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. 25, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 25, 2000
Thomas A. Johnson, Draper, UT (US);
Jeffrey L. Jones, Orem, UT (US);
David Oliphant, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
3Com Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A communication card includes a retractable connector that is smoothly extendable and retractable. A torsion spring is positioned within a slot that receives the retractable connector and the torsion spring assists the extension of the retractable platform and counter forces that may otherwise cause the platform to bind as it extends and retracts. A flexible circuit is attached to the torsion spring and it allows electrical communication between the retractable connectors and the communication card. The flexible circuit is preferably attached to the retractable connector and the communication card by zero insertion force connectors. Because the flexible circuit is bonded to the torsion spring, the movement of the circuit is constrained and that helps protect the circuit from damage.