; H05K3/366; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/901; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An electrical connector comprising: a unitary, molded thermoplastic connector body, said connector body including a base portion and at least one projecting contact arm portion extending from a first end connected to the base portion to a second free end spaced from the base, the contact arm portion having at least one contact surface defined thereon adjacent the free end thereof, the contact surface having an electrically conductive region thereon defined by a firmly-adherent, electrically conductive coating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
An electrical connector comprising: a unitary, molded thermoplastic connector body, said connector body including a base portion and at least one projecting contact arm portion extending from a first end connected to the base portion to a second free end spaced from the base, the contact arm portion having at least one contact surface defined thereon adjacent the free end thereof, the contact surface having an electrically conductive region thereon defined by a firmly-adherent, electrically conductive coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body is molded from a high temperature resistant moldable thermoplastic composition exhibiting dimensional stability at temperatures above about 200° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said contact arm portion is a resilient flexible member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said contact surface is curved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body defines a matable male contact member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body defines a matable female contact member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body defines a card receiving connector member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body defines a daisy chain receiving connector member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body defines a circuit board to circuit board connector member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body includes a plurality of contact arm portions and defines a pin header array connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body includes a plurality of contact arm portions and defines a female pin-receiving array connector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body includes at least one second contact portion spaced from said contact arm contact surface and an electrically conductive pathway electrically connecting the contact arm contact surface and said second contact portion, said pathway being defined by a firmly adherent, electrically conductive coating of a composition including a cured polymer matrix and conductive additive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrical connector as defined in claim 12, wherein said second contact portion includes an electrically conductive region thereon defined by a firmly adherent, electrically conductive coating of a composition including a cured polymer matrix and conductive additive.
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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) | 2000-02-04 | 2000-08-05 | 2001-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-04 | 2004-08-05 | 2005-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-04 | 2008-08-05 | 2009-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |