US6755683B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printed circuit connector
Assignee: Miraco Inc
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Filing: 2001-02-08
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Granted: 2004-06-29
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Expires: 2021-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A connector for connecting conductors of a flexible circuit to conductive elements comprising a one-piece, plastic housing defining at least one opening for access to the connector for contact with conductors of a flexible circuit located in the connector and biased for conductive contact with electrical contacts by a contact biasing spring, the flexible circuit and spring being mounted to a sled located in the housing and the sled having detents to engage respective openings in the housing to support the sled, and an associated method is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Roberts
- 👤 Jonathan F. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/77; H01R12/79; H01R12/777; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A connector for connecting conductors of a flexible circuit to conductive elements comprising a plastic shell defining at least one opening for access of the conductive elements into the connector for contact with the conductors, the conductors being located in the connector and biased for the conductive contact with the conductive elements by a flat contact biasing spring, the flexible circuit and spring being mounted to a sled, the sled being aligned in the shell by pins and a detent on the sled engaging a detent receiving opening in the shell; and wherein the spring comprises a plurality of parallel spring tines supported by a cross-member interconnecting one end of the tines, the cross-member defining openings engaging posts projecting from a spring support and orientation controlling pad of the sled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A connector for connecting conductors of a flexible circuit to conductive elements comprising a plastic shell defining at least one opening for access of the conductive elements into the connector for contact with the conductors, the conductors being located in the connector and biased for the conductive contact with the conductive elements by a flat contact biasing spring, the flexible circuit and spring being mounted to a sled, the sled being aligned in the shell by pins and a detent on the sled engaging a detent receiving opening in the shell; and wherein the spring comprises a plurality of parallel spring tines supported by a cross-member interconnecting one end of the tines, the cross-member defining openings engaging posts projecting from a spring support and orientation controlling pad of the sled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein the available spring tine deflection is determined by a spring engaging surface of the pad relative to the sled and the sled has spacer plates with detents to firmly hold the cross-member against the pad.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The connector of claim 2 wherein the pins comprises a plurality of mounting pins engaging openings in an end portion of the flexible circuit between the conductors thereof, the flexible circuit also having openings engaging the posts to provide strain relief for the flexible circuit whereby the flexible circuit is supported on the sled with the spring therebetween and the conductors exposed for contact with the conductive elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector of claim 3 wherein the shell has openings, adjacent the at least one opening, to receive the mounting pins to align the sled and hold the end of the flexible circuit captive on the mounting pins.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector of claim 4 the shell has slots to receive ends of the posts to hold the flexible circuit captive on the posts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The connector of claim 3 wherein the shell has a substantially rectangular interior cavity and the spacer plates are sized to engage wall of the cavity to locate the sled, spring and flexible circuit in the shell in coordination with the detent on the sled engaging the detent receiving opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
A connector for connecting conductors of a flexible circuit to conductive elements comprising a plastic shell defining at least one opening for access of the conductive elements into the connector for contact with the conductors, the conductors being located in the connector and biased for the conductive contact with the conductive elements by a cantilevered flat contact biasing spring, the flexible circuit, and the cantilevered spring only along one longitudinal edge, being mounted to a sled, the sled being aligned in the shell by pins and a detent on the sled engaging a detent receiving opening in the shell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A connector for connecting conductors of a flexible circuit to conductive elements comprising a plastic shell defining at least one opening for access of the conductive elements into the connector for contact with the conductors, the conductors being located in the connector and biased for the conductive contact with the conductive elements by a cantilevered flat contact biasing spring, the flexible circuit, and the cantilevered spring only along one longitudinal edge, being mounted to a sled, the sled being aligned in the shell by pins and a detent on the sled engaging a detent receiving opening in the shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The connector of claim 7 wherein the spring comprises a plurality of parallel spring tines supported by a cross-member interconnecting one end of the tines, the cross-member defining openings engaging posts projecting from a spring support and orientation controlling pad of the sled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The connector of claim 8 wherein the available spring tine deflection is determined by a spring engaging surface of the pad relative to the sled and the sled has spacer plates with detents to firmly hold the cross-member against the pad.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
The connector of claim 9 wherein the pins comprises a plurality of mounting pins engaging openings in an end portion of the flexible circuit between the conductors thereof, the flexible circuit also having openings engaging the posts to provide strain relief for the flexible circuit whereby the flexible circuit is supported on the sled with the spring therebetween and the conductors exposed for contact with the conductive elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector of claim 10 wherein the shell has openings, adjacent the at least one opening, to receive the mounting pine to align the sled and hold the end of the flexible circuit captive on the mounting pins.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector of claim 11 the shell has slots to receive ends of the posts to hold the flexible circuit captive on the posts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The connector of claim 9 wherein the shell has a substantially rectangular interior cavity and the spacer plates are sized to engage wall of the cavity to locate the sled, spring and flexible circuit in the shell in coordination with the detent on the sled engaging the detent receiving opening.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of producing a connector for connection to conductive elements comprising: a) providing a one-piece, plastic housing having opposed first and second ends, the first end incorporating openings for receiving the conductive elements and the second end being open for the insertion of interior features of the connector; b) providing a sled capable of insertion in the second end of the housing and including alignment and retaining features for aligning and retaining the sled in the housing; c) mounting a flexible circuit biasing flat spring on the retaining features of the sled in a location to bias contacts of a printed flexible circuit into conductive contact with the conductive elements when inserted through the opening in the first end of the housing; d) mounting a conductor carrying the flexible circuit to the retaining features and strain relief features formed on the sled, and e) inserting the sled with the flexible circuit and spring mounted thereon through the open second end of the housing to engage the alignment and retaining feature of the sled with the housing to locate the sled within the housing to provide an assembled connector complete with the interior features thereon.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of producing a connector for connection to conductive elements comprising: a) providing a one-piece, plastic housing having opposed first and second ends, the first end incorporating openings for receiving the conductive elements and the second end being open for the insertion of interior features of the connector; b) providing a sled capable of insertion in the second end of the housing and including alignment and retaining features for aligning and retaining the sled in the housing; c) mounting a flexible circuit biasing flat spring on the retaining features of the sled in a location to bias contacts of a printed flexible circuit into conductive contact with the conductive elements when inserted through the opening in the first end of the housing; d) mounting a conductor carrying the flexible circuit to the retaining features and strain relief features formed on the sled, and e) inserting the sled with the flexible circuit and spring mounted thereon through the open second end of the housing to engage the alignment and retaining feature of the sled with the housing to locate the sled within the housing to provide an assembled connector complete with the interior features thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-06-29 | 2007-12-29 | 2008-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | 2012-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-29 | 2015-12-29 | 2016-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |