Method of manufacturing electrical connector
AssigneeTektronix, Inc.
InventorWilliam E. Berg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure describes an electrical connector for joining microcircuit or microcircuit modules, such as leadless integrated or hybrid circuit carriers to utilization means, such as printed or etched circuit boards or similar means. The electrical contacts through which the microcircuit and utilization means are connected are formed and etched in place on an elastomeric material, precisely located; the material acting as a restoring force to maintain connection. The connector when used in a system maintains transmission line mediums in a single environment.
Claims13
The process of securing metal contacts to elastomeric material comprising:
- using a metal having mild spring characteristics and medium yield strength;
- subjecting said metal to a photo process for forming said contacts;
- injecting an elastomeric material onto said photo processed metal according to a generated pattern at a temperature above room temperature;
- outgassing the injected material and metal by baking at a temperature above room temperature;
- and
- etching the outgassed injected material and metal to remove excess material leaving the metal contacts secured to the elastomeric material.
A method of manufacturing an electrical contact defining a metallic element fixed to a supporting elastomeric element, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) defining a contact area on one surface of a sheet of metallic material;
- (b) molding an elastomeric material onto another surface of said sheet material opposite that defining said contact area;
- (c) removing from said elastomeric material that portion of said metallic material not defining said contact area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.