US6544072B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector with metallized polymeric housing
Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
•
Filing: 2001-06-12
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Granted: 2003-04-08
•
Expires: 2021-06-12
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector has a housing. Signal contacts are secured to the housing and ground contacts are secured to the housing. A portion of the housing is metallized to connect the ground contacts electrically and to shield the signal contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley W. Olson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H01R13/6598; H01R13/6599
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing having grooves on an exterior surface; signal contacts secured to said housing; ground contacts secured to said housing; wherein a portion of said housing including the grooves is metallized to connect said ground contacts electrically and to shield said signal contacts, wherein said housing is not completely metallized, and wherein said metallized grooves extend between said signal contacts in a column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electrical connector, comprising: a housing having grooves on an exterior surface; signal contacts secured to said housing; ground contacts secured to said housing; wherein a portion of said housing including the grooves is metallized to connect said ground contacts electrically and to shield said signal contacts, wherein said housing is not completely metallized, and wherein said metallized grooves extend between said signal contacts in a column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector as recited in claim 1 , wherein said housing is overmolded to said ground contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector as recited in claim 1 , wherein said ground contacts are inserted into said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector as recited in claim 1 , wherein said ground contacts extend from said housing adjacent said grooves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector as recited in claim 1 , wherein the grooves are located between two adjacent signal contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector as recited in claim 1 , wherein the grooves shield two adjacent signal contacts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector as recited in claim 1 , wherein the grooves separate two adjacent signal contacts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector as recited in claim 1 , wherein a portion of each of said ground contact is also metallized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The connector as recited in claim 8 , wherein said ground contacts each have a proximal end adjacent said housing and a distal end extending from said housing, and said proximal end of at least one of said ground contacts is wider than said distal end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector as recited in claim 9 , wherein said proximal end of said each ground contact is metallized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A backplane receptacle connector, comprising: an exterior housing; and a plurality of sub-assemblies arranged within said exterior housing, each sub-assembly having: a housing having grooves on an exterior surface; signal contacts; secured to said housing; and ground contacts secured to said housing; wherein a portion of said housings including the grooves are metallized to connect said ground contacts electrically and to shield said signal contacts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A backplane receptacle connector, comprising: an exterior housing; and a plurality of sub-assemblies arranged within said exterior housing, each sub-assembly having: a housing having grooves on an exterior surface; signal contacts; secured to said housing; and ground contacts secured to said housing; wherein a portion of said housings including the grooves are metallized to connect said ground contacts electrically and to shield said signal contacts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The receptacle connector as recited in claim 11 , wherein said signal contacts in said sub-assemblies are arranged in a single column.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The receptacle connector as recited in claim 11 , wherein said signal contacts in said sub-assemblies are arranged in two adjacent columns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector as recited in claim 11 , wherein said ground contacts extend from said housing adjacent said grooves.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector as recited in claim 11 , wherein the grooves are located between two adjacent signal contacts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector as recited in claim 11 , wherein the grooves shield two adjacent signal contacts.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector as recited in claim 11 , wherein the grooves separate two adjacent signal contacts.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The receptacle connector as recited in claim 11 , wherein a portion of each of said ground contact is metallized.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The receptacle connector as recited in claim 18 , wherein said ground contacts each have a proximal end adjacent said housing and a distal end extending from said housing, and said proximal end of at least one of said ground contacts is wider than said distal end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The receptacle connector as recited in claim 19 , wherein said proximal end of said each ground contact is metallized.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of shielding a connector, comprising the steps of: providing a housing with signal contacts and ground contacts secured thereto and grooves on an exterior surface; and metallizing a portion of said exterior of said housing including the grooves to effect a connection of said ground contacts electrically, wherein said portion of said exterior of said housing comprises less than an entire exterior surface of said housing, and wherein said metallized grooves extend between said signal contacts in a column.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of shielding a connector, comprising the steps of: providing a housing with signal contacts and ground contacts secured thereto and grooves on an exterior surface; and metallizing a portion of said exterior of said housing including the grooves to effect a connection of said ground contacts electrically, wherein said portion of said exterior of said housing comprises less than an entire exterior surface of said housing, and wherein said metallized grooves extend between said signal contacts in a column.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein said metallizing step comprises one of electrolytic plating, electroless plating, sputtering or vacuum metallization.
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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) | 2006-04-07 | 2006-10-07 | 2007-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-07 | 2010-10-07 | 2011-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-07 | 2014-10-07 | 2015-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |