US5928005A — Self-assembled low-insertion force connector asse…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 150 words

An electrical connector assembly comprising: a) a tapered element having a length and a contact dimension which tapers along at least a portion of the length from a larger dimension to a smaller dimension; and b) a beam element having a contact dimension chosen such that when the tapered element and beam element are mutually interfitted, the tapered element will make contact with the beam element at a location along the tapered portion of the length of the tapered element, the tapered element and the beam element mutually interfitting such that during insertion of the elements into each other by an insertion force, when the tapered element contacts the beam element at the location, and then is inserted further, then after the insertion force is removed, at least one of the elements is deformed primarily in the buckling region, such that the force of contact is primarily a buckling force.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 150 words

An electrical connector assembly comprising: a) a tapered element having a length and a contact dimension which tapers along at least a portion of the length from a larger dimension to a smaller dimension; and b) a beam element having a contact dimension chosen such that when the tapered element and beam element are mutually interfitted, the tapered element will make contact with the beam element at a location along the tapered portion of the length of the tapered element, the tapered element and the beam element mutually interfitting such that during insertion of the elements into each other by an insertion force, when the tapered element contacts the beam element at the location, and then is inserted further, then after the insertion force is removed, at least one of the elements is deformed primarily in the buckling region, such that the force of contact is primarily a buckling force.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 61 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which: a) the tapered element is a socket having a length, and a width perpendicular to the length, the width tapering from an insertion end to an inner end; and b) the beam element comprises a pin having an end, an axis and a beam member formed perpendicular to the axis of the pin.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The connector assembly of claim 2, in which the tapered element is cylindrical, and the beam member is a disk.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 100 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which: a) the tapered element is a pin having a width which tapers from a first end to a second end, the second end being the end which is to be inserted into the beam element; b) the beam element comprises a ring member having an opening adapted to contact the tapered element along its length when the tapered element is inserted into the opening, the opening being wider than the width of the tapered element at its second end, but narrower than the width of the tapered element at its first end.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 71 words

The connector assembly of claim 4, in which the tapered element is a tapered cylindrical pin, and the beam element is a flat ring mounted on a substrate, the flat ring having a central opening, the opening in the center of the flat ring being centered over a recess in the substrate, the recess in the substrate being at least as large in diameter as the opening in the flat ring.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 37 words

The connector assembly of claim 5, in which the diameter of the opening in the flat ring is smaller than the diameter of the recess, such that the edges of the opening are cantilevered over the recess.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 53 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which the beam element comprises a body having a void therein into which the tapered element may be inserted, and at least one finger element having a first end supported by the body and a second end extending into the void, not supported by the body.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 69 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which the beam element comprises a body having a void therein into which the tapered element may be inserted and at least one finger element, supported by the body, and having an end located adjacent to the void in the body, the body being resilient at least in the area adjacent to the end of the finger element adjacent to the void.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 55 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which the tapered element is a tapered pin, and the beam element comprises a recess in a substrate, the recess having an axis, a length, and sides, the beam element further comprising at least one finger element extending from the side of the recess along the length thereof.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

The connector assembly of claim 9, in which the finger element extends radially from a side of the recess toward the axis thereof.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

The connector assembly of claim 9, in which the finger element extends from a side of the recess toward the axis, but is offset from the radius of the cylinder.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising means for retaining the elements in interfitting relationship after insertion.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 17 words

The connector assembly of claim 12, in which the means for retaining the elements is an adhesive.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 12 words

The connector assembly of claim 13, in which the adhesive is conductive.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

The connector assembly of claim 12, in which the means for retaining the elements comprises soldering the elements together.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The connector assembly of claim 12, in which the means for retaining the elements comprises a clamp.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 22 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which the taper of the tapered element varies along the length of the tapered element.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 16 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which the tapered element is a slender, flexible pin.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 35 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which at least one of the elements is deformed during insertion primarily in the bending region of deformation, and the force of insertion is primarily a bending force.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 15 words

The connector assembly of claim 19, in which the element deformed is the beam element.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 15 words

The connector assembly of claim 19, in which the element deformed is the tapered element.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 15 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which the element deformed is the beam element.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 15 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which the element deformed is the tapered element.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 25 words

The connector assembly of claim 1, in which the beam element is not significantly deformed and the force of insertion is primarily a frictional force.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 205 words

An electrical connector assembly for use in connecting an electrical component having at least one electrically conductive pin operatively connected thereto, to a substrate having at least one electrically conductive receptacle mounted thereon for establishing a physical and electrical connection with the electrically conductive pin, in which: the electrically conductive pin of the electrical component is tapered along at least a portion of its length from a larger dimension to a smaller dimension; the electrically conductive receptacle mounted on the substrate comprises a beam element having a contact dimension chosen such that when the electrically conductive pin and electrically conductive receptacle are mutually interfitted, the electrically conductive pin will make contact with the beam element at a location along the length of the pin in the portion which is tapered, the electrically conductive pin and the beam element mutually interfitting such that during insertion of the elements into each other by an insertion force, when the electrically conductive pin contacts the beam element at the location, and then is inserted further, after the insertion force is removed, at least one of the pin or the beam element is deformed primarily in the buckling region, such that the force of contact is primarily a buckling force.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 205 words

An electrical connector assembly for use in connecting an electrical component having at least one electrically conductive pin operatively connected thereto, to a substrate having at least one electrically conductive receptacle mounted thereon for establishing a physical and electrical connection with the electrically conductive pin, in which: the electrically conductive pin of the electrical component is tapered along at least a portion of its length from a larger dimension to a smaller dimension; the electrically conductive receptacle mounted on the substrate comprises a beam element having a contact dimension chosen such that when the electrically conductive pin and electrically conductive receptacle are mutually interfitted, the electrically conductive pin will make contact with the beam element at a location along the length of the pin in the portion which is tapered, the electrically conductive pin and the beam element mutually interfitting such that during insertion of the elements into each other by an insertion force, when the electrically conductive pin contacts the beam element at the location, and then is inserted further, after the insertion force is removed, at least one of the pin or the beam element is deformed primarily in the buckling region, such that the force of contact is primarily a buckling force.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

The electrical connector assembly of claim 25, further comprising an electrical component having at least one electrically conductive pin operatively connected thereto.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 15 words

The electrical connector assembly of claim 26, in which the electrical component is a microchip.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 32 words

The electrical connector assembly of claim 25, further comprising a substrate having at least one electrically conductive receptacle mounted thereon for establishing a physical and electrical connection with the electrically conductive pin.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 15 words

The electrical connector assembly of claim 28, in which the substrate is a chip carrier.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 39 words

The connector assembly of claim 25, in which at least one of the beam element or the pin is deformed during insertion primarily in the bending region of deformation, and the force of insertion is primarily a bending force.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 27 words

The connector assembly of claim 25, in which the beam element is not significantly deformed during insertion and the force of insertion is primarily a frictional force.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-07-26	2003-01-25	2003-07-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-07-26	2007-01-25	2007-07-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-07-26	2011-01-25	2011-07-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Self-assembled low-insertion force connector assembly

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