Breadboard to stackable plug convertor

• US 7,273,377 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elenco Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Elenco Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Seymour, Arthur F.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH TAM T
• Application Number:
  US11/274,624
• Publication Number:
  US 20070111573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 439/49, 434/118, 434/224, 434/301
• US Class Current: 439/49
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7076 for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/514 composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48185 adapted for axial insertion of a wire end

Abstract

A housing used to combine a standard electronic prototype system and a modular block system with stackable connectors to achieve a design system that allows for safe assembly of circuits of a more complex nature than can be achieved by either system alone.

Claims

1. A quick connect circuit module, comprising:

a housing comprising an electronically non-conductive module portion with substantially planar face portions and snap-fitting female electronically conductive connectors connected to said module portion, said electronically conductive connectors comprising electronically conductive male connectors extending outwardly from and connected to one of said face portions of said module and electronically conductive female connectors electronically connected to said electronically conductive male connectors on an opposite face portion of said module, said female connectors being complementary to said male connectors of said module to snap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the male connectors of said module to releasably secure, interlockingly couple and mechanically attach said modules to other said modules, and said female connectors being complementary to said male connectors of other modules to snap-fittingly receive and matingly engage the male connectors of said other modules to releasably secure, interlockingly couple, mechanically attach and electronically connect said modules to each other;

said modules comprising a component-receiving breadboard area with at least two connector strips for receiving and releasably engaging more than one of said electronic components to provide a solderless electronic connection for the building of electronic circuits.

2. A quick connect circuit module in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electronic components are selected from the group of:

capacitors, resistors, diodes, light emitting diodes LED, inductors, transistors, semiconductors, triodes, electronic sound emitters, speakers, buzzers, microphones, light bulbs, strobe lights, switches, integrated circuits, and combinations thereof.

3. A quick connect circuit module in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electronically conductive connectors comprise:

metal male connectors selected from the group consisting of snaps, pegs, pins, posts, pedestals, and plugs; and

metal female connectors selected from the group consisting of sockets, receptacles, grommets, rings, and tubes; and

metal female breadboard connectors selected from the group consisting of sockets, receptacles, clips, springs, and tubes.

4. A quick connect circuit module in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said non-conductive portion comprises a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, wood, paperboard, cardboard, and rubber.

5. A quick connect circuit module in accordance with claim 1 wherein said components-receiving connector strips comprise electronically conductive contacts selected from the group consisting of:

clip springs, interference metal clips, and wire springs.