Abstract: A pad on pad type contact, and technology therefor, for electronic apparatus wherein a spring member, that by its shape and material in the motion when the contact comes together wipes the mating pad surfaces across each other and then retains them under permanent compressive force in service. In high density and high performance electronic apparatus interwiring, array quantities of the spring member of contact are fabricated in unitary assembly elements for connection assemblies between both rigid and flexible type wiring.

Abstract: A flexible cable assembly for coupling an electronic apparatus, having a port for receiving personal computer cards in accordance with the PCMCIA standard, to at least one peripheral device, said flex cable assembly comprises a personal computer card connector, in accordance with the PCMCIA standard, for connecting into a corresponding port in the electronic apparatus, and a flexible cable connected to the personal computer card connector. The personal computer card connector also comprises an interface to said at least one peripheral device. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the flex cable assembly can also couple a first electronic apparatus, to a second electronic apparatus, each having a port for receiving personal computer cards in accordance with the PCMCIA standard.

Abstract: An improved interconnect system for an inkjet printer. The inventive interconnect system includes first and second unitary flexible circuits having first and second sets of contacts, respectively, for providing first and second electrical interconnections, respectively. The first and second flexible circuits are aligned and retained so that contacts thereon engage corresponding contacts disposed on a rigid support. In a specific implementation, the first flexible circuit is aligned by a first set of pins arranged along a first axis and the flexible circuit is aligned by a second set of pins arranged along a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis. This arrangement allows for the alignment and mounting of two flexible circuits on a single printer carriage without a substantial increase in the width thereof.

Abstract: An assembly for electrically interconnecting a printed circuit board (106) to a flexible circuit carrier (104) includes a retention clip (102) for mechanically pressing the printed circuit board (106) against the flexible circuit carrier (104). The printed circuit board (106) includes a set of locating features (110) which match with locating features (116) located on the flexible circuit (104). A set of retention features (114) match up with side locks (122) located on the retention clip) and maintain the clip (102) engaged to the printed circuit board (106) in a mechanically biased state. The clip (102) also includes alignment apertures (118) for receiving the locating features (110) on the printed circuit board to aid in alignment of the assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for placing the die of a die-down configured integrated circuit package in an upright orientation. The first board has electrical receptors peripherally surrounding a first hole formed through the first board. A die-down configured integrated circuit package with the die thereof exposed is inserted into a test socket having a second hole formed through the bottom thereof. The exposed die is located over the second hole in the bottom surface of the test socket. The test socket is placed onto the top surface of the first board. The test socket is positioned on the first board such that the pins of the test socket engage the electrical receptors and such that the exposed die of the die-down configured integrated circuit package is disposed over the first hole. The first board is coupled to a second board having electrical connectors extending from the bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a high-density planar contact array capable of interconnecting various electronic devices using a pad to pad approach or pad to pin, which is capable of accommodating non-coplanarity in the Z axis of printed circuit boards but which still maintains good electrical contact.The array comprises an insulative substrate sheet that has a plurality of parallel conductive lines terminating in a pad over a hole in the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical connector made of overlapping layers of flexible film 8 carrying conductive traces 9 for interconnecting pins 1 to connection pads 10 on a printed circuit board surface 2a. Cylindrical elastomeric bodies 11 having parallel spaced apart conductors 25 thereon connect the traces 9 to the pads 10. Pins 1 impinge a rigid backing plate 18 upon axial forces to the pins 1 which resists axial movement of the pins 1 relative to solder joints 19 between the pins 1 and the traces 9.

Abstract: An improved structure of an electrical connector is provided. The connector has two edge positioning legs, each leg having an appropriate outwardly directed incline extending toward the leg's distal end. The connector body is provided with a plurality of wire receiving openings disposed in parallel spaced relation, each opening having an insulation engaging tab disposed therein. Each of the tabs extends from an inner wall surface of a respective wire receiving opening at a downwardly directed incline. Each tab is provided with a pointed distal end for engaging the insulation surrounding the wire's conductor and resisting withdrawal of the wire from the connector body.

Abstract: A flex circuit card with an elastomeric cable connector assembly is provided for transmitting high speed signals between two or more printed circuit boards in a high performance computer system. The flex circuit card connects a cable assembly to a printed circuit board. A conductor trace in the flex circuit card extends into an elastomeric end and terminates with a ball shaped contact which is angled to wipe against mating pads on the printed circuit card for making electrical contact. The cable assembly uses multiple wires attached to a plurality of elastomeric connectors. At least one elastomeric connector is attached to each end of the cable assembly and each elastomeric connector has a plurality of contacts which are used to mate with a plurality of pads on the surface of the printed circuit board. The elastomeric connector described in the present invention provides a high density, cable-to-board interconnection that is perpendicular to the surface of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector for use in connecting one printed circuit board to another printed circuit board in which the electrical contacts of one board exert zero-force on the electrical contacts of the other board. The connector includes a housing of generally U-shaped configuration having a receptacle into which the contacts of one circuit board are inserted to make electrical contact with flexible contacts in the receptacle of the connector, the flexible contacts normally being farther apart than the entrance opening into the receptacle so that there is no force imposed on the contacts entering the receptacle. A spring driver in the receptacle forces the flexible contacts into firm electrical contact with the contacts entering the receptacle only after the latter has been fully inserted into the receptacle.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided, which is compact and of light weight and which can lock to the rear of an IC (integrated circuit) card. The assembly includes a frame (54, FIG. 2 ) with a wide front portion (56) and a narrower rearward extension (90) that has a horizontal groove (92). A circuit board (74) has a slot (100), with opposite walls of the circuit board slot received in opposite groove parts of the frame rearward extension. A cable (20) whose front end is held to the rear of the board, has insulated wires (70) held in place against the board by tabs (120) projecting from the rearward extension. A pair of bendable latching arms (34, 36) project forwardly from the front of the frame for reception in a central aperture at the rear of the IC card. The frame has a central opening through which a locking pin (150) can slide to lock the arms in the IC card.

Abstract: A low insertion force, low profile electrical connector employs the folded end of a planar flexible circuit as the electrical connector plug which is plugged into an electrical connector receptacle having a printed circuit board and printed circuit traces as a part of the electrical connector receptacle. Contact pads connected with flexible circuit traces on the electrical connector plug engage contacts connected to the printed circuit traces in the electrical connector receptacle.

Abstract: This invention provides an assembly capable of connecting a flat flexible cable directly to circuitry without pins or sockets and without regard to line width or pitch. This allows the use of one cable configuration for various interconnects that would have otherwise required multiple custom cable configurations. The invention provides flat flexible circuitry whose insulation is configured to provide a resilient spring force sufficient to force exposed conductors of the circuitry firmly against conductors of devices to interconnected when the flexible circuitry is retained by a catch system on said device.

Abstract: An improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit which includes: a flexible first layer; at least one protrusion on the flexible first layer that has an electrical contact; a second layer having at least one electrical contact; and a spring apparatus coupled to the flexible first layer and to the second layer for pressing the electrical contact on the protrusion on the flexible first layer to the electrical contact on the second layer to electrically connect the electrical contact on the protrusion to the electrical contact on the second layer. In a specific embodiment the spring apparatus for pressing the electrical contact on the protrusion of the flexible first layer to the electrical contact on the second layer includes relief for allowing the flexible first layer to deform during assembly of the improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit.

Abstract: An electrical connection structure includes electrodes formed on a device side, electrodes formed on a flexible film carrier having an electrode pattern connected to a drive circuit, and an anisotropic conductive film having metal particles or metal plated particles dispersed therein, interposed between the electrodes on the device side and the electrodes on the flexible film carrier, for electrically connecting the electrodes facing each other through thermocompression bonding. The electrodes on the flexible film carrier are exposed by removing the flexible film at an electrical connection area and the length of each exposed electrode is from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches an electrical connector of the type for electrically interconnecting a powered device to a power supply, preferably with a surface mounting or abutting connection. The connector comprises an elongated housing having plural, axially oriented through holes of a first diameter, where each hole is adapted to snugly receive an electrical conductor to electrically interconnect the device to the power supply. The housing includes a like plurality of concentric recesses, one about each hole at one end face of the housing, where the diameter of the recess is greater than the first diameter. A conductor is provided within each through hole, where the end thereof is in communication with the recess. Further, means cooperating with the housing to fixedly secure said conductors within the through holes is provided.

Abstract: A strain relief structure is provided for connecting a flat flexible cable to a circuit board. The flat flexible cable includes an array of parallel conductors, flexible insulation disposed around the conductors and a web of insulation disposed between adjacent conductors. The strain relief structure includes a body having at least one cable receiving aperture extending therethrough. A deflectable strain relief extends into the cable receiving aperture for engaging the web of insulation between at least a pair of conductors. Transverse walls, independent of the strain relief structure, extend into the cable receiving aperture for biasing at least one of the conductors out of the plane of the flat flexible cable.

Abstract: The present invention is apparatus for interfacing the actuator arm assembly to control and signal processing circuits mounted external to the disc drive casing. The invention provides a sealed connective interface which protects the integrity of the "clean room" environment in which selected disc drive components function.

Abstract: An end of a flexible ribbon cable is clamped to a side of a printed circuit board, and operatively coupled to electrically conductive surface traces thereon in a parallel relationship with the circuit board, using a molded plastic snap connector that carries an elastomeric member which resiliently bears against the cable end and presses it against the circuit board side. The connector member is provided with alignment pins which extend through corresponding holes in the cable end and the circuit board and function to precisely and automatically align the cable and board traces being operatively coupled, and snap tab portion which extend through holes in the cable end and circuit board and resiliently clip onto the board to maintain the elastomeric member in compression against the cable end portion. The alignment pins and the snap tab portions may alternatively be formed on a wall portion of a computer housing in which the printed circuit board is operatively disposed.

Abstract: A connector for electrically conductive connection to electrically conductive contact pads of a circuit comprising a rigid housing; a resilient flexible circuit assembly captively housed, at least in part, in the housing and having an end portion carrying a row of conductive circuit areas on one face thereof corresponding to the row of pads; the assembly being permitted a limited desired float, so that the areas are self aligning with and are resiliently urged into electrically conductive contact with the pads when the connector is attached at a desired location to the circuit. The elements have alignment features engaging a cooperating feature of the circuit to register the areas with the pads, when the connector is attached at a desired location to the circuit, with sufficient accuracy to ensure that only the desired conductive contact between the areas and the pads is achieved.

Abstract: A system is provided for effectively and efficiently interconnecting a first rigid circuit with a second rigid circuit. The interconnected circuit system includes, in addition to the first and second circuits, a compressive conductive member and a rigid conductive member. The first circuit has means for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member. The second circuit has means for interconnecting engagement with the rigid conductive member. The compressive conductive member has a first end for interconnecting engagement with the first circuit and a second end for interconnecting engagement with a first end of the rigid conductive member. The rigid conductive member has a first end for interconnecting engagement with the compressive conductive member and a second end for interconnecting engagement with the second circuit. The first end of the compressive conductive member interconnectingly engages with the first end of the rigid conductive member.

Abstract: A multi-layer rigid-flex circuit (20) is formed of a number of flexible layers (62-70) on a rigid substrate (100) with individuals ones of the layers having laterally projecting arms (32,38) that define flexible circuit connections to individual ones of a number of ceramic circuit boards (10,12,14,16). The laterally projecting flexible arms (32,34,36,38) are each formed with gold dot or projecting feature pressure contacts (40a-40g) which are pressed against mating sets of circuit board contact pads (40a-40g) by a clamping bar (120) that is bolted to the rigid circuit board. Thus the interconnections between the rigid-flex circuit and the circuit boards are effectively built into the rigid-flex circuit, requiring only a clamp to complete the connection.

Abstract: The invention hereof relates to electronic apparatus, such as a computer docking connector. More particularly, the invention relates to a docking connector for edge mounting to a "mother" board, where a "daughter" board, memory card, or similar device is inserted into said connector to electrically interconnect the mother board to the inserted device. The apparatus comprises a pair of spring biased, hermaphroditic, resilient housing members, which when assembled define an elongated slot planarly aligned with an edge of the mother board. Opposed camming surfaces are provided with the slot to operatively spread the housing members upon insertion of the electronic device int the slot. Finally a flexible film member containing electrical circuitry thereon is mounted within the housing members for electrically interconnecting corresponding circuitry on the mother board and the electronic device.

Abstract: A compressible electrical connector (10) includes a rigid molded body (11) having elastomeric caps (19, 20) at the top (12) and bottom (13) thereof. A thin flexible film (21), provided with respective connector elements (22), is wrapped around the rigid molded body (11) and its caps (19, 20) and is retained by a film retaining plate (23). The film retaining plate (23) has a plurality of latching lances (24) received in corresponding mounting holes (30) formed transversely in the rigid molded body (11). A hot melt layer (36) is placed over the film retaining plate (23), and a plurality of compressible electrical connectors (10) are stacked side-by-side to form an array (35). The array (35) is disposed between a pair of PC boards or other electronic assemblies (39, 40) having respective circuit elements (37, 38). The height of the rigid molded body may be changed conveniently to readily accommodate different product applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved electrical connector terminal mount which has an engagement piece integrally formed in the terminal base. The engagement piece functions to fix the terminal in an associated terminal slot. The engagement piece is a metal strip cut away from the base of the terminal in the form of flattened "V"-shaped cantilever arm. The metal strip consists of a first section bent outward on one side of the base of the terminal and a second section integrally connected to and extending inward from the end of the first section toward the other side of the base of the terminal ending in a free end. An engagement slot perpendicular to the terminal slot is formed within which the engagement piece fits, thereby enabling the terminal to fixedly lie along the center line of the terminal slot and to prevent the vertical movement of the terminal out of the terminal slot.

Abstract: A system for splitting and connecting computer bus lines, including a ribbon cable with a flat end connector which is piggy-backed to the contact strip of a circuit board. The circuit board is then plugged into a bus slot with the flat end connector insulating selected terminal contacts of the slot from said contact strip. The ribbon connector is connected to the circuit board, the terminal contacts, the contract strip, or both. A control signal selector connected to the other end of the ribbon cable sends signals to one of several circuit boards so as to allow more than one work station to be supported by a single microprocessor.

Abstract: An interface for connecting coplanar printed circuit ("PC") boards (10, 20) using a flexible jumper circuit (50) for bridging the PC boards (10, 20), a base (80) underlying the second PC board and integrally attached thereto, and a support housing (30) with compression plugs (60) which may be tightened against base (80) for securing the two PC boards (10, 20) and for compressing the flexible jumper circuit (50) against the two PC boards (10, 20). The interface is precision aligned by a plurality of guide pins (34) which protrude from support housing (30) and conform to guide holes in the two PC boards (10, 20) and the flexible jumper circuit (50). Guide pins (34) fix the relative positions of the boards (10, 20) and circuit (50) within their respective planes.

Abstract: An electrical connector for interconnecting a pair of circuit members (e.g., a circuit board and module), which, in one embodiment, includes a housing, at least one flexible circuit within the housing and a spring means attached to the flexible circuit at two spaced locations for exerting force against the flexible circuit to cause the circuit to engage respective conductive pads on the circuit members when the circuit members are moved toward each other (e.g., compressed). The shape of the spring means conforms substantially to the portion of the flexible circuit between the locations of attachment. In another embodiment, a connector for interconnecting such circuit members includes a housing adapted for being located between both members and at least one elongated, compressible contact member in the housing and including conductive end portions for engaging the circuit members.

Abstract: An hermaphroditic electrical connector (10) is provided for interconnecting printed circuit boards (69) which includes a housing (11) of dielectric material and two pressure tables (28, 35) which are biased outwardly by springs (30, 34) in directions perpendicular to each other. Each pressure table (28, 35) includes a flat surface (48, 51) over which is a resilient pad (47, 50). A flexible circuit (46) has contact arrays (56, 59) over the flat surfaces (48, 51) and pads (47, 50) with conductors (57) in the intermediate portion that extends through the housing (11). A grounding clip (61) may be provided with the forward pressure table to give 360 degree shielding.

Abstract: A connector for electrically conductive connection to electrically conductive contact pads of a circuit comprising a rigid housing; a flexible circuit housed, at least in part, in said housing and having an end portion carrying a row of conductive circuit areas on one face thereof corresponding to said row of pads; a spring structure having a resilient arched feature and being held captive by the housing while being permitted a limited desired float, the flexible circuit being captively located relative to the housing so that the areas are resiliently urged by the arched feature into electrically conductive contact with the pads when the connector is attached at a desired location to the circuit.

Abstract: An electrical connector for interconnecting opposed circuit members (e.g., modules, printed circuit boards) using an interim housing on which are positioned a pair of flexible circuit members which are capable of being expanded to provide desired connections. Expansion is accomplished through the application of pressurized fluid to the housing to cause expansion. Such a fluid (liquid or gas) may also cool the structure during operation. The respective conductors of the expandable flexible circuit members are electrically coupled using a common circuitized element (e.g., a thin dielectric having opposed arrays of conductive members thereon). Means for aligning the connector of the invention with the respective electrical circuit members being connected is also provided.

Abstract: A connection device is provided for electrically coupling a primary circuit surface to a companion circuit surface via a flexible circuit strip for interconnecting the circuit surfaces. The connection device includes a companion positioner which has a companion-coordinating side, and a primary positioner which is coupled to the companion-coordinating side and which includes a primary-coordinating side. The companion coordinating side is adapted to be positioned parallel to the companion circuit surface, and includes a set of companion-positioner registrants for precisely positioning the companion-positioner relative to the companion circuit surface and a section of the interfacing circuit surface. The primary-coordinating side is adapted to be positioned parallel to the primary circuit surface, and includes a set of primary-positioner registrants for precisely positioning said primary-positioner relative to the primary circuit surface and another section of the interfacing circuit surface.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for connecting a flexible circuit (45) to a printed circuit board (14). The connector includes a housing (10) within which is a slide (26) beneath which is a pressure bar (34) and a pad (42). The housing (10) is attachable to a circuit board (14) and a flexible circuit end can be inserted into the housing (10) beneath the pad (42). The slide (26) is moved longitudinally, causing cam surfaces (29, 30, 31, 32, 38, 39) on the slide (26) and pressure bar (34) to force the pressure bar (34) against the flexible circuit (45). This causes contacts (47) on the flexible circuit (45) to firmly engage contacts (46) on the circuit board (14) to effect an electrical connection.

Abstract: A fluid actuated connector is provided with opposing circuit members that form the interior of the connector and which are substantially L-shaped with a substantially vertical portion facing a circuit card to be inserted into the connector and a substantially horizontal portion disposed onto a printed circuit board (PCB), such as a motherboard, or the like. The circuit members are disposed adjacent a frame and connector body such that a cavity is formed adjacent the circuit members and on a side opposite the electrical connection points being being contacted with the printed circuit card. The circuit membranes are formed of a single layer of dielectric material, to maintain the required resiliency, and have contacts, which may be in the form of "bumps" etched into an electrically conductive material applied to the surface of the dielectric facing the circuit card.

Abstract: A connection structure and method of circuit boards including electronic parts thereon and a flexible cable for coupling the circuit boards. A first circuit board mounting electronic parts such as light detector elements and the like in an image sensor and a conductive pattern for connecting an image signal of the light detector elements to an external circuit and a second circuit board including amplifying ICs and a conductive pattern connected thereto are mutually laminated. The first circuit board is formed with a slot and a flexible bridging conductor is inserted into the slot. The flexible cable having a conductive pattern at its end is laminated on the laminated circuit boards so as to correspond to the conductive patterns. The flexible cable and the laminated circuit boards are closely fixed by a fixing plate to perform an electrical connection between the electronic parts of the circuit boards and between the electronic parts and the flexible cable at the same time without using soldering.

Abstract: An electrical connector device (10) is provided in which a first member (15) of dielectric material defines a four-sided recess having a bottom wall (20) and side walls (16), and a second member (24) of dielectric material which can fit inside the recess with its edges (25) spaced a predetermined distance from the side walls (16) of the first member (15). Tab portions (31, 32, 44, 45) of one or more flexible circuits (11, 12) are bent around the side walls (16) of the first member (15) and frictionally held between the wall (16) of the first member (15) and the edge (25) of the second member (24). Exposed conductors (29, 49) of the flexible circuit (11, 12) on the outside of the wall (16) can mate with conductors (75) in a socket connector (13). Alignment means (19, 26, 73) are provided to align the flexible circuits (11, 12) with the members ( 15, 24) of dielectric material and to align the latter two members and frictionally hold them together.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) is provided in which a flexible circuit (11) is attached to the connector assembly which is associated with a circuit board (12) by sliding onto pins (56) that project from the board (12). The connector assembly includes a housing (13) within which is a pressure bar (29) bonded to a pad (37) that is bonded to the flexible circuit (11). A slide (41) on the exterior of the housing (13) can actuate a spring (54) to cause the pressure bar (29) to press the contacts (39) on the flexible circuit (11) against the contacts (40) of a circuit board (12).

Abstract: A partially stripped reinforced electric signal cable and processes for its manufacture and termination by use of an easily-removable hardenable reinforcing material which allows maintenance of conductor alignment and manipulation during termination of the cable with removal of the reinforcing material during the termination process in order to facilitate completion of the termination.

Abstract: A structure and method for mounting a flexible electrical circuit to rigid substrate to effect electrical connection between contacts on one side of the flexible electrical circuit with electrical pads on one side of the substrate is provided. The connection allows for strain relief due to mechanical stress, as well as compensating for thermally induced stress. The structure includes a clamping member disposed to clamp and position the flexible circuit with its one side in face to face relationship with the surface of the substrate. A supporting structure is carried by the substrate and has a mounting member mounting the clamping member to maintain the flexible circuit and the substrate in face to face contacting relationship. The mounting structure also includes a spring mechanism yieldingly responsive to thermal expansion stress which mechanism urges the flexible circuit into contact with the substrate.

Abstract: A non-invasive connector for testing an integrated circuit package has a connector housing with a substantially rectangular recess adapted to fit over the integrated circuit package. A plurality of teeth made of an insulative material extend laterally inward from the edges of the connector housing into the recess. The spacing between the teeth is predetermined to enable the teeth to be removably inserted between the integrated circuit leads as said connector housing is fitted in place. Test leads extend from the connector housing into the space between said teeth to make electrical contact with the integrated circuit leads. Electrical connections are provided through the connector housing between these test leads and external testing equipment by means of pins and a flexible circuit assembly. In addition, an elastomeric pad can be positioned between the connector housing and the test leads to exert an inward biasing force against the test leads to maintain electrical contact with the integrated circuit leads.

Abstract: Boards of a first group of mutually parallel circuit boards (200,206) are directly connected to boards (27a,22b) of a second group of mutually parallel circuit boards by interfitting hermaphroditic connectors (24,26,28,30) mounted on edges of the boards. The boards of one group are all perpendicular to the boards of the other group and are positioned in edge-to-edge relation. Each board has a plurality of hermaphroditic connectors secured to its edge, with each connector adapted to mate with an identical hermaphroditic connector secured at an edge of a board of the second group. The hermaphroditic connectors are each substantially U-shaped (24,26,28,30) in one embodiment and J-shaped (126,128,130) in another embodiment.

Abstract: An electrical connector, bridge connector and opening accessory to protect the contacts on flexible circuitry of such connectors from being damaged by the sharp edges of a printed circuit board like member wherein the opening accessory is provided with spaced apart cam means that spread apart cam bearing portions of the connectors outside flexible circuitry mounted thereon is disclosed.

Abstract: In the manufacture of flat-panel video displays, an assembler must align long rows of closely-spaced electrical signal contacts on a planar electroluminescent panel with mating signal contacts on a flex circuit prior to clamping the panel and flex circuit together. The disclosed technique employs electrically conductive alignment contacts on both surfaces. The alignment contacts are formed via the same process that forms the signal contacts. The alignment contacts are connected to ohmmeters to form circuits that an assembler monitors to determine proper alignment of the surfaces. The use of electrical rather than visual alignment checking makes assembly easy and error-resistant.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly including a multiconductor ribbon cable of the woven or Teflon insulation type includes loop connection portions for respective conductors with a stiffening insert located in respective loops, the loops being coupled to contacts via a printed circuit board interface for connecting the cable conductors to an external member, and a strain relief system including a rigid bar-like member directly molded or otherwise affixed to the cable and to which a housing portion of the cable termination assembly may grab in order to transmit force between the cable and housing without applying forces to the connections of the loops and the circuit board and/or contacts to which such loops are connected.

Abstract: A surface mountable insulation displacement type connector for electrically coupling an end portion of a connector ribbon to a spaced series of surface mounted electrically conductive contact pads on a printed circuit board has an elongated base portion through which the central body sections of a longitudinally spaced series of metal contactor pins transversely and slidably extend. The pin body sections have bifurcated, barbed top end portions disposed above a top side of the connector base portion, and transversely enlarged bottom end portions disposed below the bottom side of the base portion. The base portion is secured to the circuit board by soldering the bottom pin end portions to the baord contact pads, with the slidable mounting of the pin body sections automatically compensating for board surface height variations in the region of the surface contact pads.

Abstract: For the purposes of connecting and joining conductive traces on printed circuit boards, the stripped ends of a flexible multi-conductor flat cable are inserted into metallized openings in the printed circuit boards. The cables are cut to length and their ends are stripped of insulation and supported in an injection molded bar member. Those ends are desirably not to be bent in storage and transportation. In order to protect them, a U-shaped device is pushed onto the bar member over the cable ends. The bottom plate portion of the device has holes of a conical configuration. In a transportation position the ends are disposed within the walls of those holes and are held therein. The device latches in the transportation position. For the ends to be inserted into the holes in the printed circuit board the device is pushed further onto the cable ends in an operative position. As such, the ends pass in a guided fashion through the holes in the bottom plate portion and into the holes in the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An interconnecting and mounting technology involving the use of elastomeric properties. A mounting member grips, in a notch, the edge of a device supporting planar member with the device conductors brought to that edge. Conductors are provided at the surface of the mounting member, contacting the device conductors in the notch, and connecting with external wiring conductors on an external wiring planar member. The external wiring to device conductor interconnecting conductors can be on flex tape including elastomeric contact adaptation. Retention force for mounting member compression and mounting member to external wiring planar member retention is provided.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a solderless connector which permits the exact positioning of a flat, flexible cable in its housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed which can electrically terminate flexible cable to a printed circuit board. The connector includes an insulating housing having a plurality of terminals which extend forwardly towards the front face. The terminals are each provided with horizontal base sections, and a retention leg. The terminals include first contact portions. The terminals further comprise spring portions having a second contact portion opposed from the first contact portion. A lever section extends from the spring portion. A cam actuator is installed on the connector housing with individual cam sections aligned with, and below, the lever sections of the terminals. The cam actuator is rotatable relative to the housing to cam the terminals open for insertion of the conductors.

Abstract: A high density connector (10) for electrically interconnecting conductive paths (14, 84) on close centers between circuit boards such as those of a backpanel (82) and daughter cards (12), includes a clamping mechanism (18, 20) bolted first to a daughter card and then to a backpanel to compress springs (46, 48, 50) held by the mechanism driving flat flexible circuits (52) having contacts (68, 70) on close centers to engage board circuit paths, where the mechanism (18, 20) is rigid and includes spring driven clamps (42) to straighten the daughter card and strain relief the interconnection area. The flexible circuit contacts (68, 70) are offset relative to the springs (48, 50) bearing area to provide a contact wipe of the contact path interconnection.