Electrostatic discharge enhanced charge contact design

• US 7,316,592 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2003
• Issued: 01/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Pang, Chu Zhu, Chan, Chauk Hung, Cai, Yong Yang
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond; Briggitte
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSUKERMAN, LARISA Z
• Application Number:
  US10/438,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20040022388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,698 Days
• Field of Search: 439824-830, 439/860, 439/32, 439/700, 439/586, 200530-540
• US Class Current: 439/824
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6485 Electrostatic discharge protection in general H05F1/00, for electric apparatus H05K9/0067
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/701 the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an electrical contact that incorporates a movable metal connection component such as a contact pin. The metal connection component is mounted within an insulating body. An electrically conducting path, from a contact head of the metal connection component to an interior of a base chassis is created only when a handset has been positioned within a cradle cavity of the base.

Claims

1. An electrical contact for reducing electrostatic discharge comprising:

a contact head made of a nonconductive material;

a contact pin made of a conductive material, the contact pin comprising a top end, a stem, and a terminal point, wherein the contact pin is embedded within the contact head so as to provide an electrical path from the top end to the terminal point;

a body made of a nonconductive material, wherein the body is configured to receive the stem and the terminal point within a cavity of the body, wherein the contact head further comprises one or more legs and a foot on each of the one or more legs;

an electrical connection plate attached to a bottom portion of the body; and

a spring surrounding the stem of the contact pin, wherein the spring is disposed within the body such that an air gap exists between the electrical connection plate and the terminal point of the contact pin when the spring is uncompressed.

2. The electrical contact of claim 1, wherein the contact head further comprises a bridging portion, wherein the contact pin is disposed within the bridging portion.

3. The electrical contact of claim 1, wherein the electrical connection plate further comprises one or more ears configured to attach the electrical connection plate to the body.

4. The electrical contact of claim 1, wherein the contact pin further comprises one or more lateral projections.

5. The electrical contact of claim 4, wherein the one or more lateral projections of the contact pin are embedded within the contact head.

6. The electrical contact of claim 1, wherein the spring is disposed between a rigid surface of body and the contact head.

7. The electrical contact of claim 6, wherein the contact pin touches the electrical connection plate when the spring is compressed by a force exerted on the top end of the contact pin.

8. The electrical contact of claim 1, wherein the electrical contact forms part of a base of an electronic device comprising an internal circuit.

9. The electrical contact of claim 8, wherein the electrical contact further comprises one or more prongs.

10. The electrical contact of claim 9, the base further comprising one or more side apertures configured to receive the one or more prongs of the electrical contact.