US5865631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for reducing shorts on a printed circuit board edge connector
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-04-10
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Granted: 1999-02-02
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Expires: 2017-04-10
Abstract
Abstract An edge connector for a circuit board having a top layer and at least one layer underlying the top layer to form a composite structure. The edge connector comprises a first set of metallic tabs formed on the top layer in a row spaced from an edge of the top layer, with each of the first set of metallic tabs having a plating spoke associated therewith formed in the one layer underlying the top layer. A second set of metallic tabs is formed on the top layer in a row adjacent the edge. A metallic tab of the first set is positioned between a pair of metallic tabs in the second set, however, the surface area of the top layer between each pair of metallic tabs in the second set is substantially free of a plating spoke.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel James Berto
- 👤 Jimmy Melvin Coe
- 👤 Lloyd Archibald Barrington Lawrence, Jr.
- 👤 Todd Allen Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:14
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/22; H05K3/24; H05K3/241; H05K3/242; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/721; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/11; H05K1/117; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09145; H05K2201/0919; H05K2201/09209; H05K2201/09372; H05K2201/09481; H05K2201/09654; H05K2201/09709; H05K3/0011; H05K3/0044; H05K3/0052; H05K3/46; H05K3/4611; H05K3/4623; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/951
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An edge connector for a circuit board having a top layer and at least one layer underlying the top layer to form a composite structure, the edge connector comprising: a first set of metallic tabs formed on the top layer in a row spaced from an edge of the top layer, each of the first set of metallic tabs having a plating spoke associated therewith formed in the one layer underlying the top layer; a second set of metallic tabs formed on the top layer in a row adjacent the edge, wherein a metallic tab of the first set is positioned between a pair of metallic tabs in the second set; wherein the surface area of the top layer between each pair of metallic tabs in the second set is substantially free of a plating spoke.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An edge connector for a circuit board having a top layer and at least one layer underlying the top layer to form a composite structure, the edge connector comprising: a first set of metallic tabs formed on the top layer in a row spaced from an edge of the top layer, each of the first set of metallic tabs having a plating spoke associated therewith formed in the one layer underlying the top layer; a second set of metallic tabs formed on the top layer in a row adjacent the edge, wherein a metallic tab of the first set is positioned between a pair of metallic tabs in the second set; wherein the surface area of the top layer between each pair of metallic tabs in the second set is substantially free of a plating spoke.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The edge connector as described in claim 1 further including means for connecting a metallic tab in the first set to its associated plating spoke.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The edge connector as described in claim 2 wherein the means for connecting is a via.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The edge connector as described in claim 2 wherein the means for connecting is a conductor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The edge connector as described in claim 1 wherein each of the metallic tabs in the first set are plated with gold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The edge connector as described in claim 1 wherein each of the metallic tabs in the second set are plated with gold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The edge connector as described in claim 1 wherein each of the layers of the composite structure are formed of an insulating material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
114 words
An edge connector for a printed circuit board having a top layer, an intermediate layer, and a bottom layer, comprising: a first set of metallic tabs formed on the top layer in a row spaced from an edge of the top layer, each of the first set of metallic tabs having a plating spoke associated therewith formed in the intermediate layer; a second set of metallic tabs formed on the top layer in a row adjacent the edge, wherein a metallic tab of the first set is positioned between a pair of metallic tabs in the second set; and means for connecting a metallic tab in the first set to its associated plating spoke.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
An edge connector for a printed circuit board having a top layer, an intermediate layer, and a bottom layer, comprising: a first set of metallic tabs formed on the top layer in a row spaced from an edge of the top layer, each of the first set of metallic tabs having a plating spoke associated therewith formed in the intermediate layer; a second set of metallic tabs formed on the top layer in a row adjacent the edge, wherein a metallic tab of the first set is positioned between a pair of metallic tabs in the second set; and means for connecting a metallic tab in the first set to its associated plating spoke.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The edge connector as described in claim 8 wherein the surface area of the top layer between each pair of metallic tabs in the second set is substantially free of a plating spoke.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The edge connector as described in claim 8 wherein the means for connecting is a via.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The edge connector as described in claim 8 wherein the means for connecting is a conductive element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The edge connector as described in claim 8 wherein each of the layers is formed of an insulating material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-01 | 2002-08-03 | 2003-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-01 | 2006-08-03 | 2007-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-01 | 2010-08-03 | 2011-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |