US5906510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-storage deck connector apparatus
Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
•
Filing: 1994-03-23
•
Granted: 1999-05-25
•
Expires: 2014-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A multi-storage deck connector apparatus having at least an upper and lower storage deck is connectable to a printed circuit board. Each deck has its own set of contact pins that must make electrical connection to the printed circuit board. A vertical connector is arranged between the storage decks so that the upper storage deck contact pins are connected to the vertical connector and the vertical connector is connected to the printed circuit board. The lower storage deck contact pins are connected directly to the printed circuit board.
Inventors
- 👤 Nai Hock Lwee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:35
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/12; G11B33/125; G11B33/126; H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7005; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/633; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/02; H05K5/0256; H05K5/026; H05K5/0265; H05K5/0286; H05K5/0291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A multi-storage deck connector apparatus for memory cards comprising: at least upper and lower frames coupled together in a stacked arrangement, each frame having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card, each frame defining a respective storage deck of said connector apparatus; a first array of contact pins disposed in said upper storage space; a second array of contact pins disposed in said lower storage space; a first circuit board to which one of said upper and lower arrays of contact pins is directly electrically connected; a second circuit board arranged in a parallel relation with said first circuit board to which the other array of contact pins is directly electrically connected; and a vertical connector arranged between the first circuit board and the second circuit board and adapted to electrically connect the first circuit board to the second circuit board, whereby one of said arrays of contact pins is directly electrically connected to the first circuit board and the other array of contact pins is indirectly electrically connected to the first circuit board via the second circuit board and the vertical connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A multi-storage deck connector apparatus for memory cards comprising: at least upper and lower frames coupled together in a stacked arrangement, each frame having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card, each frame defining a respective storage deck of said connector apparatus; a first array of contact pins disposed in said upper storage space; a second array of contact pins disposed in said lower storage space; a first circuit board to which one of said upper and lower arrays of contact pins is directly electrically connected; a second circuit board arranged in a parallel relation with said first circuit board to which the other array of contact pins is directly electrically connected; and a vertical connector arranged between the first circuit board and the second circuit board and adapted to electrically connect the first circuit board to the second circuit board, whereby one of said arrays of contact pins is directly electrically connected to the first circuit board and the other array of contact pins is indirectly electrically connected to the first circuit board via the second circuit board and the vertical connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
A connector apparatus for connecting a memory card to a main printed circuit board, said connector apparatus comprising: a frame having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card; a header coupled to the frame and having an array of contact pins; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main printed circuit board; and means for indirectly connecting the array of contact pins to the main printed circuit board by way of said intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
A connector apparatus for connecting a memory card to a main printed circuit board, said connector apparatus comprising: a frame having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card; a header coupled to the frame and having an array of contact pins; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main printed circuit board; and means for indirectly connecting the array of contact pins to the main printed circuit board by way of said intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The connector apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for indirectly connecting the array of contact pins to the main printed circuit board comprises a connector soldered to the main printed circuit board, the array of contact pins being indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via said connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector apparatus of claim 3 wherein said connector comprises a surface mount connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The connector apparatus of claim 3 wherein said connector comprises a vertical connector having a header portion and a mating receptacle portion, one of said header and receptacle portions being soldered to the main printed circuit board and the other of said portions being soldered to the intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector apparatus of claim 5, wherein said header portion is disengageable from said receptacle portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector apparatus of claim 3, wherein said intermediate printed circuit member comprises an intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
A connector apparatus for connecting a memory card to a main printed circuit board, said connector apparatus comprising: a frame having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card; a header coupled to the frame and having an array of contact pins; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main printed circuit board; and a connector soldered to the main printed circuit board, the array of contact pins being indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via said intermediate printed circuit board and said connector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A connector apparatus for connecting a memory card to a main printed circuit board, said connector apparatus comprising: a frame having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card; a header coupled to the frame and having an array of contact pins; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main printed circuit board; and a connector soldered to the main printed circuit board, the array of contact pins being indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via said intermediate printed circuit board and said connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector apparatus of claim 8 wherein said connector comprises a surface mount connector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The connector apparatus of claim 8 wherein said connector comprises a vertical connector having a header portion and a mating receptacle portion, one of said header and receptacle portions being soldered to the main printed circuit board and the other of said portions being soldered to the intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector apparatus of claim 10, wherein said header portion is disengageable from said receptacle portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector apparatus of claim 8, wherein said intermediate printed circuit member comprises an intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
121 words
A connector apparatus for connecting a memory card to a main printed circuit board, said connector apparatus comprising: a frame having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card, said frame defining a storage space of said connector apparatus; a header coupled to the frame and having an array of contact pins; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main circuit board and to which the array of contact pins are connected; and a connector for connecting the intermediate printed circuit member to the main printed circuit board, whereby the array of contacts are indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via the intermediate printed circuit member and said connector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
121 words
A connector apparatus for connecting a memory card to a main printed circuit board, said connector apparatus comprising: a frame having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card, said frame defining a storage space of said connector apparatus; a header coupled to the frame and having an array of contact pins; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main circuit board and to which the array of contact pins are connected; and a connector for connecting the intermediate printed circuit member to the main printed circuit board, whereby the array of contacts are indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via the intermediate printed circuit member and said connector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector apparatus of claim 13, wherein said intermediate printed circuit member comprises an intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector apparatus of claim 13 wherein said connector comprises a surface mount connector mounted on the main printed circuit board.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The connector apparatus of claim 13 wherein said connector comprises a vertical connector having a header portion and a mating receptacle portion, one of said header and receptacle portions being soldered to the main printed circuit board and the other of said portions being soldered to the intermediate printed circuit member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector apparatus of claim 16, wherein said header portion is disengageable from said receptacle portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
144 words
A connector apparatus for connecting a plurality of memory cards to a main printed circuit board, said connector apparatus comprising: a plurality of frames each having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card, each of said frames defining a storage space for receiving a memory card, and each of said frames having a header coupled thereto that comprises an array of contact pins; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main circuit board and to which at least one of the arrays of contact pins of said headers is connected; and a connector for connecting the intermediate printed circuit member to the main printed circuit board, whereby said at least one array of contact pins is indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via the intermediate printed circuit member and said connector.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
144 words
A connector apparatus for connecting a plurality of memory cards to a main printed circuit board, said connector apparatus comprising: a plurality of frames each having opposing side rails spaced at an interval substantially equal to the width of a memory card, each of said frames defining a storage space for receiving a memory card, and each of said frames having a header coupled thereto that comprises an array of contact pins; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main circuit board and to which at least one of the arrays of contact pins of said headers is connected; and a connector for connecting the intermediate printed circuit member to the main printed circuit board, whereby said at least one array of contact pins is indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via the intermediate printed circuit member and said connector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector apparatus of claim 18, wherein said connector comprises a surface mount connector mounted on the main printed circuit board.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
51 words
The connector apparatus of claim 18, wherein said connector comprises a vertical connector having a header portion and a mating receptacle portion, one of said header and receptacle portions being soldered to the main printed circuit board and the other of said portions being soldered to the intermediate printed circuit member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector apparatus of claim 20, wherein said header portion is disengageable from said receptacle portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector apparatus of claim 18, wherein said intermediate printed circuit member comprises an intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for providing a connection between a device and a main printed circuit board, said apparatus comprising: a header spaced from the main printed circuit board and having an array of contact pins for connecting to the device; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main circuit board and to which the array of contact pins of the header are connected; and a connector for connecting the intermediate printed circuit member to the main printed circuit board, whereby the array of contacts of the header are indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via the intermediate printed circuit member and said connector.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for providing a connection between a device and a main printed circuit board, said apparatus comprising: a header spaced from the main printed circuit board and having an array of contact pins for connecting to the device; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main circuit board and to which the array of contact pins of the header are connected; and a connector for connecting the intermediate printed circuit member to the main printed circuit board, whereby the array of contacts of the header are indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via the intermediate printed circuit member and said connector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said intermediate printed circuit member comprises an intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said connector comprises a surface mount connector mounted on the main printed circuit board.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said connector comprises a vertical connector having a header portion and a mating receptacle portion, one of said header and receptacle portions being soldered to the main printed circuit board and the other of said portions being soldered to the intermediate printed circuit member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said header portion is disengageable from said receptacle portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the device comprises a memory card.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for providing connections between a plurality of devices and a main printed circuit board, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of headers each comprising an array of contact pins for connecting to one of said devices, said headers being arranged such that at least one header is spaced from a surface of the main printed circuit board; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main printed circuit board and to which the array of contact pins of said at least one header are connected; and a connector for connecting the intermediate printed circuit member to the main printed circuit board, whereby the array of contact pins of said at least one header are indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via the intermediate printed member and said connector.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for providing connections between a plurality of devices and a main printed circuit board, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of headers each comprising an array of contact pins for connecting to one of said devices, said headers being arranged such that at least one header is spaced from a surface of the main printed circuit board; an intermediate printed circuit member arranged parallel to said main printed circuit board and to which the array of contact pins of said at least one header are connected; and a connector for connecting the intermediate printed circuit member to the main printed circuit board, whereby the array of contact pins of said at least one header are indirectly connected to the main printed circuit board via the intermediate printed member and said connector.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said connector comprises a surface mount connector mounted on the main printed circuit board.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said connector comprises a vertical connector having a header portion and a mating receptacle portion, one of said header and receptacle portions being soldered to the main printed circuit board and the other of said portions being soldered to the intermediate printed circuit member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said header portion is disengageable from said receptacle portion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said intermediate printed circuit member comprises an intermediate printed circuit board.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of clain 29, wherein said plurality of devices comprises at least one memory card.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of clain 29, wherein said plurality of devices comprises at least one memory card.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3767974A
Cited
US4445740A
Cited
US4789352A
Cited
US4952161A
Cited
US5140501A
Cited
US4929185A
Cited
US4996631A
Cited
US5085590A
Cited
US5176523A
Cited
EP0532346A2
Cited
US5283713A
Cited
US5299089A
Cited
US5149276A
Cited
DE9204884U1
Cited
US5318452A
Cited
US5217394A
Cited
US5305182A
Cited
US5415569A
Cited
US5286207A
Cited
US5490791A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-24 | 2002-11-23 | 2003-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-24 | 2006-11-23 | 2007-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-24 | 2010-11-23 | 2011-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |