Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-27
2001-06-12
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C439S352000, C439S492000, C439S495000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244890
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to connectors for electrically interconnecting flat flexible circuitry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A flat flexible circuit conventionally includes an elongated flat flexible dielectric substrate having laterally spaced strips of conductors on one or both sides thereof. The conductors may be covered with a thin, flexible protective layer on one or both sides of the circuit. If protective layers are used, cutouts are formed therein to expose the underlying conductors at desired contact locations where the conductors are to engage the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device which may be a second flat flexible circuit, a printed circuit board or the terminals of a mating connector.
A wide variety of connectors have been designed over the years for terminating or interconnecting flat flexible circuits with complementary mating connecting devices. Major problems continue to plague such connectors, particularly in the area of cost and reliability. Not only is the direct material costs of such connectors unduly high, but an undue amount of labor time is required in assembling such connectors. The present invention is directed to solving these problems by providing an extremely simple, inexpensive and reliable connector structure not heretofore available. However, the concepts of the present invention may be applicable for a variety of electrical connectors other than those specifically designed for a flat flexible circuit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved electrical connector, such as a connector for flat flexible circuitry.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a new and improved male connector is shown for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. However, the concepts of the invention are not limited to male connectors. The connector includes a body member on which the flexible circuit is positioned, with the conductors of the circuit facing away from the body member. At least one cantilevered latch arm projects from the body member for latching the male connector to the complementary mating connecting device. A resilient web is joined between the latch arm and the body member. The resilient web performs the functions of providing an anti-overstress means and a spring means for the cantilevered latch arm as well as acting as an anti-snagging feature of the connector.
As disclosed herein, the body member, including the latch arm, is unitarily molded of relatively rigid plastic material, and the resilient web is fabricated of an elastomeric material such as silicone rubber. The resilient web may be molded substantially about the cantilevered latch arm near a distal end thereof. The body member may be elongated, and including a pair of the latch arms and a corresponding pair of the resilient webs at opposite ends of the body member.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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Fuerst Robert M.
LePottier Yves
Watt Russell J.
Bradley Paula
Caldwell Stacey E.
Molex Incorporated
Nguyen Truc
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