Zero insertion force connector having integral unloading means
AssigneeAMP Incorporated
InventorBilly E. Olsson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Zero insertion force connecting means for connecting spaced-apart conductors on a film to spaced-apart conductors on a circuit board comprises a one-piece stamped and formed spring clip. The clip has a rectangular clip bar which is spaced from the circuit board and has cantilever springs which extend from one edge of the clip bar. The springs are reversely bent so that they extend to the circuit board conductors and then from the circuit board conductors past the other side edge of the clip bar. An integral lifting bar is provided for lifting the springs away from the circuit board thereby to permit insertion of the film and positioning of the film conductors beneath the springs and against the circuit board conductors.
Claims7
A zero insertion force electrical connector clip for connecting parallel spaced-apart film conductors on a film to parallel spaced-apart circuit board conductors on a circuit board, said clip comprising:
- a one-piece stamped and formed member having a rectangular clip bar, said clip bar having ends and having first and second side edges extending between said ends, integral mounting and supporting means extending from said ends for mounting said clip on a circuit board with said clip bar spaced from, and parallel to, said circuit board and extending transversely of said circuit board conductors,
- a plurality of cantilever springs extending from said first side edge, each of said cantilever springs being reversely bent adjacent to said first side edge and having a spring arm portion between said mounting and supporting means, each of said cantilever springs extending from said spring arm portion oblilquely towards and beyond said second side edge, each of said cantilever springs having a free end portion which is adjacent to said second side edge, and
- lifting means integral with said free end portion of said cantilever spring means, said lifting means comprising a lifting bar which is integral with at least two of said cantilever springs whereby,
- upon mounting said clip on said circuit board in straddling relationship to said circuit board conductors on said circuit board and with said spring arm portions of said cantilever springs resiliently biased against said circuit board conductors, said cantilever springs can be raised from said circuit board by lifting said lifting means thereby to permit insertion of said film between said cantilever springs and said circuit board with zero insertion force.
Electrical connecting means for electrically connecting parallel spaced-apart film conductors on a film to parallel spaced-apart circuit board conductors on one surface of a circuit board, said connecting means comprising:
- a one-piece stamped and formed connector clip mounted on said circuit board, said clip comprising a rectangular clip bar having first and second side edges extending between said ends, integral mounting means extending from said ends, said clip being permanently secured to said circuit board by said mounting means,
- a plurality of spaced-apart cantilever springs extending from said first side edge, said springs being reversely bent adjacent to said first side edge and extending between said mouting means,
- said clip being located on said one surface of said circuit board in straddling relationship to said circuit board conductors with said cantilever springs in alignment with, and resiliently biased against, said circuit board conductors, said springs having end portions which extend beyond said second edge of said clip bar, and
- a lifting bar integral with said end portion of at least one of said springs, said lifting bar extending transversely of said end portions and being effective to lift said springs from said one surface of said circuit board when said lifting bar is moved away from said one surface whereby,
- upon lifting of said lifting bar away from said one surface of said circuit board, said springs are moved away from said one surface and said film can be positioned between said springs and said one surface with said film conductors in alignment with said circuit board conductors, and upon release of said lifting bar, said springs will move against said film and press said film conductors against said circuit board conductors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.