Patents Assigned to Berg Technologies
  • Patent number: 6024584
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector in which the contacts are fused to a solder ball conductive material which are reflowed to provide a primary electrical current path between the connection and a substrate. Also disclosed is a method for fusing the conductive element to the contacts of the connector. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the conductor element into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A conductive element which will ordinarily be a solder ball is positioned in the recess on the exterior side of the housing. The metallic element emplaced in the recess is then heated to a temperature sufficient to soften the metallic element and fuse the metallic element to the contact extending into said recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Lemke, Timothy W. Houtz
  • Patent number: 6017240
    Abstract: A modular plug having an insulative housing comprising a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of lateral walls perpendicularly interposed between the top two bottom walls. There are a number of longitudinal terminal receiving slots in the front and top wall. There is a cable receiving cavity in the rear wall. A number of conductors means extend from the rear wall of the jack to adjacent to a different one of the said pin receiving slots. There are also a number of metallic contacts, and each of the contacts is adjacent to a different one of the terminal receiving slots and is connected to a different one of the conductors. At least one of the contacts has a different shape from at least one of the other contacts. A surprising and unexpected reduction in cross talk is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakov Belopolsky, Robert M. Solomon
  • Patent number: 6012931
    Abstract: A connector having a set of terminals (10) that are preferably coplanar and are used to connect electrical components, such as surface mount components, with a printed circuit board (PCB). The connector uses an insulative wafer (50) to achieve and to maintain the coplanarity of the terminals (10). Initially, the terminals (10) are overbent so that as the wafer (50) is being placed in the connector housing (5), the terminals (10) contact the wafer (50) on a slope (55) of the wafer (50). In other words, as the wafer (50) is being mated with the connector housing (5), the wafer (50) pushes against the terminals (10) to establish coplanarity. Thus, the wafer (50) works in conjunction with the terminals (10) in the connector housing (5) to establish coplanarity. Therefore, the connector supports the terminals (10) for positioning while ensuring that the terminals (10) are coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gwen L. Michaux, David C. Horchler
  • Patent number: 6004042
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multifiber optical cable array connector which includes a central block having a plurality of bores that is made up of a lower chip having v-grooves on its upper surface and an upper chip having v-grooves on its lower surface which is superimposed over the lower chip to form the bores. An optical fiber ribbon cable has its insulation removed and the fibers are inserted through every other bore in the block. A second optical fiber ribbon cable similarly has its insulation removed at one end and is superimposed over the first ribbon cable with its fibers being inserted through the remaining bore. Because of this construction substantial numbers of fibers may be received in this connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy P. Million, Richard Z. Jamroszczyk
  • Patent number: 6000973
    Abstract: An electrical connector with plug contact elements of plate material is disclosed. The electrical connector comprises a housing of electrically insulating material, provided with at least one contact element of electrically conducting material designed as a plug contact. The plug contact is made up of two substantially oppositely spaced elongated plate parts. An end of each plate part is fixedly connected to a base part of the connector, while free ends of the plate parts are in physical contact. The contact element may be secured in a channel of the housing by a lip-shaped member fixedly joined in a resilient manner to the base part. The contact element is provided with a terminal end adapted for electrically interfacing with other electrical components. A method of making the contact element as a whole by a single punching process from a sheet of electrically conducting material is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: BERG Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Niranjan Kumar Mitra
  • Patent number: 5999400
    Abstract: A modular plug which has an insulative housing comprising a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of lateral walls which are perpendicularly interposed between the top two bottom walls. There are a plurality of front longitudinal terminal receiving slots in the top wall adjacent the front wall. There is also a cable receiving cavity in the rear wall. A plurality of rear longitudinal terminal contact receiving slots are in the top wall and between the front longitudinal terminal contact receiving slots and the rear wall. A medial component housing cavity is interposed between the front longitudinal terminal contact receiving slots and the rear longitudinal terminal contact receiving slots. There is also a first plurality of conductors, each of which extends from the rear wall of the jack to adjacent a different one of said rear longitudinal contact terminal receiving slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakov Belopolsky, Joseph E. Shingara
  • Patent number: 5997366
    Abstract: A connector element for connecting a flexfoil and a pin-like contact member, the connector element being made of a conducting material and comprising a base part, at least one clamp extending from a first side of the connector element for clamping said flexfoil and at least one further clamp extending from a second opposing side of the connector element for clamping said flexfoil, and walls arranged relative to said base part to form a opening for receiving said pin-like contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hubertus B. Libregts
  • Patent number: 5993234
    Abstract: A socket (10) for printed boards is provided which enables a plurality of printed boards to be mounted readily and positively and can be manufactured at low costs in a very simple way. The socket comprises a housing (14) having insertion holes (32, 34) opened on one side to allow printed boards to be received, a greater number of spring contacts (12) of an electroconductive material formed in contact arrays in the insertion holes and urging the printed boards in the same direction with their edges inserted relative to the respective contact arrays into the insertion holes and a plurality of latch arms (18) extending from near-end areas of the respective insertion holes and, when the respective printed boards are rotated in a direction to urge the contacts, latch the side edges of the printed boards in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Akihiro Yodogawa
  • Patent number: 5993227
    Abstract: A card connector for electrically coupling a PC card to an electrical device is provided. The card connector comprises a header section having a plurality of terminal pins disposed within the header section. A first and second elongated arm section are integrally coupled with the header section. Each one of the arms extend from a first end to a second end thereby forming a slot which is adapted to receive the PC card and guide the PC card into electrical contact with the terminal pins. A guide housing is securely disposed over said first arm. A push-rod is slidably mounted within the guide housing and adapted to move from a first position to a second position. A post is disposed within the guide housing. A swing arm is pivotally mounted on the push-rod and is adapted to engage and disengage with the post as the push-rod moves from the first position to the second position. A first spring is in communication with said swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chiu-Hui Hsia, Chih-Chung Chu, Yu-Wen Chu, Chan-Ming Hsu
  • Patent number: 5989053
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a number of contact elements that, in the preferred embodiment, are pins. Each pin includes an electrically conductive contact surface that is configured to engage an electrically conductive surface within a mating connector to achieve an electrical connection. Each pin also includes a leading surface that is integral with the contact surface and is configured to contact the conductive surface of the mating connector during connection and disconnection with the mating connector. One advantageous feature of the invention is the provision of a detent between the leading surface and the contact surface. The detent collects surface debris from the leading surface before the debris can be swept onto said contact surface during connection. As a result, any debris that is collected in the detent will not interfere with the electrical connection between the pin and the conductive surface in the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger L. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 5984696
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an improvement of a hybrid connector, and a right angle female member and male members therefor. A male member (11) comprises a projection pin (11a) formed to at one end and having a driver slot formed therein, and a flange (11b) and a screw hole (11c) formed at the other end, the flange having teeth It formed thereon. Also, the other male member (12) comprises a screw portion (12a) provided at one end lie and threadedly engaged with a screw hole (11c) of the male member (11), a projection pin (12b) provided at the other end and having a driver slot formed therein, and a flange (12c) provided between the screw portion (12a) and the projection pin (12b). A right angle female member (13) comprises a body portion, (13a) having six legs (13a.sub.1), a rectangular rod shaped body (13a.sub.2), and a plug portion receiving hole (13a.sub.3) formed through the body portion, and a cylindrical hollow plug portion (13b) having a first end (13b.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Heung-Sik Lee
  • Patent number: 5984725
    Abstract: A receptacle adapted to be mounted on a printed wiring board (PWB). The receptacle includes an insulative member comprising a first section extending from a base to an upper side and a second section extending perpendicularly from said vertical section to a terminal edge and said second section having a plurality of longitudinal slots. A plurality of conductive contact means extends first parallel to the second section of the insulative contact in the longitudinal slots and then parallel to the first section of the insulative member. A conductive shield has a first side superimposed in spaced relation over the second section of the insulative member and a second side positioned in spaced relation beneath the second section of the insulative member. A rear side of the shield extend downwardly from the first side. Opposed spaced lateral sides connect the first and second sides of the shield to form a plug receiving cavity between the first side and the second side of the insulative member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakov Belopolsky, Robert E. MacMullin
  • Patent number: 5984708
    Abstract: Disclosed is a card edge connector which includes an insulative housing comprising a body and opposed perpendicular arms. The body of the housing has a card receiving side having a longitudinal groove. This groove has opposed lateral first and second sides and each of said first and second sides has at least one first and second contact receiving opening. There is also at least one recess in the card receiving side of the body communicating with said first aperture in the first lateral side of the groove. There is also at least one recess in the opposed side of the housing body communicating with the second opening in the groove. A first contact fixed in the recess in the card receiving side of the body and extends through said first opening into the groove. A second contact is fixed in the recess in said opposed side of the body and extends through said second aperture into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Wang-I Yu
  • Patent number: 5980325
    Abstract: A micro miniature electrical connector element which is manufactured by first providing an axial insulative member having a conductive terminal retaining means. An insulative housing which has a peripheral wall and an axial opening is also provided. The axial insulative member is inserted into the axial opening such that the conductive terminal is fixed in the conductive terminal retaining means. This connector is non-barbed and is manufactured without insert molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Horchler
  • Patent number: 5975921
    Abstract: An electrical connector illustrated as a plug and receptacle is disclosed. In one embodiment, the connector includes a base member having a plurality of bores. A first plurality of contact elements is positioned in certain of the bores. The tail portion of each contact element extends a distance beyond the base member. A second plurality of contact elements is positioned in others of the bores. Insertion of the tail portion of the second plurality of contact elements into a circuit board is sufficient to hold the tail portions of the first plurality of contact elements against the circuit board. It is preferred for the tail portions of the second plurality of contacts to be capable of axial movement when a compression force is applied. In another embodiment, the connector includes a frame and a layer of contact elements, wherein each of the contact elements includes a forward end and a tail portion. The ends of the tail portions are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph B. Shuey
  • Patent number: 5971806
    Abstract: A connector for connecting electrical conductor areas of flexible circuits with associated conductor pads of an edge connector portion of a circuit board, comprising a connector housing having a circuit board opening sized to at least partially accommodate the edge connector portion, and a further opening allowing passage of the flexible circuits into an interior cavity of the connector housing. A first spring and second spring each have a resilient arched feature for supporting one of the flexible circuits to resiliently bias an electrical conductor area of the associated flexible circuit into electrical contact with associated conductor pads when the connector engages the edge connector portion. The electrical conductor areas of the flexible circuits face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Evans, Jose L. Ortega
  • Patent number: 5971805
    Abstract: The present invention is a modular jack assembly which includes an outer insulative housing having top and bottom walls and opposed lateral walls while defining an interior section. This housing also has front and rear open ends. This assembly also includes an insulative insert having a top section, an upper side and a rear section having a base side and a recess. This jack is positioned so that the upper side of its top section is adjacent to top side of the insulative housing such that its terminal end extends into the interior section of the insulative housing and the rear section at least partially covers the rear open end of the insulative housing. This assembly also includes an electronic component mounted in the recess in the rear section of the insulative insert. A conductor is mounted in the electrical insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignees: Berg Technology, Inc., Pulse Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakov Belopolsky, Robert E. Marshall, James A. Somerville, Gary J. Oleynick, Lee W. Potteiger, John M. Spickler, Ronald A. Shutter, Miguel A. Contreras
  • Patent number: 5967844
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a daughter and a mother printed wiring board. A receptacle is connected to one board on one face and to the header on the other. The header has a conductive housing with opposed end walls and a medial pin receiving wall where it is connected to the other board. The receptacle housing is electrically connected to the header conductive housing by removable springs extending from the end walls of the header housing and separate removable grounding pins extending to a printed wiring board from the medial wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray C. Doutrich, Stuart C. Stoner, Peter K. Townsend, David F. Fusselman
  • Patent number: 5967856
    Abstract: Connector block (3) comprising at least one contact member (22) provided with a first contact terminal (10) for electrical contact to a contact terminal (60) of a mating connector (2), a second contact terminal (9) and a spring subdivision (13) giving the contact member a resilient capacity in its axial direction, the first contact terminal (10), the second contact terminal (9) and the spring subdivision (13) being integrally made and the spring subdivision (13) having a corrugated compression spring with equally spaced sinusoidal subdivisions, each of the first contact terminals (10) being provided with bent extremity (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. Meller
  • Patent number: 5967810
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for release of the restrained link arm in a memory card connector. In this device a longitudinally directed force which may result, for example, from the activation of an electrical current in a memory wire causes a rearward edge on a timing bar to separate the link arm from the eject plate to allow the link arm to move to a forward position to eject the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Spickler, James J. David, Scott S. Duesterhoeft