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:
Aug. 21, 2007
Filed:
Mar. 30, 2006
Keith Johnson, Medway, MA (US);
John Palker, South Grafton, MA (US);
Robert P. Wierzbicki, Worcester, MA (US);
Keith Johnson, Medway, MA (US);
John Palker, South Grafton, MA (US);
Robert P. Wierzbicki, Worcester, MA (US);
EMC Corporation, Hopkinton, MA (US);
Abstract
Described are an apparatus and method for blind mating electrical connectors. A connector-alignment collar includes a frame with a multi-sided base portion. The sides of the base portion define an area within which to receive a connector closely. A guide cantilever extends substantially perpendicularly from the base portion at a first side of the frame, and an alignment cantilever extends substantially perpendicularly from the base portion at a second side of the frame opposite the first side. The connector-alignment collar is placed around a first electrical connector on a first circuit board. The alignment cantilever is inserted into an alignment hole in the second circuit board while a guide notch in an edge of the second circuit board is urged against the guide cantilever. After the alignment cantilever is inserted into the alignment hole in the second circuit board, the first electrical connector on the first circuit board mates with the second electrical connector on the second circuit board.