US5931692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for an array of electrical cables
Assignee: Tyco Electronics Service GmbH
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Filing: 1997-06-19
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Granted: 1999-08-03
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Expires: 2017-06-19
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector (1) constructed with a carrier (2) on which circuit traces (8) attach to signal transmitting conductors (4) of electrical cables (3), an opening (12) through the carrier (2) at which conductors (4) of the cables (3) project for electrical connection to an electrical circuit positioned at the opening (12), and at least one, or a pair of ground pads (11) on the carrier (2) to reach and connect with a ground portion of the electrical circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas John Medina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/02; H01R43/0256; H01R9/00; H01R9/03; H01R9/05; H01R9/0515; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/11; H05K1/118; H01R31/00; H01R31/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49147; Y10T29/49149
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An electrical connector for connecting respective electrical cables to an electrical circuit, and for connecting a ground bus to a ground portion of the electrical circuit at different locations, comprising: an insulating flexible carrier for positioning signal transmitting conductors of respective electrical cables for connection to an electrical circuit, the signal transmitting conductors being connected to respective conducting circuit traces on the carrier, the signal transmitting conductors projecting at an opening through the carrier for connection to the electrical circuit, conducting ground pads on the carrier, and a conducting ground bus connected to the conducting shields on respective electrical cables, the ground bus being uninsulated for attachment to the ground pads, the ground bus being attached to the ground pads, the ground bus being uninsulated for direct attachment to a ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a first location, the ground bus being severable from the ground pads when the ground bus is positioned by the carrier for direct attachment to the ground portion of the electrical circuit, and the ground pads being elongated and extending along the carrier to reach and connect with a ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a second, different location, thereby avoiding a need for different carriers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
An electrical connector for connecting respective electrical cables to an electrical circuit, and for connecting a ground bus to a ground portion of the electrical circuit at different locations, comprising: an insulating flexible carrier for positioning signal transmitting conductors of respective electrical cables for connection to an electrical circuit, the signal transmitting conductors being connected to respective conducting circuit traces on the carrier, the signal transmitting conductors projecting at an opening through the carrier for connection to the electrical circuit, conducting ground pads on the carrier, and a conducting ground bus connected to the conducting shields on respective electrical cables, the ground bus being uninsulated for attachment to the ground pads, the ground bus being attached to the ground pads, the ground bus being uninsulated for direct attachment to a ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a first location, the ground bus being severable from the ground pads when the ground bus is positioned by the carrier for direct attachment to the ground portion of the electrical circuit, and the ground pads being elongated and extending along the carrier to reach and connect with a ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a second, different location, thereby avoiding a need for different carriers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein, the ground bus is a thin and flexible strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein, the ground pads extend near opposite side edges of the opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein, the opening is between the ground pads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein, the ground pads extend on a flexible portion of the carrier, and the flexible portion of the carrier is flexible to face the ground pads toward a ground portion of the electrical circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein, a portion of the carrier is removable by severing from the signal transmitting conductors and the ground pads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1, and further comprising: an insulating portion of the carrier providing a cover for the circuit traces, the insulating portion of the carrier having a window exposing exposed portions of the circuit traces to which the signal transmitting conductors are attached, and the exposed portions of the circuit traces being coated with solder, the insulating portion of the carrier confining the solder within the window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 7 wherein, the insulating portion of the carrier having additional windows exposing exposed portions of the ground pads to which the ground bus is attached, and the exposed portions of the ground pads being coated with additional solder, and the insulating portion of the carrier confining the additional solder within the additional windows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
An electrical connector as recited in claim 1 wherein, the circuit traces have a relatively narrow, first pitch spacing and diverge to have a relatively wide, second pitch spacing for attachment thereto of the signal conductors, the circuit traces diverge from the first pitch spacing to have a relatively wide, second pitch spacing for attachment thereto of the signal conductors, and the carrier being severable to enlarge the opening and position the opening adjacent to the circuit traces on the second pitch spacing, whereby the circuit traces match the pitch spacing of the signal transmitting conductors that are attached to said circuit traces.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for connecting respective electrical cables to an electrical circuit, and for positioning a ground bus for connection to a ground portion of the electrical circuit at different locations, comprising the steps of: providing conducting circuit traces on an insulating flexible carrier, providing conducting ground pads on the carrier, attaching an uninsulated and conducting ground bus, first to the ground pads, and then to conducting shields of the respective electrical cables, extending signal transmitting conductors of the respective electrical cables over an opening through the carrier, the opening positioning the signal transmitting conductors for connection to an electrical circuit, connecting the signal transmitting conductors to the conducting circuit traces, the ground bus being uninsulated for engaging and direct attachment to a ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a first location, and extending the ground pads along the carrier to reach and connect with the ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a second, different location, thereby avoiding a need for different carriers.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for connecting respective electrical cables to an electrical circuit, and for positioning a ground bus for connection to a ground portion of the electrical circuit at different locations, comprising the steps of: providing conducting circuit traces on an insulating flexible carrier, providing conducting ground pads on the carrier, attaching an uninsulated and conducting ground bus, first to the ground pads, and then to conducting shields of the respective electrical cables, extending signal transmitting conductors of the respective electrical cables over an opening through the carrier, the opening positioning the signal transmitting conductors for connection to an electrical circuit, connecting the signal transmitting conductors to the conducting circuit traces, the ground bus being uninsulated for engaging and direct attachment to a ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a first location, and extending the ground pads along the carrier to reach and connect with the ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a second, different location, thereby avoiding a need for different carriers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as recited in claim 10, and further comprising the steps of: providing the circuit traces with a relatively narrow, first pitch spacing for attachment thereto of the signal transmitting conductors, providing the circuit traces with a relatively wide, second pitch spacing for attachment thereto of the signal conductors, whereby the circuit traces match the pitch spacing of the signal transmitting conductors that are attached to said circuit traces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 11, and further comprising the step of: severing the carrier to enlarge the opening and position the opening adjacent to the circuit traces with the second pitch spacing.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for connecting respective electrical cables to an electrical circuit, and for positioning a ground bus for connection to a ground portion of the electrical circuit at different locations, comprising the steps of: providing conducting circuit traces on an insulating flexible carrier, providing conducting ground pads on the carrier, attaching an uninsulated and conducting ground bus, first to conducting shields of the respective electrical cables, and then to the ground pads, extending the signal transmitting conductors over an opening through the carrier for connection to an electrical circuit, connecting the signal transmitting conductors of the respective electrical cables to the conducting circuit traces, the ground bus being uninsulated for engaging and direct attachment to a ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a first location, and extending the ground pads along the carrier to reach and connect with the ground portion of the electrical circuit being located at a second, different location, thereby avoiding a need for different carriers.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for connecting respective electrical cables to an electrical circuit, and for positioning a ground bus for connection to a ground portion of the electrical circuit at different locations, comprising the steps of: providing conducting circuit traces on an insulating flexible carrier, providing conducting ground pads on the carrier, attaching an uninsulated and conducting ground bus, first to conducting shields of the respective electrical cables, and then to the ground pads, extending the signal transmitting conductors over an opening through the carrier for connection to an electrical circuit, connecting the signal transmitting conductors of the respective electrical cables to the conducting circuit traces, the ground bus being uninsulated for engaging and direct attachment to a ground portion of the electrical circuit being at a first location, and extending the ground pads along the carrier to reach and connect with the ground portion of the electrical circuit being located at a second, different location, thereby avoiding a need for different carriers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as recited in claim 13, and further comprising the steps of: providing the circuit traces with a relatively narrow, first pitch spacing for attachment thereto of the signal transmitting conductors, providing the circuit traces with a relatively wide, second pitch spacing for attachment thereto of the signal conductors, whereby the circuit traces match the pitch spacing of the signal transmitting conductors that are attached to said circuit traces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 14, and further comprising the step of: severing the carrier to enlarge the opening and position the opening adjacent to the circuit traces with the second pitch spacing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-02 | 2003-02-01 | 2003-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-02 | 2007-02-01 | 2007-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-02 | 2011-02-01 | 2011-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |