Flat conductor flat cable adaptor
AssigneeThomas & Betts Corporation
InventorJohn N. Navarro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adaptor to be adhered to one surface of a flat conductor flat cable to permit the individual flat conductors to be aligned with the contacts in a round conductor flat cable. The adaptor has an undulating upper surface which permits alignment between the round conductor alignment ridges and the flat conductor cable. Made of a permeable, elastic memory material, after the contacts break it, it recovers to provide support for the cable, prevent lateral shifts of the contacts and fill the void created by introducing a flat conductor cable between the base and cover of the connector.
Claims15
An adaptor for attachment to a substantially planar surface of a flat cable having a plurality of spaced conductors therein, said adaptor comprising:
- a layer of non-conductive material having a first substantially flat planar surface and a second undulating surface opposite said first surface and defining a plurality of periodically disposed crests and troughs, said layer of non-conductive material having two opposed marginal edges, said crests and troughs extending transversely thereto, a plurality of notches in at least one of said marginal edges and spaced therealong at intervals substantially the same as the periodic distance between crests;
- a layer of adhesive on said first planar surface for adherence to said surface of said flat cable;
- and at least one stiffener element contained within said layer of non-conductive material to provide stiffness thereto.
In combination, a flat cable having a top substantially planar surface, a bottom substantially planar surface and a plurality of substantially parallel conductors extending therein, said conductors being spaced apart at predetermined intervals;
- and an alignment adaptor attached to said flat cable, said adaptor including a layer of non-conductive material having a first substantially planar surface with a layer of adhesive adhered thereto and to one of said top or bottom surfaces of said flat cable, and a second undulating surface defining a plurality of periodically disposed crests and troughs, the periodic interval being such that said crests and troughs of said undulating surface are aligned with the conductors of said flat cable.
A kit of parts comprising:
- (a) a flat cable having a top substantially planar surface and a bottom substantially planar surface and a plurality of substantially parallel conductors extending therein, said conductors being spaced apart at predetermined intervals;
- and
- (b) an adaptor adapted to be attached to one of said bottom or top surfaces, said adaptor including a layer of non-conductive material having a first substantially planar surface and a second undulating surface defining a plurality of periodically disposed crests and troughs, and a layer of adhesive on said first surface adapted to be adhered to said one of said bottom or top surfaces such that said crests and troughs are aligned with the conductors of said flat cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.