# US 5,707,241 A · Slide locking connector

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- Number: US 5,707,241 A
- Document ID: US5707241A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/674,296
- Filed: 1996-07-01
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1996-07-01
- Assignees: General Motors Corporation
- Inventors: Gary Joe Hamlin; Steven Arthur Musick
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707241A

## CPC

- H01R 12/62: connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
- H05K 3/365: {by abutting, i.e. without alloying process}
- H05K 3/325: by abutting or pinching; Mechanical auxiliary parts therefor
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

Generally, the invention includes a connector system for making an electrical connection between a flexible circuit and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board or semi-conductor device has contact pads for mating with the electrical traces of the flexible circuit. A mounting bar is provided and a leaf spring(s) secured thereto. The electrical traces of the flexible circuit that are aligned and overlie the leaf spring(s). Posts extend upward from the mounting bar, and the printed circuit board has slotted through holes formed therein for receiving the post. The posts of the mounting bar are inserted into the printed circuit board through holes and force is applied to the mounting bar to compress the spring(s). The flexible circuit/mounting bar assembly is then slid into the slots of the printed circuit board causing the flexible circuits contacts to wipe and come to rest in alignment with the printed circuit board contact pads.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An assembly comprising:
a flexible circuit having electrical traces as the sole element for making electrical connection between the flexible circuit and another device,
a mounting bar having at least two posts extending from a top surface and a plurality of nubs extending upwardly from the top surface,
a leaf spring having an elongated base portion having a plurality of holes formed therein for frictionally mounting the leaf spring over the nubs on the top surface of the mounting bar, said flexible circuit overlying said leaf spring so that said electrical traces are biased upward by said spring,
a printed circuit board having electrical contact pads overlying the flexible circuit and positioned so that the electrical traces are mated with the contact pads on the device,
and having a slide locking feature comprising slotted through holes having a slot for each post extending upwardly from the mounting bar for sliding around said post and locking said flexible circuit and said device in a mating relationship.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said leaf spring comprises a plurality of spaced apart fingers, each finger positioned to engage the underside of the flexible circuit at a location associated with said electrical traces to apply pressure thereto.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upwardly extending post comprises a body portion having a first width and button head portion having a second width greater than said first width and said button having a lower engagement surface extending from said body portion for frictionally engaging a top surface on said printed circuit board.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible circuit includes a plurality of holes formed therein, each hole for receiving one of said hubs and so that said flexible circuit is properly aligned for mating with the contact pad on said device.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said slotted through hole includes a first hole for receiving the button head and a slot portion for slidably and frictionally receiving the body portion of the post.