Compression connector for connecting a flat flexible circuit to a printed circuit board

A connector for electrically connecting the conductor pads of a flat flexible circuit to the conductor pads of a printed circuit board, comprising:

• carrier means for carrying said flexible circuit in a fixed position with respect to said carrier means with said conductor pads of said flexible cable facing outward from one side of said carrier means;
• positioning means for positioning said conductor pads of said flexible circuit for connection to the conductor pads of said printed circuit board;
• an actuator slidably engaged with an opposite side of said carrier means and movable between a first position corresponding to a disengaged position and a second position corresponding to an engaged position;
• a tension spring mounted on said actuator;
• a cage structure secured to said printed circuit board and having a top wall covering said conductor pads of said printed circuit board;
• said spring positioned to engage said top wall to effect compression of said spring in response to movement of said actuator from said first position to said second position while said conductor pads of said flexible circuit are positioned for connection to the conductor pads of said printed circuit board, whereby the compression of the spring exerts downward force on said carrier means to effect good electrical connection between said conductor pads of said flat flexible circuit and said conductor pads of said printed circuit board.

A connector for electrically connecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a printed circuit board, comprising:

• a flexible circuit carrier having a first side carrying said flexible circuit and an opposite side;
• said flexible circuit including a contact area at one end thereof, said flexible circuit further including a pair of cut-out portions adjacent said contact area;
• an interposer having electrical contacts for establishing electrical connection between said flexible circuit and said printed circuit board and including portions defining a pair of openings therethrough;
• said interposer positioned against said contact area of said flexible circuit in electrical contact therewith, said openings of said interposer in registration with said cut-out portions of said flexible circuit;
• a pair of pegs extending from said carrier and retaining said interposer to said flexible circuit;
• said pegs extending through said cut-out portions in said flexible circuit and through said openings in said interposer and having further extending peg portions extending outward from said interposer and away from said flexible circuit;
• said printed circuit board including portions defining a pair of mounting holes for receiving said further extending peg portions at locations for properly positioning said interposer for electrical connection to said conductors of said printed circuit board;
• an actuator slidably engaged with said carrier and positioned on said opposite side of said carrier;
• said actuator having a front end and a back end and being movable between an engaged position wherein said front end is in general alignment with said interposer and peg portions and a disengaged position wherein said front end is out of alignment with said interposer and peg portions;
• a cage member secured to said printed circuit board having a top wall and side walls and covering said mounting holes;
• and
• a spring member mounted on the front end of said actuator and positioned to engage said top wall of said cage member and to compress said flexible circuit against said interposer and said circuit board to facilitate good electrical connection therebetween in response to the positioning of the peg in the mounting hole and subsequent movement of said actuator from said disengaged position to said engaged position.