Abstract: This invention is an electrical connection method for connecting multiple conductor cable, ideally flat flexible cable. The method involves using an actuator for pressing the cable against multiple contacts in a base, each of which contacts has a sharp edge for removing insulation from the cable.

Abstract: The invention is an electrical connection system that releasably connects the circuit paths of a flexible conductive circuit to a printed circuit board having a corresponding row of contacts, without the need for soldering, crimping or welding operations, or extensive preparation of the flexible circuit before connection. One embodiment has a least one spring contact formed in a cover; at least one rotatable cam; and a base. The cover and base snap together to house the rotatable cam(s). The connection is made by feeding the circuit into a slot in the cam, then rotating the cam to bring the circuit into contact with the spring contact which has a tapered insulation plane that pierces and peels back the dielectric covering of the conductive circuit to make a direct metal to metal, gas tight contact between the deflectable contact and the conductors of the conductive circuit.

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.

Abstract: A connector for connecting conductors of a flexible circuit to conductive elements of a printed circuit comprising a one-piece, plastic housing defining at least one opening for access of the printed circuit conductive features to the connector for contact with conductors, of a flexible circuit located in the connector and biased for conductive contact with the printed circuit features by a contact biasing spring, the flexible circuit and spring being mounted to a sled located in the housing by flexible circuit and spring mounting posts of the sled, a resiliently biased detent engage openings in the housing to support the sled; an associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A zero insertion force (ZIF) connector for connecting a flat flexible cable (FFC) to contacts of a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising first and second housings which are relatively moveable between an unlocked state in which an FFC may be freely inserted into the housings for engagement with the contacts and a locked state in which the conductors of the FFC are captively engaged in electrical contact with the contacts; a latch system interconnecting the housing to latch the housings in their unlocked and locked state; and contact and FFC conductor guidance ribs sized and spaced to align the FFC conductors and the contacts for electrical connection of each conductor with an associated contact.

Abstract: This invention results from the realization that a multiple conductor cable connector can be made more compact than previously available connectors by using a more narrow contact for each conductor in the cable, can be made more convenient by enabling all conductors contained in the cable to be connected with a single user motion, and can connect to cable without damaging the mechanical or electrical integrity of the cable conductors. This invention is an electrical connector for connecting multiple conductor cable, ideally flat flexible cable. The contacts are positioned substantially in parallel with each other and are located at least partially within the base of the electrical connector. Each contact has at least one cutting edge. The cutting edge is preferably a part of the contact with a sharp edge capable of removing insulation from flat flexible cable.

Abstract: A circuit to printed circuit board stored energy connector. The connector precisely aligns and interconnects conductors of “flexible circuits” (including conductive ink circuits (CIC), flexible printed circuits (FPC), and/or flat flexible cables (FFC)) directly to mating contacts on printed circuit boards. The connector is a zero insertion force (ZIF) type, and is a high density surface mount. The connector comprises mainly an actuator with an activation ridge, a deflectable flat spring contact in a spring support module, and circuit alignment features that use the flexible circuit's existing features—the outline and conductors—to accurately align the conductors of the flexible circuit to their corresponding mating spring contacts. The connector also includes circuit locators, a circuit compression flap and conductor alignment notches which work cooperatively to align and interconnect a flexible circuit to its spring contact.

Abstract: The invention is an electrical connection system that releasably connects the circuit paths of a flexible conductive circuit to a printed circuit board having a corresponding row of contacts, without the need for soldering, crimping or welding operations, or extensive preparation of the flexible circuit before connection. One embodiment has at least one spring contact formed in a cover; at least one rotatable cam; and a base with a circuit alignment window for initial alignment of a flexible conductive circuit introduced into the connector. The cover and base snap together to house the rotatable cam(s).

Abstract: This invention results from the realization that a multiple conductor cable connector can be made more compact than previously available connectors by using a more narrow contact for each conductor in the cable, can be made more convenient by enabling all conductors contained in the cable to be connected with a single user motion, and can connect to cable without damaging the mechanical or electrical integrity of the cable conductors. This invention is an electrical connector for connecting multiple conductor cable, ideally flat flexible cable. The inventive electrical connector has a base for holding multiple contacts. The contacts should be positioned substantially in parallel with each other and are located at least partially within the base of the electrical connector. Each contact has at least one cutting edge. The cutting edge is preferably a part of the contact with a sharp edge capable of removing insulation from flat flexible cable.

Abstract: The invention is an electrical connector that provides a connection system that releasably connects the circuit paths of a flexible conductive circuit to a printed circuit board having a corresponding row of contacts, without the need for soldering, crimping or welding operations, or extensive preparation of the flexible circuit before connection. One embodiment has at least one spring contact formed in a cover; at least one rotatable cam; and a base with a circuit alignment window for initial alignment of a flexible conductive circuit introduced into the connector. The cover and base snap together to house the rotatable cam(s).

Abstract: Methods of facilitating commercial production of supported conductive networks without the use of hazardous chemicals including using heat flowable adhesive in the formation of the networks, providing contact pads exposed through a dielectric substrate which supports a conductive network, using the thickness of a conductor supporting dielectric layer to space the conductors and providing conductor and waste material cross-sections trapezoidal in shape in a non-planar pattern during manufacture of the networks.

Abstract: A high energy direct circuit stored energy connector precisely aligns and interconnects conductors of "flexible circuits" directly to mating contacts on printed circuit boards. The connector uses the flexible circuit conductors themselves to aid in alignment and eliminates the need for precise control of the outside dimensions of a flexible circuit's dielectric backplane or a precisely located alignment hole. The connector is a zero insertion force (ZIF) type, and is a high density surface mount. The connector comprises two major components: a connector housing and a circuit interconnection spring assembly. The housing is configured with a device for forming a direct flexible circuit conductor to printed circuit board mating contact interconnection. The circuit is retained in position by a multi-function spring assembly rotatably position able with respect to the housing.

Abstract: Methods of facilitating commercial production of supported conductive networks without the use of hazardous chemicals including using heat flowable adhesive in the formation of the networks, providing contact pads exposed through a dielectric substrate which supports a conductive network, using the thickness of a conductor supporting dielectric layer to space the conductors and providing conductor and waste material cross-sections trapezoidal in shape in a non-planar pattern during manufacture of the networks.

Abstract: A low cost, high energy direct circuit to circuit stored energy connector is disclosed. The connector precisely aligns and interconnects conductors of "flexible circuits" directly to mating contacts on printed circuit boards. The connector uses the flexible circuit conductors themselves to aid in alignment and eliminates the need for precise control of the outside dimensions of a flexible circuit's dielectric backplane or a precisely located alignment hole. The connector is a zero insertion force (ZIF) type, and is a high density surface mount. The connector comprises two major components: a connector housing and a circuit interconnection spring assembly. The housing is configured with a device for forming a direct flexible circuit conductor to printed circuit board mating contact interconnection. The circuit is retained in position by a multi-function spring assembly rotatably positionable with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing supported conductive networks which can be flexible or rigid, having densely packed circuits. The process and apparatus for making the conductive network involves forming a conductive material supported on a "dynamic pressure cushion" into a non-planar pattern defining the desired conductive circuits in relation to a fixed reference plane. The "dynamic pressure cushion" is a material having suitable viscosity and flow characteristics to flow out from under the conductive material as it is being formed and fill up any voids. To ensure that the "dynamic pressure cushion" properly flows without deforming the desired circuits, the die used to form the conductive material is provided with a material flow control grid and material expansion troughs. After forming the unwanted material is then mechanically removed in dimensional relation to the reference plane leaving the desired conductive circuits.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing supported conductive networks which can be flexible or rigid, having densely packed circuits. The process and apparatus for making the conductive network involves forming a conductive material supported on a "dynamic pressure cushion" into a non-planar pattern defining the desired conductive circuits in relation to a fixed reference plane. The "dynamic pressure cushion" is a material having suitable viscosity and flow characteristics to flow out from under the conductive material as it is being formed and fill up any voids. To ensure that the "dynamic pressure cushion" properly flows without deforming the desired circuits, the die used to form the conductive material is provided with a material flow control grid and material expansion troughs. After forming the unwanted material is then mechanically removed in dimensional relation to the reference plane leaving the desired conductive circuits.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing supported conductive networks which can be flexible or rigid, having densely packed circuits. The process and apparatus for making the conductive network involves forming a conductive material supported on a "dynamic pressure cushion" into a non-planar pattern defining the desired conductive circuits in relation to a fixed reference plane. The "dynamic pressure cushion" is a material having suitable viscosity and flow characteristics to flow out from under the conductive material as it is being formed and fill up any voids. To ensure that the "dynamic pressure cushion" properly flows without deforming the desired circuits, the die used to form the conductive material is provided with a material flow control grid and material expansion troughs. After forming the unwanted material is then mechanically removed in dimensional relation to the reference plane leaving the desired conductive circuits.

Abstract: A conductive network, which can be flexible or rigid, can have self-aligning conductors which connect with corresponding conductors of other networks. The conductive network can be fabricated into densely packed contact clusters for use as electrical interconnectors or circuits. The contact clusters, which can be configured to substantially any shape, are the essential components of high density connector assemblies. The methods and apparatus for making the conductive network and cluster contacts are also described.

Abstract: A supported conductive network (SCN), which can be flexible or rigid, can have self-aligning conductors which connect with corresponding conductors of other networks. The conductive network can be fabricated into densely packed contact clusters for use as electrical interconnectors or circuits. The methods and apparatus for making the conductive network involve forming a sheet of conductive material into ridges and troughs one of which defines the conductive network and the other of which is waste material and then mechanically removing the waste material. The conductive network thus formed is supported by a dielectric layer.

Abstract: A connector for connecting conductor areas of a flexible circuit to contact pads of a PC board edge connector in which the connector pivotably supports a pair of springs which pivot to a first position, upon insertion of a PC board through the board opening of the connector, in which frictional engagement between the PC board edge connector and the conductor areas is minimized, and, a second position during final insertion of the PC board edge connector into the connector, in which the springs provide a sufficient contact pressure for adequate electrical contact between the conductors areas of the flexible circuit and the contact pads of the PC board edge connector. The pivotable arrangement of the springs minimizes the wear and tear of the internal components and the contact pads while ensuring adequate electrical connection between the interconnected components.