US5966267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Long arm compression connector with bump header
Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
•
Filing: 1996-06-25
•
Granted: 1999-10-12
•
Expires: 2016-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A compression arm connector for connecting two circuit substrates in a disk drive and a method of producing the same are provided. The compression arm connector replaces the need for two vertical connectors and a base plate header traditionally used in disk drives for connecting the two circuit substrates. Another compression arm connector for connecting wires to solder pads on a circuit substrate are also provided. The contacts of this compression arm connector are bent through an angle of more than about 90° to form a deflectable member and a solder member. The solder member may be exposed through the connector housing through the use of solder windows or passageways formed in the housing. Both connectors are capable of exhibiting large wipe and deflection capabilities. Additionally, both connectors can be used in a low-cost disk drive provided by the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Hooley
- 👤 Samuel Radanovic
- 👤 Mark S. Robertson
- 👤 Kenneth A. Neidert
- 👤 Alan Raistrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:17
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/12; G11B33/121; G11B25/00; G11B25/04; G11B25/043; G11B33/122; H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/714; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/22; H01R13/24; H01R13/2407; H01R13/2428
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A compression arm connector comprising: an insulative housing; a conductive element received in said insulative housing for electrically interfacing a first and a second substrate, comprising: a first elongated portion oriented generally perpendicular to the first substrate and adapted to engage the first substrate; a second elongated portion generally parallel to said first elongated portion and positionable adjacent the second substrate; a third elongated portion located between and generally parallel to said first and second elongated portions; a first generally U-shaped bend joining said first and second elongated portions; a second generally U-shaped bend joining said second and third elongated portions; and a cantilevered element angularly extending from said second elongated portion and having a protrusion thereon adapted to engage the second substrate; wherein said cantilevered element deflects against a conductive surface of the second substrate to laterally wipe said protrusion across said conductive surface to produce a wipe of at least about 0.02 inches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A compression arm connector comprising: an insulative housing; a conductive element received in said insulative housing for electrically interfacing a first and a second substrate, comprising: a first elongated portion oriented generally perpendicular to the first substrate and adapted to engage the first substrate; a second elongated portion generally parallel to said first elongated portion and positionable adjacent the second substrate; a third elongated portion located between and generally parallel to said first and second elongated portions; a first generally U-shaped bend joining said first and second elongated portions; a second generally U-shaped bend joining said second and third elongated portions; and a cantilevered element angularly extending from said second elongated portion and having a protrusion thereon adapted to engage the second substrate; wherein said cantilevered element deflects against a conductive surface of the second substrate to laterally wipe said protrusion across said conductive surface to produce a wipe of at least about 0.02 inches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said cantilevered element provides a mating force of at least about 100 g.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said cantilevered element provides a mating force of at least about 150 g.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said cantilevered element deflects between at least about 0.008 inches and about 0.02 inches in response to a mating force of between at least 100 g. and 300 g.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said cantilevered element deflects approximately 0.014 inches with a mating latitude of about ±0.006 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The compression arm connector of claim 5, wherein said cantilevered element is deflected as said protrusion wipes said conductive surface and the ratio of the wipe to deflection is greater than 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said first elongated portion has a taper, said first elongated portion being received in said insulative housing so that said taper creates a gas-tight seal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said first elongated portion is a pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said first elongated portion forms an electrical interface with a solder pad on said first substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein a plurality of conductive elements are received in said insulative housing and wherein each said conductive element is associated with one first elongated portion extending from said insulative housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said insulative housing comprises a base portion and a contact support section, at least a part of the base portion and a part of the contact support section having a reduction in thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said insulative housing comprises a contact support section having a slot in which said cantilevered element is inserted, said slot providing openings on a top side and at least a lateral side of said support section so that the deflection of said cantilevered element is not restrained by said insulative housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The compression arm connector of claim 1, wherein said wipe is produced responsive only to said cantilevered element contacting said conductive surface of the second substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
132 words
A conductive element for electrically interfacing a first and a second substrate, comprising: a first elongated portion oriented generally perpendicular to the first substrate and adapted to engage the first substrate; a second elongated portion generally parallel to said first elongated portion and positionable adjacent the second substrate; a third elongated portion located between and generally parallel to said first and second elongated portions; a first generally U-shaped bend joining said first and second elongated portions; a second generally U-shaped bend joining said second and third elongated portions; and a cantilevered element angularly extending from said second elongated portion and having a protrusion thereon adapted to engage the second substrate; wherein said cantilevered element deflects against a conductive surface of the second substrate to laterally wipe said protrusion across said conductive surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
132 words
A conductive element for electrically interfacing a first and a second substrate, comprising: a first elongated portion oriented generally perpendicular to the first substrate and adapted to engage the first substrate; a second elongated portion generally parallel to said first elongated portion and positionable adjacent the second substrate; a third elongated portion located between and generally parallel to said first and second elongated portions; a first generally U-shaped bend joining said first and second elongated portions; a second generally U-shaped bend joining said second and third elongated portions; and a cantilevered element angularly extending from said second elongated portion and having a protrusion thereon adapted to engage the second substrate; wherein said cantilevered element deflects against a conductive surface of the second substrate to laterally wipe said protrusion across said conductive surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
The conductive element of claim 14, wherein said protrusion forms a mating portion of said cantilevered element and wherein said cantilevered element is deflected against said conductive surface so that said protrusion is wiped in a lateral direction of at least about 0.02 inches over said conductive surface in response to said deflection when the conductive element is mated with the second substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The conductive element of claim 15, wherein the ratio of wipe to deflection is greater than 1.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The conductive element of claim 16, wherein said cantilevered element is deflected approximately 0.014 inches with a mating latitude of about ±0.006 inches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The conductive element of claim 15, wherein the cantilevered element substantially overlies said first, second, and third elongated portions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The conductive element of claim 15, wherein said wipe is produced responsive only to said cantilevered element being deflected against said conductive surface of the second substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2922948A
Cited
US3107319A
Cited
US3432801A
Cited
US3654592A
Cited
US3915537A
Cited
US3951495A
Cited
US4199209A
Cited
EP0030574A1
Cited
EP0009314A1
Cited
US4341433A
Cited
US4307928A
Cited
US4315663A
Cited
US4553192A
Cited
US4533203A
Cited
US4778404A
Cited
DE3507464A1
Cited
US4620761A
Cited
US4647126A
Cited
US4773877A
Cited
US4830623A
Cited
US4954087A
Cited
US4915636A
Cited
US5015196A
Cited
US4927369A
Cited
US4891019A
Cited
US4906194A
Cited
US4998886A
Cited
US4990107A
Cited
US4978308A
Cited
US5055054A
Cited
US5145384A
Cited
WO1992008258A1
Cited
US5337202A
Cited
US5161982A
Cited
US5158468A
Cited
US5263880A
Cited
US5259769A
Cited
WO1994011925A1
Cited
US5357386A
Cited
US5308252A
Cited
DE4344272A1
Cited
US5324205A
Cited
US5358411A
Cited
US5378160A
Cited
US5464355A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-11 | 2003-04-12 | 2003-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-11 | 2007-04-12 | 2007-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-11 | 2011-04-12 | 2011-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |