International Business Machines Corporation

Berg Technology, Inc.

Raymond A Busacco

David W Dranchak

George J Saxenmeyer, Jr

Fletcher W Chapin

Wayne T Kropa

Paul George Rickerl

James R Petrozello

Chi Shih Chang

Thomas G Macek

Jaynal Abedin Molla

Russell E Darrow

Robert D Topa

Rod A Smith

A method for manufacturing an electrical connector comprising the steps of providing an electrical connector shell, and selecting a ferrule. The electrical connector shell has a chamber for holding an electrical contact housing therein. The shell has a cable exit section allowing an electrical cable terminating in the electrical contact housing to exit the shell through the cable exit section. The selected ferrule is placed in the cable exit section of the shell. The selected ferrule is selected from different ferrules in accordance with a predetermined characteristic of the electrical connector.

Electrical connector with interchangeable ferrule

A connection between a one and another electrical connector uses a cable terminating assembly with at least one sidewall compartment in which a terminal end of a latch element is disposed. The terminal end of the latch element has a bell shaped cut out formed in it which cooperates with a guide post associated with the other of said connectors so that upon movement of the two connectors toward one another in locking engagement between the two is effected by the continued axial movement of the two connectors. Disconnect is accomplished by simply squeezing the latch elements to effect disengagement from the guide posts.

Latch mechanism for electrical connector

A flexible circuit board having an improved protective coverlay is provided. The product flexible circuit board comprises a flexible, dielectric substrate, one or more electrical conductors carried on the surface thereof, one or more electrical contact bumps in electrical communication with the conductors, and an improved protective coverlay electrically insulating the electrical conductors. The coverlay, which is a solid, tack-free film bonded to the surface of the dielectric substrate, is formed in situ from one or more layers of flexible, dielectric, polymeric adhesives and avoids the use of a pre-formed, self-supporting film.

Coverlay for printed circuit boards

An electrical connector for interconnecting a pair of circuit members (e.g., a circuit board and module), which, in one embodiment, includes a housing, at least one flexible circuit within the housing and a spring means attached to the flexible circuit at two spaced locations for exerting force against the flexible circuit to cause the circuit to engage respective conductive pads on the circuit members when the circuit members are moved toward each other (e.g., compressed). The shape of the spring means conforms substantially to the portion of the flexible circuit between the locations of attachment. In another embodiment, a connector for interconnecting such circuit members includes a housing adapted for being located between both members and at least one elongated, compressible contact member in the housing and including conductive end portions for engaging the circuit members. The contact occupies a first, prestressed position before engagement and is adapted for moving to a second, compressed position during the engagement. The conductive end portions of the flexible circuit in the first embodiment and the contact member in the second embodiment preferably comprise a plurality of dendrites for providing enhanced connections.

High density connector

A method of forming conductive end portions on a flexible circuit member having a dielectric layer (e.g., polyimide) with at least one conductive element (e.g., copper) thereon. The method comprises the steps of forming (e.g., punching) an opening through both dielectric and conductive element, providing (e.g., additive plating) an electrically conducting layer on the opening's internal surface, providing (e.g., electroplating) a plurality of dendritic elements on the conducting layer's surface, and thereafter removing (e.g., punching) a portion of the dielectric and conductive element such that the formed dendritic elements (e.g., palladium) project from the flexible circuit's conductive ends.

Method of forming a conductive end portion on a flexible circuit member

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Lake Ariel, PA, United States of America

Raymond A Busacco