The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 28, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 30, 1993
Corrina A Hall, Escondido, CA (US);
W Wistar Rhoads, Escondido, CA (US);
Patricia S Brown, Encinitas, CA (US);
Arthur K Wilson, San Diego, CA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for providing proper electrical contact between corresponding interconnect pads of a print cartridge and a print carriage are disclosed. One end of a flex circuit having interconnect pads of the print carriage is attached to one side of the print carriage while the other end of the flex circuit may be substantially free or attached to an opposing side of the print carriage. When the print cartridge is initially inserted into the print carriage, a gimbal spring causes the flex circuit interconnect pads to preliminarily come in contact with the print cartridge interconnect pads before the print cartridge is completely inserted. As the print cartridge is further inserted, the print cartridge pushes out any excess slack in the flex circuit while providing a wiping action between the interconnect pads of the print cartridge and the flex circuit. This wiping action between the interconnect pads scrapes away any contaminants and corrosion, thus ensuring reliable electrical contact.