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:
Feb. 01, 2000
Filed:
May. 15, 1998
Andrew Strange, N. Attleboro, MA (US);
Thomas & Betts International, Inc., Sparks, NV (US);
Abstract
An elastomeric connector provides shielded electrical connection between first and second circuit boards or other surfaces. Each circuit board includes an array of parallel conductive signal traces and an interposed array of parallel conductive ground traces. The elastomeric connector is comprised of an elongated generally rectangular body having an inner layer of conductive elastomeric material for providing selective electrical conduction between a first face and an opposite second face of the body. Electrically insulating elastomeric layers are provided on each side of the center conductive layer and elastomeric ground planes are provided on the respective opposite surfaces of the body orthogonal to the contact surfaces of the body. To provide shielded connection between the circuit boards, the elastomeric body is disposed between the confronting circuit boards in a direction generally perpendicular to the signal and ground traces, and with the conductive inner layer of the structure in electrical contact with the signal traces of the first and second circuit boards, and with the ground planes of the elastomeric structure in an electrical contact with the ground traces of the circuit boards. An electrically insulating coating is provided over portions of the signal traces which underlie one or both of the elastomeric ground planes to prevent shorting of the signal traces by the ground plane. The circuit boards and the interposed elastomeric structure are maintained in the engaged position by an appropriate alignment and locking mechanism.