US 4,077,694 AGranted

Circuit board connector

AssigneeAMP Incorporated

InventorsRobert Franklin Cobaugh, James Ray Coller

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A circuit board connector having a plurality of pairs of contacts arranged in a row and with each contact having a "C" shaped portion. Each pair of contacts is mounted securely at first ends thereof in a circuit board with the backs, or closed sides, of the "C" shaped portion facing each other and designed to receive the edge of a second circuit board inserted therebetween. The free end of each contact has an ear-like element extending outwardly from the board to which the contacts are secured. A connector housing fits over the pairs of contacts after they have been secured in the board. Inside the housing tabs are provided, behind which tabs the ears of the contacts are positioned, thereby prestressing each pair of contacts apart. The housing is also designed so that the side walls thereof press against a dimple or finger-like tang formed near the base of each contact, thereby forcing the contacts of each pair of contacts together and further enhancing the prestressing of each pair of contacts.

Claims11

Dependent claims

The combination of a first board and a connector means for connecting said first board to a second board and comprising:

a plurality of pairs of contacts with each contact having first and second ends thereof, with said first end secured in said first board and with said pairs of contacts being arranged to form two parallel rows of contacts with each row including one of the contacts of each pair of contacts;
each of said contacts comprising a tab-like portion at the second end thereof and extending away from said first board, a "C" shaped portion between said first end and said second end, and convex protuberances between the said first end and said "C" shaped portion and on the same side of said contact as the open side of said "C" shaped portion;
to two contacts of each pair of contacts being positioned opposite each other with the closed sides of said "C" shaped portions facing each other and spaced apart a distance less than the thickness of said second board;
and
a detachable connector housing means constructed to be pressed over said pairs of contacts mounted in said first board to enclose said pairs of contacts and comprising side walls and a plurality of holding elements secured to said side walls, with said holding elements positioned to spread apart the tab-like portions on the contacts of each pair of contacts to prestress said contacts;
said detachable connector housing means further constructed to have its inner side walls press against said convex protuberances on the contacts of each pair of contacts to force said contacts towards each other to increase the effective length of securement of said first end of said contacts and to enhance said prestressing of said contacts;
said detachable connector housing means further constructed to be retained in its position enclosing said pairs of contacts by frictional engagement between said detachable connector housing means and said pairs of contacts, and to be removable from said contacts without removing said contacts from said first board.

4 more elements

A combination of a connector means and a first substrate for connecting said first substrate to a second substrate and comprising:

a row of contacts each comprising first and second ends joined together by a bowed portion and with said first emds being secured in said first substrate, and having a protuberance formed between the bowed portion and said first end and extending outwardly from said pair of contacts;
each of said contacts positioned with the convex side of said bowed portions facing in the same direction and in alignment;
a detachable housing means constructed to be pressed over said contacts while said contacts are secured in said first substrate and comprising:
first and second side walls;
the first of said side walls constructed to press against said protuberances to increase the effective length of securement of said first ends of said contacts and to force said contacts towards the other wall of said detachable housing means;
holding elements constructed and positioned to force the second ends of said contacts back towards said first side wall;
means for securing said holding elements to one of said side walls;
and
a first slot formed between said side walls to enable entry of said second substrate therein and into contact with the convex sides of said bowed portions of said contacts;
said detachable housing means further constructed to be retained in its position over said pairs of contacts by frictional engagement between said detachable housing means and said contacts, and to be removable from said first substrate without receiving said contacts from said first substrate.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 05/682,921Filed 4 May 1976 · continuation
Priority: 17 Oct 1973
Granted: 7 Mar 1978
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H01R 12/721
Coupling with the edge of the rigid printed circuits or like structures: cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits
H01R 43/205
For assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve: with a panel or printed circuit board
H01R 4/02
Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or…:…
H01R 13/41
Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting: by frictional grip in grommet, panel or base

Family

Serial407,402Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 17 Oct 1973
Serial439,501Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 4 Feb 1974
Serial445,736Parent of this continuation · filed 25 Feb 1974
Serial589,971Parent of this continuation · filed 24 Jun 1975
US 4,077,694 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.