US6528737B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Midplane configuration featuring surface contact connectors
Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC
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Filing: 2000-08-16
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Granted: 2003-03-04
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Expires: 2020-08-16
Abstract
Abstract A midplane board adapted for use in an electronic equipment shelf is provided. The midplane board includes a first surface having a plurality of contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a first circuit board. The midplane board also includes a second surface in opposite relationship with the first surface. The second surface has a plurality of contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a second circuit board in such a manner that at least a portion of a side of the first circuit board is opposed to at least a portion of a side of the second circuit board. The midplane includes at least one signal connection path including a buried via suitable for establishing a connection between a contact element on the first surface and a contact element on the second surface. The contact elements on the first surface define a first pattern while the contact elements on the second surface define a second pattern. The midplane board also includes an intersect area where at least a portion of the first pattern is opposite to at least a portion of the second pattern. The intersect area comprises a set of signal connection paths between the first pattern and the second pattern which define a certain pattern tile having a symmetrical layout along a given axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman Kwong
- 👤 Richard R. Goulette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:11
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/11; H05K1/111; H05K1/112; H05K1/114; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/51; H01R12/52; H05K1/14; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09209; H05K2201/095; H05K2201/09509; H05K2201/09627; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/15; H05K2203/1572; H05K3/00; H05K3/46; H05K3/4602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A midplane board comprising: a first surface having a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a first circuit board; a second surface, opposite said first surface, said second surface comprising a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements of a second circuit board; the surface contact elements on said first surface being positioned relative the surface contact elements on the second surface such that a portion of a side of the first circuit board is opposed to a portion of a side of the second circuit board when the first and the second circuit boards engage said first and said second surfaces; and a set of signal connection paths, each signal connection path extending through said midplane board from a contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface, thereby allowing an electrical signal to propagate from the contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface, wherein said set of signal connection paths defines a certain pattern tile having a symmetrical layout along a given axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A midplane board comprising: a first surface having a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a first circuit board; a second surface, opposite said first surface, said second surface comprising a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements of a second circuit board; the surface contact elements on said first surface being positioned relative the surface contact elements on the second surface such that a portion of a side of the first circuit board is opposed to a portion of a side of the second circuit board when the first and the second circuit boards engage said first and said second surfaces; and a set of signal connection paths, each signal connection path extending through said midplane board from a contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface, thereby allowing an electrical signal to propagate from the contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface, wherein said set of signal connection paths defines a certain pattern tile having a symmetrical layout along a given axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 1 , wherein said first surface includes a plurality of surface contact elements disposed according to a straight line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 2 , wherein said first surface includes a plurality of surface contact elements arranged according to a plurality of straight lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 3 , wherein said straight lines are parallel to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 2 , wherein said straight line is a first straight line, said second surface includes a plurality of surface contact elements disposed along a second straight line, said first straight line is generally perpendicular to said second straight line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 1 , wherein said midplane board has multiple layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 6 , wherein at least one of said signal connection paths comprises a buried via.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 7 , wherein at least one of said signal connection paths comprises a microvia.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 8 , wherein said microvia extends on said first surface and electrically connects with a surface contact element thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 1 , wherein said contact elements include contact pads.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 10 , wherein said contact pads are made of a conductive material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 10 , wherein said contact pads are of oblong shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 12 , wherein said contact pads are grouped in differential pairs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 1 , wherein said first surface includes a ground plane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 14 , wherein said second surface includes a ground plane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 15 , wherein the ground plane on said first surface is electrically connected to the ground plane of said second surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 16 , wherein the ground plane on said first surface is electrically connected to the ground plane of said second surface by a via passing through said midplane board.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 16 , wherein the ground plane includes localized perforations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
161 words
A midplane board adapted for use in an electronic equipment shelf, said midplane board comprising: a first surface comprising a plurality of contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a first circuit board, said plurality of contact elements defining a first pattern; a second surface, in opposite relationship with said first surface, said second surface comprising a plurality of contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a second circuit board, said plurality of contact elements defining a second pattern; and at least one intersect area where at least a portion of the first pattern is opposite at least a portion of the second pattern, the at least one intersect area comprising a set of signal connection paths suitable for establishing a connection between said contact elements on said first surface and said contact elements on said second surface, said set of signal connection paths defining a certain pattern tile having a symmetrical layout along a given axis.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
161 words
A midplane board adapted for use in an electronic equipment shelf, said midplane board comprising: a first surface comprising a plurality of contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a first circuit board, said plurality of contact elements defining a first pattern; a second surface, in opposite relationship with said first surface, said second surface comprising a plurality of contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a second circuit board, said plurality of contact elements defining a second pattern; and at least one intersect area where at least a portion of the first pattern is opposite at least a portion of the second pattern, the at least one intersect area comprising a set of signal connection paths suitable for establishing a connection between said contact elements on said first surface and said contact elements on said second surface, said set of signal connection paths defining a certain pattern tile having a symmetrical layout along a given axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 19 , wherein the given axis is a first axis, the certain pattern tile having a symmetrical layout along a second axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 20 , wherein said midplane board comprises a plurality of intersect areas, each intersect area comprising a respective set of signal connection paths suitable for establishing a connection between said contact elements on said first surface and said contact elements on said second surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 21 , wherein each respective set of signal connection paths defines a certain pattern tile having a symmetrical layout along a given axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A midplane board as defined in claim 22 , wherein the given axis is a first axis, the certain pattern tile having a symmetrical layout along a second axis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
163 words
A midplane board comprising: a first surface having a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a first circuit board; a second surface, opposite said first surface, said second surface comprising a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements of a second circuit board; the surface contact elements on said first surface being positioned relative the surface contact elements on the second surface such that a portion of a side of the first circuit board is opposed to a portion of a side of the second circuit board when the first and the second circuit boards engage said first and said second surfaces; and at least one signal connection path extending through said midplane board from a contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface, thereby allowing an electrical signal to propagate from the contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
163 words
A midplane board comprising: a first surface having a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements on a first circuit board; a second surface, opposite said first surface, said second surface comprising a plurality of surface contact elements adapted to engage corresponding contact elements of a second circuit board; the surface contact elements on said first surface being positioned relative the surface contact elements on the second surface such that a portion of a side of the first circuit board is opposed to a portion of a side of the second circuit board when the first and the second circuit boards engage said first and said second surfaces; and at least one signal connection path extending through said midplane board from a contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface, thereby allowing an electrical signal to propagate from the contact element on said first surface to a contact element on said second surface.
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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) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |