Pcb Having Detailed Leading Edge Patents (Class 439/951)
  • Patent number: 8982567
    Abstract: Example embodiments are directed to circuit boards, connectors, cases, circuit board assemblies, case assemblies, devices and methods of manufacturing the same, which are common to at least two different form factors. According to example embodiments, a solid state device (SSD) may include a circuit board, a connector, and a case. The circuit board may include a unibody board common to at least a first and a second form factor, first circuit board connection terminals of the first form factor on a front side of the board, and second circuit board connection terminals of the second form factor on a back side of the board. The connector may include connector connection terminals, where only one of the first circuit board connection terminals and the second circuit board connection terminals are connected to the connector connection terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyo-Jae Bang, Dogeun Kim, Hongkyun Kim, Youngbok Jeon
  • Patent number: 8777635
    Abstract: A daughter card assembly including a daughter card having a leading edge. The daughter card includes signal contacts that are disposed along the leading edge, wherein the leading edge is configured to be inserted into a card cavity of a receptacle connector during a mating operation. The daughter card assembly also includes a power module that is coupled to the daughter card. The power module includes a module housing having a module cavity and a cavity opening that provides access to the module cavity. The power module also includes a power contact that is disposed within the module cavity and projects through the cavity opening. The power contact is configured to engage a corresponding electrical contact of the receptacle connector during the mating operation. The power contact is deflected by the electrical contact into the module cavity as the power contact and the electrical contact engage each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Richard Long, Michael David Herring
  • Patent number: 8724333
    Abstract: An electronic expansion module which has at least one circuit board, that has a contact region with contacts for mechanical and electrical contact-making with mating contacts connected to the circuit board of the expansion module and a circuit board recess formed such that, with the expansion module inserted into an opening formed on a side of the housing of an electrical field device for use in industrial control, the circuit board of the expansion module does not have any conductive connection to the electrical field device except in the contact region so that reliable electrical isolation between the interior of the device and the user is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Leifer, Andre Korrek
  • Patent number: 8708710
    Abstract: An electronic structure (for example a reliability board or a cycling control module) has a body including a body portion insertable into a connector. A plurality of contact structures are provided on a side of the body portion, each contact structure comprising a first contact and a second contact spaced from the first contact, with the first and second contacts of each contact structure being aligned in the direction of insertion of the body portion into the connector. A corresponding second plurality of contact structures is provided on a side of the body portion opposite the first-mentioned side. These contacts connect with respective corresponding contacts of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Che Seong Law, Kaneasan Edumban
  • Patent number: 8662917
    Abstract: A cable assembly (100) includes a cover (40) defining a cavity (101), a circuit board (20) assembled in the cavity and including a first surface (201) and a second surface (202) lower than the first surface, and a cable (2) having a jacket (22) and a number of wires (21) shrouded by the jacket. Each wire includes an inner coat (210) and a conductor having a free end (211) exposed outwardly from the inner coat for being soldered to the first surface, with the inner coat disposed on the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Chiung Wang, Xue-Liang Zhang, Qing-Man Zhu, Jian-Jun Zhu
  • Patent number: 8641453
    Abstract: A memory module may include a module substrate having a side portion. The side portion may be adapted or configured to be inserted into a socket of a main board. A plurality of connection pads may be arranged along the side portion. The connection pads may have a step portion of a first height from a surface of the side portion and a contact portion of a second height that is greater than the first height from the surface of the side portion. At least one semiconductor package may be mounted on the module substrate and electrically connected to the connection pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-San Jung, Jung-Chan Cho, Hyun-Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 8585436
    Abstract: A card (1) to be mechanically connected with a socket (21,22,23,24,25) of an interface bus of a type selectable from among a plurality of bus widths. The card (1) includes an electrical connection portion (150) to be electrically connected with the socket of the interface bus, and a connection reinforcing portion (170) to reinforce a mechanical connection with the socket of the interface bus, wherein the connection reinforcing portion (170) is at least partially removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Atsushi Tabuchi, Inagi Tsutai
  • Patent number: 8573985
    Abstract: The general field of invention is electrical connectors and their conductor geometry. This patent teaches how to make the register-free charge couplers to have self-cleaning ability as well as tolerating operation under dirty environments such as underbelly of cars, while still delivering the requirements imposed by the register-free functionality. Although this invention can benefit many connector designs and applications, it is particularly beneficial when applied to hands free connectors for charging electric vehicles—also known in the industry as the Electric Vehicle Charge Couplers. The specific geometry taught in the patent satisfies the requirements of register-free connectors such as not to be able to short circuit supply conductors, provide at least one drain side conductor for every supply side conductor, permit easy sliding between supply and drain side conductors and provide at least one drain side contact with its centerline to overlap each supply side contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Satyajit Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 8313341
    Abstract: Guide element (3) for a connector device (1), which element has a first and a second end (3a, 3b). The element (3) is adapted to be attached to a PCB (printed circuit board) (2) of the connector device. Further, the guide element comprises a first bevel (33) at the first end (3a), the surface of which is provided with a plurality of recesses (36), which recesses are adapted to receive a plurality of conductive connector tongues (4) of the connector device (1). Further, a connector device (1) for establishing a connection between a test device and a test system, a connector arrangement (11) for test procedures comprising at least one connector device (1) and a method of manufacturing a connector device (1) is comprised as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Björn Falk
  • Patent number: 8257092
    Abstract: A memory module configured to connect to a slot of a data processing system. A set of tabs is connected to the module and configured to electrically connect the module to the slot and to electrically connect the module to a clock of the data processing system. The set of tabs includes a first tab, a second tab, a third tab, and a fourth tab. The first tab and the second tab are opposite the third tab and the fourth tab. The first tab comprises a positive type tab, the second tab comprises a negative type tab, the third tab comprises a positive type tab, and the fourth tab comprises a negative type tab. The first and third tabs are configured to provide a first electrical connection to the clock. The second and fourth tabs are configured to provide a second electrical connection to the clock. Together, the first, second, third, and fourth tabs comprise two dual tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sungjun Chun, Daniel M. Dreps, Dierk Kaller, Rohan U. Mandrekar, Lei Shan
  • Patent number: 8043120
    Abstract: A multi-slot connector and a manufacture method thereof are provided. The multi-slot connector includes a housing and a conducting structure. The conducting structure has a body and a terminal portion extending from the body. After extending out from the body, the terminal portion bends to form a first ridge. After bending the first ridge, the terminal portion turns to form a winding portion which winds back toward the body and bends to form a second ridge, wherein the first and second ridges protrude toward different directions. The housing has a first slot and a second slot. When the conducting structure is disposed in the housing, the first ridge and the second ridge are respectively corresponding to the first slot and the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Chang Tsai, Chih-Kang Wu, Chun-Ta Wu
  • Patent number: 8028404
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide a multi-function module. A circuit board has a form factor and a connector edge corresponding to a first interface standard. The connector edge includes first and second groups of pin-outs that are mapped to pin-out assignments compatible with the first interface standard and a second interface standard, respectively. A first interface is provided on the circuit board for a first set of devices connected to the first group of pin-outs to operate according to the first interface standard. A second interface is provided on the circuit board for a second set of devices connected to the second group of pin-outs to operate according to the second interface standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Virtium Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Phan Hoang
  • Patent number: 7983049
    Abstract: An electrical field device for use in industrial control with a housing, with at least one input, at least one output and an electronic circuit with a microcontroller, a memory and a circuit board. The electrical field device is easily adapted to different functions and conditions of use in that an opening is formed on one side of the housing for insertion of an electronic expansion module which has at least one circuit board, and in that the circuit board has a contact region with contacts for mechanical and electrical contact-making with mating contacts connected to the circuit board of the expansion, module and a circuit board recess formed such that an inserted expansion module does not have any conductive connection to the field device except in the contact region so that reliable electrical isolation between the interior of the device and the user is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Leifer, Andre Korrek
  • Patent number: 7916486
    Abstract: A circuit board is connected to a connector including a connection port and contact portions located at upper and lower positions of the connection port. The contact portions face each other in the vertical direction, and each contact portion is connected electrically to the opposite contact portion. The circuit board includes a base substrate, a first wiring layer, and a second wiring layer. First terminals connected to the first wiring layer are provided on one principal surface of the base substrate, and second terminals connected to the second wiring layer are provided on the other principal surface. The first terminals and the second terminals come into contact with the contact portions and are arranged so as not to overlap each other in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kozo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7837497
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a connector, and a flexible printed wiring board having a board main body provided with a first surface with a conductor provided thereon, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a front end contacting the connector, and a reinforcing plate contacting the second surface at the front end to reinforce the board main body. A projection is provided on the connector in contact with the flexible wiring board. The reinforcing plate includes a recess portion in which the projection is fitted. The recess portion has a space increased in size toward and opening to an end face of the reinforcing plate corresponding to the front end, and an opening provided in the end face and communicating with the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsuo, Tsuyoshi Kozai
  • Patent number: 7762818
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide a multi-function module. A circuit board has a form factor and a connector edge corresponding to a first interface standard. The connector edge includes first and second groups of pin-outs that are mapped to pin-out assignments compatible with the first interface standard and a second interface standard, respectively. A first interface is provided on the circuit board for a first set of devices connected to the first group of pin-outs to operate according to the first interface standard. A second interface is provided on the circuit board for a second set of devices connected to the second group of pin-outs to operate according to the second interface standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Virtium Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Phan Hoang
  • Patent number: 7758350
    Abstract: An electrical connector for electrically connecting a first electronic device to a second electronic device includes a housing that includes a plurality of solder retention channels that hold a plurality of solder segments in a vertical orientation such that at least a vertical surface and one end of each solder segment are exposed. The solder retention channels are formed in first and second opposing rows with an open space formed therebetween. The exposed vertical surfaces of the solder segments face one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Teka Interconnection Systems
    Inventors: James R. Zanolli, Joseph S. Cachina
  • Patent number: 7645146
    Abstract: A circuit board connector extension comprising a body made of plastic and able to be attached to a circuit board, with first and second groups of contacts which each have one connecting end for contacting conductor tracks on the circuit board and one plug-in end for contacting contacts of a connector piece, the connecting ends of the two groups of contacts being arranged on one and the same side of the body, whereas the plug-in ends of the first group being arranged on a side of the body difference from that where the plug-in ends of the second group are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Harting Electronics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marc Lindkamp, Andreas Kohler, Gert Havermann, Dieter Rose
  • Patent number: 7455531
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to flexible boards, electrooptic devices having flexible boards, and electronic devices. In one example, wires are disposed longitudinally along the length of a flexible board. Terminals are arranged laterally across the width of the flexible board near an end of the flexible board, the terminals being electrically connected to the wires. Plating lead wires are electrically connected to the terminals and extend longitudinally from the terminals to a lateral edge of the flexible board. The width of the plating lead wires is less than the width of the wires. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the terminals are alternatingly displaced on the flexible board in a staggered manner. This abstract is intended only to aid those searching patents, and is not intended to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corportion
    Inventors: Hidekazu Hirabayashi, Tomoaki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7440287
    Abstract: An extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector plug and socket each have a pin substrate with one surface that supports the four metal contact pins for the standard USB interface. An extension of the pin substrate carries another 8 extension metal contact pins that mate when both the connector plug and socket are extended. The extension can be an increased length of the plug's and socket's pin substrate or a reverse side of the substrate. Standard USB connectors do not make contact with the extension metal contacts that are recessed, retracted by a mechanical switch, or on the extension of the socket's pin substrate that a standard USB connector cannot reach. Standard USB sockets do not make contact with the extension metal contacts because the extended connector's extension contacts are recessed, or on the extension of the connector pin substrate that does not fit inside a standard USB socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Chin-Nan Ni, David Q. Chow, Frank I-Kang Yu, Abraham C. Ma, Ming-Shiang Shen
  • Patent number: 7429177
    Abstract: An exemplary flexible printed circuit board (2) includes a wiring layer (21). The wiring layer includes a number of conductive lines (211). Each of the conductive lines includes a finger (213), a line portion (212) and a junction portion (214) between the finger and the line portion. A width of the finger is greater than a width of the line portion, a width of the junction portion gradually changes from the width of the line portion to the width of the finger. The flexible printed circuit board has high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventor: Ning-Jiang Li
  • Patent number: 7422445
    Abstract: A sinking electrical card connector includes an insulating housing (10) sinking partially into a hole defined on a printed circuit board (30) (PCB), a number of terminals (20) retained in the insulating housing, a shell (40) mounted on the insulating housing, wherein a pair of holding portions 120 and 120? are formed by the opposite lateral walls of the insulating housing extending outwardly, and each holding portion engages with an edge of the hole of the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: HonHai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Chang Cheng
  • Patent number: 7385665
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel which includes an effective display section, a flexible board which supplies a driving signal to the effective display section, a connection part at which the display panel and the flexible board are connected, and a plurality of connection wiring lines which connect the connection part and the effective display section. The connection part includes a first connection section including at least two connection pad groups, which are composed of connection pads that are connected to the effective display section via the connection wiring lines, and a dummy pad group which is disposed between the connection pad groups, and is composed of dummy pads, and a second connection section including connection terminal groups, which are composed of connection terminals corresponding to the connection pads, and a dummy terminal group which is composed of dummy terminals corresponding to the dummy pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7367812
    Abstract: An exemplary circuit board (21) includes an indention portion at a side of the circuit board, and a plug slot (251). The indention portion includes a bottom wall (211) and a side wall (212), and the side wall located between the bottom wall and an end of the circuit board at the side of the circuit board. The plug slot is attached at the bottom wall and is adjacent the side wall. Spacing between the side wall and the plug slot at the bottom wall is less than spacing between the side wall and the plug slot at the end of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventors: An Shih, Cheng-Liang Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7359208
    Abstract: A Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) device includes a PCBA mounted inside a molded plastic housing structure such that metal contacts are exposed on a plug portion of the housing structure, and includes a metal plug shell attached to the housing structure such that an upper wall of the metal plug shell is spaced from the metal contacts by a predetermined gap distance. A USB controller IC is mounted onto a relatively narrow portion of the PCBA under the metal contacts to reduce overall length of the USB device. The metal plug shell is molded or snap-coupled onto tabs formed on the plug portion of the housing structure. An optional locking collar secures a rear edge of the metal plug shell to the housing structure. An optional rear cover is attached over a rear opening of the housing structure and secures a rear edge of the PCBA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Ni
  • Patent number: 7291037
    Abstract: A flexible circuit board is provided, comprising a flexible substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of electrically conductive pads overlaid on an upper surface of the flexible substrate. Front ends of the electrically conductive pads do not reach a front edge of the flexible substrate and are separated from the front edge of the flexible substrate by a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co. Ltd
    Inventor: Ching-Cheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 7284990
    Abstract: A circuit board (PCB) and connector design, which provides for better electrical connection between the PCB and its host, especially for when used in high-speed optical systems. The PCB has an electrical flex embedded within it. The flex is connected to electrical component located on the PCB by means of a via at one end and protrudes from the PCB at the other end. The connector has a flex connection means arranged to receive the flex protruding from the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Neil James Parkin, Darren John Hayward, Declan Reilly
  • Patent number: 7179115
    Abstract: A connector is provided for compensating crosstalk with respect to an adjacently placed connector. Each of the connectors includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a plurality of pairs of contacts on the PCB, a plurality of pads disposed at edge portions of the PCB for compensating crosstalk, and a plurality of connecting parts for connecting electrically the pads to the pairs of contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Commscope Solutions Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Amid Hashim
  • Patent number: 7134884
    Abstract: An electrical connector (1) comprises a mating cavity (147) defining a front-to-back direction for mating and unmating, a supporting bracket (14) defined in the mating cavity, and a printed circuit board (20), the supporting bracket comprising a front portion (144), the front portion comprises a top surface, the printed circuit board secured to the supporting bracket and comprises a plurality of conductive pads (21, 22, 23) formed thereon, and wherein the top surface of the front portion is higher than the conductive pads of the printed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Haiwei Wang, David (Tso-Chin) Ko
  • Patent number: 7104809
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a circuit board in a housing and a plurality of contacts fixedly mounted on each of one end, the other end, and at least one side of the circuit board by surface mounting for forming a first external connector, a second external connector, and at least one internal connector wherein each of the first and the second external connectors is exposed to be ready for connection, at least one insertion slot is formed in the housing and, in response to inserting a memory card (e.g., T-Flash Card) into the insertion slot, a plurality of contacts of the internal connector are electrically connected to a plurality of conductive terminals of the memory card. Further, a shield is pivotally formed at the second external connector projected from the other end of the circuit board wherein the shield and the housing are assembled together to have a size dimensioned to comply with the specifications of a first type of memory card (e.g., Memory Stick Card or SD Card).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Datafab Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Der-Sheng Huang
  • Patent number: 7074052
    Abstract: A Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) device includes a PCBA mounted inside a plastic housing, which in turn is inserted or otherwise secured inside an outer case. The case is made of metal or hard plastic, and includes a handle portion that is integrally connected to a plug shell. The plug shell extends over a plug portion of the PCBA, which is mounted on a corresponding substrate portion of the housing, forming a structural arrangement similar to a conventional male USB connector plug, but without having the plug shell soldered to the PCBA. The case is, for example, sheet metal that is folded into a frame-like box for receiving the housing. The handle portion engages a cover portion of the housing such that plastic panels are exposed through openings formed in the metal casing walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Ni, Ren-Kang Chou
  • Patent number: 7040900
    Abstract: A main board with a base comprising a first port and a second port parallel to each other and with a gap formed therebetween. First and second connectors are selectively disposed on the base. When the first connector is disposed on the base, a first distance is formed between first pins and a standard surface. When the second connector is disposed on the base, a second distance is formed between second pins and the standard surface. The difference between the first and second distances is equal to the gap. The first connector connects PATA hard disk drive, and the second connector connects SATA hard disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Tai-Shing Wan, Wen-Ji Tsai
  • Patent number: 7018224
    Abstract: A bifurcated conductive pad positioned on an electrical mating component, such as a circuit card, a contact portion of a cable assembly, or the like, having a main body and a mating edge. The bifurcated conductive pad receives a mating element having a built-up charge. The conductive pad comprises an initial contact portion and a final contact portion. The initial contact portion is configured to receive the mating element before the final contact portion receives the mating element, and wherein at least one of the initial and final contact portions is grounded so that the final contact portion receives a reduced amount of the built-up charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jason M'Cheyne Reisinger, Robert Allen Kirker, Keith McQuilkin Murr, Dean Camiel William Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 6994563
    Abstract: A signal channel extends from motherboard to a daughter card across an edge connection. The daughter card includes a conductive plane that is held at a constant electrical potential. In order to compensate for a number of sources of inductance within the signal line at the edge connection, a circuit trace forming a portion of the signal channel includes an enlarged portion, spaced inward along the daughter card from the contact pads forming the edge connection, that adds capacitive coupling of the signal channel with the conductive plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kamran Amini, Joseph Curtis Diepenbrock, Robert Joseph Evans, Michael Leo Scollard
  • Patent number: 6899546
    Abstract: A printed circuit board provided with an attachment which surrounds surface contacts of the printed circuit board that are to be contacted by a printed circuit board connector that covers the portion of the printed circuit board and edges of the printed circuit board around the surface contacts and includes recesses corresponding to the surface contacts assuring proper connection with contacts of a printed circuit board connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Belgium EC N.V.
    Inventors: Jacques Longueville, Tom Ocket, Albert Hoolhorst, Peter Baertsoen
  • Patent number: 6802729
    Abstract: A signal connector assembly with a plug contact within a plug having a high resistive portion. When the plug of the assembly first makes contact with the electrical receptacles within a mating receptacle, the high resistive portion prevents a current surge. As the plug is further inserted into the receptacle, the energy passing from the plug to the receptacle is gradually increased. Eventually, the receptacle contacts within the receptacle pass the high resistive portion and make contact with the conductive portion of the plug contact, thereby permitting transmission of valid signals without the generation of spurious errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Otto Hermann, Jr., Marjorie Kay Myers
  • Patent number: 6804119
    Abstract: A connector, particularly suited for use in a digital camera, having electrostatic discharge features that prevent the occurrence of electrostatic discharge events. The connector comprises a printed circuit board that includes a ground contact, a power contact, and a plurality of signal contacts that are offset from an edge of the printed circuit board. A row of vias are disposed between the signal contacts and the edge of the printed circuit board, and adjacent opposite sides of each of the signal contacts, that attract electrostatic energy before it can reach the signal contacts. The signal contacts have different lengths and shapes, depending upon their purpose. An electrostatic discharge protection method and digital camera are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Ted Ziemkowski
  • Patent number: 6765804
    Abstract: A circuit board arrangement facilitates a direct connection to a chassis mounted connector. The arrangement comprises a printed circuit board with a first signal conductor terminating at an edge of the printed circuit board. A second signal conductor is disposed adjacent to the first signal conductor and terminates at the edge. A conductive metallic spring clip has a relieved area and is formed to fit over the edge of said printed circuit board. The conductive metallic spring clip is positioned on the edge of said printed circuit board such that the relieved area straddles the first signal conductor and the conductive metallic spring clip grips the second signal conductor for coupling the second signal conductor to the chassis mounted connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S. A.
    Inventors: Don Richard Hudson, Barry Wynn Albright
  • Patent number: 6719570
    Abstract: In a card-type portable device, a terminal board is provided in the terminal board mounting area of a circuit board. Terminal electrodes are provided on a surface of the terminal board. The terminal electrodes are arranged at a height position according to a device specification by setting the thickness of the terminal board such that the terminal electrodes are positioned at the specified height position even when the height position of the circuit board is freely set. Also, by placing the circuit board along the wall of the bottom of a casing, the space defined by the circuit board and the upper wall of the casing is increased. Accordingly, tall electronic components can be provided on the circuit board in the casing, while maintaining the specified thickness of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Tsuchioka
  • Patent number: 6666705
    Abstract: A first aspect of the invention is an electrical connector that includes a housing formed to include first and second opposing ends and an elongated slot between the ends. The slot receives a connective edge of a printed circuit card. Closely spaced contacts located in the slot engage conductive pads on the printed circuit card. A first alignment member is formed integrally at the first end of the housing, to engage a non-polarized keyway during insertion of the printed circuit card into the elongated slot, aligning the printed circuit card relative to the contacts. A second aspect of the invention is the keying of the printed circuit card along a connective edge. The connective edge includes two connective regions which define a polarized keyway between the two connective regions. A third, non-connective, region located at one end of the connective regions defines a non-polarized keyway between the connective regions and the non-connective region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff Lauruhn, Daryl James Nelson
  • Patent number: 6641408
    Abstract: A conductive device includes a substrate and a plurality of conductive traces supported by the substrate. Each trace has a contact portion. Moreover, sufficient substrate material is removed from the substrate to sufficiently lessen stiffness of selected ones of the contact portions so that the selected ones of the contact portions are independently displaceable with respect to each other. A method of manufacturing such a conductive device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Svenkeson, John D. Hamre
  • Patent number: 6634561
    Abstract: A small, flat rectangularly shaped electronic circuit card, such as one containing non-volatile memory, has a row of contacts mounted on bottom surfaces of a row of recesses extending along a short edge and an adjacent angled corner. At least one of the recesses opens to the angled corner and the remaining recesses open to the short edge. Two surface contacts are included in at least one of the recesses, while the remaining recesses each contain a single contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Wallace
  • Patent number: 6511327
    Abstract: A network interface system or device is disclosed that represents an optimal balance in the cost of the materials for the components and the cost of the assembly time required of a field technician. One or more lines from the network provider, e.g., a telephone company, are provided as well as one or more corresponding lines from a customer. For a given network line and corresponding customer line, each line is preferably terminated with a female spade connector. A small printed circuit board (PCB) is provided that has ends shaped to act as male spade connectors. An electrical connection is provided between the ends of the PCB. Optionally, but preferably, a gas tube is provided to suppress surges on the network line before they damage equipment connected to the customer line. A PCB configured in this manner can connect one set or multiple sets of lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: David Stevens Kerr, Jason A. Kay, Douglas Lewis Cowan, Anthony Joseph David, Ivan Pawlenko
  • Patent number: 6439900
    Abstract: A communication module is provided having a movable electrically conductive interface. This module comprises a printed circuit board with a first slidably receiving contact surface for providing electrical connectivity to the movable electrically-conductive interface, a non-metallic sealant disposed about at least a portion of the first slidably receiving contact surface about which the movable electrically-conductive interface is formed, the sealant imposing negligible resistance to the movable electrically-conductive interface, and a second slidably receiving contact surface for traveling across the sealant disposed about the first slidably receiving contact surface thereby forming the movable electrically conductive interface. Also a method is provided for overlaying the non-metallic sealing element over the first slidably receiving contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas Alan Sward
  • Patent number: 6428335
    Abstract: A laminated bus bar has thereon a male terminal formed either from only two electric strip conductors separated by a layer of insulation, or from two groups of conductors separated by a layer of insulation. When only two conductors are employed, one may be slightly longer and wider than the other, and the terminal section of the one conductor has a marginal edge portion thereof extending beyond the edge of the registering terminal section of the other conductor. Both terminal sections of the two conductors have exposed outer surfaces forming a male terminal disposed to be inserted releasably into a female receptacle of an electric circuit, and a dielectric insulator barrier is secured on and covers the marginal edge portion of the terminal section of the one conductor and overlies the edge of the other terminal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Eldre Corporation
    Inventors: Craig C. Bader, Robert A. Norman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6425766
    Abstract: A connector system including a circuit card and method of manufacturing same is provided. By way of example, the system includes a connector having an elongated housing with an elongated card-receiving slot. A plurality of signal terminals and ground terminals are mounted on the housing along the slot and have contact sections extending into the slot. A circuit card has an edge insertable into the slot, a ground plane facing a surface of the card at least near the edge and a plurality of signal contact pads and a plurality of ground contact pads along the edge for engaging the contact sections of the signal terminals and the ground terminals, respectively. The size or area of the signal contact pads is varied relative to the ground contact pads to vary the capacitance in the area of the terminal-to-circuit card interface and, thereby, vary the impedance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Augusto P. Panella
  • Patent number: 6312264
    Abstract: A connecting device for the electrical connection of a support board to another component is proposed. The support board has a recess open toward its end and delimited to the side by spring arms, contact faces for the electrical connection being arranged thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Jochen Franz, Peter Rühle, Jürgen Böck
  • Patent number: 6296499
    Abstract: A signal connector assembly with a plug contact within a plug having a high resistive portion. When the plug of the assembly first makes contact with the electrical receptacles within a mating receptacle, the high resistive portion prevents a current surge. As the plug is further inserted into the receptacle, the energy passing from the plug to the receptacle is gradually increased. Eventually, the receptacle contacts within the receptacle pass the high resistive portion and make contact with the conductive portion of the plug contact, thereby permitting transmission of valid signals without the generation of spurious errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Otto Hermann, Jr., Marjorie Kay Myers
  • Patent number: 6241537
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include connector assembly for a handheld computer. The connector assembly includes a plurality of conductive elements disposed on a first side of a printed circuit board housed with the handheld computer. One or more of the conductive elements has a pointed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Tate, Bruce Reynolds, David Northway, Gary Responte, Sean O'Hara
  • Publication number: 20010000764
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing damage to memory cards, memory card connectors, host electronics, and other electronic devices by only allowing intended electronic devices to mate with the connector for which it is intended and/or determining when an electronic device has been inserted into a connector upside down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventors: Vivian Wei Chow, George Craig Lysy