Mount electrical connectors

Claim 2

A surface mounted connector for surface mounting on a generally flat conductive surface of a printed circuit board, the connector comprising a base defining a plane and forming a generally flat substantially solid surface defining a predetermined area suitable for contact with and attachment to an associated flat conductive surface of the printed circuit board; a contact having at least one portion projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base; at least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base, said contact, base and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion all being formed of a generally flat sheet of conductive material, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder.

Claim 3

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said contact is a contact pin.

Claim 4

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said contact is an electrical female receptacle.

Claim 5

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said contact is an electrical insulation displacement connector.

Claim 6

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said contact is a fuse clip.

Claim 7

A surface mounted connector for surface mounting on a generally flat conductive surface of a printed circuit board, the connector comprising a base defining a plane and having a generally flat surface suitable for contact with an attachment to an associated flat conductive surface of the printed circuit board; a contact having at least one portion projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base; and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base, said contact, base and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion all being formed of a generally flat sheet of conductive material, wherein said base comprises two base portions and said contact comprises two elongate substantially juxtaposed contact portions each having ends respectively proximate and remote in relation to said base, said remote ends being joined to each other by an integral bent bridging portion, two bent intermediate connecting portions being provided each connecting one of said proximate ends to an associated one of said base portions.

Claim 8

A surface mounted connector for surface mounting on a generally flat conductive surface of a printed circuit board, the connector comprising a base defining a plane and having a generally flat surface suitable for contact with an attachment to an associated flat conductive surface of the printed circuit board; a contact having at least one portion projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base; and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base, said contact, base and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion all being formed of a generally flat sheet of conductive material, wherein said base comprises two base portions and said contact comprises two elongate substantially juxtaposed contact portions each having ends respectively proximate and remote in relation to said base, said remote ends being joined to each other by an integral bent bridging portion, two bent intermediate connecting portions being provided each connecting one of said proximate ends to an associated one of said base portions.

Claim 9

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 6, wherein one base comprises a U-shaped member having a transverse segment and two parallel segments each joined at one end to said transverse segments and having free ends, said other base portion being dimensioned and configurated to substantially conform to and occupy an area between said free ends.

Claim 10

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 7, wherein one bent intermediate connecting portion is connected to said transverse segment and another bent intermediate connecting portion is connected to said other base portion.

Claim 11

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 6, wherein each of said two bent portions are bent approximately 90°.

Claim 12

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said base comprises a plurality of base portions and said contact comprises a contact pin remote from said base and a plurality of depending portions equal to the number of base portions substantially coplanar with said contact pin and proximate to said base; a separate bent intermediate connecting portion connecting each depending portion with an associate base portion.

Claim 13

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 10, wherein three base portions and three depending portions are provided, and three bent intermediate connecting portions are provided each joining associated based and depending portions.

Claim 14

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 11, wherein one of the depending portions is a central depending portion substantially coextensive with said central contact pin and two of the depending portions are arranged to the sides of said central depending portion, the bent connecting portion for the central depending portion being bent approximately 90° while the bent connecting portions for the side depending portions are bent approximately 180°.

Claim 15

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 10, wherein two base portions and two depending portions are provided, and two bent intermediate connecting portions are provided each joining associated base and depending portions.

Claim 16

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 13, wherein said two bent intermediate connecting portions are each bent approximately 180°.

Claim 17

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 1, wherein said base is substantially rectangular and defines a pair opposing sides, said contact being positioned generally centrally of the rectangular area of said base, one bent intermediate connecting portion extends from one side of said base to said contact and another intermediate connecting portion extending from the other side of said base to a point proximate to said contact, and further including a tab or collar crimped about said contact, whereby said intermediate connecting portions stabilize the position of said contact.

Claim 18

A surface mounted connector as defined in claim 1, further comprising a post projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base and opposite to the direction of said contact, whereby said post can be received within a through opening in the printed circuit board when the connector is surface mounted thereon.

Claim 19

A strip of series connected surface mounted connectors for automated mounting on a surface of a printed circuit board, each connector comprising a base defining a plane and forming a generally flat substantially solid surface defining a predetermined area suitable for contact with and attachment to an associated flat conductive surface of the printed circuit board; a contact having at least one portion projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base; and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base, said contact base and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion all being formed of a generally flat sheet of conductive material, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder; and frangible connecting means between each two adjacent connectors, whereby a strip of connectors can be advanced to an automated mounting station and a connector at the downstream end of the strip can be separated from the strip by severing said frangible connecting means between said connector at the downstream end and an adjacent immediately succeeding connector in the strip.

Claim 20

A strip of series connected surface mounted connectors for automated mounting on a surface of a printed circuit board, each connector comprising a base defining a plane and forming a generally flat substantially solid surface defining a predetermined area suitable for contact with and attachment to an associated flat conductive surface of the printed circuit board; a contact having at least one portion projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base; and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base, said contact base and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion all being formed of a generally flat sheet of conductive material, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder; and frangible connecting means between each two adjacent connectors, whereby a strip of connectors can be advanced to an automated mounting station and a connector at the downstream end of the strip can be separated from the strip by severing said frangible connecting means between said connector at the downstream end and an adjacent immediately succeeding connector in the strip.

Claim 21

A strip of connectors as defined in claim 17, wherein said frangible connecting means comprises connecting tabs integrally formed with the bases of each two adjoining connectors.

Claim 22

A strip of connectors as defined in claim 17, wherein said frangible connecting means comprises connecting tabs integrally formed with the contacts of each two adjoining connectors.

Claim 23

A rolled strip of series connected surface mounted connectors for automated mounting on a surface of a printed circuit board, each connector comprising a base defining a plane and forming a generally flat substantially solid surface defining a predetermined area suitable for contact with and attachment to an associate flat conductive surface of the printed circuit board; a contact having at least one portion projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base; and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base, said contact, base and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion all being formed of a generally flat sheet of conductive material, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder; frangible connecting means between each two adjacent connectors; and a rotatable support member on which the strip of connectors is helically wound, said rotatable support member defining an axis of rotation, said connectors being oriented so that said contacts extend in directions substantially parallel to said axis of rotation, said frangible connecting means being sufficiently flexible without breaking to allow said connectors to be arranged along circular arcs when helically wound about said support member.

Claim 24

A rolled strip of series connected surface mounted connectors for automated mounting on a surface of a printed circuit board, each connector comprising a base defining a plane and forming a generally flat substantially solid surface defining a predetermined area suitable for contact with and attachment to an associate flat conductive surface of the printed circuit board; a contact having at least one portion projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base; and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base, said contact, base and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion all being formed of a generally flat sheet of conductive material, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder; frangible connecting means between each two adjacent connectors; and a rotatable support member on which the strip of connectors is helically wound, said rotatable support member defining an axis of rotation, said connectors being oriented so that said contacts extend in directions substantially parallel to said axis of rotation, said frangible connecting means being sufficiently flexible without breaking to allow said connectors to be arranged along circular arcs when helically wound about said support member.

Claim 25

A rolled strip of connectors as defined in claim 20, wherein said bases of said connectors have a predetermined dimension in the radial direction when helically wound on said rotatable support member; and further comprising spacer means for maintaining said contacts in adjacent layers spaced from each other at a distance to define a spiral connector-receiving space having a radial dimension substantially equal to said predetermined dimensions, whereby the rolled strip of connectors can be received within the spiral connector receiving space with minimal contact interference between bases in adjacent layers.

Claim 26

A blank for a surface mounted connector comprising a stamping from a flat sheet of electrically conductive material and including in a common plane at least one base portion defining a predetermined area creating a generally flat substantially solid surface upon formation of the connector from the blank and being suitable for attachment to an associated surface of a printed circuit board; a contact, and at least one intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base portion, whereby at least one portion of said contact can be moved to a position substantially normal to said plane by bending said at least one intermediate connecting portion to form the surface mounted connector, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder.

Claim 27

A blank for a surface mounted connector comprising a stamping from a flat sheet of electrically conductive material and including in a common plane at least one base portion defining a predetermined area creating a generally flat substantially solid surface upon formation of the connector from the blank and being suitable for attachment to an associated surface of a printed circuit board; a contact, and at least one intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base portion, whereby at least one portion of said contact can be moved to a position substantially normal to said plane by bending said at least one intermediate connecting portion to form the surface mounted connector, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder.

Claim 28

A blank for a plurality of series-connected surface mounted connectors comprising a stamping from an elongated strip of a flat sheet of electrically conductive material which includes a plurality of blank portions successively stamped along said strip; and at least one frangible tab between adjacent blank portions connecting adjacent blank portions to each other, each blank portion comprising at least one base portion defining a predetermined area creating a generally flat substantially solid surface upon formation of the connector from the blank and being suitable for attachment to an associated surface of a printed circuit board; a contact; and at least one intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base portion, whereby at least one portion of said contact can be moved to a position substantially normal to said plane by bending said at least one intermediate connecting portion to form the surface mounted connector, whereby two adjacent surface mounted connectors can be separated from each other by severing the tab connecting the same, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder.

Claim 29

A blank for a plurality of series-connected surface mounted connectors comprising a stamping from an elongated strip of a flat sheet of electrically conductive material which includes a plurality of blank portions successively stamped along said strip; and at least one frangible tab between adjacent blank portions connecting adjacent blank portions to each other, each blank portion comprising at least one base portion defining a predetermined area creating a generally flat substantially solid surface upon formation of the connector from the blank and being suitable for attachment to an associated surface of a printed circuit board; a contact; and at least one intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base portion, whereby at least one portion of said contact can be moved to a position substantially normal to said plane by bending said at least one intermediate connecting portion to form the surface mounted connector, whereby two adjacent surface mounted connectors can be separated from each other by severing the tab connecting the same, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder.

Claim 32

A surface mounted connector formed by the steps of forming a blank from a flat sheet of electrically conductive material to form, in a common plane, at least one base portion creating a generally flat substantially solid surface defining a predetermined area upon formation of the connector from the blank and being suitable for attachment to an associated surface of a printed circuit board; a contact; and at least one intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base portion; and deforming the blank by moving at least one portion of the contact to a position substantially normal to said plane by bending said at least one intermediate connecting portion to form the surface mounted connector, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder.

Claim 33

A surface mounted connector formed by the steps of forming a blank from a flat sheet of electrically conductive material to form, in a common plane, at least one base portion creating a generally flat substantially solid surface defining a predetermined area upon formation of the connector from the blank and being suitable for attachment to an associated surface of a printed circuit board; a contact; and at least one intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base portion; and deforming the blank by moving at least one portion of the contact to a position substantially normal to said plane by bending said at least one intermediate connecting portion to form the surface mounted connector, said base being provided with aperture means forming spaces defining areas substantially smaller than said predetermined area for promoting flow of solder on the conductive surface of the printed circuit board into said spaces by capillary action upon heating and reflow of the solder.

Claim 34

A rolled strip of series connected surface mounted connectors for automated mounting on a surface of a printed circuit board, each connector comprising a base defining a plane; and having a generally flat surface suitable for contact with an attachment to an associated flat conductive surface of the printed circuit board; a contact having at least one portion projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base; and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base, said contact, base and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion all being formed of a generally flat sheet of conductive material; frangible connecting means between each two adjacent connectors; and a rotatable support member on which the strip of connectors is helically wound, said rotatable support member defining an axis of rotation, said connectors being oriented so that said contacts extend in directions substantially parallel to said axis of rotation, said frangible connecting means being sufficiently flexible without breaking to allow said connectors to be arranged along circular arcs when helically wound about said support member, wherein said bases of said connectors have a predetermined dimension in the radial direction when helically wound on said rotatable support member; and further comprising spacer means for maintaining said contacts in adjacent layers spaced from each other at a distance to define a spiral connector-receiving space having a radial dimension substantially equal to said predetermined dimensions, whereby the rolled strip of connectors can be received within the spiral connector receiving space with minimal contact interference between bases in adjacent layers, and wherein said spacer means comprise a continuous flat strip of flexible material; and an undulating wave-like strip of material attached to said flat strip of material having a peak-to-peak distance along the length of said flat strip substantially corresponding to the distance between successive contacts in the strip, and a peak-to-peak height along a radial direction normal to said flat strip substantially equal to the difference between said predetermined radial dimension and the dimension of said contact in the radial direction when helically wound on said rotatable support member.

Claim 35

A rolled strip of series connected surface mounted connectors for automated mounting on a surface of a printed circuit board, each connector comprising a base defining a plane; and having a generally flat surface suitable for contact with an attachment to an associated flat conductive surface of the printed circuit board; a contact having at least one portion projecting from said base in a direction substantially normal to said plane defined by said base; and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion integrally connecting said contact to said base, said contact, base and at least one bent intermediate connecting portion all being formed of a generally flat sheet of conductive material; frangible connecting means between each two adjacent connectors; and a rotatable support member on which the strip of connectors is helically wound, said rotatable support member defining an axis of rotation, said connectors being oriented so that said contacts extend in directions substantially parallel to said axis of rotation, said frangible connecting means being sufficiently flexible without breaking to allow said connectors to be arranged along circular arcs when helically wound about said support member, wherein said bases of said connectors have a predetermined dimension in the radial direction when helically wound on said rotatable support member; and further comprising spacer means for maintaining said contacts in adjacent layers spaced from each other at a distance to define a spiral connector-receiving space having a radial dimension substantially equal to said predetermined dimensions, whereby the rolled strip of connectors can be received within the spiral connector receiving space with minimal contact interference between bases in adjacent layers, and wherein said spacer means comprise a continuous flat strip of flexible material; and an undulating wave-like strip of material attached to said flat strip of material having a peak-to-peak distance along the length of said flat strip substantially corresponding to the distance between successive contacts in the strip, and a peak-to-peak height along a radial direction normal to said flat strip substantially equal to the difference between said predetermined radial dimension and the dimension of said contact in the radial direction when helically wound on said rotatable support member.