Dynamic contact orientating universal circuit grabber
US6375489B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R12/67
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention is an electrical connector that provides a connection system that releasably connects the circuit paths of a flexible conductive circuit to a printed circuit board having a corresponding row of contacts, without the need for soldering, crimping or welding operations, or extensive preparation of the flexible circuit before connection. One embodiment has at least one spring contact formed in a cover; at least one rotatable cam; and a base with a circuit alignment window for initial alignment of a flexible conductive circuit introduced into the connector. The cover and base snap together to house the rotatable cam(s). The connection, when using at least one cam, is made by feeding the circuit into a slot in the cam, then rotating the cam to bring the circuit into contact with the spring contact which has a tapered insulation plane that pierces and peels back the dielectric covering of the conductive circuit to make a direct metal to metal, gas tight contact between the deflectable contact and the conductors of the conductive circuit. Wrapping the circuit around the cam during the connection process provides stability to the connection and takes strain off of the connecti…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.