Spring connector for electrically connecting tracks of a display screen with an electrical circuit

• US 6,692,263 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2001
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IPG Electronics 504 Limited (Coller IP Capital Limited)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Villain, Jean-Christophe, Vogel, Frederic, Cupif, Bertrand
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, THANH TAM T
• Application Number:
  US09/965,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20020039849A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 361/784, 361/787, 361/789, 361/803, 439/65, 439/66, 439/74, 439/629
• US Class Current: 439/66
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7076 for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/79 connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/4821 Single-blade spring
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/484 Spring housing details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/365 by abutting, i.e. without alloying process

Abstract

A spring connector for connecting at least one electrical track of a display screen with an electrical circuit also holds the display screen in position. A flexible metal foil forms a spring and a plastics material film which includes at least one electrical track has substantially the same shape as the metal foil and is fixed to one face of the metal foil. At least one of the tracks of the plastics material film connects tracks of the display screen with the electrical circuit.

Claims

1. A spring connector for connecting at least one electrical track of a display screen with an electrical circuit, said connector including holding means for holding said display screen in position, a flexible metal foil forming a spring, and a plastics material film which includes at least one electrical track, has substantially the same shape as said metal foil, and is fixed to one face of said metal foil, wherein at least one of said tracks of said plastics material film is adapted to connect tracks of said display screen with said electrical circuit.

2. The connector claimed in claim 1 wherein said connector has a substantially S-shaped cross section and has a top part which forms said holding means for holding said display screen in position.

3. A display system including a display screen, which includes at least one electrical track, an electrical circuit for controlling said display screen, and a spring connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display screen and said electrical circuit are disposed substantially facing each other.

4. The display system claimed in claim 3 wherein said connector has a substantially S-shaped cross section and has a top part which forms said holding means for holding said display screen in position, and said spring connector is disposed so that said plastics material film is in contact with said track or tracks of said display screen and with said electrical circuit, said top part of said S-shape of said spring connector is interengaged with an edge of said display screen, and a free end part of a bottom part of said S-shape is in contact with said electric circuit and applies a reaction force thereto.

5. The display system claimed in claim 3, further comprising a control device for said display screen, wherein said control device is fixed to a face of said display screen and connected to at least one of said tracks of said display screen.

6. A terminal including a display system according to claim 3 and further including support means for supporting said display screen and said electrical circuit and spacer means for maintaining the spacing between said display screen and said electrical circuit.

7. A spring connector for connecting at least one electrical track of a display screen with an electrical circuit, said connector including a holder coupled to said display screen and holding said display screen in position, a flexible metal foil forming a spring, and a plastics material film which includes at least one electrical track, has substantially the same shape as said metal foil, and is fixed to one face of said metal foil, wherein at least one of said tracks of said plastics material film is adapted to connect tracks of said display screen with said electrical circuit.

8. The connector claimed in claim 7 wherein said connector has a substantially S-shaped cross section and has a top part which forms said holding means for holding said display screen in position.

9. A display system including a display screen, which includes at least one electrical track, an electrical circuit for controlling said display screen, and a spring connector as claimed in claim 7, wherein said display screen and said electrical circuit are disposed substantially facing each other.

10. The display system claimed in claim 9 wherein said connector has a substantially S-shaped cross section and has a top part which forms said holder, and said spring connector is disposed so that said plastics material film is in contact with said track or tracks of said display screen and with said electrical circuit, said top part of said S-shape of said spring connector is interengaged with an edge of said display screen, and a free end part of a bottom part of said S-shape is in contact with said electric circuit and applies a reaction force thereto.

11. The display system claimed in claim 9 further comprising a control device for said display screen, wherein said control device is fixed to a face of said display screen and connected to at least one of said tracks of said display screen.

12. A terminal including a display system according to claim 9 and further including a support which supports said display screen and said electrical circuit and a spacer to maintain the spacing between said display screen and said electrical circuit.