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.

Abstract: A low insertion force connection using two interfitting components: a tapered element and a beam element which is deformed by the tapered element in the region where the primary forces are buckling, rather than bending. The present invention is based on pressure engaged insert/receptacle type of connections that are self-assembling, and require a minimized insertion force to produce a high and tunable contact force that is not applied through the component to be attached. Apart from differences in size, the same design principles are applicable from the chip level to the board level of a microelectronic system. The invention comprises a low cost pressure engaged electrical and thermal connection, based on insert/receptacle structures in which the contact force and insertion force are separated. Such a design allows tunable contact force while it minimizes the insertion force and allows also for self-assembly and reworkability.

Abstract: A flexible circuitry connector includes an improved contact spring assembly that is compared with a plurality of discrete spring elements arranged longitudinally along the connector. Flexible circuitry is supported by the spring elements and held against a circuit card by each such spring element in a manner such that the spring elements apply a series of discrete contact forces for the length of the spring assembly, thereby eliminating any problems due to circuit card thickness variations and warpage as well as other compliance issues.

Abstract: A circuit card connector that utilizes flexible circuitry includes one or more isolator portions attached to its base that serve to substantially isolate the base of the connector from the circuit board to which the connector is mounted. The isolator portions include feet that extend out from the connector and which partially support the flexible circuitry. These isolator portions are made from thermally insulative material and serve to prevent heat transfer to the connector base from occurring during soldering of the flexible circuitry conductive portions to the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having an interleaved multilayer structure includes a first connector structure having at least a first connector layer, and a second connector structure having at least second and third connector layers. A plurality of conductive contact surfaces are disposed along edge portions of the connector layers. Upon engagement of the first connector structure and the second connector structure, the first connector layer is oriented to engage a gap defined between the second and third connector layers. The interleaved engagement of the connector layers results in an low-profile electrical connector assembly providing a large number of interconnections between respectively aligned contact surfaces with precise alignment and reliable electrical contact. The connector layers may include conductive contact surfaces on one or both sides of each layer to provide higher interconnection densities.

Abstract: To accommodate an electronic circuit board in an electrical connection box without accommodating it in a container. An electronic circuit board 14 is placed above a portion of insulation plates 19 and busbars 13 stacked on a lower casing 11. Circuit portions 14a of the circuit board 14 are electrically connected with the busbars 13 via connection terminals 17. There are provided housings 16 for retaining the connection terminals 17 in terminal chambers arranged side by side therein. The connection terminals 17 are connected with the circuit portions 14a by fitting the housings 16 to the periphery of the circuit board 14 sideways. The circuit board 14 is placed on the upper faces of supports 11c projecting from the lower casing 11 while the connection terminals are fitted to the tabs of the busbars from above.

Abstract: A film circuit connector in which respective conductive tracks in film contact areas on front, mating faces are pressed together into electrical connection between side walls of a metal channel-section receptacle spring and a compressible elastomeric plug spring which engage respective rear faces of the films, the compressible plug spring providing a counter-force to the receptacle spring force, accommodating any variations in receptacle spring force arising longitudinally thereof, ensuring constant contact force between all tracks. Tabs for anchoring and grounding the receptacle spring to the circuit board are struck out and bent down from opposite walls of the receptacle spring, enabling electrical shielding of contact areas. Linking portions of conductive tracks connecting the mating contact portions on the front face of the film to board connecting portions, are formed on the rear face of the film for electrical and mechanical protection and may be insulated on all sides.

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: A sheet-like first contact member, formed as a TAB tape, is housed in a socket, and a sheet-like second contact member, also formed as a TAB tape, is mounted on an insert portion of a plug that can be inserted into the socket. A plurality of first contact elements are patterned on the first contact member, and a plurality of second contact elements are patterned on the second contact member. The first member held in a curved state in a frame so that the first contact elements are curved and have raised central portions and a plurality of springs are mounted at the back of the first contact member in correspondence with the first contact elements. When the plug is inserted into the socket, the first and second contact elements are brought into contact with one another by the stress of the curved first contact elements and the force of the springs.

Abstract: A connector for connecting flexible circuit conductors to contact pads of a PC board edge connector having a snap together housing of modular design having leaf springs used to resiliently bias the flexible circuits for contacting the pads, a slot for receiving the PC board edge connector, coil springs adjacent the slot for retaining the inserted PC board edge connector in the slot an alignment arrangement for alignment of the conductors and pads, protection for the free end regions of the flexible circuits and strain relief features, the connector being usable with conductors spaced 0.3 mm or less apart, and being easily assembled and disassembled.

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: 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 (2) for electrically connecting a printed circuit board (6) to a cable (8) has terminals (4) which are provided therein. The cable (8) is maintained in the connector (2) in a recess provided between a housing ( 10) and a shroud (12) of the connector (2). An end of the cable extends into a board receiving channel, the end of the cable having exposed conductors provided thereon. An edge of the printed circuit board (6) is inserted into a board receiving channel of the connector (2) under reduced insertion force conditions. The connector is then rotated relative to the board, causing the terminals to resiliently engage the board. The resilient engagement causes the circuit board (6) to be placed in electrical connection with the cable (8). The board is maintained in position relative to the connector by locking projections (32), thereby insuring that a positive, reliable electrical connection will be effected.

Abstract: An assembly for interconnecting two relatively rigid circuit cards using a flexible circuit for forming this connection is provided. The assembly includes a housing which has a first pressure exerting member which has the flexible circuit reeved therearound. Second and third pressure exerting members are provided in spaced juxtaposed relationship against which the opposite legs of the flexible circuit are maintained to define therebetween a slot for the reception of a circuit card. The assembly is inserted into a card substrate with the first pressure exerting means causing the flexible circuit to be biased into contact with the contacts on a substrate. A second circuit card is inserted into the slot between the legs of the flexible circuit, and the second and third pressure exerting members urge each of the legs as the flexible circuit into contact with the second circuit board.

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 modular jack for a telephone, particularly for use in a handset, has a minimal height or profile by using a circuit board, on which the jack is mounted, as one of the walls defining the aperture into which a modular plug is inserted. The overall height of the jack is reduced by the thickness of the circuit board. The jack and board assembly has the smallest height dimension possible.

Abstract: A solderless connector technique and apparatus is presented for establishing electrical contact between a flexible circuit and another circuit device utilizing relative motion therebetween to wipe away or remove any debris or other foreign matter present on the terminals which could adversely effect electrical contact. In a first embodiment of the present invention, relative motion between the respective circuit devices is provided by male and female housings having a camming device incorporated therein. This camming device will effectively wipe away any foreign matter or debris located on the respective terminal devices. In another embodiment of the present invention, mechanical springs are used to provide lateral motion to the circuit devices thereby wiping away any dirt, dust or debris. Preferably, a means for prewiping i.e., a cleaning pad, is provided to the present invention to facilitate removal of debris.