Connector isolator system

• US 20120045931A1
• Filed: 08/18/2010
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,366,468 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/544
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A connector isolator system, having a backstop spaced a fixed distance away from an interface surface; a printed circuit board (PCB) or other connector carrier member that is movable between the backstop and the interface surface, and further comprising one or more in-plane isolators; an electrical connector mounted on the connector carrier member in a position to pass through an aperture in the interface surface; and one or more biasing members arranged between the backstop and the connector carrier member for urging the connector carrier member toward the interface surface and the electrical connector through the aperture.

Claims

1. A connector isolator system, comprising:

a backstop spaced a fixed distance away from an interface surface;

a connector carrier member movable between the backstop and the interface surface, and further comprising one or more in-plane isolators;

an electrical connector mounted on the connector carrier member in a position to pass through an aperture in the interface surface; and

one or more biasing members arranged between the backstop and the connector carrier member for urging the connector carrier member toward the interface surface.

2. The connector isolator system of claim 1, further comprising one or more retainers retaining the backstop spaced at the fixed distance away from the interface surface.

3. The connector isolator system of claim 2, further comprising one or more spacers between the backstop and the interface surface.

4. The connector isolator system of claim 4, wherein the connector carrier member is movable within a fixed between the backstop and the interface surface.

5. The connector isolator system of claim 4, wherein the one or more biasing members further comprises one or more compression springs.

6. The connector isolator system of claim 4, wherein the one or more in-plane isolators are further slidable along the one or more spacers.

7. The connector isolator system of claim 6, wherein the one or more in-plane isolators further comprises an elastomeric bushing comprising a plurality of elastomeric radially projected isolation spokes spaced to sliding receive therein a respective one of the one or more spacers.

8. A connector isolator system, comprising:

a device bearing plate comprising a bearing surface and an interface surface opposite therefrom with an aperture therebetween sized for accommodating an electrical connector;

a connector carrier member positionable adjacent to the interface surface of the bearing plate and further comprising one or more in-plane isolators;

an electrical connector mounted on a first surface of the connector carrier member in a position to pass through the aperture in the bearing plate when the connector carrier member is further positioned adjacent to the interface surface of the bearing plate;

a backstop positioned adjacent to a second surface of the connector carrier member opposite from the first surface thereof having the electrical connector mounted thereon, the connector carrier member backstop being spaced an offset distance greater than a thickness of the connector carrier member away from the interface surface of the bearing plate with the connector carrier member being movably suspended therebetween;

one or more retainers retaining the backstop spaced the offset distance away from the interface surface of the bearing plate; and

one or more biasing members arranged between the second surface of the connector carrier member and the backstop for urging the connector carrier member away from the backstop and toward the interface surface of the bearing plate.

9. The connector isolator system of claim 8, further comprising one or more spacers between the backstop and the interface surface of the bearing plate.

10. The connector isolator system of claim 9, wherein each of the one or more in-plane isolators further comprises an elastomeric bushing comprising a central tube within an aperture through the connector carrier member, the elastomeric bushing further comprising a plurality of isolator spokes projecting inwardly of the central tube thereof to slidingly receive therethrough a respective one of the spacers.

11. The connector isolator system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of the biasing members arranged between the second surface of the connector carrier member and the backstop.

12. The connector isolator system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of the biasing members further comprises a plurality of compression springs.

13. The connector isolator system of claim 12, wherein the backstop further comprises a socket receiving a respective one of each of the plurality of the biasing members.

14. The connector isolator system of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of the in-plane isolators.

15. The connector isolator system of claim 8, wherein the connector carrier member further comprises a printed circuit board.

16. A connector isolator system, comprising:

a docking tray comprising a device bearing plate formed with an external bearing surface and an interface surface opposite therefrom with an aperture therebetween and sized for accommodating an electrical connector; and

an expansion module, comprising;

a connector carrier member comprising an electrical connector mounted on a first surface thereof facing toward the interface surface of the device bearing plate in a position to pass through the aperture in the bearing plate;

a backstop positioned adjacent to a second surface of the connector carrier member opposite from the first surface thereof;

a plurality of spacers positioned between the backstop and the interface surface of the bearing plate and spacing the backstop an offset distance away from the interface surface of the bearing plate, wherein the offset distance is greater than a thickness of the connector carrier member;

a plurality of retainers retaining the backstop to the plurality of spacers at the offset distance away from the interface surface of the bearing plate;

a plurality of in-plane isolators movably suspending the connector carrier member relative to the plurality of spacers between the backstop and the interface surface of the bearing plate within the offset distance therebetween; and

a plurality of biasing members arranged between the second surface of the connector carrier member and the backstop for urging the connector carrier member away from the backstop and toward the interface surface of the bearing plate.

17. The connector isolator system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of biasing members further comprises a plurality of coil compression springs.

18. The connector isolator system of claim 16, wherein the backstop further comprises a plurality of sockets sized to receive thereinto the plurality of biasing members.

19. The connector isolator system of claim 16, wherein the connector carrier member further comprises a plurality of apertures therethrough;

and

wherein the plurality of in-plane isolators further comprises an elastomeric bushing comprising upper and lower lips positioned on opposites of the connector carrier member with a central tube therebetween within the aperture through the connector carrier member, the elastomeric bushing further comprising a plurality of isolator spokes projecting inwardly of the central tube thereof spaced to slidingly receive therethrough a respective one of the spacers.

20. The connector isolator system of claim 16, wherein the connector carrier member further comprises a printed circuit board.