US5686697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical circuit suspension system
Assignee: Quell Corp
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Filing: 1995-01-06
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Granted: 1997-11-11
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Expires: 2015-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A device and method wherein electrical components are mechanically suspended and electrically interconnected in an insulative elastomeric body, such as silicone, thereby eliminating the need for a circuit board or other circuit substrate. The device can change shape through compression, distension, flexure, and other external forces while maintaining its electrical performance and mechanical integrity. The device can be compressed and deformed to fit snugly within another device, such as the shell of an electrical connector or a plastic clamshell, simultaneously creating spring forces for reliable electrical contacts and an environmental seal. Accordingly, the device and method can be used for a wide variety of purposes such as electrical filtering for avionics, computer or automotive connectors, or a non-intrusive manner to package electronics for medical implants.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Miller
- 👤 Kevin G. Foreman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:55
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W90/00; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/28; H05K3/284; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/03; H05K1/0393; H05K1/18; H10W72/00; H10W72/50; H10W72/551; H10W72/552; H10W72/5522
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for adding and connecting circuit means to an electrical connector including coupling means and at least one pin, said device comprising: an electrically and mechanically insulative body that changes shape and dimension so that said device fits snugly against at least one coupling means; circuit means suspended by said body and comprising electrical interconnects permitting components of said circuit means to move with respect to each other as said body changes shape; and contact means interconnected with said circuit means and protruding from said body for making electrical connection to said at least one coupling means; wherein said body comprises at least one opening for fitting around a pin, said opening comprising a diameter smaller than a diameter of the pin when said device is not engaged to the pin, but expands to comprise a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the pin when said device is engaged to the pin.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for adding and connecting circuit means to an electrical connector including coupling means and at least one pin, said device comprising: an electrically and mechanically insulative body that changes shape and dimension so that said device fits snugly against at least one coupling means; circuit means suspended by said body and comprising electrical interconnects permitting components of said circuit means to move with respect to each other as said body changes shape; and contact means interconnected with said circuit means and protruding from said body for making electrical connection to said at least one coupling means; wherein said body comprises at least one opening for fitting around a pin, said opening comprising a diameter smaller than a diameter of the pin when said device is not engaged to the pin, but expands to comprise a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the pin when said device is engaged to the pin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said body, when said device fits snugly against at least one coupling means, creates an environmental seal preventing the passage of dust, fluids, gases, and other contaminants through the connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said body exerts compressive forces on said contact to push said contact against said at least one coupling means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said circuit means are suspended within said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said electrical interconnects comprise slack.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said electrical interconnects comprise stretchable conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said body changes shape and dimension by being flexible, distensible, and compressible.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said body comprises an elastomer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said body comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of silicone, RTV silicone, heat-cured silicone, two-part silicone, latex and rubber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said body comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of clays, gums, and foam rubbers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said contact means shift position due to said changes in said body to accommodate out of alignment coupling means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein a diameter of said body is approximately 5% to 15% greater than an inner diameter of the connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said contact means comprises conductive wire or ribbon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 additionally comprising external contact means disposed on an edge of said body, wherein at least one of said external contact means connects said circuit means to an outer shell of the connector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises means for filtering electromagnetic interference.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 15 wherein said circuit means comprises a network of ground buses electrically connecting a plurality of chip capacitors to an outer shell of the connector, each of said chip capacitors being electrically connected to one of said contact means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises means for limiting electrical transients.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises electrical components selected from the group consisting of capacitors, resistors, MOVs, diodes, fuses, antifuses, shorting blocks, inductors, active electronic components, and any combination thereof.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for adding and connecting circuit means to an electrical connector, said device comprising: an electrically and mechanically insulative body that changes shape and dimension so that said device fits snugly against at least one coupling means; circuit means suspended by said body and comprising electrical interconnects permitting components of said circuit means to move with respect to each other as said body changes shape; and contact means interconnected with said circuit means and protruding from said body for making electrical connection to said at least one coupling means; wherein an area of said body is approximately 5% to 15% greater than an inner area of the connector.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
109 words
A device for adding and connecting circuit means to an electrical connector, said device comprising: an electrically and mechanically insulative body that changes shape and dimension so that said device fits snugly against at least one coupling means; circuit means suspended by said body and comprising electrical interconnects permitting components of said circuit means to move with respect to each other as said body changes shape; and contact means interconnected with said circuit means and protruding from said body for making electrical connection to said at least one coupling means; wherein an area of said body is approximately 5% to 15% greater than an inner area of the connector.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for adding and connecting circuit means to an electrical connector, said device comprising: an electrically and mechanically insulative body that changes shape and dimension so that said device fits snugly against at least one coupling means; circuit means suspended by said body and comprising electrical interconnects permitting components of said circuit means to move with respect to each other as said body changes shape; contact means interconnected with said circuit means and protruding from said body for making electrical connection to said at least one coupling means; and external contact means disposed on an edge of said body, wherein at least one of said external contact means connects said circuit means to an outer shell of the connector.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
120 words
A device for adding and connecting circuit means to an electrical connector, said device comprising: an electrically and mechanically insulative body that changes shape and dimension so that said device fits snugly against at least one coupling means; circuit means suspended by said body and comprising electrical interconnects permitting components of said circuit means to move with respect to each other as said body changes shape; contact means interconnected with said circuit means and protruding from said body for making electrical connection to said at least one coupling means; and external contact means disposed on an edge of said body, wherein at least one of said external contact means connects said circuit means to an outer shell of the connector.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for adding and connecting circuit means to an electrical connector, said device comprising: an electrically and mechanically insulative body that changes shape and dimension so that said device fits snugly against at least one coupling means; circuit means suspended by said body and comprising electrical interconnects permitting components of said circuit means to move with respect to each other as said body changes shape; and contact means interconnected with said circuit means and protruding from said body for making electrical connection to said at least one coupling means; wherein said circuit means comprises a network of ground buses electrically connecting a plurality of chip capacitors to an outer shell of the connector, each of said chip capacitors being electrically connected to one of said contact means.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for adding and connecting circuit means to an electrical connector, said device comprising: an electrically and mechanically insulative body that changes shape and dimension so that said device fits snugly against at least one coupling means; circuit means suspended by said body and comprising electrical interconnects permitting components of said circuit means to move with respect to each other as said body changes shape; and contact means interconnected with said circuit means and protruding from said body for making electrical connection to said at least one coupling means; wherein said circuit means comprises a network of ground buses electrically connecting a plurality of chip capacitors to an outer shell of the connector, each of said chip capacitors being electrically connected to one of said contact means.
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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) | 2000-11-10 | 2001-05-12 | 2001-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-10 | 2005-05-12 | 2005-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-10 | 2009-05-12 | 2009-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |