Patent US5697812A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5697812A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Board-mounted electrical connector
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 1996-06-14
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Granted: 1997-12-16
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Expires: 2016-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector is adapted for mounting on a printed circuit board. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a mating face and a board-mounting face. At least one mounting post projects from the board-mounting face for insertion into a mounting hole in the printed circuit board. The mounting post is bifurcated lengthwise thereof and includes a relatively rigid leg of a substantially C-shaped cross section defining a slot extending longitudinally thereof. A relatively flexible leg includes a latch for latching engagement with the printed circuit board at the mounting hole. The flexible leg is sized for flexing movement substantially into the slot in the C-shaped rigid leg. Therefore, the C-shaped rigid leg provides an overstress protection for the flexible leg.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen A. Sampson
- 👤 Paul A. Reisdorf
- 👤 Timothy Scott Elo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7005; H01R12/7011; H01R12/7017; H01R12/7023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An electrical connector adapted for mounting on a printed circuit board, comprising: a dielectric housing having a mating face and a board-mounting face; and at least one mounting post projecting from the board-mounting face for insertion into a mounting hole in the printed circuit board, the mounting post being bifurcated lengthwise thereof and including a relatively rigid leg of a substantially C-shaped cross section defining a slot extending longitudinally thereof, and a relatively flexible leg having a latching surface for latching engagement with the printed circuit board at said mounting hole, the flexible leg being sized for flexing movement substantially into the slot of the C-shaped rigid leg, whereby the C-shaped rigid leg provides overstress protection for the flexible leg.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An electrical connector adapted for mounting on a printed circuit board, comprising: a dielectric housing having a mating face and a board-mounting face; and at least one mounting post projecting from the board-mounting face for insertion into a mounting hole in the printed circuit board, the mounting post being bifurcated lengthwise thereof and including a relatively rigid leg of a substantially C-shaped cross section defining a slot extending longitudinally thereof, and a relatively flexible leg having a latching surface for latching engagement with the printed circuit board at said mounting hole, the flexible leg being sized for flexing movement substantially into the slot of the C-shaped rigid leg, whereby the C-shaped rigid leg provides overstress protection for the flexible leg.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said latching surface on the flexible leg comprises an outwardly projecting hook for latching engagement with a side of the printed circuit board opposite an insertion side of the board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein an inside surface of the flexible leg is tapered toward a distal end of the flexible leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein an outside surface of the flexible leg is tapered at a distal end thereof for facilitating guiding the mounting post into the mounting hole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said flexible leg is generally T-shaped in cross section defining a leg brace of the T-shape projecting into the slot defined by the C-shaped rigid leg and a cross brace of the T-shape extending in a generally circumferential direction relative to the C-shaped rigid leg.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical connector of claim 5 wherein the inside surface of the leg brace of the T-shaped flexible leg is tapered toward a distal end of the flexible leg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical connector of claim 5 wherein the sides of the cross brace of the T-shape are flared outwardly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrical connector of claim 7 wherein the edges of the rigid leg at said slot are angled complementary to the flared configuration of the sides of the cross brace of the T-shaped flexible leg.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electrical connector adapted for mounting on a printed circuit board, comprising: a dielectric housing having a mating face and board-mounting face; and at least one mounting post projecting from the board-mounting face for insertion into a mounting hole in the printed circuit board, the mounting post being bifurcated lengthwise thereof and including a relatively rigid leg of a substantially C-shaped cross section defining a slot extending longitudinally therealong with the rigid leg having an outside diameter smaller than that of the mounting hole in the printed circuit board, and a relatively flexible leg having an outwardly projecting hook for latching engagement with a side of the printed circuit board opposite an insertion side of the board, the flexible leg being generally T-shaped in cross section defining a leg brace of the T-shape projecting into the slot defined by the C-shaped rigid leg and a cross brace of the T-shape extending in a generally circumferential direction relative to the C-shaped rigid leg.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electrical connector adapted for mounting on a printed circuit board, comprising: a dielectric housing having a mating face and board-mounting face; and at least one mounting post projecting from the board-mounting face for insertion into a mounting hole in the printed circuit board, the mounting post being bifurcated lengthwise thereof and including a relatively rigid leg of a substantially C-shaped cross section defining a slot extending longitudinally therealong with the rigid leg having an outside diameter smaller than that of the mounting hole in the printed circuit board, and a relatively flexible leg having an outwardly projecting hook for latching engagement with a side of the printed circuit board opposite an insertion side of the board, the flexible leg being generally T-shaped in cross section defining a leg brace of the T-shape projecting into the slot defined by the C-shaped rigid leg and a cross brace of the T-shape extending in a generally circumferential direction relative to the C-shaped rigid leg.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical connector of claim 9 wherein the inside surface of the leg brace of the T-shaped flexible leg is tapered toward a distal end of the flexible leg.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The electrical connector of claim 9 wherein an outside surface of the flexible leg, between a distal end of the leg and said outwardly projecting hook, is tapered for facilitating guiding the mounting post into the mounting hole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical connector of claim 9 wherein the sides of the cross brace of the T-shape are flared outwardly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrical connector of claim 12 wherein the edges of the rigid leg at said slot are angled complementary to the flared configuration of the sides of the cross brace of the T-shaped flexible leg.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electrical connector adapted for mounting on a printed circuit board, comprising: a dielectric housing having a mating face and board-mounting face; and at least one mounting post projecting from the board-mounting face for insertion into a mounting hole in the printed circuit board, the mounting post being bifurcated lengthwise thereof and including a relatively rigid leg and a relatively flexible leg separated by a slot extending longitudinally of the mounting post, the relatively flexible leg having a latching surface for latching engagement with the printed circuit board at said mounting hole, and the relatively flexible leg being generally T-shaped in cross section defining a leg brace of the T-shape projecting in a generally radial direction and cross brace of the T-shape extending in a generally circumferential direction relative to the mounting hole.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
133 words
An electrical connector adapted for mounting on a printed circuit board, comprising: a dielectric housing having a mating face and board-mounting face; and at least one mounting post projecting from the board-mounting face for insertion into a mounting hole in the printed circuit board, the mounting post being bifurcated lengthwise thereof and including a relatively rigid leg and a relatively flexible leg separated by a slot extending longitudinally of the mounting post, the relatively flexible leg having a latching surface for latching engagement with the printed circuit board at said mounting hole, and the relatively flexible leg being generally T-shaped in cross section defining a leg brace of the T-shape projecting in a generally radial direction and cross brace of the T-shape extending in a generally circumferential direction relative to the mounting hole.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical connector of claim 14 wherein the inside surface of the leg brace of the T-shaped flexible leg is tapered toward a distal end of the flexible leg.
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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) | 2000-12-15 | 2001-06-16 | 2001-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-15 | 2005-06-16 | 2005-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-15 | 2009-06-16 | 2009-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |