US6614659B2 — De-mountable, solderless in-line lead module pack…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 183 words

An in-line lead module package removably electrically connecting an electrical module comprising a device lead to an electrical conducting medium comprising a plurality of electrical contacts, said package comprising a flex connector comprising a first contact spaced apart from a second contact in electrical communication with one another by a conductive trace, a receptacle defining a hollow receiving space and comprising an open top and an open bottom, a plate comprising a generally planar portion, and at least one fastener, wherein the hollow receiving space receives a portion of the electrical module and the plate covers at least a portion of the top opening, wherein the flex connector is in electrical communication with the electrical module by pressuring or by soldering the first contact to the device lead, and wherein the flex connector is in electrical communication with the electrical conducting medium by pressuring or by soldering the second contact to one of the plurality of contacts on the electrical conducting medium, and wherein at least one of the electrical communications is made by direct pressure generated by said at least one fastener.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 183 words

An in-line lead module package removably electrically connecting an electrical module comprising a device lead to an electrical conducting medium comprising a plurality of electrical contacts, said package comprising a flex connector comprising a first contact spaced apart from a second contact in electrical communication with one another by a conductive trace, a receptacle defining a hollow receiving space and comprising an open top and an open bottom, a plate comprising a generally planar portion, and at least one fastener, wherein the hollow receiving space receives a portion of the electrical module and the plate covers at least a portion of the top opening, wherein the flex connector is in electrical communication with the electrical module by pressuring or by soldering the first contact to the device lead, and wherein the flex connector is in electrical communication with the electrical conducting medium by pressuring or by soldering the second contact to one of the plurality of contacts on the electrical conducting medium, and wherein at least one of the electrical communications is made by direct pressure generated by said at least one fastener.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The package of claim 1 , further including at least one ledge, said at least one ledge exerting said pressure between the flex circuit and the electrical module or between the flex circuit and the electrical conducting medium.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The package of claim 1 , wherein the plate defines a heat sink, said heat sink removably secured said electrical module by a spring clip.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 46 words

The package of claim 1 , wherein the package further including a stiffener plate positioned below the electrical conducting medium, said stiffener plate attached to said at least one fastener and aligned the at least one device lead with the first contact on the flex circuit.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 27 words

The package of claim 1 , wherein said at least one fastener comprises a spring clip and wherein the spring clip holds the slate to the receptacle.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

The package of claim 1 , wherein the first contact of the flex connector comprises a chisel contact.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

The package of claim 1 , further including a tape positioned between the flex connector and the receptacle.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The package of claim 1 , wherein the first contact and the second contact on the flex circuit are both soldered to corresponding contacts.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The package of claim 1 , wherein the electrical conducting medium is a PCB.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

The package of claim 1 , wherein the flex connector comprises a plurality of chisel contact pads.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The package of claim 7 , wherein the tape comprises a layer of compressible material.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 25 words

The package of claim 1 , wherein the electrical module is at least one of a receiver, a transmitter, a transceiver or an IC chip.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 152 words

An electrical module clamping apparatus removably electrically connecting an electrical module having at least one device lead to a PCB having a plurality of contacts, said apparatus comprising a receptacle having a plurality of apertures spaced apart from one another, a flex circuit having two sets of contacts and at least one contact pad on each of the sets in electrical communication with one another by a corresponding set of electrical traces, and at least two alignment pins; said at least two alignment pins aligning the electrical module and its at least one device lead to said flex circuit and its corresponding first set of contacts or aligning said flex circuit and its second set of contacts to said PCB's plurality of contacts; and said receptacle removably receiving said electrical module and is fastened to said PCB by sassing a plurality of fasteners through the plurality of apertures located on the receptacle.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 152 words

An electrical module clamping apparatus removably electrically connecting an electrical module having at least one device lead to a PCB having a plurality of contacts, said apparatus comprising a receptacle having a plurality of apertures spaced apart from one another, a flex circuit having two sets of contacts and at least one contact pad on each of the sets in electrical communication with one another by a corresponding set of electrical traces, and at least two alignment pins; said at least two alignment pins aligning the electrical module and its at least one device lead to said flex circuit and its corresponding first set of contacts or aligning said flex circuit and its second set of contacts to said PCB's plurality of contacts; and said receptacle removably receiving said electrical module and is fastened to said PCB by sassing a plurality of fasteners through the plurality of apertures located on the receptacle.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 13 , further including a heat sink and at least two fasteners, wherein said at least two fasteners are removably secured said heat sink to said electrical module and said PCB.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 49 words

The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein each of the two sets of contacts on said flex circuit is in at least one of a compressed configuration with said module's at least one device lead or in a soldered arrangement with a corresponding number of contacts on said PCB.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein each of said two sets of contacts on said flex circuit is in a compressed arrangement.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 13 , further including a heat sink, said heat sink removably secured to said electrical module by a spring clip.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 15 , further including high temperature resistant tape to tape said flex circuit to said receptacle.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein one of the two sets of contacts on the flex circuit comprises at least one chisel contact pad.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprises a two-sided adhesive tape positioned between the flex circuit and the receptacle, and wherein the adhesive tape comprises a compressible material.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the electrical module is at least one of a receiver, a transmitter, a transceiver, or an IC chip.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 189 words

An electrical connecting apparatus, said apparatus comprising a receptacle comprising body, a receiving portion, and at least two through holes along a periphery of the body, a flex circuit having a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts in electrical communication with one another by a set of conductive trace, wherein the first set of contacts or the second set of contacts comprises at least one chisel contact pad comprising a contact surface having a width, a PCB comprising a plurality of contact points, and an electrical module having at least one device lead having a width, wherein at least a portion of said electrical module is received in said receiving portion of the receptacle and said receptacle is removably secured to said PCB by passing a plurality of fasteners through said at least two through holes, and said flex circuit is electrically coupled to said electrical module along the flex circuit's first set of contacts and to said PCB along the flex circuit's second set of contacts, and wherein the width on the device lead is less than the width on the chisel contact pad.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 189 words

An electrical connecting apparatus, said apparatus comprising a receptacle comprising body, a receiving portion, and at least two through holes along a periphery of the body, a flex circuit having a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts in electrical communication with one another by a set of conductive trace, wherein the first set of contacts or the second set of contacts comprises at least one chisel contact pad comprising a contact surface having a width, a PCB comprising a plurality of contact points, and an electrical module having at least one device lead having a width, wherein at least a portion of said electrical module is received in said receiving portion of the receptacle and said receptacle is removably secured to said PCB by passing a plurality of fasteners through said at least two through holes, and said flex circuit is electrically coupled to said electrical module along the flex circuit's first set of contacts and to said PCB along the flex circuit's second set of contacts, and wherein the width on the device lead is less than the width on the chisel contact pad.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the width of the device lead is positioned within the width of said chisel contact pad.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the electrical module is at least one of a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 22 , further comprising adhesive tape positioned between the flex circuit and the receptacle, and wherein said adhesive tape comprises compressible material.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 79 words

The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the first set of electrical contacts is under pressure or is soldered with a corresponding number of device leads on the electrical module, and the second set of electrical contacts is under pressure or is soldered with a corresponding number of contact points on the PCB, and wherein pressure is applied to at least one interface between the electric module and the flex circuit or between the flex circuit and the PCB.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 167 words

A connection apparatus comprising: an electrical module comprising a contact lead; a receptacle comprising a receiving space subjacent to the electrical module such that the electrical module is positioned over the receptacle and in the receiving space of the receptacle; a flex circuit comprising a first contact pad spaced apart from a second contact pad and in communication with one another by a contact trace; a PCB comprising a plurality of electrical contacts; clamping means; a stiffener plate comprising a plurality of openings; and wherein the first contact of the flex circuit is in electrical communication with the contact lead of the electrical module and the second contact lead of the flex circuit is in electrical communication with one of the electrical contacts of the PCB and the PCB is in electrical communication with the electrical module by way of the contact trace; and wherein the clamping means clamps the electrical module and the receptacle to the PCB by engaging the stiffener plate positioned below the PCB.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 167 words

A connection apparatus comprising: an electrical module comprising a contact lead; a receptacle comprising a receiving space subjacent to the electrical module such that the electrical module is positioned over the receptacle and in the receiving space of the receptacle; a flex circuit comprising a first contact pad spaced apart from a second contact pad and in communication with one another by a contact trace; a PCB comprising a plurality of electrical contacts; clamping means; a stiffener plate comprising a plurality of openings; and wherein the first contact of the flex circuit is in electrical communication with the contact lead of the electrical module and the second contact lead of the flex circuit is in electrical communication with one of the electrical contacts of the PCB and the PCB is in electrical communication with the electrical module by way of the contact trace; and wherein the clamping means clamps the electrical module and the receptacle to the PCB by engaging the stiffener plate positioned below the PCB.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 48 words

The connection apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the clamping means comprises a heat sink, having a plurality of through holes, and a plurality of fasteners, and wherein the plurality of fasteners pass through the plurality of through holes of the heat sink to engage the stiffener plate.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 26 words

The connection apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the first contact of the flex circuit and the contact lead of the electrical module are soldered together.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 34 words

The connection apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the clamp means exerts pressure against the contact between the second contact lead of the flex circuit and one of the electrical contacts of the PCB.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 20 words

The connection apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the clamping means comprises a heat sink having a plurality of fins.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 38 words

The connection apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the clamping means comprises a heat sink and a spring clip, and wherein the spring clip is mounted over the heat sink and clips against a ledge on the receptacle.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 19 words

The connection apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the first contact of the flex circuit comprises a chisel contact.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 55 words

The connection apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the clamping means exerts pressure against the contact between the first contact of the flex circuit and the contact lead of the electrical module and wherein the contact between the second contact of the flex circuit and one of the electrical contacts of the PCB is soldered.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-09-01	2007-03-03	2007-09-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-09-01	2011-03-03	2011-09-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-09-01	2015-03-03	2015-09-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

De-mountable, solderless in-line lead module package with interface

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