Connector for flat flexible circuitry

• US 5,954,536 A
• Filed: 03/27/1998
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Molex Incorporated
• Inventors: Fuerst, Robert M., Watt, Russell J., LePottier, Yves
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, Paula
• Assistant Examiner(s): WRIGHT, CECELIA B
• Application Number:
  US09/049,362
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 439/496, 439/493, 439/67
• US Class Current: 439/493
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/772 Strain relieving means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/79 connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/365 by abutting, i.e. without alloying process

Abstract

A connector is provided for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. The connector includes a carrier on which the flexible circuit is positioned with the conductors of the circuit facing away from the carrier. A housing has an opening for receiving the carrier. The carrier is slidably mounted into the opening in the housing to a preliminary loading position for receiving the mating connecting device between the carrier and the housing. The carrier is pivotable from the preliminary loading position to a final connecting position whereat the conductors of the flat circuit are biased against the conductors on the mating connecting device.

Claims

1. A connector for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a printed circuit board, comprising:

a male-type flexible circuit carrier defining an edge about which the flat flexible circuit is wrapped with the conductors of the circuit facing away from the carrier;

a housing having an opening for receiving the carrier inserted edge-first thereinto;

complementary interengaging guide means between the carrier and the housing for slidably guiding the carrier into the opening in the housing to a preliminary loading position whereat a mouth is defined between the carrier and the housing for receiving the printed circuit board thereinto with the conductors on the board facing the conductors of the flat flexible circuit; and

complementary interengaging pivot means between the carrier and the housing when the carrier is in said preliminary loading position for pivoting the carrier from the loading position to a final connecting position whereat the conductors of the flat flexible circuit are biased against the conductors on the printed circuit board.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said housing includes an anvil plate on a side of said mouth opposite the carrier whereby the printed circuit board is sandwiched between the anvil plate and the carrier.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein said carrier includes at lease one locating peg adapted for insertion into an appropriate locating hole in the flat flexible circuit.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein said locating pegs are positioned on the carrier and are of sufficient length for insertion also into appropriate locating holes in the printed circuit board.

5. The connector of claim 1 wherein said carrier includes at least one locating peg adapted for insertion into an appropriate locating hole in the printed circuit board.

6. The connector of claim 1, including lock means for locking the carrier in its final connecting position.

7. The connector of claim 1, including latch means for temporarily holding the carrier in its preliminary loading position.

8. The connector of claim 7 wherein said latch means comprise a pair of flexible latch arms at opposite sides of the carrier biased against opposing portions of the housing.

9. The connector of claim 7, including lock means for locking the carrier in its final connecting position.

10. The connector of claim 9 wherein said latch means comprises a pair of flexible latch arms at opposite sides of the carrier biased against opposing portions of the housing, and said lock means comprise locking flanges on the latch arms engageable behind locking shoulders on the housing.

11. A connector for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device, comprising:

a circuit carrier on which the flat circuit is positioned with the conductors on the circuit facing away from the carrier;

a housing having an opening for receiving the carrier thereinto;

complementary interengaging guide means between the carrier and the housing for slidably guiding the carrier into the opening in the housing to a preliminary loading position for receiving the mating connecting device with the conductors on the device facing the conductors of the flat circuit; and

complementary interengaging pivot means between the carrier and the housing when the carrier is in said preliminary loading position for pivoting the carrier from the loading position to a final connecting position whereat the conductors of the flat circuit engage the conductors on the connecting device.

12. The connector of claim 11 wherein said housing includes an anvil plate opposite the carrier whereby the connecting device is sandwiched between the anvil plate and the carrier.

13. The connector of claim 11 wherein said carrier includes locating pegs adapted for insertion into appropriate locating holes in the flat circuit.

14. The connector of claim 13 wherein said locating pegs are positioned on the carrier and are of sufficient length for insertion also into appropriate locating holes in the mating connecting device.

15. The connector of claim 11 wherein said carrier includes locating pegs adapted for insertion into appropriate locating holes in the mating connecting device.

16. The connector of claim 11, including lock means for locking the carrier in its final connecting position.

17. The connector of claim 11, including latch means for temporarily holding the carrier in its preliminary loading position.

18. The connector of claim 17 wherein said latch means comprise a pair of flexible latch arms at opposite sides of the carrier biased against opposing portions of the housing.

19. The connector of claim 17, including lock means for locking the carrier in its final connecting position.

20. The connector of claim 19 wherein said latch means comprises a pair of flexible latch arms at opposite sides of the carrier biased against opposing portions of the housing, and said lock means comprise locking flanges on the latch arms engageable behind locking shoulders on the housing.