Connector mechanisms

Claim 2

A zero insertion force connector mechanism releasably electrically interconnecting two structures, each said structures carrying conducting lines, said connector mechanism comprising: a common actuator means mounted on a second of said two structures so as to have one degree of freedom of movement only relative thereto between a first position and a second position, said common actuator locking said two structures in fixed relationship to each other, when in an engaged juxtaposition; first contact means electrically connected to said conducting lines on a first of said two structures and fixed relative to said first structure; a flexible conductive film forming part of said second structure and incorporating at least extensions of said conducting lines thereon; second contact means electrically connected to said conducting line extensions in said flexible conductive film and being carried by said common actuator means and being capable of independent orthogonal motion with two degrees of freedom relative to said first contact means by movement of said common actuator means, from its first to its second position while said first and second structures are maintained in an engaged juxtaposition.

Claim 3

The connector mechanism of claim 1, wherein said common actuator means comprises a compound camming mechanism able to produce time separated motion in different directions in a single actuation.

Claim 4

The connector mechanism of claim 2, wherein said common actuator means comprises a carriage; at least one cam follower mounted on said carriage; a linear cam movable from said first position to said second position and arranged when away from said first position to engage said at least one cam follower; and a resilient interposer, said resilient interposer being fixed to said carriage and supporting said second contact means array, said carriage engaging said second structure so as to be fixed in the direction of movement of the linear cam and free to move in directions perpendicular thereto.

Claim 5

The connector mechanism of claim 2, wherein, with the connector mechanism assembly by the prior bringing together of said two structures, a single pass of said common actuator means produces the following time separated sequence of relative movements: motion of said second contact means array toward said first contact means array until said second contact means touch said first contact means; followed by motion of said second contact means array across said fixed contact means array.

Claim 6

The connector mechanism of claim 3, wherein, with the connector mechanism assembled by the prior bringing together of said two structures, a single pass of said common actuator means produces the following time separated sequence of relative movements: motion of said second contact means array toward said first contact means array until said second contact means just touch said fixed contact means; followed by attempted motion of said second contact means array toward said first contact means array such that distortion of said resilient interposer applies a pressure between said first and second contact means; followed by motion of said second contact means array across said first contact means array; followed by further attempted motion of said second contact means array towards said first contact means array further increasing the pressure between said first and second contact means.

Claim 7

The connector mechanism of claim 3, wherein, with the connector mechanism assembled by the prior bringing together of said two structures, a single pass of said linear cam produces the following time separated sequence of relative movements: motion of said second contact means array toward said first contact means array until said second contact means just touch said first contact means; followed by attempted motion of said second contact means array toward the first contact means array such that distortion of said resilient interposer applies a pressure between said first and second contact means; followed by motion of said second contact means array across said first contact means array; followed by motion of said second contact means array substantially retracing part of its previous path across said first contact means arrays; followed by further attempted motion of said second contact means array towards said first contact means array further increasing the pressure between said first and second contact means.

Claim 8

The connector mechanism of claim 1, further including a rigid shroud, mounted on said first structure and engaging said common actuator means when said structures are in an engaged juxtaposition to act as a coarse locator for said structures when said common actuator means is in its first position.

Claim 9

The connector mechanism of claim 3, further including a rigid shroud, mounted on said first structure and engaging said common actuator means when said structures are in an engaged juxtaposition to act as an accurate locator for said linear cam in directions perpendicular thereto, and for said carriage in the direction of bringing together of said two structures when said linear cam is away from its first position, relative to said first contact means array.

Claim 10

The connector mechanism of claim 7, wherein the shroud embodies positioning elements registered with said first contact means, and engageable with said actuator means on movement thereof away from its said first position to accurately relatively locate said two structures.

Claim 11

The connector mechanism of claim 8, wherein the shroud embodies positioning elements registered with said first contact means, and engageable by said linear cam and said carriage.

Claim 12

The connector mechanism of claim 6, further including a rigid shroud, said shroud being mounted on said first structure; and positioning elements, said positioning elements being incorporated in said shroud, in registration with said first contact means and engageable by said linear cam and said carriage when said structures are in an engaged juxtaposition, to act as an accurate locator for said linear cam in directions perpendicular thereto, and for said carriage in the direction of bringing together of said two structures when said linear cam is away from its first position, relative to said first contact means.

Claim 13

The connector mechanism of claim 9, wherein, with the connector mechanism assembled by the prior bringing together of said two structures, a single pass of said common actuator means produces the following time separated sequence of relative movements: motion of said second contact means array toward said first contact means array until said second contact means just touch said first contact means; followed by attempted motion of said second contact means array toward the first contact means array such that distortion of said resilient interposer applies a pressure between said first and second contact means; followed by motion of said second contact means array across said first contact means array; followed by motion of said second contact means array substantially retracing part of its previous path across said first contact means array; followed by further attempted motion of said second contact means array towards said first contact means array further increasing the pressure between said first and second contact means.

Claim 14

The connector mechanism of claim 12, as one of a pair of such connector mechanisms connecting said two structures.

Claim 15

The connector mechanism of claim 12, as one of a plurality of such connector mechanisms connecting said two structures, wherein said connector mechanism incorporates plural flexible films and an equal plurality of carriages.

Claim 16

The connector mechanism of claim 14, further including a coupling yoke coupling said linear cam means of said connector mechanism to the linear cam means of the other said mechanism.

Claim 17

A zero insertion force connector mechanism, for electrically connecting a first and a second structure each carrying conducting lines, comprising: a first contact means fixedly mounted as an array on said first structure and electrically connected to said conducting lines carried by said first structure; flexible film means provided with conducting lines, said conducting lines on said film being electrically connected at one end of said film means to the conducting lines carried by said second structure; second contact means provided on said flexible film means as an array of a same spacing and configuration as said first contact means array; said conducting lines on said flexible film means being electrically connected at another end of said flexible film means to said second contact means; and actuator means associated with said film means for moving said second contact means with independent orthogonal motion with two degrees of freedom relative to said first contact means array while said structures are maintained positionally locked relative to one another in accurate registration in an engaged juxtaposition by said connector mechanism.

Claim 18

A zero insertion force connector mechanism, for electrically connecting a first and a second structure each carrying conducting lines, comprising: a first contact means fixedly mounted as an array on said first structure and electrically connected to said conducting lines carried by said first structure; flexible film means provided with conducting lines, said conducting lines on said film being electrically connected at one end of said film means to the conducting lines carried by said second structure; second contact means provided on said flexible film means as an array of a same spacing and configuration as said first contact means array; said conducting lines on said flexible film means being electrically connected at another end of said flexible film means to said second contact means; and actuator means associated with said film means for moving said second contact means with independent orthogonal motion with two degrees of freedom relative to said first contact means array while said structures are maintained positionally locked relative to one another in accurate registration in an engaged juxtaposition by said connector mechanism.

Claim 19

The connector mechanism of claim 16, wherein said actuator means comprises a carriage; a resilient interposer, said resilient interposer being fixed to said carriage and mounting said second contact means array; and a compound camming mechanism able to produce time separated motion in different directions in a single actuation, and incorporating plural cam followers mounted on said carriage; and linear cam means engaging said cam followers, and arranged to produce, with the connector mechanism assembled by the prior bringing together of said two structures, by a single pass of said actuator means, the following time separated sequence of relative movements: motion of said second contact means array toward said first contact means array until said second contact means just touch said fixed contact means; followed by attempted motion of said second contact means array toward said first contact means array such that distortion of said resilient interposer applies a pressure between said first and second contact means; followed by motion of said second contact means array across said first contact means array; followed by further attempted motion of said second contact means array towards said first contact means array further increasing the pressure between said first and second contact means.

Claim 20

The connector mechanism of claim 17, further including a rigid shroud, mounted on said first structure and engaging said common actuator means when said structures are in an engaged juxtaposition to act as an accurate locator for said linear cam in directions perpendicular thereto, and for said carriage in the direction of bringing together of said two structures when said linear cam is away from its first position, relative to said first contact means array, said shroud incorporating locating elements registered with said first contact means, and engageable by said linear cam and said carriage.

Claim 21

A zero insertion force connector mechanism for electrically connecting a first and a second structure, each carrying conducting lines, comprising: first contact means fixedly mounted on said first structure and electrically connected to said conducting lines carried by said first structure; flexible film means provided with conducting lines, said conducting lines on said film being electrically connected at a first end thereof to conducting lines carried by said second structure; second contact means provided on said flexible film means, said conducting lines on said film means being electrically connected at a second end thereof to said second contact means; and actuator means associated with said film means for moving said second contact means with independent orthogonal motion with two degrees of freedom relative to said first contact means when said structures are locked relative to each other in accurate registration in an engaged juxtaposition by said connector mechanism. .Iadd.

Claim 22

A zero insertion force connector mechanism for electrically connecting a first and a second structure, each carrying conducting lines, comprising: first contact means fixedly mounted on said first structure and electrically connected to said conducting lines carried by said first structure; flexible film means provided with conducting lines, said conducting lines on said film being electrically connected at a first end thereof to conducting lines carried by said second structure; second contact means provided on said flexible film means, said conducting lines on said film means being electrically connected at a second end thereof to said second contact means; and actuator means associated with said film means for moving said second contact means with independent orthogonal motion with two degrees of freedom relative to said first contact means when said structures are locked relative to each other in accurate registration in an engaged juxtaposition by said connector mechanism. .Iadd.

Claim 23

A connector for electrically connecting the circuits on one side of a circuit card to circuits on a circuit board through circuits on a flexible film having some circuits thereon terminated to circuits on the board and further having at least one free side extending away from the board, comprising: a. an elongated base member for mounting on a circuit board with a circuit card receiving space there alongside; b. support means on the base member for supporting actuator means; c. actuator means having a cam thereon slidably mounted on the support means on the base member for longitudinal travel; and d. a module having one surface for receiving a free side of a flexible film and one or more cam followers, the module being movably mounted so that the one surface faces the card receiving space and the one or more cam followers cooperate with the cams such that by moving the actuator means longitudinally, the module moves laterally towards the card receiving space. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A connector for electrically connecting the circuits on one side of a circuit card to circuits on a circuit board through circuits on a flexible film having some circuits thereon terminated to circuits on the board and further having at least one free side extending away from the board, comprising: a. an elongated base member for mounting on a circuit board with a circuit card receiving space there alongside; b. support means on the base member for supporting actuator means; c. actuator means having cams thereon slidably mounted on the support means on the base member for longitudinal travel; and d. a module having one surface for receiving a free side of a flexible film and one or more cam followers, the module being movably mounted so that the one surface faces the card receiving space and the one or more cam followers cooperate with the cams such that by moving the actuator means longitudinally, the module moves laterally towards and away from the card

Claim 24

A connector for electrically connecting the circuits on one side of a circuit card to circuits on a circuit board through circuits on a flexible film having some circuits thereon terminated to circuits on the board and further having at least one free side extending away from the board, comprising: a. an elongated base member for mounting on a circuit board with a circuit card receiving space there alongside; b. support means on the base member for supporting actuator means; c. actuator means having a cam thereon slidably mounted on the support means on the base member for longitudinal travel; and d. a module having one surface for receiving a free side of a flexible film and one or more cam followers, the module being movably mounted so that the one surface faces the card receiving space and the one or more cam followers cooperate with the cams such that by moving the actuator means longitudinally, the module moves laterally towards the card receiving space. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A connector for electrically connecting the circuits on one side of a circuit card to circuits on a circuit board through circuits on a flexible film having some circuits thereon terminated to circuits on the board and further having at least one free side extending away from the board, comprising: a. an elongated base member for mounting on a circuit board with a circuit card receiving space there alongside; b. support means on the base member for supporting actuator means; c. actuator means having cams thereon slidably mounted on the support means on the base member for longitudinal travel; and d. a module having one surface for receiving a free side of a flexible film and one or more cam followers, the module being movably mounted so that the one surface faces the card receiving space and the one or more cam followers cooperate with the cams such that by moving the actuator means longitudinally, the module moves laterally towards and away from the card

Claim 25

receiving space. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The connector of claim 21 wherein the module includes cam followers which cooperate with cams on the actuator means to move the module perpendicular relative to the base member during longitudinal travel of the actuating means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. The connector of claim 22 wherein the lateral and perpendicular movements of the module are time separated. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The connector of claim 22 further including cooperating locating means for positioning the base member, support means and module in a predetermined registration, one with the other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The connector of claim 24 wherein said locking means further provide means for removably locking the module against longitudinal travel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. The connector of claim 22 wherein the support means include card support means for supporting a card extending into the card receiving space alongside

Claim 26

the base member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The connector of claim 26 wherein the support means includes a skirt having a slot extending along the length thereof and opening out towards the card receiving space and further the actuator means includes a guide bar slidingly received in and supported by the slot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. The connector of claim 27 wherein the cams on the actuator means are carried on a cam bar which is joined to the guide bar by connecting means such that the cam bar is positioned between the skirt and the card receiving space. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. The connector of claim 28 wherein the cams are positioned on the sides and edges of the cam bar. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. The connector of claim

Claim 27

29 wherein the module is positioned on the cam bar. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The connector of claim 21 wherein the base member includes a pair of support means, each being adjacent a card receiving space to provide a basis for two, side-by-side connectors, with each connector adapted to

Claim 28

connect a card surface to the circuit board. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A connector for electrically connecting a circuit card to a circuit board through circuits on flexible film strips with some circuits on the strips being terminated to the board and with at least one free side of each strip extending away from the board, comprising: a. a pair of elongated base members adapted for mounting on a circuit board in spaced apart, parallel fashion to define a card slot therebetween into which a circuit card may be placed; b. actuator guide means located on each base member and adapted to slidingly receive actuator means; c. actuator means having cams thereon and slidably located in the actuator guide means for longitudinal travel; d. at least two modules having cam followers and a receiving surface for receiving a free side of a flexible film strip, said modules being positioned on each side of the card slot with the receiving surface facing thereinto and with the cam followers cooperating with the cams on the actuator means so that by moving the actuator means longitudinally, the modules move laterally towards and away from the card slot. .Iaddend.

Claim 29

connect a card surface to the circuit board. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A connector for electrically connecting a circuit card to a circuit board through circuits on flexible film strips with some circuits on the strips being terminated to the board and with at least one free side of each strip extending away from the board, comprising: a. a pair of elongated base members adapted for mounting on a circuit board in spaced apart, parallel fashion to define a card slot therebetween into which a circuit card may be placed; b. actuator guide means located on each base member and adapted to slidingly receive actuator means; c. actuator means having cams thereon and slidably located in the actuator guide means for longitudinal travel; d. at least two modules having cam followers and a receiving surface for receiving a free side of a flexible film strip, said modules being positioned on each side of the card slot with the receiving surface facing thereinto and with the cam followers cooperating with the cams on the actuator means so that by moving the actuator means longitudinally, the modules move laterally towards and away from the card slot. .Iaddend.

Claim 30

.Iadd.33. The connector of claim 32 wherein said modules include cam followers which cooperate with cams on the actuator means to move the modules perpendicular relative to the card slot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. The connector of claim 32 further including cooperating locating means on and for positioning the base members, actuator guide means and modules in a predetermined registration, one with the other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. The connector of claim 34 wherein said locating means further provide means for removably locking the modules against longitudinal travel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The connector of claim 34 wherein the actuator guide means may be fastened together with a circuit card therebetween so that upon locating the actuator guide means on the base members, the card extends into the card slot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The connector of claim 36 wherein the actuator guide means include skirts having guide bar support means extending along the lengths thereof and wherein the actuator means includes a guide bar which is slidingly received in and supported by the

Claim 31

guide bar support means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. The connector of claim 37 wherein the cams on the actuator means are carried on a cam bar which is joined to the guide bar by connecting means such that the cam bar is positioned between the skirt and the card slot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. The connector of claim 38 wherein the cams are positioned on the sides and edges of the cam bar. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. The connector of claim 39 wherein the modules are adapted to be positioned on the cam bars and with

Claim 32

the cam followers cooperating with the cams. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. The connector of claim 32 wherein at least one base member includes two actuator guide means facing in diametric directions and thereby provide the basis for two connectors, side-by-side, with each connector connecting a circuit card surface to the circuit board. .Iaddend.