Dual element electrical contact and connector assembly utilizing same
First Claim
1. An electrical contact for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said contact comprising:
- a first malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively; and
a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith, said second, spring element having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity of said first, conductive element, said electrical contact being of substantially C-shaped configuration.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical contact and connector assembly utilizing same wherein the contact includes a first, highly conductive element (e.g., oxygen-free copper) having a first modulus of elasticity and including a pair of contacting portions each of which is designed for engaging respective conductors on first and second circuit members, and a second, spring element (e.g., stainless steel) operatively coupled to the first conductive element and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than that of the first, conductive element. A connector assembly is also defined which includes a common housing for having the contact (preferably several) located therein. The housing is metallic (e.g., stainless steel) and includes a coating of suitable dielectric material on appropriate surfaces thereof so as to prevent electrical shorting with the internally contained contacts. A preferred coating for this purpose is polyimide.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. An electrical contact for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said contact comprising:
-
a first malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively; and a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith, said second, spring element having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity of said first, conductive element, said electrical contact being of substantially C-shaped configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An electrical connector assembly for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said assembly comprising:
-
a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second circuit members; and a plurality of electrical contacts spacedly positioned within said housing, selected ones of said electrical contacts including a first, malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively, and a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity of said first, conductive element, said electrical contact being of substantially C-shaped configuration. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. An information handling system comprising:
an electrical connector assembly for electrically interconnecting first and second circuit members, said assembly including a housing adapted for being positioned substantially between said first and second circuit members, and a plurality of electrical contacts spacedly positioned within said housing, selected ones of said electrical contacts including a first, malleable conductive element comprised of metallic material and having a first modulus of elasticity and including first and second opposed contacting portions for engaging said first and second circuit members, respectively, and a second, spring element comprised of metallic material and joined to said first, conductive element in direct physical contact therewith and having a second modulus of elasticity greater than said first modulus of elasticity, said electrical contacts being of substantially C-shaped configuration.
Specification