Patent · US Expired

Tolerance-absorbing interconnect system using a spring-loaded connector

US7121857B1 · kind B1 · utility

18Cited by
8References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 25, 2005
Grant dateOct 17, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 25, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/6315
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Described is a connector assembly and interconnect system for absorbing physical tolerances. The connector assembly includes a shoulder screw, a spring, and an electrical connector. A barrel portion of the screw passes through hole in a flange of the connector. Secured to a structural member is a threaded portion of the screw. Coiled about the barrel portion of the screw, between the connector body and the structural member, is the spring. The interconnect system includes a second connector for mating with the electrical connector. One connector can be mounted in a chassis and the other to a subassembly. When the subassembly slides into the chassis, the connectors mate and compress the spring. A securing mechanism then couples the subassembly to the chassis, keeping the spring compressed and urging connectors against each other.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.