Method and apparatus for building and testing electronic circuits
First Claim
1. A method of constructing a magnetically attractive circuit board, comprising the steps of:
- positioning conductive paths on an insulating material by attaching conductive metallic foil on one side of the insulating material; and
placing the other side of the insulated material over a magnetically attractive material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system with a magnetically attractive breadboard and associated devices for constructing and testing electronic circuits. The breadboard can comprise a single or multi-layer circuit board with metallic foil conductors that can be connected to magnetically attractive pads. Electrical contacts between the pads and foil conductors can be made by wrapping the foil over an edge of insulating material. The insulating material can comprise a flexible insulation sheet with the desired circuit printed thereon. The electronic components are preferably supported by component holders which contain magnets that are attracted to the breadboard. The component holders facilitate attachment of the components to the foil conductors. A circuit can be built by selecting the desired component holder, plugging the component into the component holder, and then attaching the component holder to the breadboard on the proper foil conductor to complete the circuit.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of constructing a magnetically attractive circuit board, comprising the steps of:
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positioning conductive paths on an insulating material by attaching conductive metallic foil on one side of the insulating material; and
placing the other side of the insulated material over a magnetically attractive material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A circuit board, comprising:
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electronic components with leads providing contacts;
conductors for connecting said electronic components;
magnets for securing said contacts of said electronic components to said conductors;
a breadboard comprising magnetically attractive material;
magnet-containing holders for holding said electronic components and containing said magnets; and
said magnets being sufficient-magnetic strength to securely engage said magnetically attractive material. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for building or testing an electronic circuit, comprising:
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a circuit board providing a breadboard comprising a substantially imperforate electrically conductive support having a magnetically engageable surface, said electrically conductive support comprising a magnetically attractive material for engaging and being attracted to one or more natural magnets;
an electronic circuit comprising one or more electronic devices connected to electrical conductors;
said electronic devices comprising one or more electronic components with leads providing electrical contacts engaging said conductors, said conductors comprising electrically conductive metallic foil positioned between said electronic devices and said breadboard;
an insulating support comprising an electrical insulating non-magnetic material positioned between a substantial amount of said conductors and said breadboard, said insulating support having a conductor-engaging support surface for engaging and supporting a substantial amount of said conductors and having a breadboard-facing surface for engaging said magnetically engageable surface of said electrically conductive support of said breadboard;
one or more natural magnets for magnetically engaging said magnetically engageable surface of said electrically conductive support of said breadboard to secure said insulating support to said magnetically engageable surface of said electrically conductive support of said breadboard and to securely connect said electrical contacts of said electronic devices to said conductors; and
one or more holders for holding said magnets and supporting said electronic devices to removably and detachably connect said electronic devices to said conductors of said electronic circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification