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US6227897B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System for high-bandwidth electrical coupling

Assignee: Mercury Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1998-11-03
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Granted: 2001-05-08
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Expires: 2018-11-03
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Abstract

Abstract A multi-connector system electrically couples circuit components, such as printed circuit boards, daughtercards, integrated circuits and the like. The system includes two or more electrical connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, e.g., a rigid bar or plate. Two or more electrical connector plugs are also provided, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, again, for example, a rigid bar or plate. The connector plugs and sockets can be, for example, of the VME64 160-pin variety or of any other variety and style known in the art. A jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, can be manipulated to bring them together and/or to separate them and, thereby, to couple and/or uncouple the sockets from their respective plugs.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eric D. D'Agostino

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 18:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/621; H01R13/6215; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/716

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim 155 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising, A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the connector sockets and connector plugs collective referred to as “connectors”, C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon manipulation, to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respective ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. a first one of the supporting members plurality flanges emanating therefrom, at least some of the flanges being arranged for disposal within bodies of the plurality connectors with which that supporting member is physically coupled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 155 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising, A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the connector sockets and connector plugs collective referred to as “connectors”, C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon manipulation, to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respective ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. a first one of the supporting members plurality flanges emanating therefrom, at least some of the flanges being arranged for disposal within bodies of the plurality connectors with which that supporting member is physically coupled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein the second supporting member comprises a circuit component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
A system according to claim 2 , wherein the second supporting member comprises any of a printed circuit board, a daughtercards, and an integrated circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein the jacking element is a threaded member arranged for coupling to the first and second supporting members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
A system according to claim 4 , wherein upon rotation the jacking element at least one of brings together and separates the supporting members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
A system according to claim 5 , wherein the jacking element is any of a screw and a bolt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
A system according to claim 5 , comprising a plurality of jacking elements disposed about the periphery of any of the supporting member, the connector plugs and the connector sockets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein at least the first supporting member is rigid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 31 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one flange f toe bar-like member is arranged to receive screws that affix the bar-like member to at least one socket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 23 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one flange is arranged to minimize lateral motion of at least one Socket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 17 words
A system according to claim 1 , wherein the second supporting member comprises an interface circuit element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 17 words
A system according to claim 11 , wherein the interface circuit element comprises an interposer 15 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 214 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, the first supporting member including any of circuit component and a bar-like supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the second supporting member comprising any of a circuit component and an interface component, C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, the jacking element comprising any of a screw and a bolt that is rotatably coupled to the first and second supporting members, the connector sockets and connector plugs collectively referred to as “connectors”, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon rotation to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respectives ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. a first one of the supporting members comprises a bar-like member having a body and a plurality flanges emanating therefrom, at least, some of the flanges being arranged for distposal within bodies of the plurality connectors with which that supporting member is physically coupled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 214 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, the first supporting member including any of circuit component and a bar-like supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the second supporting member comprising any of a circuit component and an interface component, C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, the jacking element comprising any of a screw and a bolt that is rotatably coupled to the first and second supporting members, the connector sockets and connector plugs collectively referred to as “connectors”, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon rotation to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respectives ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. a first one of the supporting members comprises a bar-like member having a body and a plurality flanges emanating therefrom, at least, some of the flanges being arranged for distposal within bodies of the plurality connectors with which that supporting member is physically coupled.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 22 words
A system according to any of claim 1 and 15 wherein the connector sockets and connector plugs are VME64, 160-pin, 5-row connectors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 197 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising, A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the connector sockets and connector plugs collectively referred to as connectors C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon manipulation, to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respective ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. a first one of the supporting members comprises an elongate bar-like member having a body and a plurality flanges emanating therefrom, at least some of the flanges being arranged for disposal within bodies of the plurality connectors with which that supporting member is physically coupled, at least some others of the flanges facilitating affixing the bar-like member to any of a circuit board or to at least one connector with which the bar-like member is physically coupled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 197 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising, A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the connector sockets and connector plugs collectively referred to as connectors C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon manipulation, to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respective ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. a first one of the supporting members comprises an elongate bar-like member having a body and a plurality flanges emanating therefrom, at least some of the flanges being arranged for disposal within bodies of the plurality connectors with which that supporting member is physically coupled, at least some others of the flanges facilitating affixing the bar-like member to any of a circuit board or to at least one connector with which the bar-like member is physically coupled.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 52 words
A system according to any of claim 1 and 15 , wherein th e bar-like member is affixed to the connectors with which it is physically coupled so as to reside within an outer perimeter defining an area or footprint those connectors occupy on a board on which the connectors are mounted.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 171 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising, A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the connector sockets and connector plugs being collectively referred to as “connectors”, C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon manipulation, to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respective ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. at least one of the supporting members comprising a bar-like member that is affixed to the connectors with which the bar-like member is physically coupled so as to reside within an outer perimeter defining an area or footprint the connectors occupy on a board on which the connectors are mounted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 171 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising, A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the connector sockets and connector plugs being collectively referred to as “connectors”, C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon manipulation, to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respective ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. at least one of the supporting members comprising a bar-like member that is affixed to the connectors with which the bar-like member is physically coupled so as to reside within an outer perimeter defining an area or footprint the connectors occupy on a board on which the connectors are mounted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 16 words
A system according to claim 17 , wherein the second supporting member comprises a circuit component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 25 words
A system according to claim 18 , wherein the second supporting member comprises any of a printed circuit board, a daughtercards, and an integrated circuit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 25 words
A system according to claim 17 , wherein the jacking element is a threaded member arranged for coupling to the first and second supporting members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 24 words
A system according to claim 20 , wherein upon rotation the jacking element at least one of brings together and separates the supporting members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 19 words
A system according to claim 21 , wherein the jacking element is any of a screw and a bolt.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 30 words
A system according to claim 21 , comprising a plurality of jacking elements disposed about the periphery of any of the supporting member, the connector plugs and the connector sockets.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 16 words
A system according to claim 17 , wherein at least the first supporting member is rigid.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 31 words
A system according to claim 17 , wherein at least one flange of the bar-like member is arranged to receive screws that affix the bar-like member to at least one socket.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 23 words
A system according to claim 17 , wherein at least one flange is arranged to minimize lateral motion of at least one socket.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 17 words
A system according to claim 17 , wherein the second supporting member comprises an interface circuit element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 15 words
A system according to claim 27 , wherein the interface circuit element comprises an interposer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 220 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, the first supporting member including any of circuit component and a bar-like supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the second supporting member comprising any of a circuit component and an interface component, C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, the jacking element comprising any of a screw and a bolt that is rotatably coupled to the first and second supporting members, the connector sockets and connector plugs collectively referred to as “connectors”, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon rotation to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respectives ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. at least one of the supporting members comprising a bar-like member that is affixed co the connectors with which the bar-like member is physically coupled so as to reside within an outer perimeter defining an area or footprint the connectors occupy on a board on which the connectors are mounted.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 220 words
A multi-connector system for electrically coupling circuit components, the system comprising A. a plurality of connector sockets, each of which is physically coupled to a first supporting member, the first supporting member including any of circuit component and a bar-like supporting member, B. a plurality of connector plugs, each of which is physically coupled to a second supporting member, the second supporting member comprising any of a circuit component and an interface component, C. a jacking element, which is physically coupled with both the first and second supporting members, the jacking element comprising any of a screw and a bolt that is rotatably coupled to the first and second supporting members, the connector sockets and connector plugs collectively referred to as “connectors”, D. the jacking element being arranged, upon rotation to at least one of (i) bring together the supporting members and, thereby, mate the sockets to respectives ones of the plugs, and (ii) separate the supporting members and, thereby, detach the sockets from respective ones of the plugs, E. at least one of the supporting members comprising a bar-like member that is affixed co the connectors with which the bar-like member is physically coupled so as to reside within an outer perimeter defining an area or footprint the connectors occupy on a board on which the connectors are mounted.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 23 words
A system according to any of claim 17 and 29 , wherein the connector sockets and connector plugs are VME64, 160-pin, 5-row connectors.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4935847A Cited
US5426567A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2004-05-07 2004-11-06 2005-05-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2008-05-07 2008-11-06 2009-05-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2012-05-07 2012-11-06 2013-05-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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