Coplanar computer docking system

• US 5,295,852 A
• Filed: 07/12/1993
• Issued: 03/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Original Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Johnson, David C., Irlbeck, Robert D., Volz, Keith L., Bates, Warren A., Deak, Frederick R., Renn, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US08/089,867
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 439/50, 439/62, 439/65, 439/66, 439/67, 439/325, 439/327, 439/328, 439/329, 439/330, 439/493, 439/631, 439/632, 439/492
• US Class Current: 439/328
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/52 connecting to other rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/721 cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits

Abstract

The invention hereof relates to electronic apparatus, such as a computer docking connector. More particularly, the invention relates to a docking connector for edge mounting to a "mother" board, where a "daughter" board, memory card, or similar device is inserted into said connector to electrically interconnect the mother board to the inserted device. The apparatus comprises a pair of spring biased, hermaphroditic, resilient housing members, which when assembled define an elongated slot planarly aligned with an edge of the mother board. Opposed camming surfaces are provided with the slot to operatively spread the housing members upon insertion of the electronic device int the slot. Finally a flexible film member containing electrical circuitry thereon is mounted within the housing members for electrically interconnecting corresponding circuitry on the mother board and the electronic device.

Claims

1. Electronic apparatus for card edge mounting an electronic device, to a mother board, said apparatus comprising a pair of spring biased, hermaphroditic, resilient housing members, which when assembled define an elongated slot which receives an edge of said mother board therein, opposed camming surfaces within said slot to operatively spread said housing members upon insertion of said electronic device into said slot, and a flexible film member containing electrical circuitry thereon mounted within said housing members for electrically interconnecting corresponding circuitry on said mother board and said electronic device, wherein said electronic device includes a camming relief notch for receiving said camming surfaces when said electronic device is fully inserted into said slot.

2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said housing members are provided with a pair of C-shaped metal clips formed of a spring metal to facilitate opening and closing of said slot.

3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible film member is in the form of a continuous loop.

4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flexible film member is in the form of a scroll.

5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said housing members include a thin transverse wall portion to allow flexing of said housing members.