Electrical cable having flat, flexible, multiple conductor sections

• US 5,373,109 A
• Filed: 12/23/1992
• Issued: 12/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Steele, Eugene E., Oldrey, Richard W., Argyrakis, Straty N.
• Primary Examiner(s): NIMMO, MORRIS
• Application Number:
  US07/995,494
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 174/117 F, 174/117 FF, 174/117 R, 174/885, 174/845, 174/72 TR, 439/59, 439/61, 439/65, 439/67, 439/74, 333/238, 333/243
• US Class Current: 174/117.0FF
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/774 Retainers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/78 connecting to other flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures

Abstract

An electrical cable having a plurality of flat, flexible cable sections. Each section has flat, electrically conductive ground layers on at least the top and bottom surfaces thereof, and a plurality of flat, electrically conductive signal conductors between the ground layers. A plurality of dielectric layers separates the signal conductors from each other and from the ground layers. Each signal conductor includes an exposed surface extending a short distance from the end of the conductor along the length of each section. Adjacent cable sections are positioned relative to each other so that the exposed surfaces of corresponding signal conductors face each other. A plurality of connector assemblies is interposed between adjacent cable sections for electrically conducting the exposed surfaces of the corresponding signal conductors. Retaining means are provided for securing the ends of adjacent cable sections and connector assemblies in electrical contact with each other. The adjacent cable sections terminate at the retaining means and reverse direction to create an accordian type configuration for the cable.

Claims

1. An electrical cable comprising:

a plurality of flat, flexible cable sections each section being adjacent at least one other section and having flat electrically conductive ground layers on at least the top and bottom surfaces of each section, a plurality of flat electrically conductive signal conductors between said ground layers, and a plurality of dielectric layers separating said signal conductors from each other and said ground layers;

wherein each of said signal conductors extends along an arcuate path when said cable is in an unflexed state and includes an exposed surface extending a short distance from the end of each conductor along the length of each section; and

wherein adjacent cable sections are positioned relative to each other so that said exposed surfaces of corresponding signal conductors on one cable section face those of the other cable section;

a plurality of connector assemblies, interposed between said adjacent cable sections for electrically connecting said exposed surfaces of said corresponding signal conductors; and

retaining means for securing the ends of adjacent cable sections and connector assemblies in electrical contact with each other, said adjacent cable sections terminating at said retaining means and reversing direction to create an accordion type configuration for said cable.

2. The cable of claim 1 wherein each of said signal conduct extends through an arc of 90 degrees.

3. An electrical cable comprising:

a plurality of flat, flexible cable sections each section being adjacent at least one other section and having flat electrically conductive ground layers on at least the top and bottom surfaces of each section, a plurality of flat electrically conductive signal conductors between said ground layers, and a plurality of dielectric layers separating said signal conductors from each other and said ground layers;

wherein each of said signal conductors is linear when said cable is in an unflexed state and includes an exposed surface extending a short distance from the end of each conductor along the length of each section; and

wherein adjacent cable sections are positioned relative to each other so that said exposed surfaces of corresponding signal conductors on one cable section face each other these of the other cable section and the ends of each cable section are tapered at an angle less than 90 degrees with respect to said linear signal conductors;

a plurality of connector assemblies, interposed between said adjacent cable sections for electrically connecting said exposed surfaces of said corresponding signal conductors; and

retaining means for securing the ends of adjacent cable sections and connector assemblies in electrical contact with each other, said adjacent cable sections terminating at said retaining means and reversing direction to create an accordion type configuration for said cable.

4. The cable of claim 3 wherein said angle is 45 degrees.