Electrical connectors – Including or for use with tape cable – With mating connection region formed by bared cable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2001-01-30
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Including or for use with tape cable
With mating connection region formed by bared cable
C439S495000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179648
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a connector assembly and an associated male connector assembly. The invention is particularly useful for, but not necessarily limited to, releasibly connecting flexible flat electrically conductive strips to circuit boards and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
When releasibly connecting conductors such as wires of flat strips to a circuit board, the connector used is usually relatively expensive to manufacture.
Examples indicative of prior art connectors include U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,831. This patent describes an assembly for mounting electrical connectors on an edge of a circuit board. The assembly has a fastener that is typically a pair of molded blocks each having a rear groove and ledge.
Another example of prior art connectors is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,094. In this patent a connector assembly comprising a molded elastomeric connector for connecting adjacent circuits boards is described.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,166 another connector assembly is described. This connector has a locking arrangement comprising resilient fingers that engage apertures on a circuit board.
The prior art connectors and connector assemblies are usually relatively expensive to manufacture. It would therefore be useful if an alternative connector and connector assembly was made available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a male connector assembly comprising:
a former;
a foldable substrate supporting a plurality of elongate electrical conductors that are electrically coupled to respective connector pads, said substrate being folded adjacent on end thereof to provide a connector portion, wherein opposite inwardly facing surfaces of said connector portion are adhered to said former;
one or more mounting pads associated with an outer facing surface of said connector portion; and
at least one solder deposit protruding from a respective one of said mounting pads.
Preferably, said solder deposit in substantially spherical.
Suitably, said former is substantially rigid. Alternatively, said former may preferably be resilient.
Preferably, said electrical conductors are covered along a length thereof.
Suitably, a length of said electrical conductors are uncovered at said connector portion to provide said connector pads.
Preferably, said connector pads are associated with an opposite outer facing surface to the surface associated with said mounting pads A connector assembly comprising:
a former;
a foldable substrate supporting a plurality of elongate electrical conductors that are electrically coupled to respective connector pads, said substrate being folded adjacent on end thereof to provide a connector portion, wherein opposite inwardly facing surfaces of said connector portion are adhered to said former;
a plurality of mounting pads associated with an outer facing surface of said connector portion;
at least one solder deposit protruding from a respective one of said mounting pads;
a socket engaging said connector portion;
at least one recess in a wall of said socket for engaging a respective said solder deposit; and
electrical contacts associated with said socket, said electrical contacts being electrically coupled to one or more respective ones of said connector pads.
Suitably, said former is substantially rigid and said electrical contacts are biased. Alternatively, said former may preferably be resilient.
Preferably, said electrical conductors are covered along a length thereof.
Suitably, a length of said electrical conductors are uncovered at said connector portion to provide said connector pads.
Preferably, said connector pads are associated with an opposite outer facing surface to the surface associated with said mounting pads.
Preferably, said socket is mounted to a circuit board.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5403202 (1995-04-01), Roehling
patent: 5690510 (1997-11-01), Chishima
Cheah Chee Ghee
Ng Siew In
Bradley Paula
Dorinski Dale W.
Gilman Alexander
Motorola Inc.
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