公开(公告)号：US5528001A

公开(公告)日：1996-06-18

申请号：US358855

申请日：1994-12-19

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts

IPC: B21D22/02 ,  B21D31/00 ,  H01R31/00 ,  H05K1/03 ,  H05K3/04 ,  H05K3/28 ,  H05K3/32 ,  H05K3/38 ,  H05K3/46 ,  H05K7/14 ,  H05K9/00 ,  H05K1/00

CPC classification number: H01R31/00 ,  H05K3/045 ,  H05K3/4614 ,  H05K7/1451 ,  H05K9/0039 ,  H05K1/036 ,  H05K2201/0195 ,  H05K2201/0355 ,  H05K2201/0367 ,  H05K2201/0382 ,  H05K2201/0715 ,  H05K2203/025 ,  H05K2203/063 ,  H05K3/281 ,  H05K3/328 ,  H05K3/386 ,  H05K3/4647 ,  Y10T29/49155

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing supported conductive networks which can be flexible or rigid, having densely packed circuits. The process and apparatus for making the conductive network involves forming a conductive material supported on a "dynamic pressure cushion" into a non-planar pattern defining the desired conductive circuits in relation to a fixed reference plane. The "dynamic pressure cushion" is a material having suitable viscosity and flow characteristics to flow out from under the conductive material as it is being formed and fill up any voids. To ensure that the "dynamic pressure cushion" properly flows without deforming the desired circuits, the die used to form the conductive material is provided with a material flow control grid and material expansion troughs. After forming the unwanted material is then mechanically removed in dimensional relation to the reference plane leaving the desired conductive circuits.

Abstract translation: 一种用于生产支撑导电网络的方法和装置，其可以是柔性的或刚性的，具有密集堆积的电路。 用于制造导电网络的方法和装置包括将支撑在“动态压力衬垫”上的导电材料形成为限定相对于固定参考平面的所需导电电路的非平面图案。 “动态压力缓冲垫”是具有适当的粘度和流动特性的材料，当它被形成时从导电材料下面流出并填充任何空隙。 为了确保“动态压力缓冲垫”适当地流动而不使所需的电路变形，用于形成导电材料的模具设置有材料流动控制网格和材料膨胀槽。 在形成不需要的材料之后，以与尺寸相关的方式机械地移除留下所需导电电路的参考平面。

公开(公告)号：US5240420A

公开(公告)日：1993-08-31

申请号：US861119

申请日：1992-03-31

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts

IPC: H01R12/55 ,  H01R13/15

CPC classification number: H01R12/714 ,  H01R12/79 ,  H01R12/737

Abstract: A connector for electrically conductive connection to electrically conductive contact pads of a circuit comprising a rigid housing; a flexible circuit housed, at least in part, in said housing and having an end portion carrying a row of conductive circuit areas on one face thereof corresponding to said row of pads; a spring structure having a resilient arched feature and being held captive by the housing while being permitted a limited desired float, the flexible circuit being captively located relative to the housing so that the areas are resiliently urged by the arched feature into electrically conductive contact with the pads when the connector is attached at a desired location to the circuit. The flexible circuit being releasable constrained in alignment with the spring structure by alignment elements of the spring structure, the alignment elements engaging a cooperating feature of the circuit to register the areas with the pads, when the connector is attached at a desired location to the circuit, with sufficient accuracy to ensure that only the desired conductive contact between the areas and the pads is achieved.

Abstract translation: 一种用于与包括刚性壳体的电路的导电接触焊盘导电连接的连接器; 柔性电路，至少部分地容纳在所述壳体中，并且具有端部，所述端部在其对应于所述一排焊盘的一个面上承载一排导电电路区域; 弹簧结构具有弹性的弓形特征并且被允许有限的期望的浮子由壳体保持住，柔性电路相对于壳体被固定地定位，使得这些区域被拱形特征弹性地推压到与 当连接器被连接到电路的期望位置时的垫片。 柔性电路可释放地通过弹簧结构的对准元件与弹簧结构对准地限制，当连接器连接到电路的所需位置时，对准元件接合电路的配合特征以对准具有焊盘的区域 ，具有足够的精度以确保仅实现区域和焊盘之间期望的导电接触。

公开(公告)号：US5099219A

公开(公告)日：1992-03-24

申请号：US662256

申请日：1991-02-28

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts

IPC: H01H69/02 ,  H01H85/00 ,  H01H85/046 ,  H01H85/43 ,  H05K1/00 ,  H05K1/02 ,  H05K1/18 ,  H05K3/28

CPC classification number: H01H85/046 ,  H05K1/0293 ,  H01H69/022 ,  H01H85/0056 ,  H01H85/43 ,  H05K1/0203 ,  H05K1/0271 ,  H05K1/0393 ,  H05K1/189 ,  H05K2201/0305 ,  H05K2201/0338 ,  H05K2201/09781 ,  H05K2201/10181 ,  H05K3/281 ,  Y10T29/49107

Abstract: A fusible flexible printed circuit includes one or more conductors extending along a flexible dielectric substrate. Each conductor is comprised of a layer of electrically conductive material and a layer of fusible material extending along part or all of said conductive layer. One or more gaps is formed in the conductive layer at location opposite a segment of the fusible layer so that electrical current flowing through each conductor is required to pass in its entirety through the layer of fusible material at the location of each gap in the layer of conductive material. The integral fuses are designed to specific electrical parameters and may be located randomly along circuit runs. Preferably, the circuit is reinforced at the locations of the fuses by metal support strips designed to minimize motion stress on the fuses and the fuses are sealed within bubbles in a protective overlay which capture debris when the fuses are blown. The use of such a circuit to incorporate a variety of fuses having different fuse ratings into the conductive paths of a flexible printed circuit is also disclosed, as is a method of making the fusible circuit.

Abstract translation: 易熔柔性印刷电路包括沿柔性电介质基片延伸的一个或多个导体。 每个导体由导电材料层和沿着所述导电层的一部分或全部延伸的可熔材料层组成。 在导电层中在可熔层的部分相对的位置处形成一个或多个间隙，使得流过每个导体的电流需要在整个通过可熔材料层的层中的每个间隙的位置 导电材料。 集成保险丝设计为特定的电气参数，可以沿电路随机定位。 优选地，电路在熔断器的位置通过设计成使熔丝上的运动应力最小化的金属支撑条加强，并且保险丝被密封在气泡内的保护覆盖层中，当保险丝被熔断时捕获碎片。 还公开了使用这种电路将具有不同熔丝额定值的各种熔丝结合到柔性印刷电路的导电路径中，以及制造可熔电路的方法。

公开(公告)号：US4446342A

公开(公告)日：1984-05-01

申请号：US290220

申请日：1981-08-05

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts

IPC: H01H1/40 ,  H01H13/12 ,  H01H13/702 ,  H01H13/70

CPC classification number: H01H13/12 ,  H01H1/403 ,  H01H13/702

Abstract: The present invention provides low cost electrical switch assemblies. The switch assembly comprises an array of resiliently flexible metallic conductors arranged in predetermined circuit pathways on a dielectric carrier panel. A plurality of apertures or cavities are provided at predetermined locations in the carrier panel. The switch contacts comprise a pair of generally L-shaped fingers which are integral extensions of the flexible conductors. The fingers extend cantilevered from opposite edge surfaces of the carrier panel defining an associated aperture or cavity, to beyond the geometric center of the said associated aperture or cavity, with the free ends of the fingers terminating adjacent one another. The free ends of the L-shaped fingers extend in part above or below the plane of the carrier panel, and are positioned in spaced relationship to one another so that the conductors they connect are normally open, but are sufficiently close to one another so that slight deflection of the fingers from their normal orientation moves the free ends in contact with each other to thereby close the switch. Alternatively, the free ends of the L-shaped fingers are positioned in contact with one another so that slight deflection of the fingers from their normal orientation breaks their contact. Completing the switch assembly is a protective overlay covering the conductors and switch contacts at least in part, formed of a flexible dielectric material.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了低成本的电气开关组件。 开关组件包括布置在介电载体面板上的预定电路路径中的弹性柔性金属导体的阵列。 在载体面板中的预定位置处设置多个孔或空腔。 开关触点包括一对大致L形的指状物，它们是柔性导体的整体延伸部分。 指状物从承载板的相对的边缘表面悬臂限定相关联的孔或空腔，超出所述相关联的孔或空腔的几何中心，而手指的自由端彼此相邻地终止。 L形指状物的自由端在承载板的平面的上方或下方部分延伸，并且彼此间隔开定位，使得它们连接的导体通常是敞开的，但彼此足够接近，使得 手指从其正常方向的轻微偏转使自由端彼此接触，从而闭合开关。 或者，L形指状物的自由端定位成彼此接触，使得手指从其正常方向的轻微偏转破坏其接触。 完成开关组件是至少部分地由柔性电介质材料形成的覆盖导体和开关触点的保护层。

公开(公告)号：US4223435A

公开(公告)日：1980-09-23

申请号：US934702

申请日：1978-08-21

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts

IPC: H01R12/71 ,  H05K3/06 ,  H05K3/28 ,  H05K3/30 ,  H05K3/32 ,  H05K3/40

CPC classification number: H05K3/326 ,  H05K3/4092 ,  H05K2201/0397 ,  H05K2201/1059 ,  H05K2203/0369 ,  H05K3/06 ,  H05K3/062 ,  H05K3/281 ,  H05K3/306 ,  Y10T29/49126

Abstract: The present invention provides an apertured circuit board having self-locking terminals which partially cover at least some of the apertures. The terminals, which are integral extensions of the circuit pathways, each include a pair of inwardly disposed generally L-shaped fingers. The terminals are adhesively anchored to the circuit board at the terminal peripheries and are covered in part by a dielectric overlay. The latter also provides environmental protection and electrical insulation to the circuit conductive pathways. The circuit board and integral sockets may be formed by photoimaging and chemical milling techniques.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供一种具有自锁端子的有孔电路板，其部分地覆盖至少一些孔。 作为电路通路的整体延伸部的端子各自包括一对向内设置的大致L形的手指。 端子在端子周围粘合地锚定到电路板，并且被绝缘覆盖部分覆盖。 后者还为电路导电通路提供环保和电绝缘。 电路板和集成插座可以通过光学成像和化学研磨技术形成。

公开(公告)号：US4187388A

公开(公告)日：1980-02-05

申请号：US898623

申请日：1978-04-21

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts

IPC: H01R12/55 ,  H05K3/06 ,  H05K3/28 ,  H05K3/30 ,  H05K3/32 ,  H05K3/40 ,  H05K1/10

CPC classification number: H05K3/326 ,  H05K2201/0397 ,  H05K2201/099 ,  H05K2201/1059 ,  H05K3/06 ,  H05K3/062 ,  H05K3/281 ,  H05K3/306 ,  H05K3/4092

Abstract: The present invention provides an apertured circuit board having self-locking terminals which partially cover at least some of the apertures. The terminals, which are integral extensions of the circuit pathways, are adhesively anchored to the circuit board at the terminal peripheries and are covered in part by a dielectric overlay. The latter also provides environmental protection and electrical insulation to the circuit conductive pathways. A particular feature and advantage of the invention resides in the provision of an integral tie-down shoulder on each terminal for capturing by the dielectric overlay. The circuit board and integral sockets may be formed by photoimaging and chemical resist techniques.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供一种具有自锁端子的有孔电路板，其部分地覆盖至少一些孔。 作为电路通路的整体延伸部分的端子在端子周围被粘结地锚定到电路板上，并被电介质覆盖部分覆盖。 后者还为电路导电通路提供环保和电绝缘。 本发明的一个特征和优点在于在每个端子上提供一个完整的绑扎肩，用于由电介质覆盖层进行捕获。 电路板和集成插座可以通过光成像和化学抗蚀剂技术形成。

公开(公告)号：US06755683B2

公开(公告)日：2004-06-29

申请号：US10203417

申请日：2002-08-08

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts ,  Jonathan F. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts ,  Jonathan F. Roberts

IPC: H01R2366

CPC classification number: H01R12/79 ,  H01R12/777 ,  H01R13/15

Abstract: A connector for connecting conductors of a flexible circuit to conductive elements comprising a one-piece, plastic housing defining at least one opening for access to the connector for contact with conductors of a flexible circuit located in the connector and biased for conductive contact with electrical contacts by a contact biasing spring, the flexible circuit and spring being mounted to a sled located in the housing and the sled having detents to engage respective openings in the housing to support the sled, and an associated method is also provided.

Abstract translation: 用于将柔性电路的导体连接到导电元件的连接器，其包括一体式塑料壳体，其限定用于接触连接器的至少一个开口，用于与位于连接器中的柔性电路的导体接触并被偏置以与电触点 通过接触偏置弹簧，柔性电路和弹簧被安装到位于壳体中的滑动件，并且滑板具有棘爪以与壳体中的相应开口接合以支撑滑架，并且还提供了相关联的方法。

公开(公告)号：US5477612A

公开(公告)日：1995-12-26

申请号：US16002

申请日：1993-02-10

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts

IPC: H05K1/09 ,  H01R12/04 ,  H01R31/00 ,  H05K1/02 ,  H05K1/03 ,  H05K3/00 ,  H05K3/04 ,  H05K3/06 ,  H05K3/20 ,  H05K3/28 ,  H05K3/32 ,  H05K3/38 ,  H05K3/46 ,  H05K7/14 ,  H05K9/00 ,  H05K3/02

CPC classification number: H05K7/1451 ,  H01R31/00 ,  H05K3/045 ,  H05K3/4614 ,  H05K9/0039 ,  H05K1/036 ,  H05K2201/0195 ,  H05K2201/0355 ,  H05K2201/0367 ,  H05K2201/0382 ,  H05K2201/0715 ,  H05K2203/025 ,  H05K2203/063 ,  H05K3/281 ,  H05K3/328 ,  H05K3/386 ,  H05K3/4647 ,  Y10T29/49083 ,  Y10T29/49155 ,  Y10T29/49156 ,  Y10T29/49217 ,  Y10T29/49222 ,  Y10T29/49906

Abstract: A supported conductive network (SCN), which can be flexible or rigid, can have self-aligning conductors which connect with corresponding conductors of other networks. The conductive network can be fabricated into densely packed contact clusters for use as electrical interconnectors or circuits. The methods and apparatus for making the conductive network involve forming a sheet of conductive material into ridges and troughs one of which defines the conductive network and the other of which is waste material and then mechanically removing the waste material. The conductive network thus formed is supported by a dielectric layer.

Abstract translation: 可以是柔性或刚性的支撑导电网络（SCN）可以具有与其他网络的相应导体连接的自对准导体。 导电网络可以制成密集的接触簇，用作电连接器或电路。 用于制造导电网络的方法和装置包括将导电材料片形成为脊和槽，其中一个限定了导电网络，另一个限定了导电网络，另一个是废料，然后机械地除去废料。 由此形成的导电网络由电介质层支撑。

公开(公告)号：US5421738A

公开(公告)日：1995-06-06

申请号：US268245

申请日：1994-06-29

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts

IPC: H01R12/72 ,  H01R12/79 ,  H01R12/87 ,  H01R9/07

CPC classification number: H01R12/721 ,  H01R12/79 ,  H01R12/87

Abstract: A connector for connecting conductor areas of a flexible circuit to contact pads of a PC board edge connector in which the connector pivotably supports a pair of springs which pivot to a first position, upon insertion of a PC board through the board opening of the connector, in which frictional engagement between the PC board edge connector and the conductor areas is minimized, and, a second position during final insertion of the PC board edge connector into the connector, in which the springs provide a sufficient contact pressure for adequate electrical contact between the conductors areas of the flexible circuit and the contact pads of the PC board edge connector. The pivotable arrangement of the springs minimizes the wear and tear of the internal components and the contact pads while ensuring adequate electrical connection between the interconnected components.

Abstract translation: 一种用于将柔性电路的导体区域连接到PC板边缘连接器的接触垫的连接器，其中，当PC板穿过连接器的板开口插入时，连接器可枢转地支撑枢转到第一位置的一对弹簧， 其中PC板边缘连接器和导体区域之间的摩擦接合被最小化，以及在PC板边缘连接器最后插入连接器期间的第二位置，其中弹簧提供足够的接触压力以在 柔性电路的导体区域和PC板边缘连接器的接触焊盘。 弹簧的可枢转布置使得内部部件和接触垫的磨损和撕裂最小化，同时确保互连部件之间的充分电连接。

公开(公告)号：US5350319A

公开(公告)日：1994-09-27

申请号：US41964

申请日：1993-04-02

Applicant: Joseph A. Roberts

Inventor： Joseph A. Roberts

IPC: H01R12/77 ,  H01R12/79 ,  H01R9/09 ,  H01R23/70

CPC classification number: H01R12/79 ,  H01R12/772

Abstract: A connector for connecting flexible circuit conductors to contact pads of a PC board edge connector having a snap together housing of modular design having leaf springs used to resiliently bias the flexible circuits for contacting the pads, a slot for receiving the PC board edge connector, coil springs adjacent the slot for retaining the inserted PC board edge connector in the slot an alignment arrangement for alignment of the conductors and pads, protection for the free end regions of the flexible circuits and strain relief features, the connector being usable with conductors spaced 0.3 mm or less apart, and being easily assembled and disassembled.

Abstract translation: 用于将柔性电路导体连接到PC板边缘连接器的接触焊盘的连接器，其具有具有用于弹性偏置用于接触焊盘的柔性电路的板簧的模块化设计的卡扣式壳体，用于接收PC板边缘连接器的槽，线圈 与插槽相邻的弹簧用于将插入的PC板边缘连接器保持在槽中，用于对准导体和焊盘的对准布置，保护柔性电路的自由端区域和应变消除特征，该连接器可用于间隔0.3mm的导体 或更小的间隔，并且易于组装和拆卸。