Abstract: A surface mount connector comprises two assemblable housing parts for engagement with a circuit board and for mating with a complementary connector respectively. A series of contacts are anchored in the board engaging part and the other mating part is provided with contact locating surface portions which engage and press the contacts into a coplanar circuit board engaging position when the two housing parts are assembled together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding electrical conducting means having a body, a first lead, and a second lead to a printed circuit board having a first side and a second side. A first surface mount pad is formed on the first side of the printed circuit board. A reservoir pad is formed on the first side of the printed circuit board. A second surface mount pad is formed on the second side of the printed circuit board. A via hole is formed in the printed circuit board. The via hole runs from the first side to the second side of the printed circuit board. The via hole abuts the reservoir pad and the second surface mount pad. Bonding means is deposited onto the first surface mount pad and the reservoir pad and into the via hole but not onto the second surface mount pad. The first lead of the electrical conducting means is placed against the bonding means deposited on the first surface mount pad and the second lead of the electrical conducting means is placed below the second surface mount pad.

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 outrigger electrical connector includes a housing and electrical contacts. The housing is adapted to be fixedly connected to a side of a daughter printed circuit board between two rows of contact pads at a card edge connection area of the daughter printed circuit board. The housing has a downwardly extending ledge laterally spaced from the first side. The contacts have a top portion at a top of the housing at the housing first side and a bottom contact portion extending down along the housing ledge.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method of making reliable electrical contact between the driver IC circuits and the TFT matrix array by the use of wire bond connections which are short and which facilitate compact location of the drivers to the frame of a flat panel display or directly to the panel substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device having a chamfer formed along at least one of the ends of a substrate having a terminal electrode disposed thereon for producing a substantially unimpeded flow of an electric current between a connect pin clip and the terminal electrode. The chamfer is a planar chamfer or an R chamfer and has a chamfer angle and chamfer quantity which can be optimized depending on the substrate thickness. After the connect pin is inserted and disposed, molding agents are applied to cover the connect pin clip.

Abstract: A module board has a supporting plate and slender lead pins having their first portions arranged substantially in parallel with one another on a plane substantially coplanar with the supporting plate. The supporting plate and the first portions of the slender lead pins are sandwiched between electrically insulating layer members. The supporting plate and the first portions of the lead pins are isolated from one another with an electrically insulating material between the pair of electrically insulating layer members. Second portions of the lead pins protrude from the pair of electrically insulating layer members. Through holes are provided one for each of the lead pins and through hole conductors are formed on the inner walls of the through holes.

Abstract: An electronic cage for housing electronic components (circuit boards and power supplies) therein, wherein the cage includes a box-like component receiving area defined by a plurality of upstanding side walls and a floor member. Part of the floor member projects from the box-like receiving area to thus expose various electronic devices (e.g., modules, connectors) located on a common, large board which may be positioned within the cage. Significantly, the cage is of one-piece construction, preferably of injection molded structural foam.

Abstract: An edge connector is provided for a printed circuit board having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads adjacent the edge. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having a board-receiving slot for receiving the mating edge of the printed circuit board. A plurality of spring contact elements are mounted in the housing along at least one side of the slot. The spring contact elements have spring contact portions extending into the slot for contacting respective ones of the contact pads on the printed circuit board. A surface on the housing at the one side of the slot defines a datum plane beyond which the spring contact portion of at least one of the spring contact elements extends into the slot. A biasing spring on the housing biases the printed circuit board against the surface, thereby deflecting the spring contact portion of the at least one spring contact element a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An IC card adapter is connectable to an electronic device such as a computer or printer. The adapter removably stores a plurality of IC cards which are connected to the electronic device through a connector portion. The adapter has a housing with three slots each having a card receptor portion. A first slot on the rear side of the housing is larger than the other two slots on opposed sides of the housing. This first slot and card receptor portion are located closer to the bottom of the housing than the other two slots and card receptor portions. Indicators and a phone connection device can also be provided on the housing and a printed circuit board with electronic mechanisms can be provided within the housing so that the adapter can operate without the IC cards.

Abstract: A combination for facilitating the assemblage of signal processing equipment in which a first assembly unit can be secured on a base plate either parallel or at right angles to the base plate and wherein a second assembly unit can be arranged at right angles to the base plate.

Abstract: An adaptable card mounting system includes a number of card guides having predefined configurations selectively mounted at slot locations within a chassis to enable cards of varying dimensions to be installed. A first type of card guide is mounted to opposed walls of the chassis at each slot location. This first card guide is required for installation of cards of a first length and first depth. A second card guide is mounted to the walls of the chassis in conjunction with the first card guide at slot locations requiring installation of circuit cards having a second depth different than that of the first depth. A third type of card guide is mounted between the opposed first or second card guides at selected slot locations requiring installation of cards of a second length shorter than the first length. Use of the three card guides at selected slot locations permits installation of circuit cards of varying dimensions independent of slot location.

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.

Abstract: A contact assembly with at least one signal contact and at least one ground contact, in particular for use in a connector or the like, comprises a support of resilient conductive material, an insulating intermediate layer provided on the support and at least one signal conductor supported on the insulating intermediate layer. The support is used as ground conductor and two or more adjacent contacts pads are provided for each signal conductor or each group of signals conductors adjacent a first edge of the support. One contact pad is connected with the support and the other contact pad(s) is (are) connected to the respective signal conductors.

Abstract: A peripheral adapter board and circuit which is capable for operation with two different personal computer bus architectures is disclosed. The preferred peripheral function for the board and circuit is a terminal emulator, which allows a personal computer into which the board is plugged to function as a terminal for a mainframe or minicomputer. Edge connectors or contacts are provided on opposite side edges of the board; each one of the edge connectors is compatible with a different computer bus. The adapter board may be flipped over to plug into either computer bus. A removable, repositionable connector board assembly is provided at one end of the board, for mounting communications connectors in a position accessible from the back panel of a host personal computer. The connector board may be repositioned to maintain the orientation of the communications connectors with respect to the personal computer back panel when the adapter board is flipped over to plug into a different computer bus.

Abstract: A connector is provided of the type that has rows of contacts, which minimizes crosstalk between adjacent contacts. An interceptor plate (60, FIG. 2) which is grounded or at another controlled potential, extends along each row of contacts (34), the plate lying close to the row to provide better capacitive coupling between each contact and the plate than between contacts of the same or different rows. The space between each contact leg and an adjacent interceptor plate, contains a dielectric whose dielectric constant varies by no more than four per cent between 1 kHz and 100 MHz. The capacitance between each contact and an adjacent interception plate is at least three times the capacitance between adjacent contacts of a row.

Abstract: A film circuit connector assembly comprises matable housing assemblies each including an outer insulating housing receiving a film circuit supporting member carrying a film circuit with a mating contact area therein extending away from a mating face along a film circuit supporting wall with a circuit board engaging area of the film circuit extending out from a base of the housing assembly. A cylindrical spring is mounted in a recess extending along at least one film supporting wall in engagement with a rear face of a contact area pressing the contact areas of the mating connectors together. In one example, the housing assembly clamps free ends of the film circuit conductors in resiliently deformed condition into engagement with the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector (12) employs wedges (72) to drive elastomeric inserts (42) having conductive traces (52) against the conductive traces (64, 66) of a printed circuit board (60) with the connector housing (14) clamping the insert to a further printed circuit (68) and conductive traces (70) thereon to interconnect multiple conductive paths between the boards. The wedges include two latch positions through surfaces (80, 82) engaging spring latches (22) to allow board insertion and removal with low forces from the said connector.

Abstract: Surface-mount solder-tails (124) for use in a surface-mount edge connector (100) and other surface-mount components. The terminal members (120) are each formed with an upper-section providing a bearing surface to facilitate slidable insertion of a circuit board within connector housing (10), a mid-section which serves to anchor terminal members (120) within housing (10), and an improved solder-tail section (124) of compact design for establishing electrical contact with conductive traces on the surface of a motherboard (30). The improved solder-tails (124) are provided with an elbow to increase the length, thereby increasing the resiliency in the vertical and horizontal directions. Alternatively, solder-tails (124) may be narrowed or annealed to achieve the same result. Edge connector (100) minimizes an aggregate normal force imparted to said second circuit board (30) while maintaining a proper electrical connection, and the solder-joints are well-protected from stresses imparted to the motherboard.

Abstract: A printed circuit board for mounting in a housing, having a mounted connector for making connections with the circuit board through the housing includes a layer formed from electrically insulating material and a conductive structure formed on such layer which conductive structure is adapted to be connected to ground. A casing, also formed from electrically conductive material, is shaped to surround a portion of the connector and is electrically connected to the conductive structure so that electromagnetic radiation emanating from the circuit board will not pass through the connector. In embodiments where the connector is mounted on an edge of said circuit board, the casing surrounds all of but the open end of the connector. In a preferred embodiment the casing includes a top portion, connected to the conductive structure, for surrounding the top of the connector and a bottom portion, also connected to the conductive structure, for surrounding the bottom portion of the connector.

Abstract: A connector (80) for electrically interconnecting a semi-conductor device (92) to a substrate (86) is disclosed. The connector (80) includes a housing (50) having parallel channels (64) for receiving the devices (92) and contact elements (10) with cantilevered spring arms (18) for electrically engaging the devices (92) and a base (12) having an edge (26) for electrically engaging a circuit (84) on the substrate (86).

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of contact elements each contact element formed with two spring arm members and two contacting protrusions disposed in a slot formed in a connector base for homogeneously exerting multiple elastic forces on the contact element for firmly clamping a daughter printed circuit board thereon in order to efficiently clamp the daughter board to a mother printed circuit board connected with the electrical connector. The electrical connector also includes a pair of metal latches respectively embedded on two opposite end portions of a connector base of the electrical connector for resiliently holding the daughter board for prolonging a service life of the latches of the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector (39) provides high density interconnections through contact paths of printed circuit pads (12, 31) via flexible circuit (22) having contact pads (26, 28) driven by a canted coil spring (40) formed of a shape memory alloy selectively responsive to variations in temperature applied to the coil through a medium, heated or cooled and supplied via passage (62) in the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing having a first groove for receiving a heat seal film therein and a second groove for receiving therein a printed wiring board. A spring contact is supported by the housing for electrically connecting an electrode on the film received in the first groove and an electrode on the substrate received in the second groove. The first groove is preferably formed to have a wider opening at its entrance to permit the heat seal film to be wedged into engagement with the spring contact in the first groove. An actuator is slidably supported in the housing for bringing the spring contact into contact with the electrode on the substrate and for holding the substrate in the housing.

Abstract: A board edge connector 10 rotatable between a first and electrically disengaged angular position to a second angular position wherein electrical terminal members 70 of the connector 10 are electrically engaged to conductive areas 102 on a circuit board 92 includes housing means 12 and a plurality of electrical terminal members 70 disposed in terminal receiving cavities 50 therein. Housing means 12 includes a board receiving slot 34 extending along a front wall thereof and in communication with the terminal receiving cavities 50. Slot 34 has opposed upper and lower bearing surfaces 26,21 defining opposed parallel planes and further defining means for guiding connector 10 onto the board 92 at a preselected angle until the leading edge 98 of the board 92 engages a first stop surface 60 defining a first angular position.

Abstract: An electrical connector having first and second coacting parts which include spaced electrical contacts uses a flexible electrical tape having lead ends for connection to a circuit board. Side panels protect the lead ends from damage, during storage and shipment in one position and are releasably connected in a second position to provide support on the leads for bonding. After bonding, the side panels protect the flexible tape from operational damage.

Abstract: An electrical shielding arrangement is provided wherein an edge connector (5) interconnects first and second circuit boards (1, 16). One of the boards (1) on which the edge connector lies includes a metal ground plane (2) and a plated through hole (3) which extends through the board and which makes effective contact with the metal ground plane. The plated through hole receives a metal fixing pin (4) of compliant metal which extends from the connector body (30) and is press fit into the hole (3). The forward end of the pin is positioned to engage a conductive layer (20s) at the leading edge of the second board, which is connected to the ground plane (19) of the second board. Thus, the pin (3) interconnects the ground planes (2, 19) of the two boards.

Abstract: A connector is provided of the type that has rows of contacts, which minimizes cross talk between adjacent contacts. An interceptor plate (60, FIG. 2) which is grounded or at another controlled potential, extends along each row of contacts (34), the plate lying close to the row to provide better capacitive coupling between each contact and the plate than between contacts of the same or different rows.

Abstract: An LCD cluster connector is provided for automotive applications. The connector includes a molded nonconductive housing having a plurality of stamped terminals therein. Each terminal is redundantly locked to the housing to prevent movement in response to vibration, shock or other such forces inherent in the automotive environment. The positive redundant locking avoids insert molding and is achieved automatically during insertion of the terminals into the housing. The terminals are configured to positively position the LCD connector relative to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A socket for interconnecting an electronic module to a circuit board includes an insulative housing having a plurality of terminals applying a moment to the module. A U-shaped latch is positioned within a pocket at each end of the insulative housing. The U-shaped latch is of metal and has two legs joined by a bight, the two legs being flexible as the module is rotated into a slot in the insulative housing. The U-shaped latch includes a tab extending around an upwardly extending projection on the backwall of the housing to provide additional support to the latch. The latch thus provides means for holding the module securely within the housing after rotation to an upright position.

Abstract: A modular connector system wherein modules with high contact element density may be surface mounted to a printed circuit board. The connector modules achieve high contact element density by mutually displacing or offsetting the ends of adjacent contact elements in the same column in the direction of the row which extends in the longitudinal direction of the connector housing. The displaced ends are connected by surface mounting means to contact surfaces on the printed circuit board. A unique contact design is disclosed which can be used also in cable and other types of connectors. The modules construction permits many and different types of connectors to be mounted readily to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a data storage module to an external circuit. A power supply terminal is connected between the module and the external circiut before signal terminals are connected. Apparatus includes a printed circuit board male card edge connector having selected card edge pins that extend farther than other card edge pins.

Abstract: A card edge connector with flexible printed circuit film. More particularly a card edge connector for electrically interconnecting circuits on two circuit boards through flexible printed circuit film mounted in the connector and with the contact pads thereon being biased outwardly by coil springs behind the contact pads.

Abstract: A connection assembly comprises a connector and an electronic circuit fixable on the connector. The connector comprises a support having resilient conductive blades fixed thereto. The blades constitute two "under connectors" adapted respectively to cards in accordance with the ISO standard and in accordance with the AFNOR standard. The blades have support-forming material molded thereover during manufacture of the support.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly including a housing, a flexible circuit located within the housing and including first and second terminals thereon, a carriage movably positioned within the housing and designed for having a circuit board inserted therein, actuation means connected to the carriage to cause it to move and occupy first and second positions within the housing, and biasing means in the form of a pair of leaf springs which continuously exert biasing force against the carriage during its positioning within the invention's housing. As defined herein, contact is possible between a plurality of individual contact elements which form part of the circuit board and respective terminals located at one end portion of the flexible circuit. Second terminals located at the other end of the flexible circuit are designed for mating with and contacting respective conductors located on the second circuit device.

Abstract: An edge connector is provided comprising a housing and a plurality of stamped and formed terminals mounted therein. The housing is constructed to be self-compensating for variations in the thickness of a printed circuit board and the location of mounting apertures therein. The housing includes a plurality of terminal receiving cavities, each of which includes an internally disposed latch wall. The terminals each include a base, a solder tail extending from one side of the base and a contact beam and mounting beam cantilevered from the opposite side of the base. The mounting beam includes a mounting arm and a latch arm cantilevered from the mounting arm and disposed intermediate the mounting arm and the contact beam. The latch arm is resiliently deflectable to lockingly engage the centrally disposed latch wall of the housing, and to thereby minimize outwardly directed pressure on the external walls of the housing that could otherwise bow the housing and minimize the effectiveness of the connector.

Abstract: A circuit board for use with two different interface standards of different computer systems. The circuit board contains interfaces to two or more different standards so that one board can be inserted into two different mother boards. The interface on the board can be card edges for edge connectors, pin and socket connectors or others. The circuit board also includes provisions for the mounting of appropriate end plates. The circuit board further includes circuitry for selecting the appropriate circuitry configuration for the active interface standard, either automatically or based on a manual selection.

Abstract: A retaining device for retaining a circuit card in a zero insertion force card edge connector. More particularly, the device inclues a u-shaped member formed from spring wire and whose legs are bent into a concavo-convex shape so that the member can be resiliently elongated.

Abstract: An electronic system which requires high current provides a connector assembly which enables power supplies to be plugged into the same etched backplane as the logic printed circuit boards. The connector assembly handles high current, typically 150 amps at 5V DC. A female connector includes sets of fingers which flex at the base of the fingers to provide a low resistance contact.

Abstract: A printed circuit board connector (11) comprises a housing (12) with terminals (13,111) each having a mating portion (34); an anchoring post (32,112) with a compliant portion (33,113); and a resilient contact (35,55) trapped against the surface of a printed circuit board (37) by receipt of the compliant portion (33,113) in an unplanted through-hole (36). The compliant portion (33,113) may comprise a strip-form post (112) split to form limbs (115,115') which have been pushed out in opposite directions, relatively away from each other, parallel to the plane of the slit (123) to lie in adjacent parallel planes and subsequently pushed relatively towards each other across the plane of the slit (123) to bring portions of their oppositely facing rolled surfaces adjacent the slit (123) into partially overlapping face-to-face engagement.

Abstract: An improved connector for attaching a mother board to a daughter board, having a slotted housing, a slotted elastomeric member, and a flexible circuit with numerous conductors. The flexible circuit is wrapped around the elastomeric member with its two free ends ending at the slot of the elastomeric member. The wrapped elastomeric member is located in a chamber in the housing with the slot in the housing communicating with the slot in the elastomeric member so that when the daughter board is inserted into the housing, it engages the free ends of the flexible circuit within the slot of the elastomeric member. The elastomeric member has two semi-cylindrical portions which are separated by a channel at the bottom thereof. The elastomeric member with these semi-cylindrical portions is slightly larger than the chamber of the housing when mounted by fasteners to the mother board.

Abstract: A modular programmable controller having an expansible backplane formed of a plurality of structually and electrically connectable backplane units, each comprising a housing having at least a pair of side walls, corresponding edges of which define a seating surface against which an input/output module may be secured. Between the side walls are located field wiring and control bus connectors which allow plug in and removal of a module without disturbing the field wiring or control bus. The control bus segment in a backplane unit comprises an edge card receiving connector in one side wall connected to a card with conductors protruding from the other side wall, the card also being connected to a control bus connector for the module.

Abstract: Socket for receiving edge of a substrate of a single in-line memory module comprises a dielectric housing having an elongate channel. Contact terminals are received within cavities located in the channels. One embodiment of contact comprises a pair of opposed arms formed upward to a bend where each is formed through an obtuse angle toward the other arm of the pair, one arm being stamped from a continuous carrier strip leaving an aperture, each contact being attached to the carrier by a pair of straps. One embodiment of the socket housing includes support brackets on either end of the elongate channel. Guide slots in the support bracket align and support the module. An integral resilient flange engages holes in the module substrate to hold the module in position.

Abstract: An edge connector for connecting a conductor run on an edge region of a first circuit board to a conductor run of a second circuit board comprises a plate of dielectric material. The plate has a generally U-shaped portion, with the two limbs of the U defining a slot therebetween. The plate of dielectric material may be attached to the second circuit board in a position such that an edge region of the first circuit board may be received in the slot. A signal conductor is adhered to one main face of the plate of dielectric material and has two end portions. One end portion of the signal conductor projects from one of the limbs of the U into the slot for engaging a conductor run on the edge region of the first board, and the other end portion projects from the plate at a location remote from the slot for contacting a conductor run of the second board.

Abstract: A circuit board system resiliently mounts a plurality of daughter boards with high circuit interconnection density on a mother board using pairs of mating connectors having welded contact members accommodated in novel arrangements in the respective connectors to permit high density of electrical interconnection with convenience and reliability. Contact parts of substantial size are welded into contacts in one connector to detachably interconnect with contact parts of similar size in mating connector to improve interconnection releability. Novel contact arrangements permit accommodation of those parts of substantial size in the mating connectors. Sheet metal spring or post parts welded into the contacts in both connectors permit the contacts to be conveniently loaded into connector bodies and permit large numbers of contact springs or posts to be soldered to terminal pads or circuit paths on mother or daughter boards with high density.

Abstract: Connector housings having as an integral part thereof, compensators to accommodate variation in circuit board thickness to enable a plurality of connectors to be mounted thereon simultaneously. More particularly, the compensators include depending, collapsible projections on the bottom surfaces of the housings which are selectively collapsed in response to the thickness of the board at each mounting site.

Abstract: A connector system for electrically connecting contacts of a flexible printed circuit carried by a daughter board with fixed contacts carried by a mother board, the flexible circuit serving as a connector to circuits on the daughter board, and the contacts of the flexible printed circuit arranged on an edge of the daughter board. Guides on the mother board enable the daughter board to slide in guided, edge-wise direction toward the face of the mother board, with the contacts on the flexible circuit in registry with contacts on the mother board. Driven cam/locking means carried by the mother board engages mating structure on the daughter board to press the edge of the daughter board tightly toward the face of the mother board in locking motion while camming the daughter board bodily laterally over the surface of the mother board whereby the contacts wipe upon one another as they move into locked position.

Abstract: A high density connector for connecting to the edge of a printed circuit board uses two different contact terminals, one of which is reversible, and a spacing block to guide the contact terminals into the connector and to maintain close spacing of the contacts on each side of the printed circuit board. The connector housing has openings in the center of the housing to allow for expansion of the housing material and to provide for an optional grounding bus.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for electrically connecting circuit elements disposed on two printed circuit boards and spaced apart at centerlines of about 0.050 of an inch or less is described which includes a pitch controlling contact locator cooperating between the mating edge of an edge card and the connector housing. The pitch controlling contact locator includes a resilient supported spring member disposed in the connector cavity generally at the midpoint of the terminal array which is resilient in a vertical direction and substantially rigid in a horizontal direction. It further includes a mating cutout disposed in the mating edge generally at the midpoint of an array of contact pads which is adapted to engage the spring member with two points of contact when the edge card is inserted into the connector cavity.

Abstract: A connector mechanism for electrically connecting two structures 22, 24 carrying conducting lines 26, comprises fixed contacts 28 on one of the structures and floating contacts 30 on the other of the structures, the floating contacts being free to move towards and away from the fixed contacts and across the fixed contacts as independent motions, under the control of a common actuator 50, 52, 54, each floating contact being an electrically integral part, carried by the actuator, of a flexible conductive film 34.