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:
Oct. 09, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 26, 1999
Brian Ralph Larson, Bayport, MN (US);
Charles Kryzak, Mendota Heights, MN (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
Dense physical and electrical connection of (i) flat flexible multiconductor cables of the printed circuit or ribbon types, to (ii) to spaced-parallel planar modules, particularly to switching modules containing switching chips, is realized by (1) a particular connection geometry in combination with (2) a spring clip connector. Flat flexible multiconductor cables routed through free space either in (i) “X” and, optionally also, “Z” planes, or else in (ii) “Y” planes exclusively, have their conductors' ends stripped and bent 90° so as to lie upon conductive pads, arrayed along lines angled 45° to both the “X” and “Y” planes, located on the substrates of switching modules that are within “Z” planes. A substantially square, substantially planar, spring clip mounts and re-mounts to the substrate by, preferably, two tabs fitting in a corresponding two holes in the substrate, so as to hold exposed conductor ends of each cable bent 90° compressively against a portion of the arrayed conductive pads, making electrical connections.