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:
Sep. 11, 2001
Filed:
May. 19, 1999
Minoru Katoh, Kawasaki, JP;
Hidenori Miyamoto, Urayasu, JP;
Tadashi Otani, Otawara, JP;
Tomoki Nishimura, Kawasaki, JP;
Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
Apparatus such as a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) for coupling two electronic components that are configured to move relative to each other such as within a multi-part slide-open type camera, multi-part micro-scope, a scanner device, etc., that includes a first end configured to be coupled to a first electronic component, a flexible connecting member emanating from the first end, and a second end at which the connecting member terminates and which is used to connect the flexible connecting member to a second electronic component. The connecting member includes a component surface used to communicate electrical signals between the fist electronic component and the second electronic component. The flexible connecting member has a shape that permits it to extend and retract in directions substantially perpendicular to the component surface. The shape also permits the flexible connecting member to be maintained in a single plane when in a fully retracted state.