International Business Machines Corporation

John J Squires

Wai Mon Ma

Thomas G Macek

David E Engle

William Louis Brodsky

David W Dranchak

Gene D Rohrer

Alan D Knight

Matthew J Galatha

James R Bentlage

David E Hessian

Geoffrey R Mariner

Joseph F Basista

John H Williams

An electronic package including a first circuitized substrate (e.g., printed circuit board) and a flexible circuitized substrate wherein the flexible substrate is precisely aligned in removable manner relative to the first substrate. This is accomplished utilizing a retention member and associated frame member, the flexible circuitized substrate being precisely aligned and secured to the frame member. Elastomeric pressure exertion members are utilized to exert pressure against each of a plurality of individual circuitized sections of the flexible circuit member to thus effect engagement between the flexible substrate's contacts and respective conductors which constitute part of the circuit on the first substrate. Moveable clamp members may also be used to engage extending posts of the retention member, said clamp members also possibly acting against a stiffener member located on the first substrate's opposite surface from the flexible substrate.

Electronic package for high density applications

An electrical connector assembly including a bilayered elastomeric element of integral construction for providing effective contact force (pressure) between corresponding arrays of conductors located on two circuit members (e.g., one a flexible circuit and the other a more rigid, circuit board or card). High density connections are assured in a sound, effective manner. The elastomer, preferably silicon rubber, includes a base layer with several spaced openings therein and an adjacent layer of several upstanding projections (e.g., cylindrical or box-like) spacedly located relative to the adjacent openings within the first layer. The first layer openings accommodate bulged elastomeric during compression to assist in preventing undesirable elastomeric buckling, thereby assuring the desired contact force (pressure) application.

Connector assembly including bilayered elastomeric member

An electrical connector for electrically connecting the circuitry on a pair of flexible cables, the connector including a base member for having the two cables located thereon, means for aligning the two cables in precise alignment (e.g., a pair of pins on the base member), a clamp member for occupying first and second positions relative to the base member (the flexible cables being compressed and the circuitry thereof being in direct contact when the clamp is in the second position), compressible means (e.g., an elastomeric member) located between the clamp and base members for engaging at least one of the flexible cables to exert a force thereagainst when compressed, and retention means for retaining the clamp member in the second (clamping) position such that a high density connection is provided between both flexible cables. In one embodiment, the clamp is pivotally located on the base member, while in another embodiment the retention means is rotationally located on the clamp member. In both embodiments, a cam type of engagement is used.

Flexible cable connector

A fiber optic connector assembly wherein two individual fiber optic connectors are retained in a side-by-side arrangement which enables relative freedom of movement therebetween so as to facilitate positioning of the retained two (also called a duplex) within a common housing. Such movement accommodates for manufacturing tolerances within the housing and/or connectors, while still assuring successful insertion within the common housing. An adapter, having two clamping portions (one for each connector) interconnected by a resilient portion, assures this movement.

Fiber optic connector assembly and adapter for use therewith

An assembly for interconnecting two relatively rigid circuit cards using a flexible circuit for forming this connection is provided. The assembly includes a housing which has a first pressure exerting member which has the flexible circuit reeved therearound. Second and third pressure exerting members are provided in spaced juxtaposed relationship against which the opposite legs of the flexible circuit are maintained to define therebetween a slot for the reception of a circuit card. The assembly is inserted into a card substrate with the first pressure exerting means causing the flexible circuit to be biased into contact with the contacts on a substrate. A second circuit card is inserted into the slot between the legs of the flexible circuit, and the second and third pressure exerting members urge each of the legs as the flexible circuit into contact with the second circuit board.

Electrical connector utilizing flexible electrical circuitry

A power driven belt provides back-up pressure for a check or similar document bearing magnetic information as the document moves past a reading transducer. The belt is resiliently urged against cylindrical bearing surfaces adjacent the transducer to provide a non-critical geometry.

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Endicott, NY, United States of America

John J Squires