US6520810B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector system for interconnection with flat flexible circuitry
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 2001-10-24
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Granted: 2003-02-18
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Expires: 2021-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A connector assembly for interconnection to conductors of a flat circuit, wherein the conductors are in a pattern of varying widths. A dielectric housing has a receptacle with an opening communicating the receptacle to the exterior of the housing. A plurality of terminal blocks of conductive material are positionable in the receptacle. The terminal blocks have varying sizes with corresponding varying planar surfaces exposed at the opening in the housing for engaging the conductors of the flat circuit. The blocks are arranged in the receptacle so that they present a pattern of varying sized planar surfaces matching the pattern of varying width conductors.
Inventors
- 👤 Yves LePottier
- 👤 Robert M. Fuerst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/592; H01R12/70; H01R12/77; H01R12/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for connecting a plurality of discrete electrical wires to conductors of a flat circuit, wherein the conductors have varying widths in a pattern laterally of the flat circuit, comprising: a dielectric connector housing having a receptacle with an opening communicating the receptacle to the exterior of the housing; a plurality of terminal blocks of conductive material positionable in said receptacle, the terminal blocks having varying sizes with corresponding varying planar surfaces exposed at said opening for engaging the conductors of the flat circuit, the blocks being arranged in the receptacle so that they present a pattern of varying sized planar surfaces matching the pattern of varying width conductors; and termination means on the terminal blocks for terminating a plurality of electrical wires thereto.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for connecting a plurality of discrete electrical wires to conductors of a flat circuit, wherein the conductors have varying widths in a pattern laterally of the flat circuit, comprising: a dielectric connector housing having a receptacle with an opening communicating the receptacle to the exterior of the housing; a plurality of terminal blocks of conductive material positionable in said receptacle, the terminal blocks having varying sizes with corresponding varying planar surfaces exposed at said opening for engaging the conductors of the flat circuit, the blocks being arranged in the receptacle so that they present a pattern of varying sized planar surfaces matching the pattern of varying width conductors; and termination means on the terminal blocks for terminating a plurality of electrical wires thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said terminal blocks are generally rectangular in cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , including retaining means on the connector housing to hold the terminal blocks in the receptacle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said termination means comprise holes in the terminal blocks for insertion of the electrical wires thereinto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the terminal blocks are deformed to clamp the wires in the holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said holes in the terminal blocks are variably sized in direct proportion to the varying sizes of the terminal blocks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 , including a dielectric separator between each adjacent pair of terminal blocks in the receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said dielectric separator is fixed to at least one of the terminal blocks in each adjacent pair thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said dielectric separator comprises a flat wafer fixed to a planar side surface of the at least one terminal block.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said dielectric separator is on the dielectric connector housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said dielectric separator comprises a wall molded integrally with the connector housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 11 , including a plurality of said walls disposed at regular intervals along the receptacle, the walls being severable from the housing to accommodate terminal blocks of varying sizes in varying arrays between the walls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
105 words
A connector assembly for interconnection to conductors of a flat circuit, wherein the conductors are in a pattern of varying widths, comprising: a dielectric housing having a receptacle with an opening communicating the receptacle to the exterior of the housing; and a plurality of terminal blocks of conductive material positionable in a side-by-side array in the receptacle, the terminal blocks having varying sizes with corresponding varying planar surfaces exposed at said opening for engaging the conductors of the flat circuit, the blocks being arranged in the receptacle so that they present a pattern of varying sized planar surfaces matching the pattern of varying width conductors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
105 words
A connector assembly for interconnection to conductors of a flat circuit, wherein the conductors are in a pattern of varying widths, comprising: a dielectric housing having a receptacle with an opening communicating the receptacle to the exterior of the housing; and a plurality of terminal blocks of conductive material positionable in a side-by-side array in the receptacle, the terminal blocks having varying sizes with corresponding varying planar surfaces exposed at said opening for engaging the conductors of the flat circuit, the blocks being arranged in the receptacle so that they present a pattern of varying sized planar surfaces matching the pattern of varying width conductors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The connector assembly of claim 13 wherein said terminal blocks are generally rectangular in cross-section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector assembly of claim 13 , including retaining means on the housing to hold the terminal blocks in the receptacle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector assembly of claim 13 , including a dielectric separator between each adjacent pair of terminal blocks in the receptacle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein said dielectric separator is fixed to at least one of the terminal blocks in each adjacent pair thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein said dielectric separator comprises a flat wafer fixed to a planar side surface of the at least one terminal block.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein said dielectric separator is on the dielectric connector housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector assembly of claim 19 wherein said dielectric separator comprises a wall molded integrally with the connector housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The connector assembly of claim 20 , including a plurality of said walls disposed at regular intervals along the receptacle, the walls being severable from the housing to accommodate terminal blocks of varying sizes in varying arrays between the walls.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-17 | 2006-08-19 | 2007-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-17 | 2010-08-19 | 2011-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-17 | 2014-08-19 | 2015-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |