Converter-type circuit connector for linking electronic devices

• US 5,217,394 A
• Filed: 09/10/1992
• Issued: 06/08/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ho, Ming-Chiao
• Original Assignee: Ho, Ming-Chiao
• Inventors: Ho, Ming-Chiao
• Primary Examiner(s): MCGLYNN, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US07/942,860
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 439/74, 439/76, 439/620, 439/638
• US Class Current: 439/620.21
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/62 connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

A converter-type circuit connector for linking electronic devices. Preferably, the converter-type connector comprises a D-type 50-point contact connector, a converter circuit board having an upper and lower circuit boards, two D-type 25-point contact connectors, upper and lower covers, and an iron panel, the D-type 50-point contact connector having a male configuration and both lateral sides thereof being indented with grooves for fastening the connector to an electronic device. Inside the converter-type connector, two rows of electrical conductors exit the back of the D-type 50-point contact connector. Each electrical conductor is angled at 90 degrees and connects with the converter circuit board. The 50-point contact connector defines the front of the converter-type circuit connector, the housing of which is defined by the upper and lower covers. The contacts of the 50 point contact connector are electrically connected, through the electrical conductors and the converter circuit board, to the pair of D-type 25-point contact connectors. The pair of 25-point contact connectors are affixed to the iron panel at an opposite side of the converter-type circuit connector from the 50 point contact connector. The iron panel thus defines the back of the converter-type circuit connector. One D-type 25-point contact connector is connected to a second set of electrical conductors, also angled at 90 degrees and directly welded and affixed to the lower circuit board. The other D-type 25-point contact connector is connected to the lower circuit board by way of a ribbon cable.

Claims

1. A converter-type circuit connector for linking electronic devices, said converter-type circuit connector comprising:

housing means having a front end and back end;

converter circuit board for converting signals from said electronic devices, said converter circuit board being contained within said housing means and comprising an upper circuit board and a lower circuit board substantially parallel to upper circuit board;

D-type 50-point contact connector defining the front end of said housing means, for physically and electrically connecting the converter-type connector to one of said electronic devices, said D-type 50-point contact connector being electrically connected to the converter circuit board by way of a set of electrical conductors which exit the D-type 50-point contact connector and are received by said converter circuit board in a substantially perpendicular manner;

panel means defining the back end of said housing means, said panel means having at least two openings;

first D-type 25-point contact connector mounted in one of said at least two openings and electrically connected to the converter circuit board by a second set of conductors, said second set of conductors exiting the first D-type 25-point contact connector so as to intersect said converter circuit board in a substantially perpendicular manner; and

second D-type 25-point contact connector mounted in another one of said at least two openings and electrically connected to the converter circuit board by a ribbon cable.

2. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 1, wherein said panel means comprises a substantially flat iron panel.

3. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 1, further comprising male and female board-to-board connectors for electrically interconnecting said upper and lower circuit boards.

4. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 1, wherein said D-type 50-point contact connector is constructed in a male configuration and comprises a pair of laterally disposed grooves for engaging a corresponding female socket in one of said electronic devices, whereby the converter-type circuit connector is physically supported by the female socket.

5. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 1, wherein said set of electrical conductors exiting the D-type 50-point contact connector is arranged to form two rows of conductors, each of said conductors being downwardly bent to form right angles and welded to the lower circuit board such that during insertion or removal of the D-type 50-point contact connector from one of said electronic devices, any force applied is distributed across the converter circuit board to the housing means.

6. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 1, wherein said housing means comprises an upper cover and a lower cover.

7. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 6, wherein said upper cover further comprises at least one clamping hook and said lower cover comprises at least one clamping groove;

said at least one clamping hook engaging said at least one clamping groove to securely join said upper and lower covers.

8. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 7, further comprising a screw passing through an opening in said lower cover and threadedly engaging said upper cover to securely join said upper and lower covers.

9. A converter-type circuit connector for linking electronic devices, said converter-type circuit connector comprising:

housing means having a front end and back end;

converter circuit board for converting signals from said electronic devices, said converter circuit board being contained within said housing means and comprising an upper circuit board and a lower circuit board substantially parallel to upper circuit board;

D-type 50-point contact connector defining the front end of said housing means, for physically and electrically connecting the converter-type connector to one of said electronic devices, said D-type 50-point contact connector being electrically connected to the converter circuit board by way of a set of electrical conductors which exit the D-type 50-point contact connector and are received by said converter circuit board in a substantially perpendicular manner;

panel means defining the back end of said housing means, said panel means having at least two openings;

first D-type contact connector having 14 to 36 contact points, said first D-type contact connector being mounted in one of said at least two openings and electrically connected to the converter circuit board by a second set of conductors, said second set of conductors exiting the first D-type contact connector so as to intersect said converter circuit board in a substantially perpendicular manner; and

second D-type contact connector having 14 to 36 contact points, said second D-type contact connector being mounted in another one of said at least two openings and electrically connected to the converter circuit board by a ribbon cable.

10. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 9, wherein said panel means comprises a substantially flat iron panel.

11. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 9, further comprising male and female board-to-board connectors for electrically interconnecting said upper and lower circuit boards.

12. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 9, wherein said D-type 50-point contact connector is constructed in a male configuration and comprises a pair of laterally disposed grooves for engaging a corresponding female socket in one of said electronic devices, whereby the converter-type circuit connector is physically supported by the female socket.

13. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 9, wherein said set of electrical conductors exiting the D-type 50-point contact connector is arranged to form two rows of conductors, each of said conductors being downwardly bent to form right angles and welded to the lower circuit board such that during insertion or removal of the D-type 50-point contact connector from one of said electronic devices, any force applied is distributed across the converter circuit board to the housing means.

14. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 9, wherein said housing means comprises an upper cover and a lower cover.

15. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 14, wherein said upper cover further comprises at least one clamping hook and said lower cover comprises at least one clamping groove;

said at least one clamping hook engaging said at least one clamping groove to securely join said upper and lower covers.

16. The converter-type circuit connector of claim 15, further comprising a screw passing through an opening in said lower cover and threadedly engaging said upper cover to securely join said upper and lower covers.