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:
Dec. 04, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2000
Derek T. Someda, San Diego, CA (US);
Ronald A. Shutter, Encinitas, CA (US);
Pulse Engineering, Inc., San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
A microelectronic connector having indicating devices which are located external to the connector body. In one embodiment, one or more channels are formed in the exterior of the connector body which receive the devices and their leads. The channels are formed generally on the connector surface proximate to the circuit board to which the connector leads are being mated, thereby minimizing the length of the leads. The channels are designed to retain the leads of the indicating devices in a substantially fixed relationship to the connector body, thereby obviating the need for a cavity or recess for the indicating device, or apertures leading from the cavity/recess to the exterior of the package. A noise shield may further be installed on the connector body which helps retain the aforementioned indicating devices within external channels formed in the connector body. In one embodiment, a one-piece metallic shield is folded around the exterior of the connector body and indicating devices, thereby retaining the LEDs in place. In a second embodiment, the shield is contoured to the channel of the connector body such that the indicating devices are external to the shield and connector, thereby shielding the connector conductors and magnetics from EMI generated by the indicating devices as well as that from external sources. A method of fabricating the connector of the present invention is also disclosed.