David B Knighton

Title: David B. Knighton: Connector Design and Strain Relief

Introduction

David B. Knighton is an inventor associated with Longmont, Colorado, and Maxtor Corporation. His patent work includes electrical connector designs intended to protect soldered connections from mechanical stress. He is credited with 5 patents.

Latest Patents

Knighton’s listed patents include “PCMCIA Strain Relieved Electrical Connector Assembly” and “Electrical Connector Assembly with Strain Relief Between Electrical.” Both describe a PCMCIA connector that attaches around the front and side edges of a printed circuit board, helping align its contact tails with conductive pads while reducing stress on soldered connections.

The designs use channel-shaped legs that engage the board’s edges. Strain relief can be provided by a flex beam and locating pin or by notches that receive projecting tabs on the board. In a device with a cover and base plate, interlocking features can capture the connector housing, helping isolate the connector assembly from the circuit board.

Career Highlights

Knighton’s listed work reflects a focus on practical connector engineering for PCMCIA devices. The described designs address both precise assembly and the durability of electrical connections under mechanical stress. His company affiliation is Maxtor Corporation.

Collaborations

Knighton’s listed coworkers include Kenneth H. Fernalld and Harold J. Beecroft. The available information identifies them as coworkers but does not specify their roles in the patents described here.

Conclusion

David B. Knighton’s patent work highlights connector designs that combine accurate circuit-board alignment with strain relief to help protect soldered electrical connections.