Canted coil spring interposing connector
First Claim
1. An interposing connector adapted for electrically interconnecting a pattern of conductive areas of opposing spaced apart surfaces, said connector comprising:
- a housing having one or more openings therethrough and adapted to be positioned between the opposing surfaces;
a plurality of canted coil springs arranged in a predetermined pattern in said one or more openings, each of said springs being oriented so that at least three coils thereof establish electrically redundant connection points with the corresponding conductive areas of the opposing surfaces; and
means for retaining said canted coil springs in said one or more openings of said housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interposing connector for interconnecting a pattern of conductive areas of opposing spaced apart surfaces. The connector includes a housing having one or more openings therethrough. A plurality of canted coil springs are positioned within the housing so that outer coil portions are exposed to engage the conductive areas of the opposing surfaces to thereby establish the electrical interconnection. The canted coil springs are secured to the housing by retaining means, such as a retainer strip extending through the springs and secured to the housing. The springs may also be secured by heat staking or laser welding a portion thereof to the housing. The canted coil springs have a relatively constant compliance over a range of radial deflection. The springs also produce contact wipe over the conductive areas and establish redundant contact points therewith.
65 Citations
36 Claims
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1. An interposing connector adapted for electrically interconnecting a pattern of conductive areas of opposing spaced apart surfaces, said connector comprising:
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a housing having one or more openings therethrough and adapted to be positioned between the opposing surfaces; a plurality of canted coil springs arranged in a predetermined pattern in said one or more openings, each of said springs being oriented so that at least three coils thereof establish electrically redundant connection points with the corresponding conductive areas of the opposing surfaces; and means for retaining said canted coil springs in said one or more openings of said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An interposing connector adapted for electrically interconnecting a pattern of conductive areas of opposing spaced apart surfaces, the connector comprising:
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a housing having one or more openings therethrough and adapted to be positioned between the opposing surfaces; a plurality of canted coil springs arranged in a predetermined pattern, each of said springs being oriented so that at least three coils establish electrically redundant connection points with the corresponding conductive areas of the opposing surfaces; and means for retaining said canted coil springs in said one or more openings of said housing, said retaining means being positioned within each of said canted coil springs and secured to said housing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of making an interposing connector adapted for electrically interconnecting a pattern of conductive areas of opposing spaced apart surfaces, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a housing having one or more openings therethrough and adapted to be positioned between the opposing surfaces; positioning a plurality of canted coil springs in the one or more openings of the housing in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the pattern of conductive areas, with each of the springs oriented so that;
at least three coils establish electrically redundant connection points with the corresponding conductive areas of the opposing surfaces; andsecuring the plurality of canted coil springs in the one or more openings of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of making an interposing connector adapted for electrically interconnecting a pattern of conductive areas of opposing spaced apart surfaces, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a plurality of canted coil springs on a retainer strip; and securing the retainer strip to a housing having a plurality of openings therethrough arranged in a predetermined pattern so that outer coil portions of the springs are exposed on each side of the housing so as to be adapted to electrically interconnect corresponding conductive areas of the opposing surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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- 29. The method of claim 29 wherein said step of positioning the canted coil springs on the retainer strip comprises positioning a canted coil spring having alternating coiled and uncoiled portions on the retainer strip.
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34. A method of making an electrical connection between a pattern of conductive areas of opposing spaced apart surfaces, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning an interposing connector between the opposing surfaces, the connector comprising a plurality of canted coil springs arranged in a housing in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the conductive areas, with the coils secured to the housig by retainer means positioned therethrough; and securing the connector between the opposing surfaces so that outer coil portions of the springs engage the conductive areas on the surfaces to thereby establish electrical connection therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification