Radio-telephone cradle connector

Details Radio-telephone cradle connector Radio-telephone cradle connector

1997-06-30

1998-09-15

Nguyen, Khiem

Electrical connectors

Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...

439 78, 439136, H01R 2900

Patent

active

058071237

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a connector for interconnecting a radio-telephone to its base station for signal and power transmission, with a means for preventing electrostatic discharge from damaging the base station circuitry.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
It is common to find radio-telephones with a plurality of planar contact faces disposed in a row along a bottom surface of the radio-telephone, for interconnection to power and signal contacts whilst the telephone is positioned on a cradle on the base station. This electrical connection provides not only electrical power for recharging the radio-telephone batteries, but also signals for controlling and communicating with the telephone whilst the telephone is on the base station. As the telephone needs to be removed and replaced from its cradle, the cradle connector (i.e. the connector positioned in the base station for connection to the contacts of the radio-telephone) needs to allow for a relatively large variation in tolerance in the positioning of the radio-telephone contacts in relation to the size of the connector.
Due to the frequent removal and repositioning of the radio-telephone on its cradle, there is a need for a reliable connection over the life of the telephone whilst adjusting to the large tolerances in positioning. There is also a need to protect the circuitry of the base station, in particular from electrostatic discharges that could occur between an external device, or between the contacts of the cradle connector when exposed to the environment as is the case when the telephone is removed. There is of course a continuous demand on provision of a more compact and cost-effective connection system.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a cradle connector that can adjust to a relatively large tolerance in the positioning of the complementary contacts, in a compact, cost-effective and reliable manner.
It is another object of this invention to provide a cradle connector that is protected from electrostatic discharge in a cost-effective, compact and reliable manner.
The objects of this invention have been achieved by providing a cradle connector having a connection end for electrical connection to electronic circuitry of a base station, and a contact end for connection to a removable device, wherein supple spring means are provided between the connection end and the contact end, wherein two or more contacts of the connector are provided with extensions proximate the contact for abutting against a short circuiting bar positioned within the connector. In an embodiment of this invention, the short circuiting bar is integrally moulded to a housing of the connector and positioned proximate a top wall of the housing proximate the contacts. The short circuiting bar could be in the shape of a wire interconnecting a plurality of cradle connectors during manufacturing for cost-effective transportation and handling thereof. The shorting bar could be earthed by connecting one of the contacts to grounding circuitry of the base station.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through a cradle connector;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a plurality of contacts of the cradle connector, and a shorting bar; and
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a cradle connector.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, an electrical cradle connector 2 is shown comprising an insulative housing 4 having terminal receiving cavities 6 extending from a mating end 8 to a printed circuit board mounting end 10, and terminals 12 mounted in the cavities 6. The connector 2 also comprises a shorting bar 14 positioned against a top wall 16 of the housing 4.
The contact 12 comprises a connection section 18, a spring section 20, and a contact section 22. The connection section 18 comprises a printed circuit board mounting post 24 projecting below the mounting surface 10 for insertion into plated through holes of a printed circuit board. The

REFERENCES:
patent: 3894203 (1975-07-01), Diehr
patent: 4734051 (1988-03-01), Burns
patent: 4778404 (1988-10-01), Pass
patent: 4954087 (1990-09-01), Lauks et al.

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