Connector assembly apparatus for electronic equipment and method for using same
DCFirst Claim
1. A connector assembly comprising:
- a conducting structure having a top section, a first flange at one side of said top section, a second flange at an opposite side of said top section, and a plurality of connector apertures in said top section, wherein said first flange and said second flange each comprise one or more legs, wherein each leg is physically configured to be seated into a first aperture pattern of a substrate; and
a plurality of connectors coupled to said structure, wherein each connector of said plurality of connectors comprises a first conductor electrically coupled to said structure, and a second conductor electrically isolated from said structure and extending through a respective connector aperture and configured to be coupled into a second aperture pattern of said substrate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connector assembly and a method of utilizing a connector assembly to enhance performance, improve reliability and provide ease of assembly of electronic equipment are presented. The connector assembly comprises a rigid bracket capable of holding multiple connectors. The bracket acts as a common ground for all of the connectors. The connector assembly has multiple legs and connector conductors that insert into corresponding apertures on a PCB. The legs of the connector assembly are configured to permit the placement of circuit traces on the PCB in the spaces between the legs. After placement of the connector assembly onto the PCB, soldering or other techniques may be used to secure the connector assembly to the board and to connect the proper circuits to the connectors. Because the connectors are installed on the rigid bracket, repeated physical stresses induced on the ports or jacks do not affect the integrity of the PCB.
6 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A connector assembly comprising:
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a conducting structure having a top section, a first flange at one side of said top section, a second flange at an opposite side of said top section, and a plurality of connector apertures in said top section, wherein said first flange and said second flange each comprise one or more legs, wherein each leg is physically configured to be seated into a first aperture pattern of a substrate; and a plurality of connectors coupled to said structure, wherein each connector of said plurality of connectors comprises a first conductor electrically coupled to said structure, and a second conductor electrically isolated from said structure and extending through a respective connector aperture and configured to be coupled into a second aperture pattern of said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A connector assembly for electronic equipment comprising:
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a substrate having a first aperture pattern and a second aperture pattern formed thereon; a conducting structure comprising a plurality of flanges having a plurality of legs seated in said first aperture pattern, and a top section having a plurality of connector apertures; and a plurality of connectors coupled to said plurality of connector apertures in said top section of said conducting structure, each of said connectors comprising a first conductor isolated from said conducting structure and extending into said second aperture pattern and a second conductor coupled to said conducting structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for assembling an electronic device comprising:
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providing a conducting structure having a top section and a plurality of flanges extending from said top section; coupling a plurality of connectors to said top section of said structure to form a connector assembly. Wherein said structure is configured to act as a common ground for said plurality of connectors; forming a pattern of apertures on a printed circuit board; inserting said connector assembly into said pattern of apertures; and affixing said connector assembly to said printed circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A connector assembly for assembly with a printed circuit board having a plurality of leg apertures and a plurality of conductor apertures, said connector assembly comprising:
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a rigid conducting bracket comprising a top section and a plurality of flanges; said top section comprising a plurality of connector apertures; said plurality of flanges comprising a plurality of legs, said legs each having a first surface configured to abut said PC board; a plurality of connectors seated in said plurality of connector apertures, each of said connectors comprising; an outer conductor electrically coupled to said bracket, said outer conductor having a hollow bore, said outer conductor extending through said aperture a majority of a first distance from said top section to said first surface; and a signal conductor within said hollow bore, said signal conductor configured to be inserted into one of said conductor apertures when said plurality of legs are inserted into said plurality of leg apertures, said signal conductor extending beyond said first distance. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification