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. 12, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 04, 2000
Jeffery W. Mason, North Attleboro, MA (US);
William Petrocelli, Douglas, MA (US);
Thomas & Betts International, Inc., Sparks, NV (US);
Abstract
The circuit traces of a circuit board extend to and usually outward from a side surface of the board for direct connection to contacts of a mating connector, circuit board or device. The contact portions of the traces are the end surfaces of the traces which in one embodiment extend outward of the plane of the associated side surface of the circuit board. The contact portion may be of greater cross-sectional area than that of the associated trace to provide a contact area of intended size. The contact portion of a trace may be plated with gold or other appropriate conductive material to enhance conductivity and prevent or minimize oxidation or corrosion. Interconnection to the contact portions of the traces is provided by mating contacts which respectively engage the contact and surfaces of the traces. Preferably, the mating contacts are resilient conductive columns or elements which are maintained in engagement with the contact ends by suitable hardware.