Contact strip-to-flex bushing connector

• US 4,986,763 A
• Filed: 03/06/1989
• Issued: 01/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Original Assignee: Dynabook Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Boyle, Dennis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DESMOND, EUGENE
• Application Number:
  US07/319,156
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 439/15, 439/164, 439/165, 179/117 F, 179/117 FR
• US Class Current: 439/165
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/02 Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/00 Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts

Abstract

The liquid crystal display of a portable computer is pivotally mounted with respect to a base fixed to the computer chassis. The pivot mount is effected by means of a pivot shaft arrangement that operates, in addition, to secure the opposite end portions of a circuit strip extending between and electrically connecting the terminals on the display and the base, respectively. The pivot shaft is axially split to secure an intermediate portion of the circuit strip whereby that portion of the circuit strip that extends from the base is windingly received on the exterior of the shaft to accommodate pivotal movement of the display. The other end of the strip is secured within the split segments of the shaft and extends axially therefrom within the display housing.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing an electrical conductor for extension between a fixed member and a pivoted member mounted for angular movement with respect to said fixed member, comprising:

means for securing said electrical conductor at one end to said fixed member;

means for securing said electrical conductor at the other end to said pivoted member;

a generally cylindrical body forming a shaft fixed to said pivoted member for journalled movement in said fixed member;

means on said shaft for windingly receiving a first portion of said conductor intermediate the ends thereof and extending from said fixed member;

an axially extending separation in said shaft forming opposed semicylindrical body portions securing a second portion of said conductor adjacent said first portion therebetween coincident with the movement of the movable end of said conductor, said first portion of said conductor extending to said separation radially over the external surface of said shaft and said second portion of said conductor being substantially parallel to said separation in extending to said pivoted member.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said shaft is a load bearing member for securing said pivoted member to said fixed member for pivoted movement with respect thereto.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said shaft is formed with an annular recess for guidingly receiving said conductor first portion during winding upon the exterior surface of said shaft.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said shaft includes an integrally formed anchor portion for preventing relative angular movement between said shaft and said pivoted member.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 or 4 in which said electrical conductor comprises an elongated flexible strip of generally C-shape containing a plurality of electrical circuits.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said C-shaped conductor has mutually parallel legs each terminating in the respective ends of said conductor and said conductor includes a section containing said first and second portions disposed intermediate said legs and perpendicular thereto for engagement by said shaft.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said shaft attaches said intermediate section closely adjacent said second portion to define a region of slack in said conductor between said first portion and said shaft.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said shaft includes a flexible connector portion integral with said body.

9. For use with a computer having a chassis, a display carried by said chassis, a base for mounting said display for pivoted movement therebetween, and electrical terminals in said display and said base respectively, apparatus for securing an electrical conductor for extension between said respective terminals, comprising:

means for securing said electrical conductor at one end to said terminal in said base;

means for securing said electrical conductor at the other end to said terminal in said display;

a shaft fixed to said display for pivoted movement therewith;

means on said shaft for windingly receiving a first portion of said conductor extending from said one end; and

means on said shaft for attaching a second portion of said conductor extending from said other end for movement coincident with movement of said display.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which said shaft contains an axially extending separation for securing said conductor;

said first portion of said conductor extending to said separation radially over the external surface of said shaft; and

said second portion extending substantially parallel to said separation.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which said shaft is cylindrically formed for journalled rotation in said fixed member.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which said shaft is a load bearing member for securing said display to said base for pivoted movement therewith.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which said shaft is formed with an annular recess for guidingly receiving said conductor during winding upon the exterior surface of said shaft.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which said shaft includes an integrally formed anchor portion for preventing relative angular movement between said shaft and said display.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 14 in which said electrical conductor comprises an elongated flexible strip containing a plurality of electrical circuits.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which said electrical conductor is of generally C-shape having legs that are substantially mutually parallel in extent and including a section intermediate said legs and perpendicular thereto, said section containing said first and second portions for engagement by said shaft.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which said shaft engages said section closely adjacent said second portion to define a region of slack in said conductor between said first portion and said shaft.

18. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 14 in which said shaft is defined by a body containing oppositely spaced semicylindrical body portions;

and a flexible connector portion integral with said body portions permitting folding of said body portions to form said cylindrical shaft.